eNews for Thursday, December 1
My Bailiwick
Dear Pilgrims,
And so, we’ve turned the page to December. We are offering a number of Advent and Christmas events here at Pilgrim, of course. Like Advent itself, they are a mix of joyful and contemplative. Please check the ongoing church calendar for days and times. For example, this Sunday is the Advent Workshop, with crafts to make and a simple lunch to eat together. Then on the 11th, our children will tell the story through the eyes of both an old star and a young star.
Ten years ago on December 14, we heard the terrible news of the mass shooting in Newtown, CT. A family in the church I was serving at the time, had child-relatives in the school. They survived the shooting, but the after-trauma was horrific. They came to stay for the rest of December with their relatives in New Hampshire. I’ll never forget the juxtaposition of the horror of all those dead children with the preparation for Christmas that still went on. On the anniversary of that terrible day, Wednesday, December 14, Peace United Church of Christ here in Duluth is hosting a vigil at noon. I hope many of you will join me as we mourn the victims of gun violence from that day and all the days since. They are Legion, there are so many of them.
“Let all mortal flesh keep silence…” We’ll sing that solemn hymn this Sunday in worship as we prepare ourselves for the birth of the Messiah.
Love to you all,
Carla
Pilgrim Women's Book Club
For December, Pilgrim Women’s Book Club is reading Miss Benson’s Beetle, by Rachel Joyce. “An uplifting, irresistible novel about two women on a life-changing adventure, where they must risk everything, break all the rules, and discover their best selves—together.” This book is guaranteed to make you laugh. Again this is a book club in a bag selection, so there are copies available in the church office. Just stop in and sign one out. We will meet at 4:00 pm on Zoom on December 12. And your book will be due back to the church office on Wednesday, December 14. Join us for what will most likely be a funny and lively discussion.
Upcoming Events
- 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!
Pilgrim Calendar
| This Week at Pilgrim | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, December 4 | 9:00 am | Pilgrim Choir |
| 10:00 am | Sunday Worship | |
| 11:00 am | Coffee Hour | |
| 11:15 am | Advent Workshop | |
| Tuesday, December 6 | 8:00 am | Men's Breakfast |
| 12:00 pm | Knitting Group | |
| 4:00 pm | Building & Finance | |
| Wednesday, December 7 | 3:45 pm | Bellissimo |
| 5:00 pm | Pilgrim Choir | |
| 6:00 pm | Pageant Rehearsal | |
| 7:00 pm | Pilgrim Youth Group | |
| Saturday, December 10 | 10:00 am | Pageant Rehearsal |
| 7:30 pm | Arrowhead Chorale concert at the Depot | |
| Sunday, December 11 | 9:00 am | Pageant Rehearsal |
| 10:00 am | Sunday Worship: Children's Pageant | |
| 11:00 am | Coffee Hour | |
| 3:00 pm | Arrowhead Chorale concert at the Depot | |
| Monday, December 12 | 4:00 pm | Pilgrim Women's Book Club |
| Tuesday, December 13 | 1:30 pm | Women's Fellowship Meeting |
| 7:00 pm | Social Justice | |
| Wednesday, December 14 | 12:00 pm | Newtown Vigil at Peace Church |
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:
- Isaiah 11:1-10
In case you missed it, you can view last Sunday's worship service on YouTube.
Attendance: 77
YouTube views: 22
Show Us Your Walks
From the vault, a rather atmospheric photo of Miller Creek from December 2021
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 the final trio from The Hours, which just premiered at the Met (with my beloved Kelli O'Hara).