Frank Basler is a mystic, a psychotherapist, and the facilitator of an ecumenical community of practice for senior ministers.  He is currently providing ministerial assistance to the Congregational Church of Easton.

Scripture: I Corinthians 12:3b-13  (NIV)

[N]o one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,  to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.  All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Reflection: Listen To Each Other

I am providing ministerial assistance to a small church which is winding down by the end of the year.  During my first morning of office hours a gentleman in his 60s dropped by to talk.  He had retired at 44, and when I asked what he’s been doing since, he told me his life story.  I was struck by how giving he is.  Most of what he’s done since retirement has been donating to and volunteering in a number of organizations.  I was impressed.   Then, when I asked about what he plans to do next, I realized how very conservative he is.  He would like to move to a much more conservative state – Montana, perhaps. This was an important learning for me.  I realized how often I stereotype those of the political persuasion opposite my own.  It doesn’t occur to me that staunch conservatives can be giving, not withholding, loving, not hating.  I saw how important it is to listen to people outside my usual bubble.  I now realize how I need to read First Corinthians 12 again. One body has many parts, “but all its many parts form one body.”  In this highly divided and contentious society all of us need to remember that we are one body.  Progressives need to listen to conservatives and vice versa.  Pro-choice and anti-abortion advocates need to do the same.  All of us need to find ways to leave our tribal islands and find people of different persuasions to listen to and learn from.

PRAYER

Holy One, forgive us for the ways in which we stereotype people who think differently than we do.  Help us find ways to get to know and listen deeply to people of opposite political persuasions.  Amen.

New Prayer Requests:

We ask churches and church leaders to join us in the following prayers either by sharing them during worship, printing them in bulletins, or sharing them in some other way. To make a prayer request, please contact Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane at cochranem@sneucc.org.

Prayers of Intercession:

• For the people of Ukraine whose lives continue to be shattered by war, as well as the many landscapes that are currently embroiled in conflicts.
• For those grieving or suffering due to the ~16,200 gun violence deaths that happened in the US since the start of the year.

Prayers of Joy and Thanksgiving:

• For those who speak out about mental health.
• For new Conference staff for finance and transformational leadership.
• For an incredible faith mission.

This Week in History:

May 24, 1844 (179 years ago): In a demonstration witnessed by members of Congress, American inventor Samuel F.B. Morse dispatches a telegraph message from the U.S. Capitol to Alfred Vail at a railroad station in Baltimore, Maryland. The message—“What Hath God Wrought?”—was telegraphed back to the Capitol a moment later by Vail. The question was taken from the Bible (Numbers 23:23).  [History] 

“Study the past if you would define the future.”
— Confucius

Franklin C Basler Jr

Rev. Frank Basler is an ordained minister in the CT Conference, UCC.  He is a “dialogue partner” with clergy and facilitates two communities of practice for senior ministers.