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My Bailiwick
Dear Pilgrims,
Yesterday I watched a Zoom program hosted by The World Affairs Council of New Hampshire. It was an interview with Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. The topic was “Revitalizing Democracy at Home and Abroad”. Of course, Mr. Sullivan spoke about the obvious domestic threats to democracy we have been seeing played out since January 6, 2021, and he spoke of the U.S. role in complicated international security issues, using Russia’s war against Ukraine as his most obvious case in point. But I was most interested in his response to a question from a high school civics teacher who asked “what is being overlooked—what should we be watching for that may be slipping by us?” For the first time in the hour, Mr. Sullivan did not have a clearly thought-through and prepared response, which made his words, when he finally offered them, more genuine and reflective. In essence, he spoke of the exponentially increasing and dangerous falsehoods spread by social media. He believes it is a serious and growing problem that cannot be solved by government oversight alone. He believes it is becoming “a clear and present danger” to democracy, and we do not yet know how to respond to it or even how to meaningfully address it.
His words and his demeanor have been on repeat in my brain. I wonder, what is OUR responsibility, as people of faith, to be truth-tellers. Are we obliged to do more than tell the truth ourselves? Shouldn’t we also call out lies, especially those that undermine our democracy, the well-being of persons? Progressive people of faith tend not to want to publicly question what we hear. It feels too confrontational. And yet, falsehoods, otherwise known as lies, cause deep harm to people, structures, and social institutions.
As we grow ever closer to an election day, I wonder, with you, I imagine, what is our moral responsibility to be truth-tellers and stopping-blocks to lies?
I hope I see you Sunday.
Love,
Carla
CHUM News
With the warm weather dissipating, it is time to start ramping up for winter. We know that at least 500 people are sleeping outside every night in Duluth. As temperatures plummet, CHUM's street outreach team goes out to those who need our help. We need the following items to make sure we can serve the needs of those around us. All donations can be dropped off at our administrative office:
- Lightweight tents
- 0-degree sleeping bags
- Reusable water bottles
- Warm jackets (any size)
- Winter hats
- Winter gloves
- New men’s and women’s ankle socks
- Family-sized toothpaste
- Body wash
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Deodorant
- Toilet paper
Garden Surplus? CHUM needs fresh produce
Do you have surplus produce from your garden? CHUM is requesting fresh produce for their pantry shelves. Bring your garden goodies to church this Sunday 9/18 and/or next Sunday 9/25 and we will deliver it to CHUM for you. Or drop if off at CHUM Monday through Friday 9:00 am-12:00 pm.
Questions: ask Sarah Beaster or Cindy Grindy.
Fall Education Series Continues September 22
CHUM's Community Education Series continues next week. The topic for September 22 is "Mental Health Crisis Response," and will be held at 5:30 pm at Lakeside Presbyterian Church at 4430 McCulloch Street. If you can't make it in person, you can join live remotely online. Click below to register, and after registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Visit steppingonupduluth.org for more information on the education series.
Rally for Peace
Saturday, October 1 | Noon-3:00 pm | Leif Erikson Park
Author, activist and survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, David Hogg will be the keynote speaker at the Peace Church Rally for Peace on Saturday, October 1, 2022, Noon-3 pm, at Leif Erikson Park.
Co-founder of the March For Our Lives Movement, Hogg was a senior in 2018 when 17 people were killed in America's largest school shooting. Committed to becoming an agent for change, he resolved that no other young person should have to experience the tragic impact of gun violence. His presentation is titled: “Engage in the Change: Our Generation Must Own Democracy."
The event starts at noon with music by “Born Too Late.” Other speakers include Duluth Mayor Emily Larson, and students from our high schools and universities. The event is free and open to the community. Bring a blanket or chair.
Meal Train for Katie Hanlon
We've heard from Tucker that Katie's kidney donation surgery went well, and she is now recovering. There are just a few slots left for volunteers to sign up to bring meals to the Hanlons while Katie recovers. Please sign up using this meal train link or contact Patrick in the office at (218) 724-8503 and he will sign you up.
Painters
Painters freshening up the east side of the church building
Blessing Box
Please bring non-perishables and other supplies for the coming cold weather for our Blessing Box!
Victory Chorus
The Victory Chorus Community Chorus begins their Fall Session on September 25, every Sunday at 2:00 pm. The Victory Chorus provides a unique opportunity for people with cognitive impairment and their care partners to build connections and engage in community through music. A full choral experience, the Victory Chorus offers a safe, inclusive and supportive space that welcomes people living with dementia to engage in community, build connections, use their gifts and experience joy.
Visit thevictorychorus.org for more information and to register.
Calendar
| This Week at Pilgrim | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, September 18 | 9:00 am | Pilgrim Choir |
| 10:00 am | Sunday Worship | |
| 11:00 am | Coffee Hour | |
| 11:15 am | Confirmation | |
| Tuesday, September 20 | 8:00 am | Men's Breakfast |
| 4:00 pm | Building & Finance | |
| Wednesday, September 21 | 3:00 pm | Piano Fundraising Meeting |
| 3:45 pm | Bellissimo | |
| 5:00 pm | Pilgrim Choir | |
| 7:00 pm | Pilgrim Youth Group | |
| Thursday, September 22 | 5:30 pm | CHUM Education Series at Lakeside Presbyterian |
| Sunday, September 25 | 10:00 am | Sunday Worship |
| 11:00 am | Coffee Hour | |
| 11:15 am | Confirmation |
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:
- Luke 16:1-8
In case you missed it, you can view last Sunday's worship service on YouTube.
Attendance: 67
YouTube views: 16
Show Us Your Walks
A little clearing alongside Mission Creek
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!
What Patrick's Listening To
In honor of HM the Queen, here's Julie Andrews singing "We'll Meet Again."