eNews for Thursday, December 9
My Bailiwick
Dear Pilgrims,
When I left for California, it wasn’t yet winter. By the time I returned, winter had arrived! The early darkness and cold air remind me of winters as a child when we played outside as freely in below-zero weather as we did in mid-July. I remember the smell of wet wool mittens and the feeling of running our cold hands under cool water to warm them up slowly. It doesn’t feel quite as fun now as it did back then. Now, winter brings to mind candlelight and warm afghans and good books.
Of course, that is winter for the very privileged, of which I am surely one. I think of people who are homeless here in Duluth. The numbers reported by CHUM are truly staggering. I invite you to consider stocking our Blessing Box with warm wool socks, or donate these needed items to CHUM directly: warm socks, lip balm, and underwear (adults). And plan to join me on Christmas Eve day, December 24th at noon, in the circle at the steps of City Hall to join the memorial service for the people from our community who were homeless or had experienced homelessness, and who died in 2021.
With love and warm wishes to you all,
Carla
Cookies for the Jail
There has been a change in our tradition for giving Cookies for the Jail Christmas Party. The jail made the tough decision not to accept cookies this year, but arrangements have been made for cookies to be delivered to Grace Place. Grace Place is run by October Allen who was once incarcerated in the St. Louis County Jail. Now through Grace Place she provides permanent housing and care for homeless women, many whom have been in jail.
Ideally we would like to send a total of 12 dozen cookies. We will decorate 3 dozen cookies at the Advent Workshop so we need 9 dozen more before delivery on Monday December 13, 2021. If you can provide a dozen or two, please drop them off in the church office before Monday, December 13. The cookies need to be packaged for freezing and must not contain NUTS, PEANUTS, PEANUT BUTTER, OR COCONUT (common allergens). If you have any questions, please email Jackie Falk at jhfalk@charter.net.
Advent Workshop
Thanks to all who participated!
Pointsettias
If you would like to purchase a Christmas Eve poinsettia for $15 this year, please send a check and dedication instructions to the office by Monday, December 20. Thank you!
United Theological Seminary News
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities has received a grant of $1,000,000 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish a Leadership Center for Social Justice that will prepare pastoral leaders to involve their congregations strategically in constructive actions that move their communities toward holistic justice.
The project is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. It is a three-phase initiative designed to help theological schools across the United States and Canada as they prioritize and respond to the most pressing challenges they face as they prepare pastoral leaders for Christian congregations both now and into the future.
Read more at unitedseminary.edu.
Beautiful Notecards
After worship on Sundays through Christmas, you are invited to purchase notecards featuring our lovely stained glass Tiffany windows. These will make a terrific Christmas gift. The cost is $12/ten notecards. They will be available in Salter Hall. If you would like to purchase some during the week contact Patrick in the office at (218) 724‑8503 or office@pilgrimduluth.org.
Advent Family Toolkits
The Minnesota Conference is sharing accessible and interactive at-home family faith formation resources. Toolkits are available every week on Wednesdays through Epiphany. You can download the toolkits at uccmn.org.
December 19 Youth Worship Service
Pilgrim’s children and youth will be helping to lead worship on Sunday, December 19. They’ll share music (including from the new children’s bell choir!), carols, readings, and a readers’ theater Christmas story, plus a few other surprises. Join us!
Longest Night Service
Please join us at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, December 21, for a quiet service of prayer, candlelight, and music as we observe the longest night of the year. The service will be in Pilgrim Church’s chapel with a special guest, cellist Byron Klimek.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Join us at 5:00 pm on Friday, December 24, for a Christmas Eve service of music, carols, readings, and candlelight.
Pilgrim Book Club
Monday, December 13 | 4:00 pm
Pilgrim Book Group meets the second Monday of every month at 4:00 pm. For December we will be trying something different. Four current members of book group are published authors who have agreed to share a summary of their work with the rest of us. So during November you can contact Jean Jacobson to get a digital copy of the summaries. So join us December 13 for a great discussion.
Meeting ID: 856 8820 1294
Passcode: 260291
Sunday Worship at Pilgrim
Join us Sunday at 10:00 am for Sunday Worship at Pilgrim, in person or online. You can view the service on Pilgrim's YouTube channel.
You can download a Bulletin here.
This Sunday's scripture readings:
- Isaiah 35:3-10
- Luke 3:1-18
In case you missed it, you can view last Sunday's worship service on YouTube.
Attendance: 60
YouTube views: 30
Show Us Your Walks
A chilly day by Miller Creek
We're lucky to live in a community with so much beauty and access to nature. Send Patrick your photos to share your walks with us in future emails! It's another way to stay connected in these troubled times.
What Patrick's Listening To
Spielberg's version of West Side Story comes out in theaters this weekend, and I've been thinking about the lovely 2009 revival. Here's "Tonight" sung by Matt Cavenaugh and Josefina Scaglione.