MUSINGS …
Written by Anthony Robinson
Now concerning spiritual gifts, [siblings], I do not want you to be uninformed. – 1 Corinthians 12:1
I’m having second thoughts on spiritual gifts.
For a time now, we’ve been saying—I’ve been saying—that folks need to discern their particular gifts and be supported in exercising those rights.
We have done gift discernment inventories.
We have offered gift discernment workshops.
And sometimes that’s terrific.
Some people have named a gift they hadn’t recognized and claimed a ministry that had their name written all over it. Hallelujah!
But sometimes this has gone sideways.
As in, the dishes need to be washed.
The trash wants taking out.
The notes for the meeting need to be taken and distributed.
And people say, “Sorry—not my gift.”
Sometimes there’s stuff that just needs to be done.
Sometimes—well, really, all the time—there are mundane things that need to happen so a group, family, church, etc. can function.
Someone has to show up to unlock the door.
Someone has to take the food donations to the food bank.
Someone has to count the offering.
Sometimes, in fact, it may even be good for us to do stuff—service—that has no glory in it, that isn’t really fulfilling for us.
We do it because it needs to be done.
We serve, whether the task at hand is exactly “our thing” or not.
And maybe we even forget about ourselves while we’re doing it—which may, in the end, be at least part of the point of service in the first place.
God, grant me grace so to lose myself in service to you that I may be truly found.
SUMMER FAMILY FAITH EVENTS:
As part of the Sudbury United Churches Partnership project, there will be a series of outdoor community worship evenings for ALL AGES.
Join Canadian Shield Regional Council summer interns Emily and Lachlan for crafts, camp songs, worship time and snacks.
Each location will offer the same programming.
Event runs from 6:00 to 7:30pm.
In the event of rain, we will meet inside the church.
Wednesday July 13 at Trinity UC, Lively (email kikigilbeaul@yahoo.com to register)
Wednesday July 20 at St. Peter’s UC, Sudbury (email info@stpeters.ca to register)
Wednesday August 10 at Trinity UC, Capreol (call 705-920-8579 to register)
OUTDOOR SUMMER HYMN SING:
As part of the Sudbury (United) Churches Partnership project, an outdoor evening hymn sing is being planned for Wednesday, August 3 at St. Stephens on the Hill.
Several musicians have been lined up in leadership, but organizers are wishing to invite others from different churches to stand up front and lead, possibly on a rotational basis.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact Faye at 705-920-8579.
FROM OUR TREASURER:
The summer season is upon us, bringing with it a break from the routine and the chance to get away to other places.
Even as we rejoice in this gift of “downtime”, we need to be mindful that
our expenses don’t take a break.
On top of all our ordinary expenses, beginning to “live” in our new building has brought about new “regular” costs as well.
We so appreciate your generous donations; they go a long way to help us to stay afloat.
Your continued and/or increased support would be deeply appreciated.
There are many ways to give:
– The Pre Authorized Remittance (PAR) program is easy to set up or change on the fly. Please email Laurie (laubertin@kpmg.ca) if you’d like to enroll or change the amount of your monthly contributions.
– Regular mail to the church 1520 Bancroft Drive, Sudbury, ON, P3B 1R5 – E-transfer (to laubertin@kpmg.ca) works well
– Regular Sunday offerings on the offering plate
Thank you so much!
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES FOR SUMMER …
Bask in the wonder of the sunset.
As you watch a sunset, ponder the shades and contrasts in your life.
Say goodbye to those parts of yourself you wish to change or discard as the sun dips behind the horizon.
Grace United Church Sudbury 