Dear Friends in Christ—
I once visited a friend who painted her living room red. Not just burgundy or pink, but lipstick, vermillion, scarlet RED. With a glossy finish.
“Why not?” she said to me, when I asked her. “This room makes me feel alive. The room is a risk, and being in it makes me take risks. I feel alive here.” I stayed with her for a long weekend, and I realized she was right. It was, truly, the living room. Our jokes were louder. Our imaginings were bolder.
This Sunday, the day of Pentecost, we traditionally wear red to church. I encourage you to wear red wherever you are, whether you are coming to outdoor worship or sitting by your computer. And I encourage you “wear red” in your soul, too—to put on the life, the energy, and passion of that Spirit which it represents.
We are living in a moment of transformation, and we need the Holy Spirit to get us through—to comfort us (remember, John’s gospel calls the Spirit “the Comforter”)—but also to inspire us, to challenge us, to make us bold, to remind us why it is good to be alive still.
Some ideas:
- Come to the bilingual eucharist at 10:30 on Sunday. (Remember, there is no noon service.). It can be strange not to understand every word in worship. But stepping outside your comfort zone instigates growth.
- Spend some time in prayer about what you want your worship life to look like this summer. Grace will soon be able to offer in-person, indoor worship (although we will continue offering outdoor worship for those who prefer it). What matters to you about church? How can you shape your life so you feel secure and cared for in God’s love?
- Consider how you have found God apart from church during this pandemic. (Because we all have been apart from church more than usual, haven’t we?). God hasn’t disappeared. What new “languages” have we learned to speak, or what are the new ways God has spoken to us?
Here’s to a season of living boldly—
Yours in Christ,
Anne