Dear Fremont Family:

Pentecost is coming! I love this day in the church because it is the beginning of the Spirit-filled community that was only later called the “church.” Pentecost marks the transition from the time of Jesus with the disciples in body to the disciples becoming the embodiment of Jesus in the strength of the Spirit. Every year, we celebrate Pentecost and yet, every year the celebration is always distinct. That is because every year we are being invited to attune anew to what the Spirit may doing in our midst. In other words, the Spirit is always meeting us where we are, and where we are is always changing.

If you don’t remember the story of Pentecost, it goes something like this. Jesus had ascended 10 days earlier and had instructed the disciples to remain in Jerusalem. During the Jewish festival of Succoth, the disciples were all gathered in one place when the rush of a mighty wind blew through their gathering and tongues of fire divided over them and came to rest over each person. The Spirit enabled the disciples to speak in other languages even though they were all Galileans. Other people from lots of different countries were also there for the festival, and they began to understand what the disciples were saying in their own native languages. It was so wild and so weird that most people were confused by what was happening and some even mocked the disciples as being drunk. But, Peter begins to interpret what is going on through the lens of the prophet Joel who hundreds of years earlier had spoken of a time when the Spirit would come upon people collectively and empower them regardless of their age, gender or culture. For the early Christian community, It becomes a new age of unity where Gentiles and Jews cross boundaries and begin to worship together. Only, apparently, the vision of the unifying Spirit wouldn’t last, and just like that, humanity and even the church would return to her separating and divisive ways. Oof.

Given where we are today in our fractured world, we will spend some time on June 8 pondering the question, “what might the Spirit again be saying to the church?” This Pentecost, we are going to welcome the Spirit’s wisdom and play with the vision of the inclusive new humanity that God has always dreamed of for us. Here’s how:

  • Wear red, yellow or orange to worship on June 8 in the spirit of being fire!
  • If you come from a particular cultural background, bring a dessert or food to share from that cultural background. There will also be lots of strawberries and shortcake!!
  • Come ready to participate in worship through shared music, shared reflection, and even a shared agape love feast.

Most of all, come open to the Holy Spirit. We need the Spirit’s presence and wisdom to meet us again in our current fear and move us toward courage and renewal now more than ever. I can’t wait!

Grace and peace,

Erin