The apostle Paul’s writing to the Corinthians suggests that the church is consisted of “one body with many parts” (verse 12). We are the “body of Christ” (verse 27). Every part of the body has an important role to play. Each part of the body has specific functions and is needed to accomplish God’s work here on earth. At the Chicago Temple, we have close to a thousand members. We are a racially, culturally, socially, politically and economically diverse congregation. I realize that you are not all members of this church. Some come here during your lunch break to worship with us, bringing your own faith affiliations. But those so diverse in nature represent the “body of God.” In a sense we are a “faith family.” But look around and you will see a diversity of many gifts represented. As members of the body of Christ, we have individual gifts to use to show God’s love, mercy and compassion in this needy world. We are to work together in spite of our differences for the healing and transformation of the world.

In December 2006, I went to Johannesburg, South Africa, to attend a United Methodist Global Young People’s Convocation and Legislative Assembly. I led the North Central Jurisdiction delegation composed of four youth, five young adults and two adults. It was an amazing experience to be a part of our denomination’s history; gathering for the first time globally as young people, young adults and adults working with youth in South Africa. The event was an excellent cross-cultural experience and an opportunity for young people to share, learn, grow and connect with other young people from Africa, Asia, England, Europe, and the United States. There were 260 participants representing different cultures, ethnicities, languages, and varied gifts. In spite of our differences we represented the body of Christ. It was beautiful to be together regardless of who we were. We did not have to be the same in any way or even speak the same language in order to understand each other. The participants were challenged to be “world-changing” disciples of Jesus Christ.

While in South Africa I learned an African proverb, “Ubuntu” which means, “I am because we are.” The Reverend Vumile S. Tobie, Administrative Assistant to the Bishop of South Africa Provisional Annual Conference said, “Ubuntu, simply implies that a person is a person through others. We are taught that you are not a person if you do not strive to embrace and accept others. You are less than human if you do not express love, care, warmth, hospitality, sharing, respect and commitment to others” (Rev. Vumile S. Tobie, Welcome Address to the Global Young People’s Convocation, Johannesburg, South Africa). To me, this is the core of what we call “collective culture.” We are called to be Christ’s body to love and embrace others, to offer hospitality with strangers, to accept those different than us, and respect those of other religions. As a matter of fact we are all related to each other because we have One God who created us. We belong to larger family of our Creator. In God’s family, no one should be excluded and left behind. This is what our denomination stands for: “As United Methodists our hearts, minds and doors are open to all.” The Reverend William Dunkle said, “You don’t have to put your brain on ice to have a warm heart” (I heard this from my mentor, the Reverend Kirk Reed, Trinity United Methodist Church, Wilmette, Illinois).

While I was in South Africa our group visited the Apartheid Museum. It was very difficult for me to see the images of the life of the people in South Africa before 1994 when they received their freedom. There was power when the people got together and decided to end division and promote peace to be one as a nation. When people learned to love, forgive, respect, embrace, and accept one another with their differences, it bridged the gap of separation. We also visited the Hector Peterson Museum in the town of Soweto, where the resistance of Apartheid happened. Hector Peterson was one of the student leaders’ who led the Rally in Soweto, fighting to end Apartheid. I was inspired to learn that the youth were one of the movers to bring freedom to South Africa.

As part of Christ’s body, we are a community of redeemed and reconciled people of God. Through God’s grace and power we can be “world-changing” people. We come to church to celebrate the presence of God with each other and to be witnesses for Jesus Christ, to have a prophetic voice to address the reality, to speak the truth, and stand up for what is right. An example of this is being an open and welcoming church. The “Statement of Welcome and Inclusion” of our church here at the First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple says:

“We welcome all people to the life of this congregation. We believe that we are all in need of God’s love and grace and that God, through Jesus Christ, intends the church to be a community that incarnates love, grace and justice of all people. Holding true to that belief, we welcome and encourage all persons, including persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities, in every aspect of our Christian life together.”

There are all kinds of people in our congregation and yet we are called to love, forgive, inspire and serve God together. Differences should not divide; instead it should become an avenue to unite people to do God’s work. Strength comes from diversity and from a welcoming spirit that empowers diverse people and diverse talents. God is not limited to a particular group of people. The church needs all people to be an “inclusive body of Christ” for the world. If all of us attending the church today would use our diverse gifts, we can move the church and the world in the right direction. All gifts are significant to God. Doing the work of Jesus Christ together is better.

We are many but there is one Spirit that gives us gifts (verse 13). The apostle Paul said, “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it” (verse 26). As members of the body of Christ we each play an important role in building the kingdom of God. Our Lord is glorified for the diverse ministries that we have to offer. Through the grace of God, together with our many gifts and talents, we can change the world of hate, violence, and division into a world of love, peace, justice and inclusion. Let us dedicate our gifts to help someone this week. Let us care for one another and help our neighbors in their needs. Let us remember the people of Haiti with a special prayer today and in the coming weeks, and months. There is an acute need right now for giving. Our circumstance in the United States is far better than those affected by the devastating earthquake in Port Au Prince today. Let us share what we can through giving. With our blessings from God it is the least we can do. Every little amount added together, (like the parts of the body) help. If your church affiliation is receiving donations for Haiti we encouraged you to give your financial support to them. If you do not have a specific denomination to give your gifts to we invite you to give it to our church and we will make sure that your donation will go to the people of Haiti one hundred percent through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Through God’s grace, together we can do so much more for the world. Amen.