The call to ministry through the pastoral council is a definite call to sacrifice and service, and it is addressed to the talents that God has given our parish for our current and future needs. There were several periods of silent meditation and consideration of the concepts presented. In small groups we discussed the needs of our parish, the responsibilities of the council in regards to those needs, and the talents that are required to help address those needs. After a break, the time arrived for the selection of members for the new council. Janet pointed out that we should beware of false humility.
False humility means that one degrades oneself and one's talents.
Each person who was willing to serve on the council if selected was then asked to give his name and say something about why he would hope to serve and what talents he thought he could offer. There was a feeling that souls had been searched, as people expressed a willingness and desire to serve. One person shared why this was not the ministry that he is called to at this time. When those who wished to speak had finished, there were six names on the board. Janet knew that we knew that six was the number needed to be chosen for the council, she inquired whether anyone had refrained from offering his name because he did not want to displace anyone whose name was already offered.