eNews for January 20, 2022
My Bailiwick
Dear Pilgrims,
Since I grew up in the frozen north, days like today—very cold and very bright—actually make me happy. Not so for many, I know, but the bright sunlight in January is a real gift, so I am celebrating.
I have one eye on Lent, which will begin before you know it. I’m inviting you to send me some reflections to put into a devotional booklet—essays, poetry, musings of any kind that you might be willing to share with fellow Pilgrims. Here are some writing prompts to get you started:
I remember thinking Lent meant…
The liturgical color for Lent is purple—I wonder why that is…
When I ponder what I need from my faith, I…
Why am I connected to the church? Well, because…
If God wrote a letter to Pilgrim Church, it would include…
Here’s a story about Jesus that gives me hope…
Have at it, Pilgrims! Sit in the sunlight and let your imagination wander down some new paths, and then send your thoughts on to me (carlajeanbailey@gmail.com). My spouse Warren Turner and I will do some light editing and put them together in a booklet for us all to read during the Lenten season.
In the meantime, here are a few things I’m looking forward to:
Beginning Confirmation in February.
Receiving new members in February.
Souper Bowl Sunday! Be sure to place your soup orders SOON, and sign up to help on this sign-up form. Lots of times and jobs needing doing. (Also, I am in need of a large (6 qt) crockpot for making chili—do you have one I can borrow?)
The amaryllis I planted on New Year’s Day has bloomed, which means it’s time to take down our Christmas tree. I’m going to bake some brownies to sweeten the deal.
Love,
Carla
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.
Souper Bowl Sunday
Super Bowl = Fun! Great football plays, amazing commercials and the ever-popular half time show!
Souper Bowl: Wonderful! You donate to Loaves and Fishes and get Soup–all on Souper Bowl Sunday, February 13.
Pilgrim Church is inviting everyone in our community to participate in the Souper Bowl. We are teaming up with the National Tackling Hunger Souper Bowl of Caring event. Each participating group in the Unites States raises funds for a local charity that reduces hunger in their community. Last year, collectively, $5.3 million was donated to local charities that work to reduce hunger.
Pilgrim is making and selling gourmet soups in exchange for a donation to Loaves and Fishes, our local emergency short-term homeless shelter. Each 20 oz container (2.5 cups) of soup will cost $10 and ALL money collected will be given to Loaves and Fishes. The soup options are:
- Pastor Carla's Vegan Chili
- Steve’s Famous Indonesian Carrot Soup
- Ann and Bob's Gourmet Beef and Vegetable Soup and
- Parker and Grace's Tasty Chicken with Wild Rice.
All soups will be prepared in the Pilgrim Church commercial kitchen. Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options are available!
You can fill out an order form online, or you can fill out a paper form at church. All orders are due by February 6.
Pick up and pay for your order on February 13 between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 2310 E 4th St, Duluth, MN 55812. We can also deliver within a seven-mile radius!
Pilgrim Book Club
The Pilgrim Book group will be reading Wonder by R.J. Palacio for February 2022. As the back cover blurb recommends, it’s a “crackling page-turner filled with characters you can’t help but root for.” It’s a best-seller and on such lists as Best Young Adult Books of All Time, Teacher’s Choice, and of course New York Times Notable and Best-Seller lists. Wonder has been reviewed as a “modern classic—a funny, uplifting, and incredibly moving novel to read in one sitting, pass on to others, and remember long after the final page." This is the story of August Pullman’s fifth grade year. Auggie was born with a facial difference that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now, an ordinary kid with an extraordinary face.
Copies of Wonder are in the blue book bag in the Pilgrim office. Sign one out and join us on Zoom on Monday, February 14, at 4:00 pm. The book group would also like to open this Zoom book group meeting to any Pilgrim youth who have read or would like to read and discuss this “wonder”ful book.
Meeting ID: 856 8820 1294
Passcode: 260291
PIT Count Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed for minimum 2-hour shifts between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm on Thursday, January 27, to help with the Point in Time Count. The Point in Time (PIT) count is required by HUD and is conducted across the nation each January for communities to survey and document the number of individuals staying in emergency shelter, transitional housing, or experiencing unsheltered homelessness. All volunteers must be vaccinated for COVID, wear a mask, and practice social distancing whenever possible. We are looking for 10 volunteers to conduct the surveys at Damiano Center with people living homeless in Duluth. PIT training is provided via video with more information about the count, training from LeAnn Littlewolf about trauma-informed interviewing, and COVID-19 safety information for the count.
Contact Emily Lundgren at (218) 726-2013 to volunteer.
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 $1,500. 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.
Coffee with Carla
Grab a coffee (or the morning beverage of your choice) and join us for conversation. We will meet via Zoom each Wednesday at 10:00 am. See you there!
Calendar
This Week at Pilgrim Sunday, January 23 10:00 am Sunday Worship 11:00 am Visiting Hour Tuesday, January 25 6:00 pm Church Council Wednesday, January 26 10:00 am Coffee with Carla Sunday, January 30 10:00 am Sunday Worship 11:00 am Visiting Hour
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:
- Psalm 19
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
- Luke 4:14-30
In case you missed it, you can view last Sunday's worship service on YouTube.
Attendance: 44
YouTube views: 73
Prayers and Condolences
Keep in your prayers:
- Mary Olin, who is recovering from surgery.
Show Us Your Walks
Jon Welles's "Church of the White Pines"
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
The great Betty White would have turned 100 this week. We all know how funny she was, but did you know she was also a trained singer? Here she is singing the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic "Getting to Know You."