week of February 9th, 2025

February Bonus Reading

During the month of February, Someday School is including as a “bonus reading” Community of Christ’s draft Statement on Nonviolence, a revised version of which will be presented at the 2025 World Conference. The World Church is asking for feedback on the draft statement by the end of February, and we hope this will help people reflect on the statement and provide feedback. You can read and annotate the draft statement here and learn more about this process (including a link to the survey for providing feedback) on the World Church website.

This Week’s Lectionary Scripture

Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany and Youth Ministries Day¹

The season after Epiphany includes the weeks between Epiphany and Transfiguration Sunday.

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Now I want you to understand, brothers and sisters, the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you—unless you have come to believe in vain.

For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures and that he was buried and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.

Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you believed.

• In today’s passage, Paul calls the people back to the fundamental elements of their belief, which for Paul was the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. What does it mean for you to “get back to the basics?”
• Paul reminds them that he is unfit to be an apostle because he persecuted the church, and still he was saved by the grace of God! How have you felt “unfit” for ministry?
• Who do you know that walked away from a faith community due to bickering over “issues?”

This Week’s Text from Sharing in Community of Christ

We Share Enduring Principles²

Pursuit of Peace (Shalom)

• God wants shalom (justice, reconciliation, well-being, wholeness, and peace) for all of creation.
• Jesus Christ, the embodiment of God’s shalom (peace), reveals the meaning of God’s peace in all aspects of life.
• The vision of Zion is to promote God’s reign on Earth, as proclaimed by Jesus Christ, through the leavening influence of just and peaceful communities.
• We courageously and generously share the peace of Jesus Christ with others.
• Led by the Holy Spirit, we work with God and others to restore peace (shalom) to creation.
• We celebrate God’s peace wherever it appears or is being pursued by people of good will.

Unity in Diversity

• Community of Christ is a diverse, international family of disciples, seekers, and congregations.
• Local and worldwide ministries are interdependent and important to the church’s mission.
• The church embraces diversity and unity through the power of the Holy Spirit.
• We seek agreement or common consent in important matters. If we cannot achieve agreement, we commit to ongoing dialogue and lovingly uphold our common faith in Jesus Christ and the mission of the church.
• We confess that our lack of agreement on certain matters is hurtful to some of God’s beloved children and creation.

Blessings of Community

• The gospel of Jesus Christ is expressed best in community life where people become vulnerable to God’s grace and each other.
• True community includes compassion for and solidarity with the poor, marginalized, and oppressed.
• True community upholds the worth of persons while providing a healthy alternative to self-centeredness, isolation, and conformity.
• Sacred community provides nurture and growth opportunities for all people, especially those who cannot fully care for themselves.
• We value our connections and share a strong sense of trust in and belonging with one another—even if we never have met.
• Some disciples are called and ordained to particular priesthood responsibilities and ministries for the sake of the community, the congregation, and the world.
• We are called to create communities of Christ’s peace in our families and congregations and across villages, tribes, nations, and throughout creation.

How have you seen one of these principles expressed in your life, ministry, or congregation?