Dear Caldwell,
As we travel from Sunday to Sunday this week, I pray the wind of the Holy Spirit from our Pentecost celebration on Sunday is at your back.
What a gift it was for me to slip in to the sanctuary for worship, having arrived back in Charlotte a bit earlier than expected. From the swirling streamers to the prayers in multiple tongues, I hope something in the service renewed your confidence that you are surrounded by God in the Holy Spirit, whatever you are experiencing.
From Pentecost we move this Sunday to Trinity Sunday, when we consider God “in three persons” yet inseparable as one. Trinity Sunday reminds us that God is relational nature and that our lives are not to be lived alone but in relation to others in community.
As a community, we rejoice in the good news received yesterday by member Anne Washam, who underwent successful surgery and will be in the hospital for recovery for a day or two more. In addition to praise of thanksgiving for Anne, please pray for member Jane McBride, who has surgery tomorrow morning. Watch for a chance to bring these children of God a meal as they recover.
Since Sunday was Pentecost, we might informally declare this Pentecost week. As the Spirit dances around us as a congregation and you and whatever you are doing, I am pleased to share this benediction, which my professor used to close our commencement service at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary last week. Thank ALL of you who have been such an encouragement to me in that journey.
As you go forth from this place, may the wind of the Spirit startle your senses and blow through your life; may the fire of the Spirit scorch your complacency and light your way.
And may the blessing of God – Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer – rest with you now and forever more.
Go in peace. Amen.