eNews for Thursday, March 11, 2021
Sanctuary Update
Deb DeVaney cleans the leaded glass panels that separate the Narthex from the Sanctuary
The Chancel area is taking shape!
Easter lilies are $15.Get in touch if you'd like to purchase one!
"This moment is a movement about public safety"
by Rev. Lawrence Richardson
Linden Hills Congregational UCC
Jury selection in the trial of the ex-police officer charged in the death of George Floyd begins this week in Minneapolis as Congress works to pass the police reform bill named for Floyd.
As the trial for Derek Chauvin begins, I join others from Minneapolis at events each day to hold space, pray with and for, and bear witness to the pain and hope in our city. On Sunday, March 7, I dressed in black and headed to a peaceful, impactful and prayerful demonstration at the Hennepin County Government Center, the “I Can’t Breathe” Silent March for Justice. C lergy and religious leaders were invited to wear vestments. The general public was invited to bring signs and flowers.
After the event opened with prayer and a call to action, the growing crowd was invited to march. I volunteered to be a pallbearer for a casket symbolizing those unjustly killed by police. At the front of the march was a sign that read, “I Can’t Breathe,” followed by a white casket covered in a mass of red roses and rose petals. That casket was flanked by a scroll that listed the 405 names of individuals killed by Minneapolis police since 2000. Hundreds more peaceful demonstrators marched in the streets behind us.
At the conclusion of the two-mile procession, we reassembled at the Hennepin County Government Center for closing prayers, remarks and calls to action by community leaders. In a sea of people, the pain and hope in our city were palpable. The pain of a people traumatized by the unjust killing of George Floyd and tired of a reality in which advocating for the worth of black and brown bodies is necessary. Hope was also evident in the eyes and prayers of the people and I saw a glimpse of what the kin-dom of God can look like.
People of diverse ages, stages, skin colors, faith traditions, and political affiliations gathered together. We were there for so much more than justice. We were also there for peace. As I stood, my hands and shoulders tired from carrying the symbolic casket, John 14:27 came to mind. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
The energy from those gathered was the energy of a people united and unafraid, a people who know that this moment is a movement larger than ourselves. This moment is a movement about public safety. Policing is an important aspect of public safety. For the greatest good to be served, we must hold police officers accountable to keep the peace and punish those whose excessive use of force takes life or in any way jeopardizes the well-being of society.
Countless UCC clergy and ecumenical faith leaders were present. Our Minnesota Conference Minister, the Rev. Shari Prestemon, was also in attendance. At the conclusion of the event, I asked my partner, James Triplett, to take a picture of the two of us (pictured above). For me, this time of prayer, the march around the government center, the pained-yet-hopeful energy of people, and this picture with my conference minister taken by my partner are all reminders of what is possible when we believe.
I believe in a society that values all people equally. I believe in a society with policing that keeps us safe. I believe in a society where we can come together for the well-being of our people and our land. I believe in a society where we are the church everywhere we go.
CHUM Updates
CHUM Annual Meeting: On Thursday, February 25th, CHUM's Annual Meeting was virtually attended by over 95 people. You can view the 2021 Annual Meeting on YouTube.
CHUM Book Club: CHUM is hosting a Book Club in March and we're reading Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond, which details stories, statistics, and insights about the devastating effect evictions have on families across the country.
The club meets on Zoom on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm and Wednesdays at 12:00 noon. To join and get a link to the meeting, or for more information, please contact Ben Margeson, CHUM's Congregational Outreach and A dvocacy Coordinator, at bmargeson@chumduluth.org or call (605) 690‑7619.
March is Minnesota FoodShare Month: Our goal for March 2021, is to raise $150,000 and 50,000 pounds of food to stock our shelves, and we can achieve that success in this campaign with your help. You can donate online or send checks to the church office. For every $1 that gets donated, we can buy $7 worth of food!
Pastoral Search Committee Update
The Pastoral Search Committee is putting the final touches on the Church Profile for potential candidates. We have done a lot of work and everyone has participated fully. We are truly enjoying our time together. We have had two meetings with Rev. Sheresa Simpson-Rice, the Interim Associate Conference Minister. Her guidance and encouragement have been a valuable asset in our search for our next pastor.
Congregants, we invite you to help guide us with your input and feedback. Please feel free to contact the committee via email amlean76@gmail.com (Anne MacLean, scribe for the Committee)
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
Keeping our Focus
From Stewardship Ministry
“… for it is the time to seek the Lord…” (Hosea 10:12).
Have you ever felt that life is so full of distractions and that there are such pulls on your time that you have lost your focus? As God’s stewards, our goal is to live our lives for God’s purpose according to his grace given us by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament. Getting our priorities straight and sticking to them is one of the most difficult tasks we face. We are called to be faithful and not misdirected by the world, our flesh, or Satan. “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” (1 Peter 1:14-15).
It is challenging, but, with God’s help, it is possible to keep God at the center of our busy lives. Because God promises that, when we call on him, he will give us the strength to overcome any temptations, we are able to say “yes” to him and “no” to the temptations of the world. God does not shield us from temptations, but he sustains us while we are facing them (1 Corinthians 10:13). With God’s help, we are able to recognize that much of life is meaningless when compared to the times we spend in God’s Word, prayer, and worship.
We may ask ourselves the question, “Does the way I live my life reflect the importance of my relationship with God?” We may also ask, “Does my faith help focus my life or does my faith get lost in the blur of busyness and day-to-day routine?” Our goal is to keep “the main thing the main thing,” which is to love, serve, trust, and obey our heavenly Father.
Prayer: Lord, help me to use my time wisely so I may glorify you. Guide me in your path. Amen.
One Great Hour of Sharing
Offering date: March 14, 2021
One Great Hour of Sharing is the refugee, relief and development special mission offering of the UCC. OGHS is at work all around the year, all around the world - sharing resources and changing lives. The UCC works with domestic and international partners, to provide support to health, education, refugee, agricultural, and emergency relief initiatives.
You can learn more about what OGHS is doing by visiting their Facebook page.
You can give to OGHS via the office or online.
Calling for Volunteers
From the Human Resources Ministry Committee
We are looking for volunteers to serve on various committees at Pilgrim, including:
- Church Council
- Worship & Arts Ministry
- Christian Education Ministry
- Building & Finance Ministry
- Stewardship Ministry
- Human Resources Ministry
If you're curious about serving on a committe, please get in touch with Steve Therrien at paddldog@centurytel.net or (218) 591‑1955
New Website
Pilgrim has a new website! Visit pilgrimduluth.org and check it out. We appreciate your feedback—please get in touch with the office with your thoughts and ideas.
Lenten Family Toolkit
From the Minnesota Conference, this weekly Lenten toolkit provides content for home and community practice from Ash Wednesday (February 17) through Palm Sunday (March 28). Check out the thoughtfully focused and curated video reflections, spiritual practices, readings, creative/art activities, games, community service projects, justice and advocacy opportunities, and more.
Week four is on the theme of Practicing Community.
If you would like to receive a direct email each week, please email Sandy Kellen.
Sunday Worship at Pilgrim
Join us Sunday at 10:00 am for Sunday Worship at Pilgrim. We are recording in our chapel, and doing everything we can to make it as Covid-safe as possible. 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.
Meeting ID: 843 9163 0668
Passcode: 912010
This Sunday's scripture readings:
- Numbers 21:4-9
- Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
- Ephesians 2:1-10
- John 3:14-21
Special thanks:
- Andy Nielsen, for reading
- Grace Young, for sharing her music
- Our tech team: Deb DeVaney, Christopher Kirby, Jim Drake, Steve Grindy, and Harlan Stech
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: 17
Facebook reach: 71
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.
In case you missed it, you can view last night's Vespers service on YouTube.