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Dear friend,
This Sunday for worship we are celebrating:
- Pentecost (wear red!)
- The Confirmation of our youth
- Special guest speaker Dr. LaVon Bracy
Our special guest speaker, Dr. LaVon Bracy, integrated the school system in Alachua County, becoming the first African American to graduate from Gainesville High School in 1965. Her gripping story has been written for elementary school children to introduce them to the civil rights struggles and sacrifices made to make the world a better place. She will be sharing her story live with us!
Our youth have been on a Confirmation journey, learning about their faith, the Bible, the history and beliefs of The United Methodist Church, and what it means to live as people who follow Jesus. Some are ready to affirm their faith and commitment to God, and some are honestly not sure what they believe or if God even exists. But they will all be present on Sunday at Allendale because it is a safe place to continue to explore their beliefs as they grow and change. We will celebrate this milestone with them!
Pentecost, a holiday 50 days after Easter, remembers the radical empowerment of the marginalized and oppressed at the birth of the Church. The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles was a divine act of solidarity with the disenfranchised, catalyzing a movement toward justice, equality, and communal transformation. The Spirit’s gifting of understanding diverse tongues represents the breaking down of societal and linguistic barriers, affirming the inherent dignity and voice of every person, particularly those silenced by systemic injustices.
You will not want to miss this special Sunday!
Join us at 10:30 AM in person or online!
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