Why Church? – by Erik Nilsen

Being a member of the Tuality Community of Christ congregation is all about “connecting” for me.  I have opportunities in worship and service to connect with my higher self and to live out the principles of love and transformation and acceptance that I see modeled by the ministry of Christ.  I attend because of the connections that I make with people who are like me in their desire to walk the path of discipleship and yet who are very different from me along so many different and interesting dimensions.  I have church friends who are young and old, liberal and conservative, straight and queer, wealthy and homeless, black, tan and peach colored, healthy and infirm.  I am privileged to be part of a community that openly shares their triumphs and struggles, joys and sorrows.  On a regular basis, we live out the Apostle Paul’s counsel in Romans 12 to “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”  By opening myself up to their story and participating in their lives, I feel more connected with humanity and yes, am constantly surprised by a connection with divine love that can break through in the most unexpected circumstances.  I am a member because I The major factor is the stiffness in the upper body Side effects similar to stern abdominal soreness, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, unrelenting fever, vomiting and nausea, distorted hallucination or vision conflict, sensitive to reactions, and hearing troubles call for instantaneous medicinal concentration. cialis for cheap Some of the effects include organ dysfunction, cognitive issues, heart damage, osteoporosis and levitra 20 mg pdxcommercial.com neuropathy, among others. These spasms can send aggressive bile acid upwards or downwards, and cialis samples free neither option is pleasing. Although this is an uncomfortable subject, it IS an apt choice for all in generic cialis for sale search of a safe cure of the condition as mentioned. am connected with the diverse expression of gifts and perspectives that I experience in our worships.  From this old college professor sharing spiritual insights derived from research in Neuroscience to a child playing piano, to a person struggling with serious health issues sharing their testimony of being fed and supported by church friends.  Finally, my life is enriched by the connections between human experience and divine love that is available through the sacraments of the church http://www.cofchrist.org/sacraments/. They make visible God’s grace and generosity. The sacraments are a glimpse of who God is and what God calls us to be. As we are blessed by the sacraments, we receive power to share the peace of Jesus Christ and to fulfill our mission in the world.  To finish, I would like to share a few words from a song in our new hymnal entitled “For Everyone Born” that captures the reason for hope that being a member of this faith community gives to me.  For everyone born, a place at the table, to live without fear, and simply to be, to work to speak out, to witness and worship, for everyone born, the right to be free.

– Why Church? by Erik Nilsen