eNews for Thursday, March 16
My Bailiwick
Dear Pilgrims,
What a strange feeling it was to cancel worship last Sunday. As I watch the snow start up again today, I pray that you are all safe and that we can be together in worship this week. I am especially excited to welcome M. Hakes to their new position as our Director of Faith Formation. I hope you will be with us for this happy day as we offer our congregational welcome and blessing to M.
After worship this Sunday, we will be in a live Zoom conversation with Sandy Sorensen, Director of our national UCC Washington, D.C., office. As part of our Second Hour series on Justice and Mercy, we’ll hear from Sandy about our denomination’s advocacy with and among members of Congress. Session begins at 11:15 in the parlor.
Here are some resources you may wish to check out before Sunday’s presentation:
JPANet's November newsletter
Justice & Witness Ministries' Public Policy Advocacy Guide
And, one project we’re (finally) getting underway is updating our church directory! We need photos of all of you! Warren Turner, my wonderful spouse, will take photos on Sunday mornings before or after worship for the next three or four Sundays. Let’s get this done by Easter!
There are several tables of free books in Salter Hall—different ones than were there before.
Take a look and take some home!
Love to you all,
Carla
New eNews Service Provider
We have switched to a different email automation service provider. Starting this week, we're sending our weekly email blasts through Squarespace, who also hosts our website. Let us know what you think, especially if you have trouble accessing or reading the emails!
Help Wanted at the Jail
The county jail has a new teacher who needs an aide 5 hours a week. The teacher is blind hence the need for help. If anyone is interested, please contact Kathy Nelson at (218) 340-8223.
Chum Corner
Pilgrims SHOW UP in force at Chum's Winter Assembly
Super big thanks for making our goal to have a strong Pilgrim presence at the assembly. There were over 100 people at St. Paul's representing a majority of the Chum congregations. We voted in new members to the board and a new member congregation. We learned more about Chum's programs in relation to the Strategic Plan and were given the opportunity to follow up in the next month with specific ways we can help Chum respond to the varying increasing needs in our community. Our next step is to work with the Social Justice committee and the congregation to identify Pilgrim's strengths to share with Chum to build a more just and compassionate community.
Day on the Hill with the MN Coalition for the Homeless
The bus to the capital was near full of people experiencing homelessness, students from St. Scholastica, and member congregations and staff. There were breakfast muffins, beverages, and lunches thanks to volunteers from Chum congregations and individuals. 100s of people statewide gathered in the morning to hear… wait for it… BOTH Governor Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan pump us up for our meetings with our legislators. We also heard from a committee of folks who have experienced homelessness working with the administration to develop policies to help get us out of this mess. Then it was off to the races and oh what a wild, yet fruitful day it was. We met in the tunnels, outside the senate chamber, at offices and in meeting rooms to share our message to support the Pathways Home Act and more. For District 8 and 3, we were one of the largest groups they've seen this year. Rep Liz Olson and Alicia Kozlowski said, it is always wonderful to see "their constituents" at the capital. By the end of the day, we all knew each other that much better, shared personal stories and learned a great deal how important it is to let our voices be heard!
AICHO to Host Concert Fundraiser For DV Shelter Expansion Project
Dabinoo’Igan is empowering the voices that are often silenced due to Domestic Violence. “One Community, Many Voices, Stop the Silence” is an opportunity for our community to come together for the victims who are silenced.
Enjoy musical performances by Erik Koskinen and Band, Anishinaabeg national music award winners Annie Humphrey and Keith Secola along with the Miziiwekaamikiinang Drum Group on April 6, 2023—Doors open at 6:30 pm at the NorShor Theater. Purchase tickets by phone at (218) 733-7555, online at www.norshortheatre.com or https://ci.ovationtix.com/35679/production/1148933, or in person at the NorShor Box Office (211 E Superior St).
AICHO is expanding our culturally responsive domestic violence shelter Dabinoo’Igan to help more victims of domestic and sexual violence in our community. Mark your calendars and save the date for AICHO’s first concert fundraiser, in partnership with the Ordean Foundation. All monies raised will go toward the Dabinoo’Igan Shelter expansion.
Learn more about musicians, tickets, and the fundraiser at https://www.aicho.org/funddvshelter.
UCC Justice and Peace Action Network
Defend Transgender Youth
Transgender youth are under aggressive attack across the country. The House Committee on Education and the Workforce just marked up and passed through committee legislation to prevent trans youth from taking part in school sports activities on teams that match their gender identity. It's telling that while our nation’s schools face threats from funding cuts, gun violence, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic including a teacher shortage, the first markup of the House Committee on Education focused instead on discriminatory and damaging legislation that is profoundly harmful to transgender youth.
To be clear, the intent of this bill is not to protect women’s sports. It is to further sow bigotry and enflame prejudice toward transgender people. LGBTQ+ youth already face increased harassment and bullying. It is appalling that the House Committee on Education would move forward a type of ban widely opposed by child welfare organizations to inflict more harm upon vulnerable youth.
As a community of faithful we see and affirm the agency and rights of transgender youth. We celebrate them and believe that they have the right to live lives protected from cruelty and discrimination. We owe our children space to grow in safety and a secure knowledge at their core that they are all beloved, created beautifully in the image of God.
Please join us and contact your Member of Congress asking them to fully oppose this legislation, and any like it, that would cause harm to our transgender siblings. Ask them to listen to their constituents who speak to the immense damage these bills have on transgender youth. As people of faith, it’s critical we add our voices to the chorus of others saying transgender people are loved wholly and without reservation.
Borealis Chamber Artists
Borealis Chamber Artists' first concert will be rescheduled soon—you'll be among the first to hear about it when the date is finalized! Thank you again to everyone who gave or volunteered to help with the event.
Pilgrim Calendar
| This Week at Pilgrim | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, March 19 | 10:00 am | Sunday Worship |
| 11:00 am | Coffee Hour | |
| 11:15 am | Lenten Second Hour: Justice Ministries of the UCC | |
| Tuesday, March 21 | 8:00 am | Men's Breakfast |
| 12:00 pm | Knitting Group | |
| 4:00 pm | Building & Finance | |
| Wednesday, March 22 | 3:45 pm | Bellissimo |
| 5:00 pm | Pilgrim Choir | |
| 7:00 pm | Pilgrim Youth Group | |
| Sunday, March 26 | 10:00 am | Sunday Worship |
| 11:00 am | Coffee Hour | |
| 11:15 am | Lenten Second Hour: Lunch with the Youth Group | |
| Monday, March 27 | 8:30 am | Damiano |
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 reading:
- John 9:1-41
Show Us Your Walks
From Linda Peplinski, ski trails by Boulder Lake
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 a really interesting and lyrical classical piece for bari sax and piano, by Steven Banks.