Kids and fire. That is a combination that never seems to lose it pull. When the Fourth of July rolls around each year, my boys are always ready to light fireworks or sparkers. Summer campfires never fail to draw kids - especially when s'mores are involved. We all revel in a warm fire at night in the fireplace when the winter months are dark and dreary.
Fire is powerful. It's an element that quickly spreads and changes whatever it touches. I find it interesting that the Spirit is seen as fire - a power that rests on us as believers. Megan Prince, fellow Union parent and accomplished artist, was sharing this week how she has also found a fascination with fire as part of her creative work. Fire is a symbol of power, light, and change.
This Sunday, we celebrate Pentecost and as a symbol of the Spirit's power and presence, Union Kids will place "fire stoles" on Union community members as part of worship during our Pentecost Spanish song. The stoles are made of ribbons that the children assembled last week. I hope that you will take one or two home with you as a reminder for your family of the Spirit's presence and power.
A friend and I were just talking about how we both grew up with a lack of understanding about the Holy Spirit and the role of the Spirit in our daily lives. Now, we both feel that the Holy Spirit is what keeps us going as parents! Thank you, Lord! She shared a part of a creed from the Iona community that is recited each Sunday at her church, which includes a portion about the Holy Spirit that I loved:
“We believe in God within us, the Holy Spirit of Pentecostal fire, life-giving breath of the church. She is the spirit of healing and forgiveness, source of resurrection, and of life everlasting.”
May the Holy Spirit's power and presence fill our Union Kids (and us!) with hope and fire, like the disciples experienced 2,000 years ago.
Amen.
Acts 2:1-4 (NLT)
"On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability."