9. Dr. Rajiv Patel: Poem, Rewind

6. Unity is centred in the gospel (John 17:20-21).

Jesus prayed, Holy Father, protect them by the power of your holy name so that they may be one as we are one. Pray that all of them may be one as you are in me and I am in you so that the world may believe that you have sent me. Christian unity is like the Trinitarian unity. Father, Son, and

Holy Spirit are one in essence but different in function. Christian unity is a functional unity as the members of the body. They all work together for the growth of the body.

7. Unity is not uniformity (Gal 3:27-28). All of you who are baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ. There is neither Jew, nor

Greek, slave nor free, male or female. You all are one in Christ Jesus. This is unity in diversity. In

Christ’s Church there are different people from different walks of life. The Ethiopian official,

Cornelius of Caesarea, woman of Samaria all belongs to the people of God. Before the throne of the Lamb of God gathered a big crowd from every nation, tribe, language, and culture (Rev. 7:9)

8. 8. Unity depends on grace and gifts (I Cor 12:27-28). You are the body of Christ each one of you part of it. God has appointed apostles, prophets, teachers and miracle workers, those having gift of healing. This is for the growth and edification of the Church and equipping of the believers for the mission of the Church. Gift is not personal glorification, but for the mission of the

Church. Each member in a body has distinguished functions. In the same way members of the Church also have special functions for the growth of the Church.

9. 9.Unity grows when it is stretched (Eph. 4:16).

In all things we grow up into the whole body joined together by every supporting ligament grows and builds itself up in love as each part does its work. All the members of the bodywork together for the full growth and development of the body and to the full stature of Christ.

10. Unity glorifies God and attracts unbelievers

(John 15:8). This is to my Father’s glory that you remain in my love. The twelve apostles stood on one accord in the leadership of Peter on the day of Pentecost to preach Christ crucified and raised from the dead, the gathered crowd believed in Christ and Three thousand people were baptized and joined the Church to the glory of God. All those believed were together, they praised God, Above all our Church Unity is affirmed in the Nicene Creed where we declare and affirm our faith. We believe in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Church unity is based on the Trinitarian unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When we sings God in three Persons, blessed Trinity, we affirm our faith.

Rewind

Dr. Rajiv G. Patel, Flower Mound, Texas

Started with a bang, 20/21 the years of clear hindsight. Who knew what was in store, events to come in our blindsight?

Spring break extended into the summer break; Remote learning was the only option to take.

The year of the presidential election, installation of the new President; A pandemic of natural selection

An invisible threat, presenting an arduous task. Let's continue doing our part, keep wearing that mask.

Virtual graduations, happy hours and meetings galore, Socially distanced, yet connected we were more.

Strangers coming together for equal rights, Inspiring millions, justice is for what they fight.

Joining hands, standing shoulder to shoulder, Fighting for a cause, breaking barriers boulder by boulder.

When videos were not the only things going viral; Loved ones lost quickly by numbers in a spiral.

Losing kin, grieving their missing existence, Saying our goodbyes all from a distance.

A salute to first responders, whose courage we admire, Their selfless spirits, never to tire.

The climate is changing, time to save the planet; Our generation hasn't done enough yet.

The vaccine is here, please have it to save your life and the lives of people around you;

Don't give up, hope is near and we will overcome this pandemic also.