A Letter from Lindy June 18

 
Beloved Pilgrims,
 
I greet you in absentia as I endeavor to live into my sabbatical this June. As promised, the Sabbatical Committee has imagined a powerful journey for you as well. It continues today!
 
Please welcome to Pilgrim’s pulpit Ms. Denise Rowson. Denise is the Project Director for Epworth CDF Freedom School. When Maggie Dolbow met with me about supporting Durham’s first Freedom School, she wished aloud that Denise might one day join us to speak. I suggested during June, as this month begins their journey as it does ours. I expected much negotiation to determine availability, but with a quick text exchange, Denise was a yes! When we suggested she join us during our Juneteenth commemoration, she wanted to meet first to share her thoughts. We did so a few months later and as she reflected upon the date, I knew deeply that her wisdom would help Pilgrim in our Race and Equity work. So I am delighted to introduce you to Denise now.
 
Denise is a native of New York City. While in New York City, she earned her B.S. and M.S degrees and holds her state certification in School Administration and Supervision. Being an educator for the past 49+ years, Ms. Rowson has taught from elementary to adult education, from public schools to adult prison systems, both in traditional and non-traditional school settings. For the past almost 30 years, though working with younger children, Ms. Rowson has worked most of her educational career working with challenging youth and young adults. She retired in 2019 from Durham Public Schools as an Elementary Program Specialist for Community Education Dept. where she created and managed innovative programs for elementary school students through afterschool programs and summer programs, including the CDF Freedom Schools Program from 2013-2015.
 
Ms. Rowson prides herself in the service she does for her community. Among her many community affiliations, she is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., founding member of the 20/20 Sisters of Vision Giving Circle, a certified Stephen Minister, Member of the Mt. Level Community Partnership for Racial Justice in Durham, NC. She has two adult children, her daughter Shani and son Jelani and dearly loves her 22-year-old grandson, Derrick and 6-year-old grandson, Shomari.
 
The highlight of Denise’s life is to serve God and God’s people- to do what God tells her to do and go where God tells her to go to serve the people of God’s kindom.
 
Please join me in extending our holy embrace to Denise Rowson!
 
with gratitude,

Pastor Lindy (she/her) why pronouns matter

 
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