June 6, 2025
“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” -Romans 6:4
Beloved family of God,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen and living Lord, Jesus Christ!
Pentecost is a season of transformation, renewal, and witness - the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. In this Spirit, I urge you to reclaim and faithfully live your baptismal vows.
Baptism is not simply a moment in the past; it is a living, breathing covenant that shapes our faith, our mission, and our daily witness. It is the foundation of our discipleship, the mark of grace upon our lives, and the call to be Christ’s body in the world.
In baptism, we are:
- Claimed by God’s love,
- Empowered by the Holy Spirit,
- Commissioned to resist evil, injustice, and oppression,
- Called to proclaim Christ in word and deed,
- Sent forth to live as disciples, embodying grace in our communities.
The world is yearning for healing, justice, and hope. More than ever, our faith must move beyond passive belief, doctrinal debates, and labels that divide us, and become a holy, living action - an embodiment of the risen Christ!
Let us, as followers of Jesus Christ and the United Methodists, reclaim our call:
- To love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.
- To be peacemakers in a world of conflict.
- To be healers in a world of pain.
- To be justice seekers in a world of inequality.
- To be bearers of hope where despair threatens.
The Council of Bishops recently released an eight-week Bible study, “Pentecost People,” designed to deepen spiritual formation. Each session includes Scripture readings, faith stories, Charles Wesley’s poetry, small group discussion questions, and program ideas. Additionally, eight bishops elected in 2022 - including myself - have shared video reflections to enrich the experience. I encourage pastors and congregations to prayerfully engage with this resource as we seek renewal through the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit is moving. The Church is rising. Now is the time to step forward, ignite the flame, and live boldly into our baptismal calling!
May this Pentecost be a time of renewal for you, and may your witness shine brightly in a world longing for Christ’s transforming love.
Together in Christ’s mission in the world,
Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez
Serving the Susquehanna & Upper New York Area
The United Methodist Church