eNews for Thursday, October 6

My Bailiwick

Dear Pilgrims,

This morning I read an interview with Michael Osterholm, a leading researcher and epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota. What’s ahead for this Covid virus and its impact on all of us? Will the next mutation prove to evade all the immunities bolstered by vaccines and prior infections? As per usual, Dr. Osterholm was not optimistic. It all feels very dystopian, which points to the very dilemma I so often experience as I read and watch the news. My desire to be informed—indeed my responsibility to be informed—conflicts with being happy, serene, and relatively hopeful.

I have no solution to the dilemma, only some practices and habits that seem to help. For example, I no longer read dystopian novels. I knit and sew with color and patterns that please my eye. I seek ways to stretch our experience of faith and knowledge through the arts, music especially. I walk along Lake Superior. I donate to recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and Florida, and to the WE Health Clinic here in Duluth. I imagine how to encourage donations to the rebuilding of our sanctuary Steinway piano. And I spend time with you, in worship, conversation, even (God love them) meetings.

May you too find the things that make for a strengthening of hope in these challenging days.

Love,
Carla

Please Support Our Hurricanes 2022 Appeal

From Kent Siladi, United Church of Christ Director of Philanthropy

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your support of disaster relief. Your generosity has aided hundreds of families in need of help to rebuild their homes and lives. We request your renewed support for the Hurricanes 2022 Fund for those in crisis in the aftermath of Hurricanes Fiona and Ian, and other significant storms that may arise in the warm Atlantic waters. Your gift to the Hurricanes 2022 Fund will help with immediate needs while basic infrastructure is repaired, and more complete assessments can be made.

We don’t know what may come next with two months remaining in hurricane season. We know that as a people of faith, we can show up through our prayers and giving for our most vulnerable neighbors and journey with them on the long road to recovery. With your support, we can offer healing and resources through solidarity grants that support relief.

Your gift enables the church to be present with people amidst catastrophic and life-changing situations, offering immediate relief and providing long-term recovery support. Working through a network of global and local partners, the church lives out its call to care for our neighbors as we strive together toward a just world for all. If you prefer, you may send a check payable to the United Church of Christ, PO BOX 71957 Cleveland, OH 44194. Please be sure to note “Hurricanes Fund 2022” in the memo section.

Thank you for your generosity.

Sincerely,
Kent Siladi

Covid Update from Church Council

Hello fellow Pilgrims,

As you may or may not be aware, the church council meets on the last Tuesday of each month. And every month since March of 2020, we have discussed the pandemic and how it impacts our worship service. Since that time we have endured significant changes in the way we gather, from cancelled services, to pre-recorded services, to jointly-streamed services, to number-restricted in-person services, and finally back to in-person unrestricted services, though we continue to encourage mask-wearing and social distancing.

We completely understand that everyone, members and visitors alike, has their own comfort level and personal thoughts with mask-wearing at church and/or in our greater community. The schools and most businesses have opted not to require mask-wearing anymore, thus young children and visitors attending church may find it confusing as to why they have to wear them when they enter the building. So why do we still have postings encouraging mask-wearing?

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the encouraged yet optional stance on masks is that they are there to protect yourself AND others. The current numbers in the Duluth area are relatively low, but over the last couple of fall/winter cycles we have seen an uptick in cases around this time of year. Not to mention that there are still plenty of cold/flu viruses to go around. Also, if you observe the average age of people attending worship on any given Sunday, it is likely 65+, one of the more sensitive demographics for severe COVID response.

We appreciate your continued cooperation and patience with the mask wearing guidelines, albeit optional. And rest assured that we will continue to evaluate the local case count and the severity of symptoms, etc to help guide our decision making.

Thank you,
Karl Beaster
Moderator

Forest Hill Labyrinth

From Tiss Underdahl, here's a look at Charles Walters's labyrinth at Forest Hill Cemetery, after some clean-up from Pilgrim youth and volunteers, and a lovely new plaque.

Rekeying—Second Notice

Over the years our Church experiences normal turnover on committees, etc. The problem is that a number of people in leadership roles over those years have been given keys for the front and side doors and now we aren’t exactly sure who has keys and are they in a position where they really need a key. As people left leadership positions the keys were not always given back to the Business Office. Because of potential security issues due to the large number of keys out there, the Building and Finance Committee has authorized the rekeying of the access doors (front, parking lot and alley) and certain other doors on the main floor. They are concerned about people’s safety and property security and would like to tighten things up a bit. This is the first phase of developing a master key system throughout the entire building.

Northern Door and Hardware will begin the key change in a couple of weeks. Before that happens, Patrick will be provided with a number of new keys. If you feel you need a front door key because of the work you do for the church, please contact Patrick to get put on the list of those requesting new keys. Once the doors have been rekeyed, the old keys can be discarded as they will no longer be functional.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (218) 390-2393

Thanks,
Jon Welles

Directory Updates

Membership and Growth Ministry is planning to print new church directories this fall. If you've moved, or changed phone numbers or email addresses recently, please take a moment to send your updated contact info to the office.

CHUM News

You're invited to the 2022 CHUM Street Outreach Dinner. This event is an effort to raise $60,000 for CHUM's Street Outreach Program. Deb Holman, CHUM street outreach specialist, works with people who are living on the streets or in the woods in Duluth. She does what is necessary to keep them safe and assist them with keeping appointments that help them obtain housing. This is often a long process with many small successes each year. During the dinner, you will hear about the Outreach Program, its history of success, and future plans. Deb will answer your questions about this important work. Tickets for the dinner are $40 if purchased by October 15, and $50 thereafter. The deadline to purchase tickets is October 25. For more information and to register, check out the event page on the CHUM website. The event will be at Greysolon Ballroom on Thursday, November 10. Doors open at 5:30.

Second Saturdays of Support: Each month we plan to gather the morning of the Second Saturday, and tasks will vary based on emerging needs and the unique interest of the host congregation or organization. Come when you are able, when you want to hang out with some really cool people, or when you want to learn a new skill! We welcome youth (middle and high school) and adults of any age to participate. On October 8, join us in the kitchen at St. Paul’s from 9-noon as we prepare Egg Roll Casserole crockpot meals-in-a-bag for folks at CHUM’s St. Francis Apartments. Food insecurity is an issue for our residents. This activity celebrates our ability to use local garden abundance to meet their needs! Sign up for October’s Second Saturday, or call Rev. Patricia Benson at (218) 724 3535 ext. 206. Let me know if you have veggies to share!

Fall Education Series Continues Tonight. The next topic in CHUM’s community education series is youth homelessness, and will be held at 5:30 pm at First Covenant Church at 2101 West Second Street in Duluth. If you can’t make it in person, you can join via Zoom. Visit steppingonupduluth.org for more information and to register.

Lyric Opera of the North's Production of As One

Lyric Opera of the North (LOON) begins its season with As One, a chamber opera about the journey of a young person towards wholeness. The opera is 75 minutes long and consists of two singers and a string quartet. "As One" tells the story of a trans woman named Hannah and her journey toward self-discovery and acceptance. Lucas Bouk sings the role of Hannah-Before and our own Georgia Jacobson sings the role of Hannah-After. Both Lucas Bouk and the conductor, Alexandra Enyart, are transgender. Performances are at Clyde Iron Works on Monday, October 10 and Tuesday, October 11 at 7:00 pm.

Visit loonopera.org for more information and to buy tickets.

A Child of Our Time with the DSSO

Join your fellow Pilgrims on Saturday, November 5, for this powerful concert by the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra and the Duluth Superior Chorus. Here is what the DSSO website says about this concert event:

Michael Tippett wrote A Child of Our Time between 1939 and 1941. After the Nazi’s “Kristallnacht” (November pogroms) had left a profound impression on Tippett, he decided to write an oratorio in support of oppressed people everywhere. The result was his stunning A Child of Our Time, written for chorus, orchestra, and vocal soloists. Tippett’s work has become most famous for its ingenious use of African American spirituals that connect the different parts of the oratorio. It is one of those rare works that is thought provoking, yet healing at the same time.

The DSSO has set aside a block of twenty tickets for Pilgrim Church at $20 each. You can sign up during coffee hour on Sunday, or contact Patrick in the office. Please make your checks out to Pilgrim.

Fauré Requiem Concert

Sunday, November 6 | 3:00 pm | Sacred Heart Music Center
The Friends of the Felgemaker are planning a concert this fall to showcase the historic Felgemaker Opus 664 organ. Join us for a presentation of Fauré’s Requiem featuring many friends of Pilgrim Church: Charles Sundquist (conductor), Velda Bell, Rachael Kresha, Brian and Tasha Kapp, Mark Hakes, Richard Carrick, and Patrick Colvin (among others!).

Music at Pilgrim

Pilgrim Choir and Bellissimo are back! We’re open to ringers and singers at all skill levels—come join us! Pilgrim Choir sings at worship two to three times each month, and rehearses Wednesdays 5:00-6:00 pm. Bellissimo rings on Sunday mornings around once a month, and rehearses Wednesdays at 3:45. Rehearsal times will likely change starting in January, so look out for future announcements. Hope to see you there!

Pilgrim Calendar

This Week at Pilgrim
Thursday, October 6	5:30 PM	CHUM Education Series—First Covenant
Sunday, October 9	9:00 AM	Pilgrim Choir
	10:00 AM	Sunday Worship
	11:00 AM	Coffee Hour
	11:15 AM	Confirmation
Tuesday, October 11	7:00 PM	Social Justice
Wednesday, October 12	3:45 PM	Bellissimo
	7:00 PM	Pilgrim Youth Group
Sunday, October 16	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.

This Sunday's scripture reading:

• Psalm 66
• Luke 17:11-19

In case you missed it, you can view last Sunday's worship service on YouTube.
Attendance: 51
YouTube views: 34

What Patrick's Listening To

Anyone else really enjoy seeing Lizzo play some historical flutes? I saw a flautist point out on Twitter that the crystal flute uses a completely different key/fingering system than modern Boehm-system concert flutes!