Our particular gift for reconciliation and peace is:

The Adult Christian Formation Opportunity at Christ Episcopal Church Matagorda has prioritized the bullets from the Bishop’s list and we are working through them one at a time as a part of our exercises to be better able to share the faith.

The group chose 2nd : “• our particular gift for reconciliation and peace is:”

Try for yourself--

Complete the following:

(extra credit for short answers using only terms a seeker would understand in their ordinary every-day sense.)

"This unique Episcopal witness is articulated through the words of our Baptismal Covenant:"

• our particular gift for reconciliation and peace is:

The reference materials consulted were:

• v  A General Confession p 360 BCP
• v  The Reconciliation of a Penitent p 446 BCP
• v  Q. What is required of us when we come to the Eucharist?
• A.   It is required that we should examine our lives, repent of our sins, and be in love and charity with all people. p 860 BCP

The Class identified the two themes of the statement as:

Reconciliation – the healing of the relationship between human and God.

Peace – the healing of relationships between humans.

These two were seen as being essential characteristics of a single truth.

Just as the single truth of “coin” cannot exist without both “heads” and “tails”, so it is not possible to have a healthy relationship with God while remaining intentionally broken with humans, nor is it possible to have healthy human relationships apart from God.

The truth of this integration, and its vital importance to our existence, were born out by the unity of Confession and Peace in our preparation to receive the Holy Eucharist.

We also discussed the perceived difference between how Christian Denominations view sin and judgment.

Several reported that the Episcopal Church is viewed by other denominations as “Non-Judgmental” or “doesn’t believe in sin”.

The class refuted that in the strongest possible terms.

Instead it was out consensus that TEC is, if anything, “All-Judgmental” in the sense that, being aware of our own sins and need for rescue, we are therefore kinder and more understanding of our fellow sinners (a/k/a EVERYBODY).

So our answer was:

• our particular gift for reconciliation and peace is:

• v  That we cannot be reconciled to God without making peace with people.
• v  We cannot make peace with people unless we are reconciled to God.
• v  We cannot accomplish either on our own, God’s grace is required.
• v  Our work of reconciliation and peace is never finished for any of us, because our sin continually intrudes, so the work is the work of everyone, for all of our lives.

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Hoss+