eNews for Tuesday, May 11, 2021
O Lord, I Am Not Worthy
By Mary Luti, author of Teresa of Avila’s Way
A centurion came to Jesus, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress.” And he said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed.”—Matthew 8: 5-8 (adapted)
Catholics know the centurion’s reply by heart. They routinely recite it at every Mass, right before receiving Holy Communion: “O Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only speak the word, and my soul shall be healed.”
I haven’t met many Protestants who’d relish saying such a prayer before receiving Communion, or at any other time. Some Catholics don’t love it much, either. We have enough people telling us we’re unworthy, they say; we don’t need the Church hammering us, too.
But when I remember that it’s a powerful white guy who utters that prayer, a wisp of hope flits through those words. Here’s a man who strides though his world confident and unafraid, backed by imperial authority, accustomed to brute force. He could crush you on a whim, crucify you and not feel a thing.
If someone like him can come to Jesus and confess, for the sake of another, that his power is an ineffectual fiction and his worth is worthless, then maybe there’s hope for me, marinating oh-so-worthily in my privileged stew. Maybe there’s hope for you, too, in whatever illusion you’re lounging in.
And maybe there’s hope for all the world’s haughty powers, that one day they’ll utter an honest word, discard their deadly dominance, feel something for their victims, humble themselves before the One in whom all have equal and eternal worth, and pray with a faith that amazes:
Prayer
“O Lord, I am not worthy, but only speak the word, and I will be healed.”
Purple Church
May 18, 2021 | 3:30 pm-4:30 pm
The United Church of Christ contains people with a wide spectrum of theological belief, and political alignment. People who choose to be in a church that holds difference of opinion often do so with a few different strategies of love, and conflict management. On this conversation, we will hear from leaders of Purple Churches, or churches that have members across the theological/social/political lines, about how they show up authentically with each other in the midst of difference.
Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III at the Westminster Town Hall Forum 'Arc Toward Justice' Series
From MPR News Presents
Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III serves as senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. For two decades, he has preached a Black theology that calls attention to the problems of mass incarceration, environmental justice, and economic inequality.
Dr. Moss led the team that came up with the “My Life Matters” curriculum, including the viral video “Get Home Safely: 10 Rules of Survival,” created in the aftermath of Michael Brown’s death at the hands of police. Dr. Moss was named to the inaugural Root 100, as an African-American leader who is making extraordinary contributions.
He spoke as part of the May 2021 Westminster Town Hall Forum series: “The Arc Toward Justice: Taking Stock One Year After George Floyd’s Death.”
Dr. Moss's speach will play again on MPR News stations at 9:00 pm tonight, or you can listen online.
An opportunity to connect and assist people in our church community from the Membership & Growth committee.
Do you like to drive, shop or just sit and chat with people? We have members in our church community who need help with these very things. Now that church is beginning to be held in person, we have members who could use a ride to church. Some are not able to get out to do their grocery shopping. There are members who are caretakers at home and could use an hour of respite care for their loved one.
We are looking for people in our church who are willing to help.
If you know of a person who attends our church who needs help in any of these three areas, please contact the membership committee. If you are willing to help drive, shop or provide one hour of respite care when needed, please contact the membership committee.
Lauri Cushing: lauricushing@gmail.com
Cindy Fochs: cjfochs@hotmail.com
Carolyn Sundquist: carolynsundquist8@gmail.com
CHUM 2021 Virtual Spring Assembly
Join us Thursday, May 13 at 6:30 pm for our 2021 Virtual Spring Assembly. Meet our new Executive Director, John Cole. Learn more about the Duluth Inn purchase and how it will help homeless adults in Duluth. Find out about the results of the March Minnesota FoodShare Campaign results, the Mobile FoodTruck Delivery, and the CSA from the Food Shelf. Participate in an Advocacy Action with Patricia, our new Congregational, Outreach, and Advocacy Coordinator. And get ready to welcome back Rhubarbara this June!
For more information please contact:
Rev. Ben Margeson at (218) 720-6521 or bmargeson@chumduluth.org
Rev. Patricia Benson at (218) 720-6521 or pbenson@chumduluth.org
To join us on Zoom click here.
Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act
From Jackie Falk:
Dear Friends,
Through CHUM I serve as part-time chaplain at the St. Louis County Jail. While this is not a legislative initiative approved by the CHUM board, I am personally inviting you to become informed about Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act Policy, Legislative House File 2349. Detailed information is available here.
When interviewed by Angela Davis of MPR, Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell described the new initiative this way: “The Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act could dramatically transform incarceration by shifting focus from the time prisoners spend in the correction system to what they do with that time. Under the proposal, prisoners would receive assessments and services ranging from substance abuse counseling to vocational training. Prisoners who follow their plans would be eligible for release after serving half their sentences and also be eligible for fewer months of supervision if they continue to follow program goals after release. The Department of Corrections estimates these changes would save $10 million per year, money which would go toward increased services for victims, crime prevention and intervention, community-based correctional programs and the state’s general fund.”
I reached out to Jennifer Schultz who told me the following: "Thank you for contacting me. HF2349 is included in the Public Safety omnibus bill, SF970 (the House public safety omnibus bill was amended to the Senate file). They will start conference committee this week to begin negotiations.” Please consider contacting your state representative, state senator, and Governor Walz in support of the proposed changes. This initiative will bring the Minnesota Department of Corrections in line with 38 other states and shift the focus to investing in the rehabilitation of people who are incarcerated.
If you have questions, contact Jackie Falk at jhfalk@charter.net.
Volunteers Needed at CHUM
We are asking for individuals and groups of volunteers to help pack and sort emergency food at the Downtown Food Shelf:
- Mondays 10:00 am-12:00 pm
- Tuesdays 10:00 am-12:00 pm
- Thursdays 10:00 am-12:00 pm
To volunteer, please call the Food Shelf at (218) 727-2391 or email Scott Van Daele.
Thank you!
As we begin to worship together in person again, there are many people to thank for the work they've done to make Sunday worship services possible.
- Worship and Arts Committee members Carri Hoagland, Jean Jacobson, and Holly Beaster for their work in planning and organizing for the worship space, as well as for their help on Sunday mornings
- Clyde and Julie Johnson for their help with ushering and greeting people on Sunday
- Deb DeVaney and Christopher Kirby for their tireless work on sound, video, and live-streaming
Seeking Worship Volunteers
We are on the lookout for volunteers to help with worship on Sundays:
- Lectors, who read scripture during the service
- Ushers, who take attendance and help folks find their seats
- People to give the Message for All Ages, which can be in-person or prerecorded
Get in touch with the office if you'd like to help out!
Calling for Artwork
Did you create any artwork in the year since the church building has been closed? Taken any special photographs? We'd love to feature your artwork in Salter Hall to greet us as we begin to return to the building. If you have something to share, please get in touch with the office.
Pilgrim Men's Group
The Men's Group is currently meeting via Zoom the first and third Tuesday each month. All men are invited. Please contact Denny Falk if you're interested in participating: dfalk@d.umn.edu or (218) 341‑5483.
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 and Facebook page.
If you have an announcement that you would like read during a Sunday service, please get it to the office or directly to Pastor Judith by Monday each week.
Please send in your prayer requests to include in Sunday services. Send your prayer requests, joys, and concerns to Pastor Judith via email by Friday each week to be included. We will use only first names during the service in order to maintain confidentiality, and your prayer requests will be passed along to Marge Fraser and Pilgrim's Prayer Chain.
In case you missed it, you can view last Sunday's worship service on YouTube.
Attendance: 39
YouTube views: 28
Facebook reach: 41
Morning Coffee
Wednesdays | 10:00 am
Join Pastor Judith for your morning coffee! We'll have a time for checking in with each other, prayers, and perhaps a brief meditation. Grab the beverage of your choice and join us on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 497 627 641
Passcode: 926781
Prayers and Condolences
Keep in your prayers:
- Anita and her family as she undergoes medical treatment
- Wanda and Carol and their families as they recover from surgery
- Betty and her family as her son undergoes medical treatment
Condolences to Steve and Cindy Grindy and their family after the recent passing of Steve's father, and longtime member, Cliff Grindy. A service for Cliff will be held at Pilgrim on Friday, July 9, at 1:30 pm.
Show Us Your Walks
Sunset from the parking lot at The Pines
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! It's another way to stay connected in these troubled times.
What Patrick's Listening To
A motet by Vivaldi I've just discovered. If anyone can find an English translation of the text, please let me know!