CHRIST CHURCH URC : PASTORAL LETTER FOR JUNE

Pastoral letter  Revd John Gordon  June 2025

Dear Friends,

The Day of Pentecost is a pivotal event in Christian history, marking the fulfilment of Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit to his disciples. The narrative, as captured in Acts 2:1-21, unfolds as a powerful and life changing moment that carries profound theological and spiritual significance. The scene opens with the disciples gathered together in unity, awaiting the promise of the Holy Spirit. Suddenly, the sound of a mighty, rushing wind fills the house, and tongues of fire rest upon each of them. This extraordinary manifestation symbolises the presence and power of God, echoing the divine encounters in the Old Testament, such as the burning bush or the pillar of fire.

The Holy Spirit’s arrival empowers the disciples to speak in various languages, enabling them to communicate the Gospel to people from diverse nations gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks. This miraculous event, I believe, underscores the universality of the Christian message—that the good news of Jesus Christ is for all people, regardless of language or ethnicity. It is a divine reversal of the confusion of tongues at the Tower of Babel, bringing unity and understanding through the Spirit. Peter’s ensuing sermon, inspired by the Holy Spirit, interprets the events as the fulfilment of Joel’s prophecy: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” This declaration signifies a new era of God’s redemptive work, where the Spirit is not confined to a select few but is available to all who believe in Jesus. The outpouring of the Spirit also marks the birth of the Church, a community empowered to continue Jesus’ mission on earth.

Pentecost also highlights the essential life-giving power of the Holy Spirit. The disciples, once fearful and uncertain, are emboldened to proclaim the Gospel boldly. This rebirth is not merely an emotional or psychological change but a fantastic spiritual renewal. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now resides in his followers, equipping them with gifts and graces to fulfil their divine calling. Moreover, Pentecost serves as a reminder of the inclusive nature of God’s kingdom. The diverse crowd that hears the disciples speaking in their own languages symbolizes the breaking down of barriers — social, cultural, and linguistic. It challenges all believers to embrace diversity within the body of Christ and to reach out across boundaries with the message of God’s love and salvation.

Pentecost is a cornerstone of Christian faith. It signifies the empowerment of believers through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the birth of the Church, and the universal scope of the Gospel. As we celebrate Pentecost, we are reminded of our calling to live in the power of the Spirit, to proclaim the good news to all creation, and to embody the unity and diversity of God’s kingdom. As Saint Augustine once reflected, “The Holy Spirit is the bond of love in the blessed Trinity, and it is by this power that the Church is united in love and fellowship.” Augustine’s words remind us that the divine presence of the Holy Spirit not only empowers but also knits together the fabric of our faith community.

John Gordon