A Letter from Lindy Feb 12
Pilgrims, I respectfully give my space to Julie’s note to you. Let us surround and embrace our friend with love and thanksgiving.
Pastor Lindy
A Musical Note of Thanks and Celebration
Dear Pilgrims,
As I conclude my interim roles, I have many feelings, but mostly gratitude for my rich experiences at Pilgrim, and happiness for your future with Ali and Kyle. I’ve grown more attached to you, the congregation I’ve claimed as my “second church home” for years. I’m sad about not seeing you as often and ending my most rewarding music gig ever. Yet, it’s time to discover what’s next. I’m ready, you are ready, and your talented new music team is ready!
After decades of doing music ministry, I have strong opinions about church musicians’ training, repertoires, experiences, philosophies, etc. Ali and Kyle have the right skills, knowledge and creativity to enrich your worship. Pastoral and lay leadership is part of Pilgrim’s excellent music foundation, too. As your wise pastor Lindy says, “Pilgrim respects our musicians.” You listen to your musicians, appreciate their gifts, and let them know how much they matter.
For a pipe organ geek who loves diverse music, inclusive community, inspiring preaching, and good people who walk their talk, Pilgrim has been my “just right” place to find purpose and to focus my energy during a challenging time of personal grief and loss. You have embraced me, helped me to learn, and deepened my understanding of how to “be the church” in our human complexity and imperfection. Thanks for all of this and more.
Before I sign off, a preview of the hymns for Sunday: They celebrate music, and some of the many ways Pilgrim is special. When In Our Music God is Glorified is typical of the rousing “organ friendly” tunes I love to play on your beautiful organ. The text explores how music moves and connects us with God, ending each stanza with a joyful “Alleluia!”
I invite you to read the third verse of our final hymn, God of Life. It captures this “new chapter” moment in Pilgrim’s music ministry, calling us to honor the past, present and future:
God of music, psalms and anthems, help us sing your faith anew;
Melodies expanding worship, harmonies enriching, too.
May our lives be hymns in action, tuned to Christ in note and rhyme,
celebrating past and present, consecrating future time.
(Words copyright 1992 Jane Parker Huber)
Pilgrim, I have seen and heard you sing your faith anew, with patience and care, through staff transitions, discomfort, heartbreaking loss, and uncertainty.
Pilgrim, your lives are hymns in action, tuned to Christ. I’ve witnessed your individual and collective lights shine, like when a lone Pilgrim shows up for whatever needs doing (while I practice organ) and in the many ways you enact your mission with compassion for one another and the communities you serve.
Pilgrim, it has been a privilege to be with you, celebrating past and present, and consecrating future time.
With love and gratitude,
Julie
P.S. I’m not really going away. Ali and Kyle graciously extended organ practice privileges Roman offered me eight years ago. I live nearby and am always willing to help my Pilgrim friends with last-minute music needs!