One Body in Christ - February 9

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 119:97-120; PM Psalm 81, 82; Gen. 27:1-29Rom. 12:1-8John 8:12-20

Today’s Reflection

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. –Romans 12: 3-8

This past weekend, hundreds of Episcopalians gathered at Camp McDowell for our annual Diocesan Convention. From Thursday evening through Saturday evening, clergy and laity from churches around Alabama gathered for worship, learning, and fellowship, as well as to do the business of the Diocese. Looking around the Chapel of Saint Francis and “the Doug” dining hall, there were many tables with numbers on them, where delegations from all the different parishes gathered to listen to our bishop and other speakers, share meals, and hope that the electronic voting system might just work on the next ballot. Such a wide variety of parishes are represented, from small, rural and urban parishes to midsize, suburban parishes to large churches like Saint Stephen’s in the population centers of Birmingham, Montgomery, and Huntsville. And each person there, if asked what brought them to their parish or the Episcopal Church or to the Christian faith, would have their own distinctive story to tell.

These few days dedicated to gathering as a Diocese remind us that “we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members of one another.” It's good to come together as a Diocese, as it reminds us that we are not alone in this life or in our faith. While we have much energy and life abounding in our faith community here at Saint Stephen’s, Diocesan Convention is a moment to pause and remind ourselves that we also need to contribute to the good of the whole. This is why we pay our yearly covenant to support the work of Christ throughout the Diocese of Alabama. It’s why we are committed to our Parish Partnership with Christ Church in Fairfield. And it’s why your clergy and fellow parishioners take on leadership roles in the Diocese including serving as treasurer and assistant chancellor of the Diocese, serving on the Commission on Ministry and other Diocesan departments, heading the Department of Mission and Outreach or leading the Task Force for Stewardship of Creation, or guiding decision-making and strategic planning through leadership on the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council. Yes, people from Saint Stephen’s are sharing their gifts with the Diocese of Alabama in all these roles (and in others), sharing our gifts as we live into the truth that “we, who are many, are one body in Christ.”

Then, just a few hours after Diocesan Convention closed and we all drove back down the highway to Birmingham, we hosted an evening lecture and conversation with the Rev. Dr. Sam Wells in our Parish Hall. The way this event came together is a beautiful illustration of not only being one body in Christ, but also that “we have gifts that differ according to the grace given us.” John communicated with the Diocese about the logistics of the event. Kristyn designed a graphic to promote the event in print and online. Katherine asked good questions and reminded us about logistics like signage for people not familiar with our church campus. Zac, Micah, Michael, and Maria Elena made sure the room was clean, that chairs were set up for the lecture, and that signs were placed around the campus to help visitors find their way to the event. Sheila set up the lighting, sound, and cameras, made sure the livestream went to plan, and helped orient Sam Wells to the technology and the space. Amy made sure we had a lovely English tea set up in the library to share warm hospitality with our guest speaker and our bishop.

Parishioners helped spread the word about the event, inviting people to attend with them in person or online. Sam shared his gifts of theological reflection and drawing people out in meaningful conversation. People who were touched by the lecture and conversation shared the link so that others could benefit from listening and reflecting on it later. So many gifts were needed to put on this event—as with every other worship service and event we organize at Saint Stephen’s. Each time we share our gifts and work together, we are living the truth that “we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.”

Becky+

 

Questions for Self-Reflection

What gifts do you bring to the life of Saint Stephen’s? What gifts do you share with the wider community and world? Commit time in prayer this week, asking God to help you discern how best to live into our belief that “we, who are many, are one body in Christ.”

Daily Challenge

Listen (or listen again) to Sam Wells’ lecture and conversation on forgiveness, healing, and salvation through our Saint Stephen’s YouTube channel.

You can view all the sessions from Convention, learn who was elected to leadership roles, read resolutions adopted and other decisions made by visiting the Diocesan Convention website.

Guest User