eNews for Thursday, August 25
My Bailiwick
Dear Pilgrims,
This coming Sunday, we are trying something new in our worship. We’ll begin in the sanctuary, as we usually do, with a prelude, opening prayers, a hymn, and a story, illustrated by Pilgrim’s youth. Then we’ll talk to one another, in groups of 4 or 5, about the story’s meaning and its possible bearing on our life together at Pilgrim. After we’ve had time to talk and listen, we’ll reconvene in the sanctuary for prayers, an offering, a hymn and postlude. Yes, we’ll keep this to our usual worship time and yes, there will be our usual coffee hour with treats afterwards.
I remember once being told by a faithful church-goer that I was pushing too hard to get people to talk about their faith. It felt too like “evangelizing” to her. I had to think about that for a while, until I concluded that she was just mistaken. In all these years since, I’ve tried to get progressive Christians to talk about their faith—what we believe, how did we come to that belief, are we willing and able to deepen our understanding of what it means to trust God, follow the ways of Jesus, and do all that without giving up critical thinking?
This Sunday’s worship is another one of those efforts, albeit a fairly modest one. I’ll encourage everyone to sit with people you might not know well, and the questions to which you’ll be responding are gentle. I hope you’ll come. I hope this works! And I hope you’ll be glad of the effort.
With love,
Carla
Treasurer's Report
Greetings Pilgrims,
Here are the year end figures for the fiscal year we just closed. Please refer to my dashboard report below for a condensed version of our financials.
The year ended much stronger that we had budgeted. We had a net loss of $3,939.53 versus a budgeted shortfall of $105,016.00. And, we were able to achieve these good results with only withdrawing $15,500 from investments versus the $42,388 we had budgeted to withdraw. With the current financial markets being what they are, it is very important to not withdraw any more than absolutely necessary. Because of the sour economic times, our investment funds decreased by $90,000 compared to the previous year. That’s a big hit.
There are a number of good things that lead to an almost breakeven year, and there are a few not so good things. On the good side, pledges were almost $20,000 higher than expected—we had some new pledges and we were blessed by some members increasing their pledges. In addition, plate offerings were up $6,000 over the previous year. We received more from the Whiteside Trust than we have in years. Finally, the church was the recipient of just over $50,000 in unexpected gifts. Operating income, therefore, was much higher than anticipated. However, one needs to keep in mind that many of these increases are onetime only and that we can not rely on them for future income. That’s the not so good news.
Expenses were lower than anticipated due to staff changes and not being fully staffed as budgeted. So, all in all a good year—we should be very thankful!
Looking to the future, we must continue our efforts to increase our pledge income. Expenses have been pared to the bone—our financial salvation is increasing pledge income.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Blessings,
Jon L. Welles
Treasurer
Operating Results Through 3/31/2022 (75% of fiscal year)
(If the tables below look strange, try clicking "View this email in your browser" at the top of the email.)
| Operating Budget | Month | YTD | Prior YTD | Budget | % | |||||
| Operating income | 30,277.13 | 415,302.68 | 400,102.54 | 361,438.00 | 115 | |||||
| Operating expense | 37,810.43 | 419,242.21 | 330,008.52 | 466,454.00 | 90 | |||||
| Excess revenue over expense | (7,533.30) | (3,939.53) | 70,094.02 | (105,016.00) | ||||||
| Investment Funds | Current | YTD Change | Prior Month | |||||||
| Second Century Fund | 933,072.08 | (90,478.85) | (41,178.97) | |||||||
| Scholarship Fund | 33,291.91 | (10,671.70) | 7,821.25 | |||||||
| Total Investments | 966,363.99 | (101,150.70) | 48,999.95 | |||||||
| Transfer from Investments | YTD | |||||||||
| Second Century Fund | 55,063.99 | |||||||||
| Scholarship Fund | 4,500.00 | |||||||||
| Transfer to Investments | YTD | |||||||||
| Combined Fund | - | |||||||||
| Capital Fund Income | YTD | |||||||||
| 25,898.56 |
Balance Sheet
| Assets | Current Month | Prior Month | Difference | |||
| Current Assets | 17,215.92 | 9,091.76 | 8,124.16 | |||
| Investement Assets | 966,364.00 | 1,018,514.75 | (52,150.75) | |||
| Other Assets (Capital) | 650.00 | 650.00 | - | |||
| Total Assets | 984,229.92 | 1,028,256.48 | (44,026.56) | |||
| Liabilities | ||||||
| Current Liabilites | 2,488.83 | - | 2,488.83 | |||
| Trust Accounts | 35,589.26 | 20,145.06 | 15,444.20 | |||
| Fund Balances | ||||||
| Operating Fund Balance | 46,866.64 | 54,399.94 | (7,533.30) | |||
| Investment Fund Balance | 884,637.38 | 936,788.13 | (52,150.75) | |||
| Building Restoration | 17,136.64 | 16,923.35 | 213.29 | |||
| Total Liabilities | 984,229.92 | 1,028.256.48 | (44,026.56) |
Market Value of the Building is $1,300,000.00
Actual Cash value of the Building for insurnace purposes is $8,157266.00
Looking for Greeters
The Membership and Growth Ministry Committee is lining up greeters for Sunday mornings. Welcoming members and visitors is an important part of our ministry at Pilgrim. If you are willing to greet, please contact Cynthia Fochs or sign up on the sheet in Salter Hall.
Also, as the church year gears up, please remember to wear your name tags and be welcoming to visitors during the coffee and conversation time after the service.
Let's Help Support Katie Hanlon as she Donates her Kidney
Katie Hanlon has decided to give the gift of life by donating her kidney! The surgery will take place on September 14 in the Twin Cities. You can help with your prayers and perhaps bring a meal. With Katie and Tucker's permission, we have set up a meal train where you can sign and select a date to bring dinner. Sign up to bring a dinner using this link or call the office and Patrick will sign you up. Thank you!
Youth and Families
We are looking forward to an exciting time in Sunday School, Joyful Noise and Youth Group for the 2022-2023 church school year. Pilgrims have been stepping up to help out and make this year a wonderful experience for our youth. Please fill out the registration form for your child.
Nursery
The nursery is open each Sunday from 9:30 am until the service is concluded. Please sign in your child when you bring them.
Sunday School
The first day of Sunday School will be Sunday, September 11, 2022. Children will sit with their parents until the Children’s Message during the 10:00 am worship service and then head off to the sun room for Sunday School. There will be a bible story, discussion, games, art and/or crafts that connects to the message of the day. Sunday School is followed by Joyful Noise.
Joyful Noise
Each Sunday after Sunday School children are invited to participate in Joyful Noise, led by our Children's Music Director Jessica Schroeder from 11:10-11:30. Children and youth will play instruments, sing and have fun learning. Occasionally the Joyful Noise group will perform during a church service.
Youth Group
Youth in grade 6 and higher meet on Wednesdays from 7:00-8:00 pm at church. This group is focused on acting out our faith through service and learning as much as we can about how we can help our community meet the needs of every person.
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
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.
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.
CHUM Presentation.
In case you missed it, you can view last week's Second Hour presentation on our YouTube channel.
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:
- John 1:1-5
- Genesis 1:1-5
- Matthew 5:14-16
In case you missed it, you can view last Sunday's worship service on YouTube.
Attendance: 57
YouTube views: 23
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 Lauri Cushing, a lovely path in town
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
Grab the tissues. Here's Sierra Boggess singing "Come to My Garden" from the musical The Secret Garden at 54 Below.