Celebrating Pentecost

The week before Pentecost, we celebrated Ascension when Jesus tells his followers to wait for the Holy Spirit. It seemed like a good Sunday to start the Pentecost prayer station.

The cellophane ribbons were cut from rolls and hung from a curtain rod. The red fairy lights are powered through USB connections so are plugged into phone chargers on a timer. The ribbons hanging from the candlesticks look pretty but had to be removed as I hadn't realised that these particular candlesticks are used during funeral services (oops).


Visitors are invited to think about people that need the Holy Spirit, including themselves; write the names on flames or doves and stick them on the cellophane with sticky buddies.
As always, they are encouraged to spend some time thinking/praying for those people.

Even with just a few on, the "wall of flames" is beginning to look effective. I'll try to post a final photo before it's dismantled.

Instructions with Acts 1:8

Children's Corner

The same cellophane ribbons were hung from a hula hoop suspended from the ceiling tiles above the children's corner. The doves and flames available here are larger and the ribbons come to just above adult height. I was aware that it was too tempting for children to tug on the ribbons so adults are needed to do the sticking...
I also managed to find a children's book on Pentecost with the story told in rhyme. It's a bit old fashioned but I do like to add to the book collection.

Lord's table

For this prayer station we've been particularly blessed by Karen who used to do a lot of flower arranging. She offered to help and I set her loose on the Lord's table that's in the side chapel (with permission from the vicar).
I'd had the idea of draping red fabric from the cross with a white dove at it's centre but Karen made it come to life with some gold voile and ribbon spiral flames. She also made a foot-piece that finishes it off but I didn't get a photo of that.
The existing real candles have been replaced by (safer) battery candle lights. They are effectively weighting the fabric to stop it slipping off but I think they add to the design.
This table is the focus of the quiet time & morning prayer that happen most weekdays 8.30-9.30am so it will be interesting to get some feedback from those people that attend.

And here's the final curtain of Pentecost ribbons - a lovely, bright celebration!