A Letter from Lindy May 7

 Hi Pilgrims,
 
I am in countdown mode as I have four Sundays before I step away for my first sabbatical month. I’m feeling the stress of trying to get everything done so that our wonderful experiment of how a church might imagine sabbatical time won’t have many loose ends. It will have some, for sure. Not everything can be planned for, but I’m trying to think through the myriad of “what ifs”.  Grateful to have a team–Sabbatical Committee, Pilgrim Council and Boards and Committees, and staff to help shepherd us into and through the journey.

Speaking of staff, I wanted to share that Council approved the Sabbatical Committee’s recommendation (and job description) for the role of Sabbatical Liaison to support and undergird the work of the Sabbatical Committee and Deacons on Sundays and throughout the week. Their idea was to explore whether Felix would have bandwidth, time and desire to take on these additional tasks, especially for June and August, as we learn along the way. A role much like she served in the months after Lanny died when I was on bereavement leave. I am delighted to share that Felix (her family) and the Board of Education felt these additional duties were manageable alongside the other demands on Felix’s plate. The difference two years later is Council approved compensating our Director of Education for her time and talent during my absence. 

How will this all work? Our plan is that each  month, there will be point persons from the Sabbatical Committee and Board of Deacons who will lead and manage our Sunday worship experiences and oversee the overarching sabbatical journey. Felix will serve as support during the week and on Sundays to troubleshoot and ensure that nothing falls through the cracks unexpectedly. It is a thoughtful, creative plan that helps Pilgrim stay engaged and participatory along the way. Your role is to do just that–engage and participate 🙂

Before we get to June 1, we have some wonderful Sunday experiences unfolding in May. The first being this Sunday–a celebration of Pilgrim’s heritage, with a few touchstones to help our new members (covenanting to become Pilgrims during worship) to understand the cloud of witnesses they join, to usher in God’s kindom on earth as it is in heaven together in our place and time. What a glorious celebration to add to Pilgrim’s roles. Please join in our welcome.

After worship, the Board of Deacons has a fun-filled fellowship of games and activities for all ages to help us reconnect and laugh and play together. As if that invitation isn’t enticing enough, there will be an ice cream sundae bar to boot! Who can say no to that?! I hope any hesitation on your part turns to yes.

see you then,
 
Pastor Lindy (she/her) why pronouns matter

 
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