A Letter from Lindy Dec 8

Dearest Pilgrims,

 Last Sunday you listened to Gail Booth, a member of Pilgrim’s Board of Christian Service, invite you to join with the Board in contributing to this season’s UCC special offering, The Christmas Fund. I use the word invite because Pilgrim’s leadership agreed last year to invest in each UCC special offering by budgeting $250 per offering in the hope that our congregational commitment would serve as an incentive for individuals Pilgrims to match (and/or collectively commit beyond that amount) to support these worthy denominational initiatives. Our desire is to raise Pilgrim’s awareness and commitment to these special offerings.

 The UCC Christmas Fund resides near and dear to your pastor’s heart as it has been caring for active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ for over 100 years, providing emergency grants, supplementation of small annuities and health premiums, and Christmas “Thank You” gift checks each December to our lower-income retirees. 

 Among the many letters and notes the Pension Board receives from recipients of gifts made possible by contributions to the Christmas Fund were the following thank yous:

As a lifelong member of the UCC, I have fond memories of the Annual Christmas Fund. I never thought we would be in a situation where we too would need assistance as medical expenses and caregiving costs increase.We are grateful that Christmas Fund is here to assist us.

Reverend Christopher Gilmore, Lead Pastor, Sixth Avenue - United Church of Christ in Denver, CO

It means so much to us....that the wider Church remembered us....

Reverend Cathy Barker, Retired UCC Minister, Helena, MT

We were always doing ministry, always serving (others)... I always say about people like (us),

who heals the healer? Very often... we don’t know how to go about asking for help to get the support we need... Veronica Kyle, member of Covenant UCC, South Holland, IL

 Thanks to the generosity of UCC congregations, last year the Christmas Fund provided over $1.9 million in pension and health benefits, emergency grants, and thank-you checks to retired church servants and their families. Every gift came from people like us. This year, let us give what we can

to continue supporting those who’ve devoted their lives to serving others.

with gratitude,

Pastor Lindy

(she/her) why pronouns matter

 A postscript to my letter is another invitation– to bring a nativity set meaningful to you to share during fellowship on December 15 after the Christmas Cantata. The Board of Deacons dreamed this wonderful connective idea last year to great success. Along with your nativity set, please write a brief description of the set’s story so we can learn of its significance to you. The Deacons will have tables set up in fellowship hall for this special viewing.