Sunday Reflections-The Feast of Pentecost – Crosstalk Ministries Day Camps

It now being after 9pm, this Sunday Reflection post is being written way later than usual, it has been a long day!

I was awakened early by a call from Cousin Ron in the UK and, despite a few drops of rain, decided to bike to church. Fortunately it was a right choice, as by noon the sky had cleared so the ride home was much pleasanter than the one down. Arriving at St. Stephen’s House early, I helped Sarah to set out everything for lunch. Today was supposed to be my turn on duty but there was a mix up last week with 2 families bringing food so it was suggested all the extras be eaten this Sunday, all I had to do was help set things out and clear up afterwards. Just as well, since I also had to hurry upstairs to set up the feltboard for Story Time, lay out our activity, and cut up melon for the children’s snack.

Being early, it was not too difficult to accomplish all these tasks and still be sitting in the Worship Room in time for the first song! Once again, George was the only school age child but there were 3 toddlers too so we all stayed together for snack and story, with Joan reading the Acts 2 passage while the children and I assembled the felt figures.

Once the toddlers had headed off to their room George and I, with John helping, made flame decorated headbands and discussed the story together.

The story of Pentecost is pretty exciting and I enjoyed hearing George’s “take” on the events. We talked about the rushing wind and how we cannot see it yet we feel it and we also see it affecting everything around us as it blows. This is just like the Holy Spirit working in us and through us, that is a pretty special gift! I am really going to miss George when he and his family return to England in July, he has taught me a lot from the perspective of a 5 year old. The last 2 Sundays he has also been the one to call out “good bye” to me as I headed home and his little sister, Lydia, even presented me with one of her drawings this morning when they arrived at church, so sweet.

After cleaning up lunch and our room, I pedaled home, did a quick bit of garden work and then headed out for the Wil walk, ending at Isaiah 40, where I met Jessica and was also met by Victoria and all the little boys, who made a special stop, today en route to Sherbrooke (24 hours later than originally planned!) so that I could meet baby Andrew. It was a very happy surprise, William and Alexander gave me hugs and I was able to hold and feed Andrew and spend a ovely 20 minutes cuddling him, before they headed on their way and Jessica and I descended to the basement Supply Room to begin our work. We stayed until nearly 5pm and then walked home and prepared Bok Choy and Fried Tofu Salad, Buckwheat Ramen Noodles, a very special Green Tea and Fruit Plates composed of Mango, Plums and Candied Ginger. As we finished our dinner a friend dropped in to pick up some mending I had been doing for her. She brought along her brother who was on his way to the airport after a weekend visit. Arthur and I go back a very long way, having grown up together at St. Matthew’s Church. I do not see him very often but like people one has known all one’s life, there is an immediate reconnection. It was lovely to have a few minutes to chat before he was whisked away to catch his plane.And now Jessica has headed home and it will soon be time for Wil’s last trip outside. As I look back over the day I feel truly grateful for all of the interwoven relationships, the lives with which I have come in contact today. The Feast of Pentecost is all about the connections brought between God and His people through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the lives withwhom I have joined today are all a part of this huge family of the Christ, passing down the generations and bound together by the power of that same Spirit working in and through each one of us.

What a privilege to be a member of this Household of Faith.