A Letter from Lindy Apr 14

 Pilgrims,

 April showers feel like they are coming in with a roar this week. Hannah and I have been strategizing about how to accomplish all the necessary tasks that make Sunday flow if the winds truly do pick up and we lose power. Fingers crossed this is not our reality, but planning for that which we cannot control is helpful to give some semblance of order to our rhythm. 

 I want to do the same for our worship experience the last Sunday in April. A Sunday where we have coined the phrase “Worshipful Work.” Leaning into the invocation to be good stewards on Earth Day, we extend its reach forward to April 28. Various boards and committees are creating “to do” lists that need our attention if we are to keep our campus beautiful–inside and out–for Pilgrims, friends and guests. How we tend to our little corner of Durham reflects our orientation, our predisposition, to welcome “whoever and wherever one is on life’s journey.”

 How will this Sunday work? The rough sketch of the day looks something like this: we will gather in the sanctuary (in our work clothes versus Sunday’s finest) to start the day with song, prayer and scripture. We will then be commissioned to our worshipful work.

 How the Trustees have organized on past workdays is by hosting a table that has various projects highlighted on index cards. You peruse the cards and take one that matches your desire and ability. Perhaps even recruit a friend along the way to make the job more fun. We will then disperse throughout the campus to accomplish what is before us.

 There will be projects geared for families with children, as well as solo and group projects. If you finish your task quickly, come back for another. After a few hours, we will ring the bell and gather anew on the patio for our closing worship of communion, song and blessing. We will then break for lunch–a gift of gratitude from your church. 

 In the coming week, we will share the “to do” list, along with an all-call for various tools we might need to accomplish the tasks before us. We will also have a community sign-up sheet so that we know how much food to prepare for the good of the group. Tom Heath and Alice Ratliff are ready to field  your questions, if you have any.

 A question I have heard a few times already is what will we do if we have visitors? The short answer is welcome them to join us and get to know Pilgrim in a new way. We will advertise our Worshipful Workday on social media and our website so that forewarned is forearmed.

 As we continue our planning, I will keep writing so that I give you as much information as I can to help you feel prepared for the day.

 grace and gratitude,

 Pastor Lindy

(she/her) why pronouns matter