eNews for Thursday, January 5
My Bailiwick
Dear Pilgrims,
Yesterday, as Warren and I slipped and slid our way to Superior for an appointment, we wondered if winter last year was as harsh as this year’s is shaping up to be. Neither of us are fans of outdoor winter sports, so other than the fact that it’s really beautiful (and it IS really beautiful!), winter is mostly a hindrance—an obstacle to navigate. As if we can’t see it for ourselves, our daughter sends us the Duluth forecast regularly. We do have a little bet with her that we can get last year’s amaryllises (amarylli?) to bloom again by Ash Wednesday, and she did buy her brother new all-season tires so he can safely get to work, but Warren and I think she’s just a little smug about how much warmer it is in D.C. where she lives.
As a child, I loved winter in Ashland. But then, I bore no responsibility for driving anyone anywhere. I took warmth for granted. I loved to skate in circles around an outdoor rink someone else kept cleared. And snow days?!? They were gifts straight from God!
I’ve been working these days on living more in the moment, IRL, so to speak. One requirement for such intentionality is a few moments of quiet meditation and prayer at regular intervals throughout the day. I’m trying to keep that discipline without actually setting the alarm on my phone. Mostly it’s working. I look out a window wherever I am, and I think to myself “see all this beauty? Count the colors you see. Notice the shadows. Can you detect a little more daylight today than there was yesterday?”
How are YOU managing these bitter winter days?
Love to us all,
Carla
Thank You
Thank you and a very happy new year to everyone who helped put away Christmas decorations at church on Sunday!
Women’s Fellowship
We will meet on Tuesday, January 10, at 1:30 pm in the parlor. Triss Harwood will lead us on a visit to the archives room, that mysterious place where our church history is recorded. Join us for revelations (not the book) and refreshments!
CHUM News
Second Saturday Volunteer Event
January 14 | 9:00 am-12:00 pm | Pilgrim
Justice through Advocacy and Mercy through Meals
Join us to learn and take action for those who are homeless in our community. Learn about the importance of using your voice to advocate for legislation that supports building new housing such as tiny homes, provides for the growing immediate needs through emergency shelters, and helps to make housing more affordable for those earning minimum wage or less. Act by helping to prepare breakfast bags for those using the warming center (as of Dec 20, 2022, up to 80 people have been using this space just to stay warm) so they have nourishment to start their day. In addition to hearing about the legislation from our partners, we will be writing letters or making phone calls to our state legislators and making up bags filled with muffins and fruit.
Preregistration requested: https://www.tfaforms.com/5026110
2023 Twin Ports Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Events
Community Breakfast
Monday, January 16 | 7:00-9:30 am | First United Methodist Church
The breakfast will feature a brief local program and a community viewing of the broadcast of the program in Minneapolis featuring a keynote by Valerie Jarrett, the CEO of the Barack Obama Foundation. The food is coordinated by the African-American Men’s Group and will be served starting at 7:00 am. The broadcast runs from 8:00-9:30 am. A freewill offering will support the United Negro College Fund which supports students of African Heritage throughout Minnesota to attend college. People interested in viewing the Minneapolis program online can visit mlkbreakfast.com.
Gathering and March
Monday, January 16 | 10:00-11:45 am | Washington Center Gym
Gathering in the Washington Center gym, the Family Freedom Center will have activities for marchers who will leave for the DECC at about 11:00 am. Claudie Washington, a past president of the NAACP, will serve as march leader.
MLK Rally
Monday, January 16 | 12:00-1:30 pm | DECC Symphony Hall
The Twin Ports will celebrate Dr. King’s challenge to us to “Keep Moving Forward” with a rally featuring a keynote presentation by Anthony Galloway, the pastor of St. Mark AME Church in Duluth and a principal with the Dendros group. The program will also include:
- Miziiwekaamikiinang Drum Group
- Central Hillside Community Gospel Choir under the direction of Alanna Galloway
- Moira Villiiard, a multidisciplinary artist with a mixed Indigenous and settler heritage who uses art to uplift underrepresented narratives, explore the nuance of society’s historical community intersections, and promote community healing spaces.
- Classie Dudley, the president of the Duluth Branch of the NAACP
- Sariyah Crawford, Denfeld High School student and poet
If you are interested in volunteering for any of the events, fill out this form.
Organ Concert Cancelled
The organ concert scheduled at Sacred Heart Music Center on January 8 has been cancelled. The Friends of the Felgemaker are hoping to reschedule.
Pilgrim Calendar
| This Week at Pilgrim | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, January 8 | 10:00 am | Sunday Worship |
| 11:00 am | Coffee Hour | |
| Monday, January 9 | 4:00 pm | Pilgrim Women's Book Club |
| Tuesday, January 10 | 1:30 pm | Women's Fellowship Group |
| 7:00 pm | Social Justice | |
| Wednesday, January 11 | 3:45 pm | Bellissimo |
| 5:00 pm | Pilgrim Choir | |
| 7:00 pm | Pilgrim Youth Group | |
| Sunday, January 15 | 9:00 am | Pilgrim Choir |
| 10:00 am | Sunday Worship | |
| 11:00 am | Coffee Hour |
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 Sunday's bulletin here.
This Sunday's scripture readings:
- Isaiah 60:1-6
- Matthew 2:1-12
In case you missed it, you can view last Sunday's service on YouTube.
Attendance: 47
YouTube views: 15
Show Us Your Walks
From Bob MacLean, snowmen at Bagley Nature Center
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
Cameron Mackintosh put on a gala concert last summer for the Stephen Sondheim Foundation. The BBC hasn't made it available to watch in the US, so check it out on YouTube before it gets taken down!