Discerning Your Gifts

"Your vocation in life is where your greatest joy meets the world's greatest need"

Frederick Buechner

Update: If you were unable to join us for the first week of this series, click on this VIDEO for a brief recap of the session in preparation for the second week. The PDF of the gifts self-survey can be viewed HERE. Please consider completing it before the next session. This self-survey is part of a larger guide you will be given.

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This quote by a 20th-century American theologian has been a guiding principle in my life since college. Another related quote by Buechner is, "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." I believe this is true for ALL people, not just those who are called to the ordained life. Each of us has been given a gift to share so the earth can become more like heaven, as said in The Lord's Prayer.

We may see the needs of the world, but we don't always know how to respond. Over the next three weeks, I will offer a gifts discernment course on Sunday after the 9:30 AM service and Tuesday at 10:00 AM. It will be an opportunity to learn about all the gifts mentioned in scripture, take a quick and easy inventory to identify your gifts, and then consider the gifts that might be nurtured in the places you find yourself throughout the week. 

I look forward to gathering together to discover (or rediscover) how each of us is "wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14) for the glory of God.  

Until then, I invite you to take time during your prayer and meditation time to consider …

Where do you sense the most joy in your life?

What have others noticed about your gifts and then felt called to tell you?

When have you felt you were right where you were meant to be?

Where have you noticed your attention focusing on during the week?

The free booklets for this course will be available beginning this Sunday.

Homebound friends, if you are unable to join us in person, please reach out to me. I welcome the chance to visit with you to offer a time of discernment together in your home.

Long-distance friends, we would be happy to mail you a copy of the resource. Please send Sarah a message in the office.

Faithfully,

Emily +

The Rev. Emily E. Given