Rector's Note: Naming and Praying our Charisms-3.16.23

What are St. Peter’s unique gifts? What skills and abilities has God placed among us that are meant to build up God’s kingdom and reach those who are thirsty for faith and community?

Our recent Charting Our Course forums surfaced a number of these charisms, which will guide our discernment on what God is calling us to do as the Body of Christ in our community.  The reflections that more than 40 participants shared over two in-person sessions and two Zoom gatherings fell into three general areas that invite further prayer and discernment:

1.       The Charism of Welcome, which is marked by togetherness, inclusion, accessibility, warmth, kindness, diversity, friendliness, affirmation, enthusiasm, invitation, generous hearts, fellowship, hospitality, community, respect, authenticity, and vulnerability, experiences that are family-friendly and non-judgmental.

Examples of those who benefit from our charism of welcome include people of different ages, races and gender identity, socioeconomic status or physical ability; newcomers and the existing community; the unchurched, people on the margins, children and families.

2.       The Charism of Caring Connection, which is marked by social justice, partnerships, service, outreach, healing, listening, “looking for good trouble and reaching out in love”, empathy, community and individual support, speaking out for others, comfort, support, solidarity.

Examples of those who benefit from our charism of caring connecting are our Guatemala partners; people in poverty, recipients of our food donations and financial contributions, seafarers; people who are grieving or need prayer;  people who are spiritually or emotionally wounded; people of different faiths and cultures; people on the margins and people who need to be heard; people in pain and people in joy.

3.       The Charism of Inviting Worship, which is marked by prayer, music and inspired preaching; exciting liturgy that is spirit-filled and fun; and services that promote healing, interfaith connection, wonder and spiritual growth.

Examples of those who benefit from this charism include people who participate in prayer and song at our services, both in person and accessed from home; as well as people of other faiths; people who need prayer, and people of all ages.

At its retreat last Saturday, the Vestry spent part of the day reflecting on these charisms, asking how the Vestry can help nurture and develop the ministries that grow out of the gifts that are unique to St. Peter’s. 

Douglas Pneuma, a new Vestry member, spoke eloquently about the spiritual needs of people coming out of the COVID experience, especially young people who are tiring of screens and social media, and who long for authentic, welcoming community.  It may be that we have all the ministries that we need, he said, and that our chief responsibility as a church is to make sure that people have access to them.

This to me is the very definition of discipleship and is at the heart of activating God’s charisms – helping those who need God, find God.

As we discovered in some of the Charting our Course conversations, ascribing gifts to ourselves can feel a bit uncomfortable, going against all the messages that we’ve long received about being humble, about the imperative not to brag, or draw attention to ourselves, or let the right hand know what the left hand is doing.  In a world that is very focused on branding, influencing and competition, finding a truly humble balance is a very important caution. At the same time, the admonition to deny gifts and abilities has long been used to silence people on the margins – women, children, people in poverty, people who do not fall in the mainstream. 

So how are we to name and use these gifts in a way that best serves God, and the people God hopes to reach? I suggest praying with them in the following way as we continue through Lent and beyond:

1.       Engage with these gifts in a spirit of gratitude.  Choose one of the three charisms listed above and slowly name the words that describe these gifts.  Welcome images and examples that come to mind about times you have seen these gifts at work in and around you and this community. Thank God for the work of divine grace and love that fuels these experiences.

2.       Choose one or two words from the list that really resonate with you. Weave them into a breath prayer that expresses your desire to put them in action: For example, breathing in pray: Jesus grace me with the gift of ________.  Breathing out, pray: Guide me to the one who needs this gift today.

3.        At the end of the day, as you are preparing for sleep, reflect on the ways that God has answered that prayer in you. Consider also the ways that you have been on the receiving end of God’s gifts through others and express your thanks for that as well.

Ultimately, the give and take of a charism in action is the give and take of humble mutuality, allowing God to both fill us and to empty us in the service of God’s agenda. I am excited to see what God has planned for us, as we open ourselves to all God has placed among us. And I truly believe that if our hearts are willing and open, God will help us deliver these gifts to where they need to go.