“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit . . .”

Last Sunday, I was inspired again by the story of Pentecost from Acts: “And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability” (Acts 2:2–4).

There are parts of this story that are difficult to understand. What is easier to grasp, though, is that the Holy Spirit is real and present among us. In my own life, I experience God the Holy Spirit in many different ways—sometimes dramatic, sometimes quiet.

As summer begins, I pray that each of us will find moments to hear and experience the Holy Spirit, however quietly or dramatically.

By now, every parish and member of the clergy should have received an invitation to the consecration service on June 27 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral Church of the Advent. This service marks the occasion of my ordination as your bishop.

The diocese is requiring RSVPs to ensure that every parish is represented and included, just as we do for diocesan convention. If you would like to attend, please speak with your rector, priest-in-charge, or senior warden. It will be powerful for all our parishes and clergy to gather together in one place — or to join together via livestream. Please visit the consecration webpage for more information on that.

During the service, we will invoke the Holy Spirit to come upon all of us, not just me. As Acts says, “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit . . .” (2:4a). My prayer for our diocese during this transition is that each of us will experience a deep awareness that the Spirit of God is with us, bringing peace, guidance, and hope for our lives and for our world.