…I will be with you…(Exodus 3:12)

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. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (I Corinthians 12: 4-7)

While in seminary I served First Christian Church in London, KY as one of two associate ministers. When I entered seminary I had no idea what type of ministry I would eventually be called to; I simply trusted in the process of discernment. I figured I would know when I needed to know. I didn’t expect writing on the wall, as in the case of King Belshazzar in the book of Daniel, but rather worked from a process of elimination…I knew what I didn’t want to do…or so I thought.

This congregation had a tradition of celebrating what they call “STAR Sunday,” on Epiphany Sunday. This was their way of recognizing the Magi’s visit to the Holy Family and God’s message to these astrologers through the stars. Each year on Epiphany Sunday, members of the congregation would reach into a basket of ‘stars’ (some with eyes closed) and pull for themselves a ‘message from God written in the stars’. They would then promise to spend the next year in prayer and contemplation of their message and what God might be saying to them through their ‘star’. Some would tape the star to their bathroom mirror or bedside table to remind them to keep this message utmost in their minds. Others would put it in their journals or Bibles to contemplate while reading or devoting themselves in their daily studies.

At the next year’s event, individuals who took the exercise seriously came forward and shared what the year’s study and discernment illumined for them regarding God’s call on their lives. My first Star Sunday I pulled a star with the word “YOUTH” boldly written in all-caps. I looked at this innocuous piece of paper with great derision. Surely NOT, I thought to myself in hopes that God might be listening…but guess what! YES, YOUTH! And I have loved the work to which God has called me and thoroughly enjoy my current vocation—and I was the absolute LAST person who would ever dream this would be my call.

Christian Education has the incredible dilemma of needing to separate the Middle School and High School Sunday School classes! Yes, this group has grown to these proportions…and this is a most excellent problem to have!

We are actively recruiting Sunday School teachers willing to work within a team of individuals to rotate on a regular basis to help teach the faith to a fantastic group of youth who are dedicated to the ministries of this church and to learning more of what it means to be Disciples of Christ. Men or Women, Both! Consider the possibility that God might be calling you to do a new thing in a new way here, today and the blessing you might become to an impressionable young boy or girl.

And remember these words from scripture…

…when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust: I am not afraid: what can flesh do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4) 

…And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28: 20b)

Blessings,
Tracy