In delivering the sermon on Sunday through the 66th Anniversary Worship Service of the United Girls in Religion at Fenimore Avenue United Methodist Church in Brooklyn, the Rev. Dr. Majorie E. Nunes, a Jamaican-born retired elder of the New York Convention of the United Methodist Church (UMC), stated that “God calls us to a religion mindset–not a destiny mentality.”
“When discussing ‘religion, not destiny,’ it means emphasizing the concept one’s life and circumstances usually are not predetermined by future however quite formed by their selections and an lively perception in the next energy, permitting them to affect their very own path via religion and motion, quite than passively accepting a hard and fast final result,” stated Rev. Nunes, preaching on the subject, “Speaking about Religion, not Destiny.”
“Not like destiny, which means a predetermined course, religion means that people have the facility to make selections and actively take part of their lives, guided by their beliefs,” she added. “Religion entails trusting in a God or greater energy to supply steering and assist, even amidst challenges, quite than relying solely on exterior forces dictating one’s future.”
Rev. Nunes stated religion usually motivates people to take optimistic steps and work in the direction of their targets, believing their actions can contribute to their future.
Citing examples of the best way to discuss “religion, not destiny,” she stated, “As a substitute of believing our lives are merely dictated by destiny, we are able to select to have religion that we are able to overcome obstacles and create our personal path.
“Even when confronted with problem, religion encourages us to belief that there’s a higher objective at play, quite than merely accepting a predetermined final result,” Rev. Nunes stated. “Religion is about actively participating with life, not passively ready for issues to occur as dictated by destiny.”
She stated that “the righteous shall reside by religion,” a Bible verse from Habakkuk 2:4 quoted within the Bible in Romans 1:17 and Hebrews 10:38.
“The phrase is a reminder to belief in God and reside by religion, even when issues appear tough,” Rev. Nunes stated.
She stated God has plans for our welfare, not hurt, and can take heed to individuals who name on him and pray to him.
“We will discover God by looking for God with all their hearts,” Rev. Nunes preached. “God is current with us wherever we’re. God can work via us to provide us hope and a future.”
She famous that a few years in the past, Doris Day sang the track “Que Sera Sera,” which suggests “no matter shall be, shall be.”
“It’s a fairly track with a catchy melody, however the essence of the track merely means you haven’t any management over your life,” Rev. Nunes stated.
“That is what known as fatalism. Fatalism is the idea that occasions are fastened in order that human beings are powerless to vary them.
“A lot of God’s folks reside in fatalism, simply accepting something and every part that comes into their lives as being God’s will and plan,” she added. “The explanation so many do it is because they have no idea God’s will – God’s phrase.”
Rev. Nunes stated the Bible contains a number of examples of girls of religion, together with Deborah, Rahab, Sarah, Abigail, Mary of Nazareth, Hannah, Ruth, and Mary Magdalene.
“Girls of religion within the Bible usually believed in God’s phrases and what God had stated,” Rev. Nunes stated. “How can the saints be powerless when God says, ‘We will do all issues via Christ Jesus who strengthens us.’ We’re not powerless.
“Destiny says we should settle for every part that is available in life, however Jesus stated, ‘In the event you abide in me, and my phrase abides in you, ask no matter you need, and it shall be executed for you,’” she added.
“Working in religion will change your life and the lives of others eternally,” Rev. Nunes continued. “And when now we have religion, then we as sisters can ‘Stroll Collectively in Love and Unity,’” quoting a part of the church’s Girls in Religion theme: “Carrying Our Religion Ahead – Sisters Strolling Collectively in Love and Unity.”
Earlier than coming into full-time ministry, Rev. Nunes was vp/chief monetary officer of Skilled Software program Techniques, Inc., the place she labored for 17 years.
By God’s grace and laborious work, she stated she established a profitable profession in Consumer Companies in that firm and subsequently turned a profitable managing accomplice.
Throughout that point, Rev. Nunes stated she responded to the decision to the ordained ministry after a number of years of “deliberate prayer and discernment.”
She obtained each B.A. and M.A. levels in economics from Hunter Faculty, Metropolis College of New York (CUNY), the place she excelled and graduated with honors.
Rev. Nunes earned her Grasp of Divinity diploma from Union Theological Seminary in Might 2000 and accomplished her Physician of Divinity diploma at Hartford Seminary in 2012.
She was ordained as an elder within the United Methodist Denomination on the New York Annual Convention 2002.
Rev. Nunes was the pastor of Hicksville UMC in Hicksville, New York, from Jul. 1, 2013-Jun. 30, 2023.
Earlier than her appointment at Hicksville UMC, she was the pastor of Summerfield UMC in Bridgeport, Conn., for 11 years.
She served at Vanderveer Park UMC in Brooklyn for 2 years as a youth pastor and affiliate pastor.
She additionally served at John Wesley UMC in Brooklyn as a pupil/lay minister, helping the pastor in varied capacities.
Rev. Nunes stated she has been lively in ministries at each the district and convention ranges.
She was the chair of the Convention Parish Improvement Committee, served on the Fee for Equitable Compensation, chaired the
New York Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON), and served on the Convention Council on Finance and Administration (CCF&A) for eight years, serving as vice chair for 3 years.
On the Lengthy Island East District stage, Rev. Nunes served on the District Committee on Ordained (DCOM) and chaired the District Parish Improvement Committee and several other different district ministries.
Rev. Nunes has a daughter, Tiffany Elaine, who teaches within the New York Metropolis public college system, and a granddaughter, Madison Elaine.
Since her retirement, she has resided in East Meadow, Lengthy Is.
