Pentecost and Pride

 

...this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

 ‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
    and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
    and your old men shall dream dreams.

Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit,
        and they shall prophesy.

                           Acts 2: 16-18

This is Pentecost Sunday, the liturgical opportunity to remember the inexplicable, world-changing work of the Holy Spirit which enlivened the bewildered first followers of the Risen Christ, an experience which led to the first community which could be described as Christian.

In the United Church of Canada this is also Pride Sunday. This is the first Sunday in Pride Month and congregations are encouraged to acknowledge solidarity with the LGBTQ2S+ community is a spirit of celebration, inclusion, and advocacy. This will happen in worship in our home congregation, Trenton United, as well as a fun event following the service. Trenton UC will also fly the Pride Rainbow flag this month have a booth at Pride in the Park in Belleville.

On that first Pentecost Day the disciple Peter was emboldened to preach to the crowd gathered in Jerusalem, assuring them first of all that they weren't drunks or lunatics as the Holy Spirit manifested him/herself in their lives. In his message he offers a vision rooted in Jewish scripture of a different vision, a marvelous dream of inclusion which from my perspective fits well with the Pride theme of this day. 

Many of us are old enough that we can remember well when we excluded those we described as gay and lesbian, in Christ's name, and struggled with changing perceptions. My personal repentance for this outlook and embracing LGBTQ2S+ folk, figuratively and sometimes literally, demonstrates that the work of the Spirit continues, thanks be to God.

Here are some Pride Sunday resources from the United Church of Canada:

https://united-church.ca/worship-special-days/pride-sunday

                                                            Roncesvalles United Church, Toronto