The Day of Pentecost is just around the corner. It falls on June 4 this year. “Pentecost” means “fiftieth,” and signifies the 50 days following the resurrection of Jesus. It celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit to the church.

I am curious to see how St. David’s Church responds to the Day of Pentecost.

The Day of Pentecost is one of the major feast days of the church. After Easter, it is the major feast day of the church. In some ways it rivals Easter. Easter points to the Resurrection -- the power of God’s over death. But Pentecost points to the Church – the power of God over human selfishness, pettiness, and fear.

It seems to me that overcoming human selfishness, pettiness and fear is as at least as big a challenge as overcoming death.

In an effort to elevate the Day of Pentecost to a place of honor in the liturgical year, we are planning a festival day for St. David’s Church.

Pentecost is all about letting go of fear and embracing joy. It’s about the richness of community. It’s about embracing God’s great abundance. It’s about living into the divine power to become more than we could hope for or imagine.

Our festival day will begin with Eucharist, and then spill out of the sanctuary for a barbeque that will include a bounce house for kids, a rock climbing wall, a “Velcro-wall” (you spring off a trampoline and slam against an inflated wall and stick like a fly). There will also be a 60’ inflatable slide. Other activities will include a water-balloon launcher, three on three soccer and basketball games, face painting and other carnival-type attractions to capture the imagination of children.

I am hoping that Pentecost will begin to register in people’s minds as an important day in the life of the church. A day only becomes significant, when we treat it as significant. I am looking forward to seeing the joy grow among us as we embrace the fullness of the Holy Spirit moving in our midst.