My favorite episode of Seinfeld is “The Alternate Side.” The show perfected the art of introducing (and colliding) disparate plot points in the cramped confines of a network TVsitcom. This episode was no exception: Somebody steals Jerry’s car. George takes a job moving cars from one side of a busy Manhattan avenue to another. Elaine cares for her boyfriend (whom she hoped to break up with before he had a stroke). Kramer is an anonymous extra in the new Woody Allen movie but is soon invited to deliver a line to the auteur himself: “These pretzels are making me thirsty!”

There’s a lot to love about “The Alternate Side,” but Kramer’s line has proved most memorable. His euphoria when asked to play a part in the movie connects to something we have all experienced: the joy of being part of a team. 

For most of my Christian life I have conceived of “spiritual gifts'' as special abilities to discover and utilize. There is a goodargumentthat this is not what Paul meant by the term. Thecatalogues of spiritual giftsare better understood as lists of ministry opportunities distributed by the Spirit amongst a worshipping community. The “gift” is not an ability you uniquely possess to do ministry; it is the ministry itself. It can be difficult for us English speakers to wrap our heads around this distinction because we often use the word gift to refer to special abilities, but our usage may not be what Paul had in mind. Ringo Starr was an adequate percussionist, but, according to the Apostle Paul (and rock critics everywhere), his real gift was being a part of the Beatles.

Pop-culture introduction and biblical framing aside, here is the point: The Spirit of God stands ready to distribute gifts (read: ministry opportunities) among us. Before the pandemic, we had 15-20 weekly volunteers helping us pull off Sunday mornings. With vaccines readily available, cases dropping, andAustin’s move to “Stage 2”, we are excited to invite participation in service beyond our staff and a small group of volunteers. And to put it plainly, we need a lot of help.

Here is alinkwhere you can express interest in some of the spiritual gifts (ministry opportunities) available at COTC. Your service would be appreciated everywhere, but I want to highlight two specific roles. If you like entertaining, join the Hospitality Team and help make the Phillips Event Center a place of refreshment and renewal. If you want to connect with others and be an integral part of weekly worship, become a Holy Roadie. Many of you reading this email served on a team prior to the pandemic. Be encouraged to volunteer in a different capacity now, but don’t deny yourself the gift of being part of a team.

And speaking of gifts, in light of the CDC’s announcement earlier this month, masks are now optional in worship. Some of us may have very good reasons to continue wearing a mask. Many of us will not. Both (for now at least) are totally appropriate. Nursery volunteers and workers will continue to wear masks, and the Sprouts/Roots group will continue to meet outdoors without masks. 

Lastly, I’m looking forward to our picnic on Monday at Branch Park in Mueller at 11am. Bring your own food or grab it from one of the many restaurants nearby (the church will provide some dessert!) and something to sit on. The park has volleyball courts, a splash pad, playground, and a large field for ultimate or other lawn games. If you have something we can play together be sure to bring it! Feel free to invite a friend. 

Nick

Ps. One other change related to our worship, we will be shifting to one service at 10am on June 6th. This will lighten the burden on staff and volunteers and reflect the reality that many people will be travelling during the summer. The service will be live-streamed at 10am. We anticipate returning to two services in late summer/early Fall. If you have any questions regarding these changes don’t hesitate to reach out to Peter or myself.