eNews for Thursday, January 12
My Bailiwick
Dear Pilgrims,
Last week Lois Heller brought forsythia branches to share with our knitting group. I was skeptical as to whether they would flower, this being January and all, but bloom they did! What a welcome gift—harbinger of spring, even though spring is still a distant hope. My extended family is dealing with some health challenges so a little hope is welcome indeed.
What are signs of hope in your lives? Remembering that hope is not the same as optimism, are you experiencing moments of hope? This weekend, as we celebrate the birth of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I think of how difficult it must have been for him to see signs of hope in the long (and as yet unfinished) march toward a racially just nation. But Dr. King was grounded in faith, and in God was his hope and his trust.
You are invited to join us this Saturday morning as we engage in the hopeful work of caring and advocating for homeless persons (see below for details). And join us for worship on Sunday as we celebrate the empowering of new disciples of hope, and then Monday, you might want to participate in some of the MLK celebration events in Duluth.
However elusive hope may be, let us look for it together. And in the meantime, thank you, Lois.
Love to us all,
Carla
Office Closed
Pilgrim's office will be closed Monday, January 16, for Martin Luther King, Jr., Day.
The Souper Bowl Is Back at Pilgrim
Super Bowl = Fun! Great football plays, amazing commercials and the ever-popular half time show!
Souper Bowl = Wonderful! You donate to The Damiano Center and get Soup–all on Souper Bowl Sunday, February 12.
Pilgrim Church is inviting everyone in our community to participate in the Souper Bowl. We are teaming up with the national Tackle Hunger Souper Bowl of Caring event. Each participating group in the United States raises funds for a local charity that reduces hunger in their community. Last year, collectively, $25 million in dollars and food was donated to local charities that work to reduce hunger.
Pilgrim is making and selling gourmet soups in exchange for a donation to the Damiano Center, our local largest emergency meal provider. Each 20-oz. container (2.5 cups) of soup will cost $10 and ALL money collected will be given to the Damiano Center. The soup options are:
- Pastor Carla’s White Chicken Chili
- Steve’s Famous Indonesian Carrot Soup
- Steve and Holly’s Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup
- Anne and Bob’s Gourmet Vegetable Soup and
- Annelies and the Youth Group with Pilgrim’s Favorite Chicken with Wild Rice.
All soups will be prepared in the Pilgrim Church commercial kitchen. Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options are available! Soups can be frozen for your convenience and eating pleasure at another time.
To order, simply fill out this online order form. All orders are due by February 5. Or if it is more convenient, call Pilgrim during office hours at (218) 724-8503. Or there are paper forms in Salter Hall for your convenience.
Pick up and pay for your order on February 12 between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 2310 East Fourth Street, Duluth, Minnesota, 55812. Cash, checks (to Pilgrim Congregational Church) and major credit cards will be accepted when you pick up your soup. We can also deliver within a seven-mile radius!
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
This is also a great time to bring cold weather gear and personal hygiene products and we'll deliver them to CHUM, or to bring a non-perishable food item for Pilgrim's Blessings Box.
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.
Pilgrim Calendar
| This Week at Pilgrim | ||
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, January 14 | 9:00 am | CHUM Advocacy Meeting |
| Sunday, January 15 | 9:00 am | Pilgrim Choir |
| 10:00 am | Sunday Worship | |
| 11:00 am | Coffee Hour | |
| Tuesday, January 17 | 8:00 am | Men's Breakfast |
| 12:00 pm | Knitting Group | |
| 4:00 pm | Building & Finance | |
| Wednesday, January 18 | 3:45 pm | Bellissimo |
| 5:00 pm | Pilgrim Choir | |
| 7:00 pm | Pilgrim Youth Group | |
| Thursday, January 19 | 4:00 pm | Worship & Arts |
| Sunday, January 22 | 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 42
- John 1:29-42
In case you missed it, you can view last Sunday's service on YouTube.
Attendance: 61
YouTube views: 22
Show Us Your Walks
From Clyde Johnson, sunset over the Lakewalk
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
Martha Argerich plays Beethoven's Choral Fantasy, with Seiji Ozawa conducting.