"We Are One In The Spirit"

As we enter Memorial Day weekend, we hold together two sacred movements of the heart: remembrance and hope. We honor with gratitude the women and men who gave their lives in service, and we pray tenderly for the families who carry that loss.

At the same time, the church turns toward Pentecost, the moment when the Holy Spirit came with power, courage, and grace upon the first disciples. While Memorial Day reminds us of the cost of service and the dignity of every life. Pentecost reveals that God’s Spirit forms us into a community where that dignity is honored across cultures.

Last week, as Christian Nationalists claimed to rededicate America to God, we are reminded this week that Christianity was never meant to promote nationalism. The birth of Christianity involved the Spirit of God moving amongst various cultures.  At Pentecost, we experience Spirit-led unity and diversity. This is the vision the church is called to embody. 

On this Memorial Day weekend, we remember those who died in the hope of freedom. At Pentecost, we proclaim that true freedom is found in a community shaped by the Spirit, where every voice is honored, and every life is held with dignity.

May we remember those who gave their lives in service, and live faithfully. And may the Holy Spirit form us into a beloved community where many voices are welcomed, stories are honored, and all gathered in the peace of Christ.