A Letter from Lindy Jan 15

Julie Mitchell

Hello Pilgrims,
As difficult as it was to say good-bye to my beloved family, I am grateful to step back into Pilgrim’s fold as we open ourselves to this chapter being written. Help me celebrate new faces in our midst. If you have not yet done so, please welcome Ken Hirsch to Pilgrim’s staff as our Interim Administrator. Although I mistakenly sent his offer letter to our very own Ken Hirsh, they are, in fact, not the same person :). Yet, Ken Hirsch, Pilgrim’s Administrator, may also have a familiar last name as he is, in fact (as Felix noted last week) Franklin’s father. Although Ken’s expertise is with computers, we are
grateful for his willingness to step into his son’s capable shoes to ease the angst of yet another Pilgrim transition. Having heard from Franklin this week, I have it on good authority that he is keeping tabs on all things Pilgrim (and Hirsch) while leaning into his new role at Binkley Baptist Church. If you have not stopped by to introduce yourself to Ken, please do!

I am thrilled to share two additional celebrations as we welcome Ali Carnes and Kyle Ballentine into our embrace as Pilgrim’s new Music Ministry. Ali, whom we know and love because of the care with which she held and led us after Roman’s leave-taking, responded anew to God’s beckoning to serve as Pilgrim’s Music Director. Kyle, who came to us from Julie’s introduction
as substitute accompanist, also felt holy tug to bring his gifts to share more permanently with our beloved community. What a true epiphanal celebration to receive this dynamic duo as we experience divine glimpses in our unfolding story. Kyle and Ali will begin their ministry with us the week of February 13. Let us prepare our hearts for worship!
 
Our joy would not be complete without naming and claiming the steadfastness of Julie Mitchell’s presence and participation in Pilgrim’s story. The tinkling of her ivory resounds through many of Pilgrim’s chapters, but none more fully than these past six months when she joined us as interim Accompanist upon Danny’s leave-taking and then as Interim Director upon Nick’s departure. She has held us with love and care as we look for new beginnings amidst these good-byes. Our pain in grieving may have still been felt, but our worry and anxiety lessened in her capable presence. We will do so properly, but join me in offering our heart-felt gratitude for all of the ways Julie has shown up for Pilgrim. We are so grateful to be able to call her friend.
Well, Pilgrim, that is a lot of news for one letter, so I leave you to absorb the ways in which the Holy is making their presence known.

with love,
Pastor Lindy (she/her)
why pronouns matter

 
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