In what the Rev. Dr. Jesse Zink, principal of Montreal Dio College, calls this time of polycrisis, we are still called to rejoice in the Spirit. In an interview in the Montreal Anglican newspaper, in December 2024, Zink said: “Christians are called to form communities that resist the powers and principalities and offer to the world a different way of life that is ultimately more, well, faithful, creative, and hopeful than much of what we find around us.” As we approach the day of Pentecost, on June 8, 2025, when the church remembers the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first followers of Jesus, there are opportunities for us to gather and live faithfully, creatively, and hopefully.
Churches in our diocese will celebrate Pentecost 50 days after our Easter Sunday celebrations, wearing red, to signify the tongues of fire that first rested on all the disciples on the first Pentecost. The Holy Spirit will help us as he reminds us the good news of Jesus’ resurrection. We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus each Sunday in our churches, and we are sent out to love and serve the Lord. Even while the climate crisis rages, communities of faithful Christians can join their neighbours celebrating in the month of June with weddings, and barbeques, and canoe trips! Rejoice in the good weather, the gardens blooming, and the sun shining.
June 15, 2025 is Father’s Day. The Holy Spirit, who dwells in every Christian, offers gifts to children and fathers. Does your father demonstrate love and kindness, goodness and faithfulness? Rejoice in the power of the Spirit in your father’s life. Rejoice in the lives of those men who have been father-figures to you. Again, our churches might celebrate the men in our congregations who are fathers with a BBQ, and certainly in the prayers on Father’s Day.
The month of June is National Indigenous Month, when we celebrate the cultures, languages, knowledge, histories, and traditions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. June 21, 2025 is our National Indigenous Day of Prayer. Within the Collect for that day, we pray, that empowered by the Holy Spirit we may be strengthened and guided to walk toward justice and wholeness.
During June 23 to 29 the Anglican Church of Canada will join for General Synod, at RBC Place London in the Diocese of Huron, and elect a new Primate. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, will empower those who vote to elect one of the candidates: National Indigenous Archbishop Christopher Harper, Bishop David Lehmann, Archbishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson, or Bishop Riscylla Shaw. May the grace and wisdom of the Holy Spirit guide the minds of those who vote.
The Holy Spirit dwells within us, guiding and teaching us; the Holy Spirit is a course of wisdom and revelation; the Holy Spirit is our comforter, and giver of good gifts. In our weakness, the Holy Spirit helps us. While the news around us is frightening, the Good News gives us hope. As we gather during the month of June, let us celebrate with trust in the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Reflection
Listening to and following the Holy Spirit
In what the Rev. Dr. Jesse Zink, principal of Montreal Dio College, calls this time of polycrisis, we are still called to rejoice in the Spirit. In an interview in the Montreal Anglican newspaper, in December 2024, Zink said: “Christians are called to form communities that resist the powers and principalities and offer to the world a different way of life that is ultimately more, well, faithful, creative, and hopeful than much of what we find around us.” As we approach the day of Pentecost, on June 8, 2025, when the church remembers the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first followers of Jesus, there are opportunities for us to gather and live faithfully, creatively, and hopefully.
Churches in our diocese will celebrate Pentecost 50 days after our Easter Sunday celebrations, wearing red, to signify the tongues of fire that first rested on all the disciples on the first Pentecost. The Holy Spirit will help us as he reminds us the good news of Jesus’ resurrection. We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus each Sunday in our churches, and we are sent out to love and serve the Lord. Even while the climate crisis rages, communities of faithful Christians can join their neighbours celebrating in the month of June with weddings, and barbeques, and canoe trips! Rejoice in the good weather, the gardens blooming, and the sun shining.
June 15, 2025 is Father’s Day. The Holy Spirit, who dwells in every Christian, offers gifts to children and fathers. Does your father demonstrate love and kindness, goodness and faithfulness? Rejoice in the power of the Spirit in your father’s life. Rejoice in the lives of those men who have been father-figures to you. Again, our churches might celebrate the men in our congregations who are fathers with a BBQ, and certainly in the prayers on Father’s Day.
The month of June is National Indigenous Month, when we celebrate the cultures, languages, knowledge, histories, and traditions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. June 21, 2025 is our National Indigenous Day of Prayer. Within the Collect for that day, we pray, that empowered by the Holy Spirit we may be strengthened and guided to walk toward justice and wholeness.
During June 23 to 29 the Anglican Church of Canada will join for General Synod, at RBC Place London in the Diocese of Huron, and elect a new Primate. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, will empower those who vote to elect one of the candidates: National Indigenous Archbishop Christopher Harper, Bishop David Lehmann, Archbishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson, or Bishop Riscylla Shaw. May the grace and wisdom of the Holy Spirit guide the minds of those who vote.
The Holy Spirit dwells within us, guiding and teaching us; the Holy Spirit is a course of wisdom and revelation; the Holy Spirit is our comforter, and giver of good gifts. In our weakness, the Holy Spirit helps us. While the news around us is frightening, the Good News gives us hope. As we gather during the month of June, let us celebrate with trust in the leading of the Holy Spirit.
The Rev. Margo Whittaker is Anglican chaplain at St. Paul’s University.
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