A Letter from Lindy March 22
Pilgrims,
A forewarning, this is a much longer newsletter with a lot of information to help us stay connected. With that, how are you doing in our ever changing reality?
I have spent most of the week in meetings - learning the facts, processes and protocols about how we are invited to live into this pandemic by our local and state leaders. How telling that Monday began with an in-person meeting of Durham's clergy gathering with Durham’s sheriff and public health officials, but by Wednesday, all subsequent meetings were online with speakers not sharing the stage, rather practicing the safe boundary of 6 feet of distance between each.
Internal Pilgrim conversations have been centered on our communal desire to practice social distancing and yet guard against social isolation. Hard to do when some Pilgrims are living in completely shuttered communities for peoples health and safety. As our world seems to be shifting to virtual communication and connection, I am mindful of the gap this move may create for those who have limited-to-no technological access.
Equally concerning is the economic impact of communal quarantine with business across our city, state and country closing their doors to help slow the virus’ spread. In the Governor’s meeting with faith leaders on Wednesday, his Director of Volunteerism reminded those gathered that the best way we can help in this time of crisis is by thinking and acting locally—beginning in our own congregations and communities. Stay connected, learn needs, find ways to support. Our small gestures gathered together across God’s landscape will, will make a difference.
Our first step in creating connection is Pilgrim’s virtual worship (click here to join the service) which we should plan possibly for the next eight weeks if the reported caution is to be heeded. We can hope not, but plan anyway. This week we've added a time of fellowship after worship, which is a separate link - click here. The reason for the two links is our worship service is streamed as a webinar which does not allow for participant interaction. Fellowship is hosted as a "meeting". Thank you all who joined together last week! We had 70 computers and/or phones connected into the service. Who knows how many people that meant?! If you have friends, family, colleagues, people in need who might benefit from worshiping the Pilgrim way, send them the link! We are looking for ways to expand capacity with our YouTube channel, as well as Zoom access.
• Felix and I will be hosting “virtual” office hours through Zoom. Felix’s -Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 am-11:30 am and mine - Tuesdays and Thursdays, same time. These are recurring links, so save them. You don’t need to have “business” to discuss, rather we are creating a hang-out place for Pilgrims to connect and converse. If you need tech tutorial along the way, we will do our best :)
• For anyone who wants a one-on-one pastoral visit, please reach out to me and we can do so by phone, by zoom or we can get creative in finding ways to connect. We can even try lunch together :)
• We are recreating virtual Pub Theology on Mondays at 7 pm, in the hopes we can talk about things around and beyond COVID-19. Felix is also planning for youth and tween weekly hang-outs, as well as story time for our youngest. Check below for days and times.
• Our world is much in need of prayers—as are we! Therefore, we have created “evening prayer” time at 5 pm, Monday-Friday, for us to join hearts, minds and souls in prayer. To join us in this time of prayer, click here. If there are Pilgrims who would like to host one of these daily prayer times, please let me know.
The board of deacons has also created calling, card, and errand ministries, so as to reach out in ways beyond our computers. If you would like to offer and/or receive these ministries, please let Jonathan Earnest (jearnest917@gmail.com) know and he will add your names accordingly.
Our bilingual ministry is working to connect students to tutors electronically so we can continue to speak into these young people’s lives and offer support as their education moves online.
We know that this internal work is vital to our communal well being. We also realize that our way is to think beyond our church walls to learn the needs of our community, especially for the most vulnerable. As we become aware of the ways in which we can help, we will let you know. And vice versa. We are scheduled to provide a meal through Urban Ministries on March 31. Council agreed that this need is still so very great that we should respond. Based on the protocol that Urban Ministry has already put in place, we are planning to ask Pilgrim volunteers to cook casseroles and/or desserts in their homes for folks who are in need and then have other Pilgrims collect the food and deliver it to Urban Ministries for them to box and hand out.
Pilgrims, these are first steps. What else might we be doing during this season that does not yet have an end? Please let me know your thoughts and ideas and let’s see what might add an even deeper connection within Pilgrim and to our broader community.
Holding you in prayer,
Pastor Lindy