"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. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the holy spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the spirit gave them ability. " --Acts 2:1-4 NRSV
On April 30, 2022, the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Church of Christ held its annual meeting. Due to continued concerns with Covid-exposure, the meeting was held via Zoom, and was composed of “business” such as electing the slate of new nominations and adopting a new budget.
The beginning of the meeting offered reports from our Conference Minister, the Rev. Mike Denton, and from the Minister for Church Vitality, the Rev. Courtney Stange-Tregear. The conference learned more about the efforts toward antiracism, which centers clergy and churches who are Black, Brown, Asian and Indigenous.
After lunch, the final business was set to be finalized at the end of the day. However, the Spirit came in like a mighty wind.
Plymouth’s delegates ushered in the wind of the spirit! Their raised voices helped to focus our intention, interrupting the usual flow where few questions are asked and quick decisions are made, while some are left wondering what happened. Our delegates called in our conference leadership, acknowledging the problematic nature of fundraising for the antiracism fund, and that the budget must be a moral and justice-filled document.
It was the voices of Michelle Sarju, Michael Gordon, Tracy Simpson, Nan Macy, the Rev. Louis Mitchell and others who acknowledged that the conversation begun last year has gone unfinished and that the budget as it was presented offered little in the way of transformative dismantling of white supremacy culture. There was the suggestion last year from Rev. Mitchell that the 5 for 5 offerings become 6 for 6 on the national level so that as a denomination, we might take seriously our covenantal declaration that minoritized clergy and congregations are important and valued. In addition, Plymouth delegates suggested there be a ministry position of the conference staff focused on antiracism and building relationship with minoritized clergy, congregations, and beyond.
Certainly, the perceptions of what happened vary. However, I saw great humility where there hadn’t been, and leadership from people we didn’t expect. I am clear that it was a moment of Pentecost, an active in-dwelling in the spirit upon all in attendance. Though the wind feels violent, it humbles; it startles; it provokes, invokes, and welcomes us to the new reality of being the church, again and again. I witnessed what it means to speak “in other languages, as the spirit gave them ability.” This is what is required for organizational transformation, with God as our helper. --Rev. Dr. Kelle Brown