Reflection - Many Voices, One Spirit

by Rev Malcolm Scanlan

Talofa Lava,

The words from Acts 2:17 remind us of God’s promise:
“I will pour out my Spirit on all people.”

This promise is for everyone. It is not limited by age, culture, language, or background. God’s Spirit is given freely to sons and daughters, young and old, to those who dream and those who see visions. Unity does not mean sameness. God honours difference and uses it to bring new life.

This message is deeply personal to me. Like our President, Rev. Charissa Suli, I identify myself by saying: I am a grandchild of the Blue Pacific. I am a second‑generation, New Zealand‑born Samoan of Irish descent, and Australia is now my home. My life has been shaped by many cultures and journeys across the ocean. I carry the stories of land, sea, family, and faith, and I know what it means to belong to more than one place.

Because of this, the vision to be an Intercultural Church speaks strongly to my heart. An Intercultural Church is not just about having diverse cultures present. It is about people walking together, learning from one another, and being changed by one another. Its mission is to bring all people together in Christ, where every culture is respected, and every voice matters.

For our Uniting Church, Many Voices, One Spirit is an invitation to live this calling. It asks us to honour First Peoples, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Faith Communities, and long‑established congregations, not as separate groups, but as companions on a shared pilgrim journey. We walk side by side, listening, learning, and trusting God together.

First Peoples remind us that faith is deeply connected to land, story, and community, teaching us respect and deep listening. CALD Faith Communities bring strong faith shaped by migration, struggle, resilience, and hope. These are not optional gifts; they are essential to the life of the Church.

As pilgrims on God’s journey, we are always moving and always learning. Pentecost shows us that the Holy Spirit creates understanding across languages and cultures. Difference is not a problem to solve, but a gift God uses to bring new life.

At the heart of this journey is prayer, as our Moderator Rev. Bruce Moore would say, ‘We are called to pray without ceasing ‘, in moments of joy and struggle, action and waiting. Constant prayer keeps us open to the Spirit, humble with one another, and grounded in hope. It helps us listen more deeply to God and to each other.

As we look toward Pentecost 2026, we are invited into fresh, Spirit‑led life. Many Voices, One Spirit is not just a theme, it is a promise already being fulfilled. May our shared journey become a living Pentecost: A truly intercultural Church, renewed, reconciled, and revitalised, for the Mission of God.

Fa’afetai Lava,
Rev. Malcolm Scanlan