eNews for Thursday, January 28, 2021
In Search of a Better Future
In her book The Faithful Gardener, Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes talks about her childhood family ritual. She writes:
In my family, the old ones practiced a tradition called "Make-Story," this being a time—often over a meal rich in aromas of fresh onions, warm bread, and spicy rice sausage—when the elders encourage the young to weave tails, poems, and other pieces. The old ones laughed with one another as they ate. To us they said, "We are going to test you to see if you were gaining any knowledge worth having. Come, come now, give us a story from scratch. Let us see you flex your story muscles."
What a wonderful and generous invitation to give to children. In essence, they were asking them to partner with them in imagining a new, shared world.
Yesterday I spoke to a group based primarily in Maryland and Washington DC. I talked about my sense that we need a New Story, a new shared narrative of the kind of world we want to create together. The Old Story that we've told for so many years—the story of endless consumerism, oppressive power, class systems, and white supremacy—has run its course and should no longer be told. It's a story that now hurts us more than helps us, tears us apart more than brings us together, and threatens our planet in apocalyptic ways.
We need a New Story. We need a new future.
Some among us are beginning to talk about different ways of being and different futures possible for us all. They're talking about interdependence and eco-civilizations. They are speaking to dynamics of "power-with" instead of "power-over." They dream of a life that is defined by balance, collaboration, and work that aligns with our passions. I love to hear their stories.
Professor Otto Scharmer, in his book Theory U, says:
The real battle in the world today is not among civilizations or cultures but among the different evolutionary futures that are possible for us and our species right now. What is at stake is nothing less than the choice of who we are, who we want to be, and where we want to take the world we live in. The real question, then, is WWhat are we here for?"
My challenge to you and to myself is: what is the story within us that wants to be told? What is the story obvious to you, but perhaps not to others, that could offer a new vision for a new and better world?
We need a New Story. We need a new future. What is the Story we want to tell?
We are in this together,
Rev. Cameron Trimble
Author of Piloting Church: Helping Your Congregation
Take Flight
Sanctuary Update
The work continues!
Budget Report
From Bob Reichert and Mary Sopoci
On April 24, 2020 Pilgrim received a Paycheck Protection Loan in the amount of $34.947.50. In accordance with the loan requirements, the funds were used for payroll expenses to assist businesses in paying employees during closures. The funds were to be used within 8 weeks of receipt. If the funds were used in accordance with the loan, organizations could apply to have the loan forgiven. Pilgrim did comply with the loan conditions and the loan was forgiven on December 11, 2020.
When the funds were received they were booked as a liability since we needed to pay it back if we didn't follow the terms of the loan. When the loan was forgiven in December, we had to record the forgiven loan as income. It wasn't new money in December. The loan funds had already been spent in May and June.
You will note that the net for December is $35,529. If you take the recording of the loan forgiveness into consideration, the net would have been $581.
| December | YTD | |
|---|---|---|
| Income: | 74,162 | 224,760 |
| Expense: | 38,903 | 168,923 |
| Net: | 35,529 | 55,837 |
Note from Pastor Kathy Nelson
Pastor Kathy, who just retired from Peace Church, sent us a lovely note:
Dear Members of Pilgrim Church,
Thank you so much for your card and kind words for my retirement. We have shared so much over these past almost 30 years. I am grateful for our joint journey.
Thanks also for the gift card—it will be so nice not to cook. Just rest.
Peace to you,
Kathy Nelson
Anti-racism Workshop
Strengthening Emotional Stamina to Counter White Fragility
Hoping to show up for racial justice in 2021 and beyond? Looking for a way to focus your intentions this Lent?
The Damascus Project invites you to participate in our "40-Day Lenten Practice: Strengthening Emotional Stamina to Counter White Fragility."
This anti-racism offering includes a digital workbook, real-time instruction, & weekly support. Registration deadline is end-of-day Friday, February 12. It's a great programming opportunity for church groups and it also satisfies the new anti-racism/diversity requirement for authorized ministers.
- $50 for individuals
- $150 for groups 4-6
- $300 for groups 7+
Learn more and register at the Damascus Project.
Family Toolkits
Returns for Lent beginning February 10
During Lent, we will share a weekly toolkit full of thoughtfully focused and curated video reflections, spiritual practices, readings, creative/art activities, games, community service projects, justice and advocacy opportunities, and more.
Stay tuned for more details!