A Letter from Lindy March 9

Hi Pilgrims,

Welcome to the messy middle! Or as our Lenten theme is more formally known: everything [in] between. Each week we will explore and navigate the polarities in our lives with, as I shared on Sunday, more faith, intention, and openness to be transformed. Each week, we will explore sub-themes–two supposed binaries. Our Ash Wednesday sub-theme was intention & action, the first Sunday in Lent will be stranger & neighbor as we hold the story of the good samaritan in the embrace of God’s love. My prayer as we hold these sub themes with care, we will push against the idea that these are opposing concepts, rather with the light of scripture, we will find nuance and complexity. My hunch is that we will find that these dichotomies are false, and as we step into the full spectrum instead of black and white, we might just find that God is present in between.

I’ve been thinking also about how we might resist amidst the flurry (and messiness) of executive orders that are harming the most vulnerable in our communities. One of the (many) edicts that deeply troubles your pastor’s heart is the wholesale attack on being awake to the systems and structures that oppress communities of color in our country. The intentional dismantling of DEI initiatives in our government, prompting corporate America to follow suit, not only pains me, but makes me want to push back, to resist.

Grateful am I to have discovered, I am not alone in my desire, for calls to action have been made, which I invite us to collectively join this Lenten season. The call is to demonstrate our economic power pushing against the companies that have publicly announced their reversal of commitment to expanding equity and diversity in their workforce. The invitation is to live into various “fasts” and/or “boycotts” for specific periods of time. One hopes that by actively and collectively withholding our purchases over a week,  or a season, we will impact corporate financial bottom lines. Might we also shift their allegiance from the one to the many?

What I know is that so many Pilgrims want to “do” something in this wilderness we find ourselves wandering since January. Here is a concrete step we can take as part of our lenten discipline. Pilgrim’s Board of Christian Service and our Race and Equity Team have both endorsed the boycotts for us to live into. The Pilgrim calendar will highlight the company and dates that we will “fast.” 

I cling to the belief that our actions make a difference, remembering that a movement can start through the bold witness of one who is supported by collective planning.

grace and peace,

Pastor Lindy

(she/her) why pronouns matter