Dear Siblings in Christ,
God’s vision for the world is that everyone finds their place in God’s kin-dom—in God’s household.
At Pentecost, we celebrate God’s pouring out of the Holy Spirit so that everyone may hear and know a word of welcome. We are all connected in God’s household—living, learning, and celebrating as the church…together.
In this season of new awakening, we particularly look to children, youth, and young adults for their new thoughts, approaches, and questions. The psalmist reminds us that faith is established in our earliest years, saying, “For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.” (Psalm 71:5)
The youngest members of our household of faith and community need our support to reach their full potential in faith and life. We all have important roles to play in their journeys. And while we teach and lead, our recent confirmands’ faith stories have encouraged and reminded us that the children shall lead us into new insights in how the Spirit of God is moving in and among us. Your gifts to the Pentecost Offering on Sunday, June 5, will support ministries with children, youth, and young adults in our community, across the nation, and around the world.
The 40% local portion will support Casa San José’s Campamento Sonrisa, a four-week camp, for Latino children and youth that helps them more deeply appreciate their cultural heritage. The remainder of our offering will be donated to the Presbyterian denomination to support youth and young adult programs—such as the Young Adult Volunteer Program, the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, and the Educate a Child, Transform the World Initiative.
During this Pentecost season, as we celebrate God’s gift to the church of Spirit-led energy, intelligence, imagination, and love, we invite you to join us in celebrating our part in building lives of faith among our children, youth, and young adults. These younger members of the household of faith are not just the future of the church—they ARE the church.