Pastor’s Letter May, 2008

Entry from Pastor’s Journal, Maputo, Mozambique, April 10

“Good morning, Rose Marie, teacher of homiletics. I am Benjamin!” That was the energetic greeting I received from the first United Methodist pastor as he entered the classroom at 8:30 am. Later on in the class, a woman responds to one of my questions. Hearing the words of the translator in my left ear and hearing simultaneously in my right ear the words of the pastor and watching her as she speaks, the word of God is heard so clearly. The barrier of language and human effort is broken. Holy Spirit swirls freely – cutting through the sounds of horns and crowd on the busy street outside the open windows.

“Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force – no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wild-fire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.” – Acts 2:1-4

See you on Pentecost Sunday, May 11, when we celebrate the gifts of the Holy Spirit to the church and receive new members into the Body of Christ at Westhampton. All are encouraged to wear red.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Rosemary Welch