Approximately 3,000 Episcopalians from 71 congregations in Central Pennsylvania gathered to celebrate their unity and reaffirm their faith in God during the diocese's first Pentecost Festival held May 23 at the Farm Show Arena in Harrisburg.

The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold III, Presiding Bishop, preached and presided. He also led the people in the renewal of baptismal vows. Worship began at 12:30 p.m. with hymn singing and meditations by the Rt. Rev. Michael W. Creighton, Bishop of Central Pennsylvania.

"This gathering is for each one of you to renew and rekindle your Christian faith," Bishop Creighton noted in his remarks prior to the start of the service of Holy Eucharist. "The limelight is on you."

Many of the members of this diocesan family - which currently numbers about 17,500 people - attend tiny, rural congregations. Several worshipers at the festival noted that they were strengthened by the realization of being part of a much larger body.

A parishioner from St. Luke's, Altoona, commented that "it feels like the spirit's here."

A writer from the local daily newspaper reported that "it was a luminous affair."

"On Pentecost, we experience a profound unity, strength to serve the needs of others and great power and cheer for living that comes from God," Bishop Creighton noted.

An all-diocesan choir of 340 voices, timpani and a brass quartet and organ filled the cavernous arena - typically host to tractor pulls, soccer games and agricultural events - with rich, uplifting song. Joining the choir members on the arena floor were nearly 100 acolytes and torchbearers, all clergy and seminarians of the diocese, and a children's choir some 75 voices strong.

"What we're doing here, basically, may be a first in Episcopal life in the U.S.A.," Bishop Creighton said earlier in the week of the coming together of the entire Episcopal Church family.

In the parking lot prior to the start of the service, about 30 chartered buses brought loads of worshipers from all corners of the geographically broad diocese. Some parishes set up tables for picnic lunches. Others enjoyed live music.