10 Trinity Sq
Toronto, ON
M5G 1B1
416-598-4521
416-598-1432 (fax)
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Wed. 12:15 pm
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Reflections
reflections and sermons posted here are the work of individual members of Holy Trinity. Opinions expressed are those of the writer or preacher and do not necessarily reflect an official or even popular opinion within the parish.
A violent wind
SHERMAN HESSELGRAVE
Looking over the Pentecost bulletin I can only imagine the joy you will be experiencing. ¡Mucho gusto!
I'm looking forward to June 1st. Jim Love is the worship coordinator for that day, and we'll be working on that this week, along with packing kitchen stuff, and sorting things to be taken along or left
behind.
Bishop Gene Robinson's autobiographical, "In the Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God" includes an amusing anecdote about a very special Pentecost service at a large church in Florida described as having a "flair for the dramatic."
The priest "decided to dramatize the Holy Spirit coming like wind in a particularly spectacular way. He got the engine out of one of the boats used in the Everglades-- an airplane propeller attached to a big gasoline engine--and mounted it in the choir loft high in the back of the church. The wind from the propeller would blow across the congregation when the story of the coming of the Holy Spirit was read, It seemed like a great idea....
So when the great moment arrived, and the lector read, 'And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind and it filled the entire house', the engine coughed once and then howled into life.
But the effect was a little different than it had been in rehearsal. The sudden screaming gust of wind sent sheet music and bulletins flying out over the congregation. Coiffeurs came undone and hair streamed out from faces. The preacher's sermon notes were gone with the wind. A hair piece flew towards the altar like a furry missile. It was like a scene from 'Green Pastures' when the angel Gabriel looks down and tells the Lord 'Everything that was nailed down is comin' loose!'
Everything was messy and noisy, and absolutely unpredictable. And that's just the way it is with the Spirit."
Praying that the Spirit is filling your sails at HT,
Sherman May 11, 2008 |
