Beloved Church,

Every couple of years or so, we get to celebrate Pentecost (the birth of the Church through the coming of God’s Spirit) on Memorial Day Weekend.

In some ways, it is a jarring juxtaposition, these two holidays falling on the same weekend. Pentecost is a joyful celebration of God’s presence and work through God’s people. Memorial Day intended as a somber remembrance, mourning and honoring U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the Armed Forces.

Did you know that it wasn’t until 1968 that Congress changed its observance to the last Monday in May, and in 1971, standardized its name to Memorial Day? You probably already knew this…but this of course, is how Memorial Day also became considered the the “unofficial start of summer.”

Like anything else, there are of course multiple stories of how and where it began. Think of how we have four different gospels about Jesus’ life and resurrection!

There are at least 25 cities and towns across the United States that claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day.

The first national observance took place on May 30, 1868, then known as Decoration day, when a fraternal organization of veterans gathered to honor soldiers who died in the Civil War.

However, most historians now claim and publish that the first Memorial Day observance was actually much quieter, and three years earlier in Charleston, SC in 1865. Those who were previously enslaved, honored fallen Union soldiers by decorating their graves. What a powerful image, what a powerful reality.

It is on Memorial Day that I remember my grandparents’ service, particularly both of my grandfathers, who served during WWII. While they did not die in combat, they are long deceased, and we always remember them.

Do you know who else I think of on Memorial Day?

Lt. John Holmes Townley.

Who?

Lt. John Holmes Townley, whose name graces our baptismal font.

Have you ever noticed this engraving?

In Memoriam

Lt. John Holmes Townley

Born – Emporia, Kansas – August 23, 1920

Died – France – August 3, 1944

He Gave the Last Full Measure of Devotion

A beloved son of this congregation. His name memorialized on the very font from which we are reminded that each of us are God’s beloved.

I read his name every week as I sit in the front pew, before worship begins. If you’ve never seen it or never noticed it, let it be a reminder this weekend:

We are part of one another in the church of Jesus Christ. Part of what happened on the day of Pentecost is that people from different nations, speaking different languages, were suddenly able to hear and understand each other. A community was formed on Pentecost that transcends boundaries of nation and race and language. We believe it is God’s creation, that community of people bound to one another by God’s love in Jesus Christ. That is what we mean when we say in the Apostles’ Creed, “I believe in the holy catholic church.” (Reminder: When we say catholic, we mean the Christian church of all times and places, the church universal, the blessed community.)

That blessed community also transcends time: it includes all those who have gone before us, our own dear ones who we loved and lost and now live with God, and their dear ones, and the dear ones before them. That’s what we mean when we say, “I believe in the communion of saints.”

Happy Memorial Day Weekend. Happy Pentecost.

See you in church,
Pastor Molly