eNews for Tuesday, March 30, 2021
"How long, O God, how long?"
“O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen?
Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?”
—Habakkuk 1:2
Columbine. Newtown. Virginia Tech. Aurora. Charleston. Las Vegas. Orlando. Pittsburgh. El Paso. San Bernadino.
These are the names of just some of the cities where mass gun violence has occurred in our nation. The city of Buffalo here in our own state of Minnesota is another, where a shooter shot five people at a clinic, killing one, just last month.
And now yet two more: Atlanta and Boulder. Within less than one week, these cities have been added to this horrific litany of cities where mass shootings have occurred. Eighteen precious lives were lost in these two events, 18 families devastated, 18 communities traumatized.
The scope of mass gun violence is a uniquely American experience. And it’s getting worse. According to the Gun Violence Archive, the number of mass shootings in the United States has nearly doubled in the last 3 years. (Mass shootings are defined as an incident where at least 4 people are either wounded or killed in roughly the same time and location.) In 2018, there were 337 mass shootings; in 2020, there were 611. And there have already been 103 mass shootings in 2021. It seems no public space is safe space anymore; our houses of worship, schools, movie theaters, night clubs and concerts, clinics, spas, and stores have all been invaded by these insidious, evil acts.
Every time another mass shooting occurs, a nauseous mix of despair, anger, and frustration churns in my gut. I lift to God the same ancient prayer that has been uttered by prophets of old and generations of the faithful in times of despair: “How long, O God, how long?”
The simple and painful answer, as with so much that ails our society, is that such violence and bitter loss will rage on until we say “no more” and collectively summon the political and communal will to demand and create substantive change. Until that time, I suspect God looks upon us with an aching, grieving heart and wonders also: How long, my children? How long until you turn from violence, stop making guns your idols, and embrace lives of love and justice and peace?
O God, we grieve so much in these days. Our stomachs lurch at the shocking loss of life in Atlanta and in Boulder and in all the places where gun violence traumatizes families and communities. You have taught us another way. You have invited us to a pathway of peace. We confess we have not yet embraced your hope and vision for us. Grant us courage to make change. Make our voices bold and our intentions worthy. And turn us from the violence that destroys us to a love that builds us up.
Amen.
Pilgrim in the News
Pilgrim will be featured on Fox-21 at 5:30 and 9:00 this evening. Check it out!
Sanctuary Update
The fished cabinetry is being installed
Pilgrims Step Up to the Plate!
From Julie Johnson, Moderator
The Human Resources Committee has successfully recruited three Pilgrim members for key positions in the church governance structure. Lauri Cushing has agreed to join the Membership & Growth Ministry Committee and has become the committee chairperson. Steve Cushing has consented to become the church clerk and began his responsibilities during the February Church Council meeting. Karl Beaster has taken on the role of Moderator-Elect and attended his first council meeting last week. The names of these three individuals will be presented to the congregation on the election ballot during the annual meeting. Many thanks to Lauri, Steve and Karl!
Holy Week Schedule
All services will be on YouTube and Facebook:
- Wednesday Vespers: March 31 at 6:00 pm
- Good Friday Tenebrae Service: April 2 LIVE at 5:00 pm
- Easter Sunday: April 4 LIVE at 10:00 am
We will begin live-streaming from the Sanctuary on Good Friday. If you can't watch live, the video will be available on both Facebook and YouTube to watch whenever you like.
Maundy Thursday Webinar
Thursday, April 1 | 3:30-4:30 pm
On Maundy Thursday we commemorate the day on which Jesus Christ shared a meal, prayed, and was taken to trial before he was crucified. This year pastors from across the denomination read the scripture through a new lens.
Pilgrim Women's Book Club
Monday, April 12 | 4:00 pm
Our book selection for April is The Good Lord Bird by James McBride. It's a "comedy novel which depicts the life of the abolitionist John Brown." The book won the 2013 National Book Award. It's been described as a "riveting story which will make you laugh and think."
Since this is a Book Club in a Bag selection, we have additional copies available. If you would like a copy to read, email Carol Bacig and she'll get a copy to you.
Meeting ID: 856 8820 1294
Passcode: 260291
Lenten Vespers
Join us for Lenten Vespers services on our YouTube channel and Facebook page starting at 6:00 pm each Wednesday during Lent. Come join us for a time of contemplation and reflection. The video will continue to be available after 6:00 for those participating in Lectio Divina. This is the last Wednesday Vespers in this series.
In case you missed it, you can view last week's Vespers service on YouTube.
Sunday Worship at Pilgrim
Join us Sunday at 10:00 am for Sunday Worship at Pilgrim. Starting this Sunday, we will be live streaming from the Sanctuary! You can view the service on Pilgrim's YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Salter Hall Zoom:Join us after worship for conversation and fellowship every Sunday at 11:00 am.
Meeting ID: 843 9163 0668
Passcode: 912010
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.
YouTube views: 48
Facebook reach: 68
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
Lectio Divina
Wednesdays | 6:00 pm
Join us for a Bible study each week focused on the upcoming Sunday's Gospel reading. Lectio Divina, or "holy reading" is a Christian practice dating from the early medieval period, consisting of four steps: lectio (reading), meditatio (meditation), oratio (prayer), and contemplatio (contemplation). Through these four steps, God's word sinks deeper into our hearts and imagination. By following these steps, we allow time and space for God's word to move from our lips, into our minds, and finally into our hearts.
This week will be the last of this Lectio Divina series. Many thanks to Jackie Falk for leading it over these many months.
This week's Gospel reading is John 20:1-18.
Join us via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/99575231348
Show Us Your Walks
Carolyn Sundquist shares "Winter's last hurrah" on Island 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! It's another way to stay connected in these troubled times.
What Patrick's Listening To
Via Twitter, Audra McDonald sings "Baby Moon" on the Rosie O'Donnell Show back in 1998.
New to Zoom?
Pilgrim is using Zoom to communicate. If you've never used it before, never fear: it's very simple to use. But it does require a bit of preparation for the first time you use it. Patrick is here to support anyone who needs assistance using Zoom for the first time. Please contact him at office@pilgrimduluth.org.
- If you want to join electronically, you will need to have a camera in or connected to your computer, phone, or tablet and you will also need to download Zoom.
- Here is the address for a brief video to walk you through the process: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-Meeting.
- Once you get Zoom on your device, simply click on the link on this page for the meeting you want (or copy the link and paste it in your internet browser).
- If you do not have the ability to join electronically, you can use your phone to call in to this number: (312) 626‑6799. When you call in, it will ask for the meeting ID, which is the 9- or 11-digit number at the end of the Zoom link.
- Again, if you have trouble with any of this, please reach out and we can support you. We're here to help all of us navigate these changes together.