Church bells will be ringing throughout Missouri at noon on Pentecost, May 31, 2020, to commemorate lives lost to COVID-19 and in thanksgiving for all essential workers putting themselves on the line for the sake of all during the pandemic.
Leaders from the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, The Diocese of West Missouri, the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy are asking all churches to ring their bells for one to two minutes at 12 p.m. on May 31.
“Bells have been a part of the public witness of Christianity since the 6th Century and have continued to call the faithful to worship and to mark significant events in the life of the Church and the community,” said the Rev. Deon Johnson, Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Missouri. “It is my hope that in ringing bells on Pentecost, the birthday of the church, we can mark the significance of this present moment.”
In ringing the church bells we are expressing our thanks and support…
“As we take our first tentative steps away from self-isolation, it is important that we remember those who have suffered, lost their lives, and those who have worked ceaselessly to keep our society going,” said the Rt. Rev. Martin Field, Bishop of The Diocese of West Missouri. “In ringing the church bells we are expressing our thanks and support to all who have served us so well and our care and our concern for all who have been impacted by the pandemic.”
“While many church buildings have been closed, the church has not been silent,” said the Rev. Susan Candea, Bishop of Central States Synod, ELCA. “We continue to proclaim the hope of the gospel – the good news of God’s love for the world – so that all might hear and know that God continues to reign.”
Pentecost is the Christian festival celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his Ascension. It is often referred to as the birthday of the Church. It is held on the seventh Sunday after Easter.