The Feast of Pentecost

Dear Friends,

This Sunday is the Feast of Pentecost.  Pentecost is the 50th and final day of the Easter season.   We celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to Jesus’ disciples to carry on his inclusive, life-giving, transformative work in the world.  

"When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.  And suddenly from heaven came a sound like the rush of a violent wind…All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit…

This is what was spoken to the prophet Joel:  

...I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men will see visions and your old men shall dream dreams." Acts 2: 1-17

As we celebrate Pentecost, we are reminded that we too are empowered to continue Jesus’ radically loving work in our own day and time.  And we are reminded of the importance of always having a fresh vision for our ministry in Jesus’ name.  

Our vestry is initiating a visioning process for our parish in the next few weeks.  Stay tuned for announcements about our on-line listening sessions.  We want everyone’s voice to be heard as we discern a communal vision going forward. The pandemic has been so hard in so many ways.  We grieve the deaths of so many people in our country and around the world.   Many people are suffering and the stress of it is being felt by everyone.  

As difficult as this time is, it has also been a time of creativity and innovation.  With so many new learnings, we have the opportunity to dream dreams, knowing that the Spirit is leading and guiding us into a hopeful future.  

I look forward to celebrating Pentecost this Sunday and I look forward to seeing visions and dreaming dreams together in the weeks ahead.  

Yours in the power of the Spirit,

Shearon+