eNews for Thursday, August 18
My Bailiwick
Dear Pilgrims,
This morning Warren and I took a pre-rain walk in the rose garden in the Leif Erikson Park. Warren has always been a lover of roses and even I was impressed with the variety and colors. We’re planning to go again on a dryer day before the petals are all gone. I was feeling restless, thinking of the long list of tasks waiting me in the church office, but, as per usual, Warren was right to make me slow down to “smell the roses”.
These last weeks of summer deserve our full attention. The gardens look as if they stayed too long at the party, yet they’re yielding the best tomatoes and sweet corn. The air is different, as is the light. I want to buy school supplies—you know—new crayons, college-lined paper, Elmer’s glue. I’m wistful about the ends of summers past and energized for the beginning of a new year.
At Pilgrim, we are eager to invite you to some summer’s end events as we prepare for the new church year. We’ve decided not to worship outside on August 28, but instead, introduce a new model for worship that we hope to continue from time-to-time throughout the year. It’s worship that includes you! On September 4 we will worship at Peace UCC to celebrate PRIDE—service starts at 9:00 am with breakfast after that and then a parade in Superior. Then it’s September 11 with church school and choir and a service of dedicating ourselves to the year ahead.
I hope you will be with us this Sunday, next Sunday, and the Sunday after that, and so on, as we worship God, learn together, and commit ourselves to another year of faithful discipleship. In the meantime, the roses in the Leif Erikson Park are just beautiful.
With love,
Carla
Pilgrim Book Club
Pilgrim Women’s Book Club will be via Zoom on Monday, September 12, at 4:00 pm. Our book choice for the month is Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan. The Library Journal’s starred review says, “Callahan crafts a masterpiece that details the friendship and ultimate romance between the real Davidman and Lewis [that’s C. S. Lewis] … Callahan’s writing is riveting and her characters spring to life.” Because this is a Book Club in a Bag, there are multiple copies available. Stop in the church office to sign out a copy. Then, please join us for a lively discussion on September 12 at 4:00 pm. See you there!
Damiano Soup Kitchen
Pilgrim members, the next opportunity for volunteering at the Damiano Soup Kitchen is Monday, August 22, 8:30 am-1:00 pm. Two or three volunteers are needed. Please contact the church office if you are willing to help at office@pilgrimduluth.org or (218) 724-8503.
UMD University for Seniors
Many Pilgrim members participate in the UMD University for Seniors Program, and others are invited to join them for the Fall term that begins September 19. The fall program includes 39 courses on varied topics in person-to-person and online (Zoom) formats. Information on the Program and registration can be found at the following website: University for Seniors. You can also contact the program staff at (218) 726-7637 or usask@d.umn.edu. Priority deadline for registration is August 22.
Fellowship Hall
*From Jon Welles, Treasurer**
Thanks to the generosity of Robert Carlson, we are able to replace 75 fluorescent tubes in Fellowship Hall with new, truly LED tubes. This will save a significant amount of electrical power as those lights are on most every day.
I’m looking at 2:00 pm Monday, August 29, as the time and day to replace tubes. We need 4 or 5 volunteers that can assist in changing out the old tubes. Because of the high ceiling we need to use at least 8-foot step ladders. The church has one so we could use a couple more to help with the project. Please let me know via text or email if you can help. If we don’t get enough volunteers then I will have to turn our custodians loose on this and it will cost us.
Thanks,
Jon Welles
(218) 380-2393
jonwelles@charter.net
Second Hour
Join us this Sunday, August 21, for a Second Hour presentation in the sanctuary on Understanding & Responding to Housing Insecurity & Homelessness.
Upcoming Worship
Sunday, August 28: The Worship & Arts and Christian Education Committees have been working together to bring us a new format for worship, which we plan to use from time to time. It will feature time for conversation in small groups on a theme. The theme for August 28 is The Story of the Birthday of the World as told by Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, physician and author, who shared this story as she heard it from her grandfather, an Orthodox rabbi.
Sunday, September 4: There will be an interfaith Pride worship service at Peace Church (1111 N 11th Ave E) at 9:00 am, with a breakfast to follow. We will not have services at Pilgrim that week.
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:
- Jeremiah 1:4-10
- Luke 13:10-17
In case you missed it, you can view last Sunday's worship service on YouTube.
Attendance: ??
YouTube views: 22
Prayers
Prayers for Joan Semenchuk, who underwent surgery in early August.
Mary Olin is grateful for the care she is receiving and is feeling better. She welcomes your prayers.
We are thankful that Marge Fraser is recovering from her recent surgery.
Show Us Your Walks
From Clyde Johnson, flowers along the Lakewalk, near Tischer 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
Here's an extremely 70s medley from Cass Elliot and Julie Andrews.