Tongues of Flame,
This Sunday, we celebrate Pentecost, “The Birth of the Church”. The verbal history that I received about Island United tells me that – even though Island United was formed on September 16, 1966 – we celebrate the formation of IUC as part of the historical “Birth of the Church”. The birth of a new church.
It seems fitting that the genesis of IUC is an historic gathering of denominations with different polity/language but of a shared Spirit as well as a multicultural face. The Acts of the Apostles account in chapter 2 states: “3 Something appeared to them that seemed like tongues of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each one. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as she enabled them.”
Much has changed in the millennia since then, which includes the nearly 60 IUC years. Or has it?
The Spirit still calls for a unity not yet fully realized. That unity is one of love and acceptance, of expansiveness. As an homage to the Trekkies: a frontier to create a new world order, a bold civilization that celebrates each other as the image of God.
I look forward to being with you and sharing the Pentecost Sunday 2023 story at 1130 Balclutha and on Zoom at 10 am. Invite a friend – an extension of the Spirit of Love and community.
Flame on!
Rev. Michael Cronin
