Pentecost worship opens six churches to the Spirit

Pentecost worship of six churches.

African- and European-American music, prayer and preaching styles blended in a six-church Pentecost service, celebrating a year of interaction in an eight-month urban ministry study program offered by the Weyerhaeuser Center for Faith and Learning at Whitworth College.

“God understands.  We don’t,” preached the Rev. Ezra Kinlow of Holy Temple Church of God in Christ to those gathered on May 14 at Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ.

The 24 study participants brought along their choirs and other members to involve them more in the spirit of what they had experienced.

Combined choir sings.

Other participating congregations are Bethel African Methodist Episcopal, Calvary Baptist, Central Lutheran and First Presbyterian churches.

“We six congregations dared to spend some time together.  We did not know where we were going, and now the official program has ended, we do not know where we are going, but we are committed to continue our relationship and mutual support,” Ezra said, voicing the sentiments of other participants.

“God only knows where we will end up as we continue in fellowship,” he continued, likening their experience to that of the disciples on Pentecost

Celebrating together

who suddenly were speaking in different languages so people could understand them.  “We speak Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, Pentecostal and United Church of Christ “languages.”

“Pentecost changed the way people related and worshiped,” he said. “The Holy Spirit has filled us so we try to understand our brothers and sisters.”

The Rev. Andy CastroLang of Westminster UCC observed:  “We sing, pray and worship in different ways and in different houses, but we have one Lord.”

The Rev. Kevin Finch of First Presbyterian expects heaven to look “more like today than like any one of our churches.”  He prayed for God to create something from the experience beyond what participants might imagine.

Facilitators Tim Dolan and Peter Dual of Whitworth said their approach encouraged informal connections so participants would form relationships that would lead to ongoing interaction, support nurture, reflection and common action in addressing issues of urban ministry in Spokane.

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By Mary Stamp, Fig Tree editor - Copyright © June 2005