Rev. Rebecca’s Note - Pentecost and Justice
As we come to the day of Pentecost (officially this Sunday, May 24, so we’ll observe it at our regular Gathering this Saturday at 12:30pm), Acts 2 provides so much imaginative fodder. As the passage goes, how amazing it was that so many people from so many different places would not only feel the Holy Spirit, but also hear each other in their native languages. It was an odd moment, with some in their midst wondering about its meaning; others sneeringly assumed that “it’s 5 o’clock somewhere.” That’s how it can go with these spiritual experiences - some will stay open and curious to the moment; others will roll their eyes as they banish highly spirited activity that isn’t easily understood to the realm of more mundane liquid spirits.
As we celebrate Pentecost, we welcome DeMarco Davidson, Executive Director of Metropolitan Congregations United, to our Saturday Gathering to talk with us about who and what MCU is. This is timely for a few reasons. First, while justice may not be the first thing we think about on Pentecost, its diversity in presence and moment of clarity in communication is a powerful affirmation of justice embedded in the community. MCU is a place where many different congregations come together to work toward the common good at community and state levels. Pastor Mark Davis shares ways in which we may experience justice in the biblical moment of Pentecost:
“A Pentecostal revival of justice would bear all of the hallmarks of Luke’s story: The sense that ‘all of them were filled’ (Acts 2:4) would challenge the myth of scarcity that fuels capitalism with an insatiable appetite for which one never has enough. The list of nations would challenge a worldview where ‘the other’ is viewed primarily a competitor. The ‘gift of tongues’ would bring new languages that can build bridges across nativistic boundaries. The sweeping fire would both cleanse the heart of violence and animate the spirit for justice.”
As the chaos of our increasingly destabilized country roars on around us, I am all the more grateful to have both God as well as robust communities around. I continue to hope and pray on this Pentecost that we hear and heed the Holy Spirit in our midst calling us to embody love through our justice practices and communities in as many ways as we can.
Source: Davis, Mark. “Pentecost Is Justice Revived” in Political Theology Network, https://politicaltheology.com/pentecost-is-justice-revived/ May 30, 2022
- Rev. Rebecca
PrideFest StL 2026
We are part of a group of Open and Affirming congregations who come together as a group to support the LBGTQIA+ community via our participation at St. Louis Pridefest. We will have a booth at PrideFest in downtown St. Louis; please sign up HERE if you’d like to take part!
Think+Pray+Act Board Note
Grace and peace to you and yours this unusual month of May, where the gas prices are over $4 and the weather is doing strange things. My flowers have been blooming early too! I’m not sure what that’s about, but I’ll take the beauty and try not to worry too much. The TPA Board was busy in April with the installation of our pastor, Rev. Rebecca, and the launch of our faith community within the Disciples of Christ. This month's news is quite sad, as our beloved board member, Anthony Pulliam, has stepped down from the board. We support Ant in their decision and continue to envelop Ant within the heart of the community. This does leave OPEN TWO BOARD POSITIONS. If you have ever considered how you might make a difference in a different kind of faith community, PLEASE ASK Pastor Rebecca or myself about the open positions. [email protected]
In hope,
Regan Saoirse, Board Moderator
TPA Online - Drawing All Things to God
Our Online Spiritual Group, Drawing All Things to God, will go on through the whole Easter season and beyond. You are welcome to join us anytime. We will have a brief spiritual practice and a video of the author reflecting on an idea for us to discuss and reflect upon together.
| Join us on Sunday Nights at 6 pm For the Online Spiritual Group about Drawing All Things to God Sign Up Here or join our Think+Pray+Act Connect Facebook group for the Link! |
There is so much we can say about Jesus - and much has been said about Jesus, who is the center of our Christian faith! But who is he, really, and what does he really mean to us? As we’re in the 50-day Easter season, in this series we consider who he is through video, discussion, and spiritual practices. See you online!
South City/Tower Grove Youth Group
Youth group is taking a break for the summer and will reconvene in August.
What’s Next
| May 17-23 | Daily Bible Reading 2nd Kings 15-16 - 1st Chronicles 1-2 |
| Sat, May 23, 12:30pm Think+Pray+Act2725 S Jefferson Ave, StL, 63118 | T+P+A Gathering: Pentecost as Justice: Intro to MCU Why is justice so integral to living out the Great Commandment? Join us and special guest DeMarco Davidson, MDiv, Executive Director of Metropolitan Congregations United, as he helps us make tangible connections between the justice mentioned in the Bible and our work we do as a member congregation of MCU! |
| Sun, May 24, 6pm Online | T+P+A Online: Drawing All Things to God: The Courage of Jesus What was courageous about Jesus? Why do you choose to follow him? What scares you about following him? |
| Sun, May 31, 6pm Online | T+P+A Online: Drawing All Things to God: The Jesus Strategy What’s Jesus’ MO? Who does he center and align himself with? How do we go and do likewise? |
| Sun, June 7, 6pm Online | T+P+A Online: Drawing All Things to God: Go Down Moses How did/does Jesus embody God’s liberating love for all that we see in the book of Exodus? |
| Sat, June 13, 12:30pm Online | T+P+A Gathering: Juneteenth and Pride Month What do the faith and theology of queer BIPOC people bring to us? |
| Sun, June 14, 6pm Online | T+P+A Online: Drawing All Things to God: Celebrating the Cracks What about Jesus stirs your imagination? Did he fail? What have your own failures taught you about life? |
| Sat, June 27, 12:30pm 2725 S Jefferson Ave, StL, 63118 | T+P+A Gathering: Pride in the Time After Pentecost Pentecost may be but a day, but that day set a new standard for who we are and how we show up in community. What does it mean? |
| Sat-Sun, June 27-28 1315 Chestnut St., StL, 63103Sign up HERE to be at the booth! | StL PrideFest 2026 Come show your pride and support the LGBTQIA+ community by attending and taking a shift at our booth with Gateway ONA! |
| Sun, June 28, 6pm Online | T+P+A Online: Drawing All Things to God: The Cosmic Christ with Richard Rohr What the heck is the Cosmic Christ and why should we care? |
What to Know about Think Pray Act:
We are an open and affirming faith community that strives to maintain open and free theological learning as an act toward justice. We welcome all spirit seekers into full participation in the life and membership of the community. We actively and faithfully accept as they are people of every race, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity, relationship status, physical and mental ability, family type, and economic background.
We believe God calls us to do justice and love kindness, giving assistance and healing to others and the planet by following the teachings of Jesus. We promise to love our neighbors, respect differences, and build authentic relationships by learning who we are, taking just action, and breaking bread together. In our actions, God’s love moves and shines.
Newsletter Options:
If you’re not on our email list and would like to be, please join us HERE.
Have newsletter items? Please email them to [email protected] by Tuesdays at 4pm
Read the newsletter online: https://www.thinkprayact.org/blog
Donations and Offerings:
We welcome your support via your presence in our community life, ideas and vision, and financial gifts via cash, check, or Tithe.ly. Our address is below for anything that needs to be mailed. Thank you very much for however you can be a part of Think+Pray+Act’s work to build and reveal the kindom of God!
© Think+Pray+Act
2725 S Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63118
[email protected] / 314-248-0646
FB / IG / BlueSky: thinkprayact