“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord…To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12: 4-5,7

THESE GIFTS WE NOW BRING…

 November 13, 2007

By Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai

One of the amazing things about being at UUMC as one of your pastors is getting to know all of you and realizing the wealth of spiritual gifts and resources that you bring to this church. By “gifts and resources” I don’t mean money. Instead, I mean expertise and life experiences which you have been so willing to share with each other. Such sharing is happening in many ways--in Sunday morning classes, in worship and in administrative meetings. It is also happening on Wednesday nights.

There are two new events coming up that I want to share with you. This week, Dr. Bill Donohue, communications expert from MSU and member here at UUMC, will discuss Negotiations and the End to Terrorism. Over the course of five weeks, he will discuss negotiations in general, as well as negotiations between nations and groups around issues of peace and reconciliation. He will talk specifically about the Oslo Peace Accords and about negotiating with terrorist groups. Also on the docket this week will be a conversation with Lenora Jadun on Interfaith Marriage (her husband is Muslim).

Both of these topics get at issues of reconciliation and peace that are so pertinent to us today. We are indeed blessed that we have people in our congregation who are willing to share their experiences and provide for us a forum in which we can discuss such important topics.

For those who have not joined us on Wednesday nights, this would be a wonderful opportunity to get a taste of what Wednesday’s have to offer—beyond the wonderful food! Hopefully, I will see you this Wednesday. Remember that dinner begins at 5:30.