eNews for Thursday, March 17
My Bailiwick
Dear Pilgrims,
When you receive this, I’ll be watching some MN Girls’ H.S. tournament basketball games. It’s one of my favorite March activities, going way back to when I was an assistant girls’ basketball coach—before seminary. I was taller then. I’ll also be visiting my mom, bringing her some leprechaun antics. You’re never too old for green milk.
We are halfway through Lent, on our way to spring, continuing to pray for the people of Ukraine and every other war and violence-torn country, and slowly coming out of Covid transmissions. Everything feels tentative, doesn’t it? iI’s hard to stay in this moment, this hour, this day. It reminds me of the first stanza of the Robert Frost poem “A Prayer in Spring":
Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.
There are a few good and important things happening at Pilgrim and coming up. Last night, Cindy Grindy and I met with ten of our youth to plan some activities. What a great group of kids! They are thinking about one of the rooms on the 2nd floor we’ve designated as the youth room. Next door to it is what we are now calling the music room—two pianos, some chairs and shelves, and the file cabinets containing our music library. Many thanks to painters Harlan Stech, Andrew Streitz, and Cindy Grindy for sprucing up the space. Once I make some curtains and we rearrange the furniture, the room will be ready for music lessons to resume.
I’ve been meeting with the family of John Morrison, planning a memorial service for John, which will be held at Pilgrim on Saturday, April 2. There will be a visitation at 10:00 and the service at 11:00. It’s been a joy to learn about John and his many contributions to Pilgrim over the years. May his memory be a blessing.
And then, it will be Holy Week. Our handbells will ring on Palm Sunday, the Worship and Arts Committee is planning a Maundy Thursday event, we’re hosting the Good Friday evening service along with several congregations, and then we’ll all rejoice on Easter Day, that God has and always will speak the last word.
But today, let us all take the steps forward that need to be taken, and “give us not to think so far away."
Love to you all,
Carla
Memorial for John Morrison
A memorial service for John Morrison will be held at Pilgrim on Saturday, April 2. There will be a visitation at 10:00 and the service at 11:00 with a meal to follow in the fellowship hall.
Pilgrim Youth Group
Pilgrim youth have decided to meet in person on Wednesday nights, 7:00-8:00 pm, in the youth room on the second floor. All youth from grades 6 to 12 are welcome. We will:
- Plan a mission experience for this summer
- Learn about current issues such as the war in Ukraine, LBGTQ issues, legislation in other states with regard to gender, anti racism, global warming
- Complete service projects such as a beach sweep, projects for animal allies, teen clothing closet, life house, gardening, painting
- Decorate the youth room
- Play games and have fun
Questions or suggestions? Please contact Pastor Carla or Cindy Grindy.
Arrowhead Chorale Concert
Messiah: A New American Oratorio | March 26-27
Arrowhead Chorale's spring concert will feature the long-awaited world premiere of a new setting of Messiah: An American Oratorio dedicated to the victims of torture in the 21st Century by Los Angeles-based composer Severin Behnen. This large-scale oratorio is inspired by and based on the concept and libretto of Handel’s immortal work, while incorporating a fusion of American musical styles including jazz, blues, and gospel, as well as modernistic sounds. Joined by soloists and full orchestra, this promises to be a significant and memorable event.
Saturday, March 26, at 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 27, at 3:00 pm
First Lutheran Church in Duluth
Learn more at arrowheadchorale.com.
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.
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 20 | 10:00 am | Sunday Worship |
| 11:00 am | Coffee Hour | |
| 11:15 am | Second Hour: Progressive Christianity | |
| Monday, March 21 | 4:30 pm | Christian Education Meeting |
| Tuesday, March 22 | 4:00 pm | Building & Finance |
| Wednesday, March 23 | 10:00 am | Coffee with Carla |
| 4:00 pm | Bellissimo | |
| 5:15 pm | Pilgrim Choir | |
| 7:00 pm | Pilgrim Youth Group | |
| Friday, March 25 | 7:00 pm | AGO Event "In Praise of Bach" |
| Sunday, March 27 | 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:
- Isaiah 55:1-9
- Psalm 63:1-8
- Luke 13:1-9
In case you missed it, you can view last Sunday's worship service on YouTube.
Attendance: 47
YouTube views: 28
Show Us Your Walks
A sunny day in Lincoln 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
Laurens de Man plays one of the more cheerful organ solos I'm aware of, the Duetto No. 2 in F Major, BWV 803, by Bach.