|
By Mary Alice Gran "Greater than the sum of all the parts" is a familiar phrase that is used when thinking about how two (or more) distinct things work together to create more than they would individually. This phrase also describes who we are as a people of faith. In First Corinthians 12, Paul talks about the one body with many members. Each part is needed for the body to be whole. Without any one of the parts, the body would be less than God intended for it to be. And yet together as a body we are more than the sum of the individual parts. This was true for Paul and is true for the church today. Through the years Methodism, in general and United Methodist people, in particular, have been described or characterized by these, and other, terms:
These words describe who we were. Our heritage as United Methodist Christians is rich, from John Wesley's preaching at mines and in fields, opening clinics and schools for the poor, and visiting prisoners; to the pioneer circuit riders who traveled the early American frontier; to the schools begun more than 200 years ago; to today's saints who minister through Christian education and worship, clinics, micro-lending programs, agricultural development, and myriad other ways that help to shape life and faith. We may not see it, but we each stand in a long line of people of faith who have paved the way for us with their blood, prayers, and tears. This foundation remains steady under our feet so we might draw in others and reach to God for support in building a stronger Kingdom for those yet to come. These words also describe who we are today as United Methodists in locations all around the world. We might challenge each other and squabble about words and definitions. And yet - we are more than all these words that define us. We are more than then our common heritage and our disagreements. We are collectively a people of faith - warts and all! In our need to be relevant and contemporary we sometimes forget about those who came before us whose interactions with God and each other provided a road map for us in the 21st century. When we learn from those who traveled before us, we are better able to help those we teach to have the skills and knowledge needed to travel the road as well. Learn about some saints who paved the way, such as Gertrude Pettibon, Reuben H. Mueller, Alejo Hernandez, Hae Jong Kim, Isabella Thoburn, John Stewart, and Christian Newcomer. As you do, think about this:
Mary Alice Gran is Director of Children's Ministries at GBOD. 
What Every Teacher Needs to Know About Christian Heritage. (Discipleship Resources 2002). Living Our Beliefs The United Methodist Way by Kenneth L. Carder (Discipleship Resources, 1996). The Past Matters: A Chronology of African Americans in The United Methodist Church by Marilyn Magee Talbert (Discipleship Resources 2005). Secrets of a Good Life As Told by Saints and Sinners by Kathleen Stephens (Upper Room Books, 2006). Under Her Wings: Spiritual Guidance from Women Saints by Kathy Bence (Upper Room Books, 2001).
 This newsletter was created by the Christian Education Team at GBOD and is made possible by your generous giving to the World Service Fund. You're receiving this newsletter because you've submitted your email address to us.
|
||||||||||||||
