Many voices, one Spirit: Pentecost celebrated at Living Water Uniting Church

by Laura Seeds, Communications Creator

On Sunday 24 May, Living Water Uniting Church in Mansfield came alive with colour, music, and worship as people from across congregations and cultures gathered for the annual Pentecost service organised by the Multi-Cross Cultural Reference Group.

The multi-cross cultural service brought together communities including the UAICC (First Peoples), Taiwanese congregation, Logan Central Uniting Church, Kangaroo Point Uniting Church, and Tongan Uniting Church Logan City, each contributing their language, music, and expressions of faith into a shared act of worship. From the opening moments, there was a strong sense that this was not just a service, but a visible sign of the Church living out unity in diversity.

Pentecost remembers the moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon the early disciples, enabling them to speak in many languages and be understood across cultures. That same spirit of connection was reflected throughout the service, as different congregations led the gathering in song, prayer, and Scripture.

The service opened with a welcome and the lighting of the Christ candle, followed by an Acknowledgement of Country offered by UAICC leaders, grounding the gathering in respect, relationship, and place; honouring the ongoing story of God’s people.

Worship flowed between cultures and communities. Songs were led by groups including the Taiwanese congregation, Kangaroo Point Uniting Church, and Tongan Uniting Church Logan City, creating a rich tapestry of praise. Prayers of thanksgiving and Scripture readings were shared across cultural groups, reminding those present that the Church is broader than any one expression.

The sermon by Dr Scott Downman invited reflection on the meaning of Pentecost today; calling the Church to be open to the movement of the Spirit, and to embrace the diversity of gifts present within the body of Christ. It was a message that resonated with the lived experience of the congregation gathered that day.

A particularly significant moment came as Holy Communion was shared with this culturally diverse group of people receiving from the one table. In this act, the theme of unity was not just spoken, but embodied.

The service concluded with prayers and a commissioning to carry the Spirit of Pentecost into each community. As voices joined together in song, there was a clear sense of joy, connection, and hope.

Events like this Pentecost service continue to strengthen relationships across the Uniting Church, offering a glimpse of what it means to be an intercultural church; one body, many parts, held together by the Spirit.