Sunday, May 25 marks the Day of Pentecost this year, and it kicks off an entire season after Pentecost. How do you celebrate Pentecost? Does the celebration last just one day, or much longer? I’d like to invite you to experiment with “Chalk Challenges” this year, in celebration of Pentecost. Pass out chalk (maybe especially red, orange, and yellow) and invite people to get creative!
Depending on your context, “Chalk Challenges” can happen indoors or outdoors. You can utilize large chalkboards on the wall, or small chalkboards in your lap. I especially love the idea of Chalk Challenges happening outdoors on sidewalks and in parking lots. They can greet people as they walk into (or out of) the church building. They can also bring joy to people in the community walking past your building. Before you begin, think through safety logistics and inclusivity. You may want to use orange cones for safety, especially if the art spills out into a parking lot area. Safety matters, so adapt this idea in a way that works best for you community.
I will admit, in the past, I have limited “Chalk Challenges” to children. (Passing out chalk during the Children’s Sermon and inviting kids to go outside either during the sermon, or after the worship service.) One Sunday, I was deeply humbled and inspired when an adult in our congregation (who happens to be a gifted calligrapher) added her own, handwritten words of God’s love to the children’s artwork. The result was beautiful and deeply moving. There’s something special about seeing a young child’s smiley face next to a handwritten message about God’s love. Learn from my mistake and neglect: this is not an activity that is limited to children. Teenagers and adults of all ages should be invited, included, and encouraged to participate. Everyone is invited to grab a piece of chalk and get creative!
Here are a couple of “Chalk Challenges” for the Season of Pentecost to get you started:
After reading the story of Pentecost in the book of Acts, pass out sidewalk chalk that is red, orange and yellow. Can you help me draw “tongues of flame” on the sidewalk? What do you think that could look like?
Pentecost is sometimes called the Birthday of the Church. Take this chalk and draw balloons, confetti, birthday cake and candles… anything that reminds you of a birthday or celebrates our church.
The color of Pentecost is Red. Take this red chalk outside and get creative! What can you draw using just the color red?
God’s Holy Spirit is for everybody. All are welcome and included at our church. Write or draw chalk art to welcome people to our church. Friendly words or pictures, words of welcome and positive greetings… what would you like to draw to welcome all?
In the season of Pentecost, we remember that the church is very important, and it is so much bigger than this church building. Take a piece of chalk home with you and spread messages of love and kindness all over the neighborhood! Maybe you’ll draw chalk at your house, or at the bus stop. Where can you share this message of love, joy, and kindness in your community?
In the story of Pentecost in the book of Acts, the disciples start speaking different languages. Invite people to write “hello” or “welcome” in different languages. (You may want to print some ideas for younger kids. Especially languages that reflect the diversity in your community?)
There are many beautiful symbols of the Holy Spirit: flames, candles, doves, water… Pick a symbol and challenge everyone to draw that symbol. For example: invite everyone to draw a dove. Each dove will look different, and there’s real beauty in that creativity and diversity.
Pentecost Chalk Challenges can grow and expand to whatever fits best in your context. Maybe you want to pick one challenge for the Day of Pentecost this year, or you want to pick 3-5 challenges and extend the celebration for a month or two, or more! Get creative! Have fun! And maybe even get outside to celebrate Pentecost this year!