eNews for Thursday, November 23
My Bailiwick
Dear Pilgrims,
Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Repeating a sentiment from writer Connie Schultz, “May the day land gently”.
After tomorrow, we are hosting two important events this weekend—well three, when you include Sunday morning worship. I hope you will come to all of these gatherings!
- Hanging of the Greens—a time for all hands to help decorate the church for Advent and Christmas, this Saturday at 2:00 pm. We’ll have pizza, clementines, and cookies to keep us going strong!
- Sunday morning worship—the First Sunday of Advent. Confirmand Eliot Van Antwerp and his mentor Steve Cushing will light the first candle. Our handbell choir will also play for the service. We invite you to pick up the devotional guide “Moving Toward the Manger”, available on a table at the back of the sanctuary, to begin your own Advent journey.
- A Time of Lament, Grief, and Hope—Sunday afternoon at 5:00 pm. We are inviting all Pilgrims and members of the LGBTQ+ community to come to the sanctuary to listen and lament the experiences of violence and rejection so many are undergoing. Last Sunday was Transgender Day of Remembrance. This next Sunday is the anniversary of the assassination of Harvey Milk. In our gathering on Sunday we will particularly remember those killed at Club Q in Colorado Springs. We will also hear and express our hopes for next steps in confronting gender-expression exclusion and violence.
Courageously loving and standing alongside all people, particularly those who are hated and disparaged, can be difficult and demanding. Our Church Council is working through some of those challenges now. It requires us all to listen, resist defensiveness, and love, love, love—perfect Advent themes.
Love to you all,
Carla
In Response to Club Q
From the UCC Open and Affirming Coaltion
When Open and Affirming congregations gathered Sunday to honor our transgender and nonbinary neighbors who have lost their lives to hatred, we were stunned by the news that a young man inside an LGBTQ club in Colorado Springs shot and killed at least five people and injured 25 late Saturday night.
Once again, lives have been irretrievably lost by the rising tide of hatred and gun violence in America.
As I heard the news Sunday morning, my thoughts went to Jeremiah 31, verse 15:
Thus says the Lord:
A voice is heard in Ramah,
lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
she refuses to be comforted for her children,
because they are no more.
This week, we join in prayer for each person murdered or injured last night in Club Q. In the coming days we will know their names. We also pray in union with the Rocky Mountain Conference and especially with our Open and Affirming churches in Colorado Springs: First Congregational UCC, Vista Grande Community UCC and Black Forest Community UCC, as well as Church in the Wildwood UCC in neighboring Green Mountain Falls.
It is not easy to hope in a time like this. We are overwhelmed with shock, bewilderment, grief and anger. Our emotions now cannot simply dissolve into hope. It will take time to heal. But there will be a time to hope again. The prophet Jeremiah continues in verses 16 and 17:
Thus says the Lord:
Keep your voice from weeping,
and your eyes from tears;
for there is a reward for your work,
says the Lord:
they shall come back from the land of the enemy;
there is hope for your future,
says the Lord:
your children shall come back
to their own country.
Sunday was also the feast of the Reign of Christ. As a movement, Open and Affirming churches like yours are working for the vision of God’s future realm, where everyone is wanted, everyone is needed, no one is lost to hatred. But that future realm is also taking shape here and now: in your congregations and your families in more than a thousand communities across America. So there is reason for hope. Your mission is to save lives, and there will be a reward for your work: the beloved community where all of God’s children can return home.
Yours, trusting in Christ,
The Rev. Andrew Lang
Executive Director
Open and Affirming Coalition
CHUM Fall Assembly
Tuesday, November 29 | 6:30 pm
You are invited to our Fall Assembly at Eastridge Community Church (3727 West Arrowhead Road in Duluth). We will be connecting with each other, praying for those in our community, and learning about CHUM's plan to address growing numbers of people experiencing homelessness in Duluth! Register here.
Advent Devotional
Moving Toward the Manger by Martin E. Marty
We have 36 copies of this devotional guide based on the writings of Frederick Buechner (it’s also available for Kindle for $.99). The copies can be found in the back of the sanctuary. May these meditations help you prepare to meet the truth of these difficult days, and celebrate the coming of the One who asks us to join him in costly commitment.
Upcoming Events
- Saturday, November 26: Hanging of the Greens. Come and help us decorate the sanctuary! We'll gather at 2:00 and take a break for dinner.
- Sunday, December 4: Advent Workshop. Join us for food and Christmas crafts in the fellowship hall after worship. Contact Mary Anderson or sign up at church to help out.
- Sunday, December 11: Youth Christmas Program. Children and Youth will present A New Star by Sharon K. Catwell. We need actors, musicians, singers, cookie bakers, ushers, and others to help out! Contact Cindy Grindy if you can participate.
- Sunday, December 18: Lessons and Carols. Join Pilgrim Choir for a service of Lessons and Carols, featuring familiar tunes in fresh, new arrangements, plus a few surprises.
- Wednesday, December 21, 7:00 pm: Longest Night. Join us in the sanctuary for a quiet service of readings, music, prayers, and candlelight, as we observe the longest night of the year. Music will include cello, piano, handbells, and hymns.
- Saturday, December 24, 5:00 pm: Christmas Eve Worship.
- Sunday, December 25: Christmas Day Worship. An informal time together to begin the day of rejoicing!
Church Building Closed
Pilgrim will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Pilgrim Calendar
| This Week at Pilgrim | ||
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, November 26 | 2:00 pm | Hanging of the Greens |
| Sunday, November 27 | 10:00 am | Sunday Worship: First Sunday of Advent |
| 11:00 am | Coffee Hour | |
| Monday, November 28 | 8:30 am | Damiano |
| Wednesday, November 30 | 3:45 pm | Bellissimo |
| 5:00 pm | Pilgrim Choir | |
| 7:00 pm | Pilgrim Youth Group | |
| Sunday, December 4 | 9:00 am | Pilgrim Choir |
| 10:00 am | Sunday Worship | |
| 11:00 am | Coffee Hour | |
| 11:15 am | Advent Workshop |
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:
- Romans 13:11-14
- Matthew 24:36-44
In case you missed it, you can view last Sunday's worship service on YouTube.
Attendance: 68
YouTube views: 24
Show Us Your Walks
From Jane Killough, a snowy view of Lester River from one of the bridges on Seven Bridges Road
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
A feisty Haydn symphony with a delightful ending.