Newsletter and eNews for Thursday, March 3
My Bailiwick
Watching the war unfold in Ukraine is a particular kind of sorrow, isn’t it? Millions of refugees leaving devastated cities will most certainly generate a humanitarian crisis, not to mention the horrors faced by those who remain. You may have your favorite charity to which to donate financial support—there are many. International Rescue Committee, Save the Children, UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders—there is no shortage of worthwhile organizations doing important work, including the United Church of Christ.
The UCC, through Global H.O.P.E. and Global Ministries, will be collaborating with ACT Alliance and the Reformed Church of Hungary (RCH) to bring aid to Ukraine. RCH is responding to the situation in the war-torn country through its agency, Hungarian Reformed Church Aid. That group has been offering humanitarian assistance since Russian troops first attacked Ukraine on February 24. It’s working with elderly and other vulnerable communities inside the country who have not been able to leave, including immigrants and migrant populations who are experiencing difficulties crossing into other European countries. HRCA is also working with refugees who are leaving the country. You can learn more at ucc.org.
Let us continue to pray for this unfolding horror—for the victims of war and for the perpetrators—that it may swiftly end.
I hope you’ll worship with us this Sunday as we are on our Lenten journey. We will be serving communion, and we’ll be giving out printed Lenten devotion guides and purple candles for your individual home prayer times. We are back to coffee and treats after worship as well as guided conversations about the Principles of Progressive Christianity. Please continue to wear masks, especially for singing. It will be good to see you.
Love,
Carla
Pilgrim News
Here is the latest edition of Pilgrim's Newsletter.
Pilgrim in the Duluth News Tribune
You can find Melinda Lavine's wonderful story on Pilgrim's 150th anniversary in the News Tribune.
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 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.
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, March 6 | 10:00 am | Sunday Worship |
| 11:00 am | Coffee Hour | |
| 11:15 am | Second Hour: Progressive Christianity | |
| Tuesday, March 8 | 4:00 pm | Building & Finance |
| Wednesday, March 9 | 10:00 am | Coffee with Carla |
| 4:00 pm | Bellissimo | |
| Sunday, March 13 | 10:00 am | Sunday Worship |
| 11:00 am | Coffee Hour | |
| 11:15 am | Second Hour: Progressive Christianity |
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:
- Luke 4:1-13
In case you missed it, you can view last Sunday's worship service on YouTube.
Attendance: 47
YouTube views: 21
You can view our Ash Wednesday service as well.
Show Us Your Walks
From Peter Fifield, a gate in Gramercy Park, Manhattan: "It's an old, private park to which only the residents around the park have a key. So I'm always on the outside looking in."
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 Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment put on a wonderful show at The George Tavern in Shadwell. So many clarinets!