Hi Church,

It was great to be with many of you, via Zoom, this past week in our various Parish Meetings. I was grateful for the opportunity to see so many faces, to hear from y’all, and to share a bit of how our leadership is navigating this time. God has been very good to us. If you missed the meeting but wanted to catch it’s content, a recording of one of the meetings can be found here. 

This Sunday is Pentecost or “Whitsunday.” That name, “Whitsunday,” has British origin and mysterious etymological roots. One rationale explains that the name is derived from the reality that on this day God gives wisdom or wit by the gift of His Holy Spirit. That certainly fits with Jesus' description of the Holy Spirit as the “Spirit of truth” in John 8:17, revealing reality and empowering us to live in line with it. 

For Pentecost, in addition to our regular live stream worship at 10am (wear red and share a pic!), which will involve a focus on the person and work of the Holy Spirit, we’ll also be doing another curbside communion at 7pm. The procedure for this will be very similar to what we did last month, you can read below for the details. 

• Please arrive at the parking lot at 2111 Alexander Ave. between 6:30 and 7:00pm.

• Upon arrival please pull your car into the parking lot and alongside the tables set up there to receive the elements. 

• Please remain inside your vehicle and place a mask on while you wait to reach the front of the line. 

• Once you have reached the front, let the staff member taking orders know how many members of your household will be receiving communion. 

• The staff will place a bag containing the proper amount of elements for your family, including a page for worship, into a tray which they will extend for you to take. 

• To assure all safe social distancing protocols remain in place, please do not leave your vehicle during any of this procedure. 

• We are taking all necessary steps of precaution in order to safely and responsibly provide you with communion. Team members will be masked and gloved as they prepare and deliver your bags. Between each vehicle the staff member will change their gloves and sanitize their hands. 

• Cars will be spaced in alternating parking spots to maintain appropriate social distance between households. Please don’t wander beyond the parking spot in which you are parked. We will not have access to the building or facilities during this time. 

• We’ll begin our short liturgy at 7:00pm and will be finished by 7:30pm. 

If you have any questions regarding this Pentecost celebration please don’t hesitate to let me know. I look forward to seeing you and worshipping with you this Sunday, morning and evening. “Come, Holy Spirit, our souls inspire!”

In Christ, 

Peter+ 

Ps. Remember that all giving to missions in these last days of May will go to support families here and abroad through Communities in Schools and Impact Indonesia. Thanks for your generosity thus far! 

PPs. The image used above is Nalini Jayasuriya a Sri Lankan artist, The Great Commission, 2002. Mixed media on canvas, 28 × 53 in.