"Offering Ourselves"
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Yonce Shelton, Westmoreland UCC
January 26, 2025
This is an interesting time. Earlier this week we celebrated Dr. King’s legacy of justice, community, and reconciliation. We also inaugurated a president who many believe contradicts so much of that commitment and spirit. People can be in different political places and still be anxious about what may happen in coming years. What we don’t know can be very troublesome. It can weigh on us.
Dr. King didn’t know everything that would happen. He had fears. But he and others involved in the civil rights movement kept going despite struggle and risk. My main focus in these weeks has been: How do you keep going? How do we keep going? What will that mean?
It's hard to know what to say today. The only thing I know is how much I have thought about our health and stability as this chapter begins. Focusing on that might be the only control many of us have. There will be things to do in the coming years. And I know Westmorelanders will step up and act. But right now is a unique and challenging time.
What do we do? What can support us? How can you be ready for opportunities to help others?
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First, consider that these days may be a liminal space. Liminal space is a transitional state or place that is in between one thing and another. It’s often prompted by unexpected and disorienting change or major life events (death; job loss). It's those spaces in which we find ourselves where things don’t make sense as usual. Where we know we are in the midst of change, but don’t fully understand what the next thing will be. Think of going through a doorway - and then apply that to any number of psychological, emotional, or spiritual
experiences.
Next, admit that words can fail - or at least a lot of fancy ones from me; or familiar replies about how you are doing, or what you think will happen. And at the same time - at the same time - recognize the power of intentionally naming and holding the essence of that which represents where you are, and that which can support your spirit. Open to the fact that marking this time with ritual, actions, and space might help. Prepare to do some things differently today.
Lastly, ask what prayer means now. I don’t mean the well-shaped words from saints. I don’t mean what you say regularly or at special times. I mean the kind of prayer that speaks to our very way of being; that honors constant communication between us and God; that is made known in each breath; that doesn’t always need words. The kind of prayer that is not just us asking of God, but the kind that allows us to entertain that God prays for us too. That we have a two-way-street relationship with God that makes us open to that reality.
Liminal space. The right words. Prayer as being with God.
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Now, stop thinking about all those words and descriptions. And just sit. Try to just be prayer with God. Don’t worry if your mind can’t do that. Just tell yourself you want to make that effort.
A spiritual leader I knew years ago was one of the clearest examples of fully living into a calling; of being in seamless partnership with God. Abbot David said that you know you have learned to pray when you can say the name of Jesus 1,000 times - and none of them are the same.
What can give your prayer focus? A word, image, mantra? Can you move from head to heart with that these days? Can you trust that God will meet you in that desire? Heck, I’m pretty sure God meets us even if we aren't intentional; even if we run, ignore, or curse. I believe God continues to meet me.
Over the past months, I checked out. I only skimmed political headlines. I gave myself space. I recently turned off news notifications on my phone. At the end of the first day, I was surprised how much better I felt by not knowing so much. In early December, a church member emailed me about anxieties around the election result. My reply was: “I may be overly naive or not engaged enough, but for now I am simply asking myself: How do I really want to be with all of this? What helps me? And others? Personally, right now, leaning into anger doesn't feel right for me. But being patient and steady does.”
I wasn’t just avoiding anger. I was grieving and needed space to do that. This week, I was at a retreat with national faith leaders. Prophetic voices and activists you might recognize. We gathered to strategize, but many also affirmed the need to grieve; to name loss; to make space for processing emotion. It's a step that cannot be skipped. It's actually part of moving in a healthy way to a place where we are effective in action. Grief will come and go. It won’t fit neatly in our planning. We need to accept that.
I know I must figure out what it means for me to engage effectively. I must find a way to be healthy in that: for me, and maybe for you. To do so, I must do things that respect my spirit and body - not just mind. I invite you to consider that too. Today’s passage from Corinthians - which happened to be lifted up by a retreat panelist - might help.
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“Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of services but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.”
Whatever you think about spiritual gifts, or why normal ole you would be empowered by God to help others, you have unique gifts to offer people and the world. Those are wrapped up in who you are most deeply as a person created by God. Many times, it can take time and effort to name those.
In this time of emotional, spiritual, and practical need - maybe you can learn more about the gifts you can share with others. We are in this together. You can give and receive with empowerment from God.
In a few minutes, you’ll have the chance to put words to thoughts, emotions, and more. You’ll get to name hopes; fears; losses; more. And to do something with them. You’ll be able to leave them here at the altar, with God and this community. Some of your words might actually contain hints about gifts - about what you can do. But it may take time to recognize that. As you come up - as well as after - the invitation is to be in prayer. Take your words, images, or feelings and be with those in this space. Walk with your prayer or focus. Get to know it. Move with it.
Look around and wonder what it might mean for others.
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This week, I came in here and moved around. I spent time just trying to be. I came here to be sad. I came here to wonder what I can do. I came here to still my spirit. I came here to think about people who think differently than me. I wanted my body and soul to mark this time. I don’t want to forget it. And I want God to help me get better with it and what I carry.
This church, this sanctuary, is not just the space we think it is. It is not limited to our worship routines. God is here in ways we can’t imagine. God invites all of us. When I finish speaking, we’ll move into a time of offering in which you are invited to write hopes, fears, concerns - or joys - and bring them to the altar. You are invited to this space, up here, where some of you have never been. You are invited to this sanctuary in different ways. After your offering, maybe find a new
place for the rest of worship. Maybe walk a bit. Maybe go give a hug. There is no right or wrong way to offer yourself with others.
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“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” We are told those gifts include: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, working of powerful deeds, prophecy, discernment of spirits, and [speaking in] tongues. They are examples - and not exhaustive. Wow, I’d love it if a few of you discover the gift of tongues. But it's not for me to decide your gifts for you. Maybe with you, but not for you.
Dr. King discovered gifts and a calling for changing the world because of his relationship with God. Bruce told us a few weeks ago that Dr. King's gift of baptism kept him working for justice when it was really hard.
Remember your baptism. Or remember why you come to church. Or remember why you pursue God. Remember - and discover - your gifts. Remember - and maybe rediscover - why you care for the world. Remember and find whatever you need to in order to offer your gifts for others.
What might you discover in this interesting time? What might we discover?
Amen.
