Newsletter and eNews for January 6
My Bailiwick
Dear Pilgrims,
I’m thinking about you on this cold Thursday afternoon, hoping you’re finding peace and joy and even a little hope today—Epiphany. As for me, I’m remembering watching CNN on this day a year ago. I was knitting. Warren was reading. I looked up and saw the secret service whisk Vice-President Pence off the dais. I remember saying to Warren—“something’s happening”! That turns out to have been an understatement. The wheels of the criminal justice system turn slowly, but they do turn. We will know more next year on this day than we know today, so for today, let us remember the law enforcement officers who carry the emotional and physical scars of an assault that was both horrifying and infuriating, and elected representatives and senators and aides and staff members who were afraid for their lives. And let us commit ourselves to the principles of a democracy that turns out to be more fragile than any of us realized.
Two things to announce:
- This Saturday at 1:00 pm, anyone who can come to the church to help us put away the Christmas decorations will be more than welcome. We can use your assistance! Unfortunately, in light of this brutally contagious omicron variant, we won’t serve refreshments. Please come help if you can.
- This Sunday, January 9, and on Sundays to come, Katie Hanlon and Cindy Grindy are hosting Children’s Activities in the upstairs “Sun Room”. I’ll be offering a children’s story in worship, after which children are invited to join Cindy and Katie upstairs for the rest of the worship time. There will be activities for the children to do. Parents, you’re more than welcome to accompany your little peeps upstairs or remain in worship or come and go! We’re excited to have our children with us in worship.
Oops, two more things—
- THANK YOU for all the diapers and wipes and ointment donations! They’re soon on their way to Lutheran Social Services Crisis Nursery. Hooray!
- I know that Girl Scout cookies are soon on sale. I promise to buy at least one box from every Girl Scout in our congregation—just make yourselves known, please!
Lovingly,
Carla
P.S. Sheesh, the cold weather is making me forgetful—please join me for Conversation (and coffee) with Carla on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 am, beginning Wednesday, January 12. Join us on Zoom.
Pilgrim News
Here is the latest edition of Pilgrim's Newsletter.
Need Transportation to Church?
Better than Lyft and Uber combined! Call John Fochs at (218) 341-1982 for a roundtrip ride. He has drivers standing by, ready to help out.
Blessing Box
Our Blessing Box is looking distressingly empty. Please take a moment to bring food (nothing canned, please) or warm winter clothes or other supplies to help replenish it. Thank you!
Souper Bowl Sunday
The goal is to sponsor Souper Bowl Sunday at Pilgrim Church Duluth, MN. The idea is to raise funds for an organization in Duluth that supports people with hunger, for example, Duluth's CHUM food shelf.
The Main Event
Pilgrims—youth and adults—create soup for “sale” with all proceeds going to support the chosen
organization (CHUM food shelf for example). The soup is picked up on Souper Bowl Sunday, February 13 (the
same day as the Super Bowl).
The purpose of this form is to see who might be interested in making this happen. If you are interested in helping in any way, could you please fill out this form? https://is.gd/odutoy
Pilgrim Scholarship
The Pilgrim Scholarship Fund was established by Wally and Hazel Niss and included gifts in memory of Susie Britton. According to Wally, the fund was established with the intention of providing assistance to one or more students during their higher education career. This scholarship is intended for students who were a part of Pilgrim as they were growing up. In 2013, gifts in memory of Patricia Streitz were added to the fund.
Pilgrim offers a scholarship for graduating seniors who are attending a post-secondary institution, an award up to $1,000. Eligible recipients must complete an application. Awards are given directly to the educational institution to defray the cost of tuition or room and board. Awards are given to students who are involved in Pilgrim, can explain how Pilgrim has benefitted them, and obtain two letters of reference from Pilgrims who are not family members.
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 reading:
- Isaiah 60:1-6
- Matthew 2:1-12
In case you missed it, you can view last Sunday's worship service on YouTube.
Attendance: 35
YouTube views: 42
Prayers and Condolences
Keep in your prayers:
- Mary Olin, who is recovering from surgery.
Show Us Your Walks
Wintry waterfalls near Chester Park
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
Quire Cleveland sings "I was glad," a sprightly anthem by Henry Purcell, written for the coronation of James II in 1685 (he was deposed in 1688).