eNews for Thursday, February 24
My Bailiwick
Yesterday, after listening to the podcast “The Daily” from the New York Times, I was feeling powerless and sad. Then the Wednesday Conversation with Carla happened, and, not surprisingly, the gathered group came up with thoughtful words and ideas concerning the painful reality of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. That Zoom gathering alone—a simple, honest, kind conversation with church people—reminds me why I will always love congregational ministry. It is the antidote to powerlessness. While it is true that nothing we do as individuals or as Pilgrim Church will alter Vladimir Putin’s aggression, and though we cannot prevent the loss of life, here’s something we CAN do, and I hope you will join me in doing it:
We have come to realize that there are two Ukrainian Orthodox Churches of the USA in Minnesota. I am writing to those congregations today—to their clergy specifically—telling them that I am praying for them and the people of their congregations. We know that the members of those churches have family and friends in Ukraine who are suffering in this needless, horrific war, and I am praying for them as well. While it won’t alter the trajectory of the suffering and killing, it will let at least a few people know they are not alone.
On Sunday we will have the cards of our sanctuary’s Tiffany windows, along with postage stamps available for you to write your own notes of love and support to the people of these two churches. As this sorrow unfolds in Ukraine, let us do what we can to comfort those who mourn.
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA—Minnesota Parishes
St. Katherine Parish
1600 Hwy 96 W
Arden Hills, MN 55112
(763) 754-6618
Clergy: V. Rev. Petro Siwko
St. Michael & St. George Parish
505 4th St NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
stmstguoc@yahoo.com
(612) 379-2695
Clergy: Rev. Myron Korostil
Ash Wednesday
We are preparing an Ash Wednesday service of music and prayer that will be made available online. Look for a special email Wednesday morning with the link, or check out our website at pilgrimduluth.org.
Lenten Family Toolkits
Wilderness Travelogue: Stories of Faith, Doubt, and Longing
The Minnesota Conference is delighted to announce this year's Lenten family toolkits. Each weekly installment will feature conversation and reflection on the themes and texts for the week.
In addition to these video reflections, the toolkits provide a rich and diverse collection of at-home games, activities, book and film recommendations, spiritual practices, and service ideas for individuals and families of all ages. At-home resources will be available weekly starting Wednesday, March 2.
These are the themes and texts for each week:
- Ash Wednesday (March 2): Into the Wilderness
- Lent 1 (March 6): The Wilderness of Fear
- Lent 2 (March 13): The Wilderness of Grief
- Lent 3 (March 20): The Wilderness of Loneliness/Isolation
- Lent 4 (March 27): The Wilderness of Self-Doubt
- Lent 5 (April 3): The Wilderness of Too-Muchness
- Lent 6 (April 10): The Wilderness of Betrayal
- Holy Week/Easter (April 11-17)
Learn more at uccmn.org.
In Praise of Bach
Friday, March 25 | 7:00 pm
Pilgrim is delighted to host a concert and fundraiser for the Arrowhead chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
The event will include an all-Bach concert featuring many musicians from the region, a silent auction, and refreshments.
Proceeds will go toward the AGO Scholarship Fund and operations.
Need a Ride to Church?
Book a ride on the Pilgrim Celestial Express. It's better than Lyft, better than Uber, even better than Amtrak! Call Patrick at Church—(218) 724‑8503—for a free ticket.
Awaiting your request are such luminaries as Steve Cushing, Bob MacLean, Bob Lindquist, Dennis Falk, and John Fochs. They may not be the fastest drivers, but they sure are friendly.
The Celestial Express's two current passengers describe the experience in glowing terms: "It's out-of-this-world."
Pilgrim Book Club
The Pilgrim Book group will be reading Dear Life by Canadian author Alice Munro for our March discussion (Monday, March 14, at 4:00 pm). Alice Munro was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2013 and was awarded the 2009 Booker International Prize for her overall contribution to fiction on the world stage. Copies of Dear Life are available in the Pilgrim Office . Should be a great read! One reviewer writes, “Alice Munro captures the essence of life in her brilliant new collection of stories. Moments of change, chance encounters, the twist of fate that leads a person to a new way of thinking or being: the stories in Dear Life build to form a radiant, indelible portrait of just how dangerous and strange ordinary life can be.”
Meeting ID: 856 8820 1294
Passcode: 260291
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, February 27 | 10:00 am | Sunday Worship |
| 11:00 am | Coffee Hour | |
| Tuesday, March 1 | Newsletter items due | |
| 8:00 am | Men's Breakfast | |
| Wednesday, March 2 | Ash Wednesday | |
| 10:00 am | Coffee with Carla | |
| 4:00 pm | Bellissimo | |
| Thursday, March 3 | 2:00 pm | Newsletter prep |
| Sunday, March 6 | 10:00 am | Sunday Worship |
| 11:00 am | Coffee 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 readings:
- Exodus 34:29-35
- Luke 9:28-36
In case you missed it, you can view last Sunday's worship service on YouTube.
Attendance: 47
YouTube views: 24
Prayers and Condolences
Keep in your prayers:
- Liz Oettinger, whose cancer has metastasized
- Friends and family of Bob Lowe, who passed away in January. An obituary was posted to the Cremation Society of Minnesota
- Friends and family of longtime Pilgrim member John "Red" Seitz. You can find an obituary on the Duluth News Tribune website.
Show Us Your Walks
From Clyde Johnson, a sunset at Embarrass
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
Here's a gorgeous cantata for solo soprano by Bach, from the Netherlands Bach Society.