“Many gifts, one Spirit,
one love known in many ways.
In our difference is blessing,
from diversity we praise one Giver,
One Lord, one Spirit,
one Word known in many ways,
hallowing our days. For the Giver,
for the gifts, praise, praise, praise!”

These  words from the chorus of “Many Gifts, One Spirit,”  have been echoing through my mind, ever since we sang them at our Annual Conference gathering last week.

Carmines’s hymn begins with:

“God of change and glory,
God of time and space,
When we fear the future,
Give to us your grace.
In the midst of changing ways
give us still the grace to praise.”

During a  time when the words diversity, equity, and inclusion are demonized by White Nationalist, and referred to in derogatory terms, the hymn writer, Al Carmines, saw our differences as strengths, not weaknesses. The hymn celebrates the diversity with which God created the world, and the people of this world.

In his second verse,  Carmines’s song reads:

“God of many colors,
God of many signs,
You have made us different,
blessing many kinds.
As the old ways disappear,
let your love cast out our fear,”

The apostle Paul recognized the inclusive nature of God. He emphasized all  of us are of value and of worth. Each equal in the site of God, regardless of our background, economic class,  color of  skin, or heritage. “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

Paul celebrated the unity of Christ, which brings us together in our diversity. Drawing us to the one Spirit, who welcomes us all.

Carmines’s hymn concludes with:

“Freshness of the morning,
newness of each night,
You are still creating
endless love and light.
This we see, as shadows part,
many gifts from one great heart.

Our world, our nation and our communities are better, when we acknowledge and welcome the heritage and lived experiences of others . . . Creating a space, where each of us can flourish, in the one Spirit and the many gifts, from one Great Heart.