As a child, were you ever warned not to speak to strangers? This warning can be very helpful, and keeping our children safe is so important. Today, though, we hear that Pentecost is about when it is really good to speak with strangers. That first Pentecost happened in the city of Jerusalem, but today’s story…

Have you ever bought something that needed to be assembled? After struggling to get the huge package into the house, and further struggling to open the wretched thing, the instructions are tucked right at the bottom. The instruction booklet is in a number of languages, the English translation — for that is obviously what it…

Well, happy birthday to us! Traditionally, today, Pentecost, marks the beginning of the church. Many decorate with red helium balloons. Some have birthday cake at coffee hour. It is a day of celebration, and a little awe that after the resurrection and ascension God finds this new way to be manifest among us. The disciples…

Today is Pentecost, the day we celebrate the Holy Spirit. In many ways this is a day to celebrate the surprising turns and astonishing connections that happen in the lives of men and women trying to live faithful Christian lives. God is seen today as unleashing the Good News to the world and giving specific…

In Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior, much is made of thank-you notes, especially thank-you notes for weddings presents. One of her sample letters reads as follows: Dear Aunt Patience: Rhino and I are thrilled with the magnificent silver sugar shaker you sent us. It adds not only beauty and dignity to our table, but…