Today was the Day of Pentecost, AND we had two baptisms, AND 3 members of our college ministry (Project Canterbury) were serving (one as an acolyte, and 2 in the choir), AND 4 other PC members were sitting with me in the pews, including my son's girlfriend, who was with us at church for the first time, AND our supply priest, the Rev. Rob Henley, gave a WONDERFUL sermon with volunteers from the congregation (including my son) illustrating his sermon with a skit.  It was, as Father Rob said, a day of many, many blessings.  My cup was overflowing.

During the first reading, from Ezekiel 37: 1-14, during the part where the dry bones speak,  they say, "Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely."  This seemed to me to be what our church has been saying as our members have died off and our numbers have dwindled over the past several years.  But then I looked beside me, at the young lives just starting out, their faces full of hope and promise, and I knew that the subsequent promise of the Lord in this reading was being fulfilled right before our eyes:  "I am going to...bring you up from your graves,....I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live...."  As our parish commences our search process for a new rector, and as we re-vision, this is good news.

Many people have approached my husband and me, praising us and thanking us for all we've done with the Project Canterbury ministry, and while that is gratifying, neither of us really feels like we've done anything to CAUSE this ministry to happen.  It's not us, it's the Holy Spirit working through us, inspiring us to reach out to these young folks and to serve as catalysts for RELATIONSHIP.  These young adults are developing relationships as friends, yes, but more importantly, they are developing relationships as brothers and sisters in Christ, as beloved children of God, and they are making this ministry grow by allowing the Holy Spirit to work through them as well, inviting their friends to join the group.  The Spirit is working through others in the parish as well, and we've received donations of money, food, offers of discussion topics and venues for future gatherings.  These gifts even further bless the RELATIONSHIPS that have been formed, expanding their connections with the greater family of God.

The best thing we can do to be a catalyst for RELATIONSHIP is to say, "Yes" when someone brings up an idea for a ministry or an outreach project, and to be present for whatever participation that the Spirit might ask of us. I remember one time long ago when I was hesitant to participate in a weekday church event.(To be honest, I was feeling selfish and hoping for some down time.)  I told my friend, "I don't think I will go; I just don't get anything out of it." My friend, who was clearly channeling the voice Spirit at that moment, replied to my selfishness, "Oh, that's too bad.  I was hoping you would be there because I always look forward to your insights."  Sometimes the question to ask is not "What am I getting out of it?" but rather, "Am I making myself available to the Spirit so that someone else might get something out of it?" The number one necessity for RELATIONSHIP is presence. It's a lesson I've never forgotten.