Dear Friends,
The Winds of Pentecost
On Sunday, May 28, 2023 we will celebrate Pentecost. The name Pentecost comes from the Greek Πεντηκοστή (Pentēkostē), meaning "fiftieth". It refers to the Jewish festival of Shavuot celebrated on the fiftieth day after Passover. It is also known as the "Feast of Weeks" and the "Feast of 50 days" in rabbinic tradition. The festival had two pieces; first it was a grain harvest festival, and it was also the celebration of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai 50 days after the Exodus from Egypt. And so, on this day of giving – giving grain – giving the Law – giving the Spirit – we come to receive and remember the gifts God has given us. And we remember that none of these gifts are for us alone. They are for the world.
This Sunday ushers in a new season of the church year. The Season After Pentecost will last this year from May 29 through December 2. Also called “ordinary time” because we use the ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) to count the weeks.
As we come into this “Ordinary Time” let’s find ways to make it into extraordinary time. I’ve been talking with a few folks in the congregation, we’ve decided to start a book reading group again. Our plan is to meet monthly and I’ve selected the first Monday of the month. For our first book, I’ve selected “Fellowship Point,” by Alice Elliott Dark It is a complex story of relationships and religion that was highly reviewed in The Christian Century. I hope you’ll get a copy of the book and read it with us! July 2, at 10:00 in Frazell Hall! I’ll bring the donuts (for you) and the fruit (for me and anyone else who’d like some)! Do come and make new friends!!
I hope that this new season brings you new life, new hope, new adventures, and new ways to following our Lord Jesus.
Blessings,
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