Sunday, April 23, 2023
GSL Eastertide Gifts and Talents Survey
Celebrating the Abilities of GSL Parishioners
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY.
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. – 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
Grace-St. Luke’s Vestry, Clergy, and Staff want to both celebrate and identify the gifts and talents that all parishioners have as children of God. During Eastertide 2023, intentional time is being set aside to capture a clearer picture of the countless individual gifts, talents, and abilities that are an important part of what makes GSL a vibrant faith community. All parishioners are asked to complete this quick survey, and to encourage fellow parishioners to do the same. Completing the survey is not committing to serve in a particular ministry unless you indicate that you wish to do so.
Everyone has gifts to share whether they are used or not. One's gift may be a natural talent or ability, a learned skill, or a special sense of fulfillment from a particular activity. The powerful image of the Church as the "body of Christ" correlates with gifts coming together for the building up of a community like GSL to make it as strong and whole as possible. Our talents and skills are gifts endowed by the Holy Spirit to enrich our lives and the world.
Congregational development consultants describe GSL as a “Vital Christian Community.” This observation was shared because we are doing and exploring things that are essential to being a healthy congregation. Taking an inventory of the various sacred gifts and talents of parishioners will help significantly as we faithfully commit to the Church’s Mission to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. It also will help our focus on the GSL Vision to be a thriving community of hope, belonging, and healing through worship, parish life, and service, and who rejoices in the love of Jesus to transform the world.
The information collected from the survey will be invaluable to the Vestry, Clergy, and Staff. While some responses will indicate where and how a parishioner specifically may wish to serve, other responses will be important and readily available for occasions when parish leadership may need to know who to contact for advice and/or assistance. Meanwhile, you can get plugged in or with questions contact either Congregational Life Associate & Assistant to the Rector Abby Huber (email 901-252-6336) or Membership & Stewardship Associate Chapman Morrow (email 901-252-6328) about life at GSL.
Eastertide blessings and many thanks for taking the time to complete the survey.
The Rev. Ollie V. Rencher, Rector
901-252-6320 | orencher@gracestlukes.org