Dear People of the Northwest Intermountain Synod,

Happy Pentecost! This past Sunday congregations and ministry sites across the NWIM Synod—and indeed, across the globe—heard the story of the coming of the Holy Spirit told in Acts 2. “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 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 … All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit …” (Acts 2:1-2, 4a). We heard how observers of this phenomenon were “bewildered” by this event, and how Peter, in explanation, quoted from the prophet Joel saying this was God “pour[ing] out [God’s] Spirit upon all flesh” (Acts 2:17). And with Pentecost we celebrate that indeed God’s Spirit has been and is poured out on all flesh, including you and me.

If you are like me, however, sometimes it can be hard to see or grasp the Holy Spirit at work in the world and in your life. When I find myself wondering what the Spirit might be up to, I turn to John 3. That chapter opens with Jesus in conversation with Nicodemus, a Pharisee who came to Jesus at night. In the middle of that conversation Jesus says: “The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). Jesus works with a play on words here as the word translated as “wind” is the same word translated later in the verse as “Spirit.” The Holy Spirit, like the wind, blows where She chooses. The Holy Spirit, like the wind, is impossible to see.

We can, however, see the effects of the wind. Right now, as I type the wind is rustling the newly budded leaves outside the open windows. Tree branches are dancing. Blades of grass are waving. The wind chime is softly playing. So it is with the Spirit. People of the Northwest Intermountain Synod, where do you notice the effects of the Holy Spirit?

In reflecting on that same question, the effects of the Spirit being poured out on all flesh look like a total of well over 300 lay and rostered leaders coming together at one of the three Regional Gatherings to sing, learn, and pray together as we all discern how to move faithfully and sustainably into the future God has for us. The effects of the Spirit look like quilts draped across pews, blessed, and sent off across the globe to bring comfort and warmth to those who need it most. The effects of the Spirit look something like a Ukelele Orchestra—a Ukestra!—formed by the faithful folks who love to make music together of Pilgrim Lutheran, Othello. These are only a few of the places I notice the effects of the Holy Spirit. What do you notice? And when you catch a glimpse of the Spirit blowing through your life, call others to notice as well for the Spirit has been poured out on all flesh. She is blowing through the world and our lives, our congregations and communities. Be blessed by the Holy Spirit!

Pastor Phil Misner