Our Faith
We are Pilgrims on a journey together,
seeking God’s will on earth.
Our Covenant
In the United Church of Christ, the term “covenant” is used to designate the relationship between congregations and among members of a given congregation. Unlike many Christian congregations who require members to subscribe to a set of beliefs, the bonds between and among us have more to do with a mutual commitment of support and care.
The Constitution of the United Church of Christ recognizes “the responsibility of the Church in each generation to make this faith its own in reality of worship, in honesty of thought and expression, and in purity of heart before God.” While we acknowledge the historic witness of the church, we also encourage thoughtful reflection on Scripture and the meaning of faith in this 21st century.
Children become part of our covenanted community through the sacrament of baptism. As adolescents they have the opportunity to reflect upon their own faith and join the covenant as adult members. Adults may join in our covenant by baptism, affirmation of faith, or transfer from another faith community.
Pilgrim’s current covenant was adopted on November 15, 1953:
We are united in striving to know the will of God as taught in the Holy Scriptures, and in our purpose to walk in the ways of the Lord made known or to be made known to us. We therefore join and covenant with each other to worship, work, and serve together as loyal disciples of Jesus, to live within the human community a life of righteousness and neighborly love, and to do all within our power to promote the reign of God’s will in all human relations.
Our Values
We are on a spiritual journey together praising God with a SONG
S eeking to know and live the way of Jesus
O ffering inspiring worship, music and arts
N urturing an inclusive and loving community
G enerating social and environmental justice
Our name, Pilgrim Congregational Church, harkens back to our spiritual ancestors who left England for Holland, and then embarked on the Mayflower for the shores of the New World.
We are part of a denomination—the United Church of Christ—that understands God to be still speaking to the world. Questions as well as answers are part of our spiritual life.
We value the intergenerational nature of our congregation and we care for each other.
We are firmly rooted in Biblical faith and committed to interpreting Scripture for the 21st century.
In many different ways, members of our congregation work to make the world a little more as we believe God intended it to be.
We are an Open and Affirming Congregation, pledging ourselves to welcome GLBTQ members and friends and to advocate for their full inclusion in our society.
We are a Just Peace Congregation, committed to working for social justice.
We are working toward becoming an Earthwise Congregation, actively decreasing our carbon footprint.
Jesus said, “I came that they might have abundant life.”
Our Denomination
We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit, God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God, and to your deeds we testify:
You call the worlds into being, create persons in your own image, and set before each one the ways of life and death.
You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior, you have come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to yourself.
You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
You call us into your church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be your servants in the service of others, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.
You promise to all who trust you forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, your presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in your realm which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you.
Amen.
Partnerships
We undertake ministry in partnership with many other organizations and communities of faith. We use resources from the United Church of Christ and ecumenical bodies. We value working relationships with congregations in Duluth and community organizations. Together, we make the world better.