In a society driven by power and wealth, it is simply understood that certain gifts and certain people are better than others. But as St. Paul identified long ago, when we ignore the gifts of some of our members, our community is missing an integral part of itself—and it suffers. As Christians, we are called to see Christ in all people, and to use our gifts to make a difference. This is the message the church can bring the world. In honoring and valuing every member of our society and our world, we hold up as an example another way of living—a way of unity, of peace and of love.
This message is adapted from “One Body, Several Parts” written by Mary E.F. Albing in the October 1993 issue of Lutheran Woman Today (now Gather) magazine. Today the ELCA Churchwide Assembly comes to a close. Nominations open today for elections at the Ninth Triennial Convention of Women of the ELCA.