A Letter from Lindy May 14

Hi Pilgrims,
 
What a wonderfully full week this has been. Always on my calendar, but until I stepped into its rhythm, I didn’t feel the impact of moving from conversation to conversation throughout these past few days, with nary a moment to sit at my desk on campus. Interestingly most of my meetings drew a line from downtown Durham east (with the exception of our amazing Auxiliary where the gathered thanked the outgoing leadership and welcomed the incoming) which made working from home more efficient from a time standpoint. But disconnected I felt from the comings and goings of Pilgrim. Some weeks of ministry take us far from the office.
 
But the conversations themselves re-emphasized the importance of the ministry we do. From Durham CAN’s clergy caucus where the initiatives from its Refounding event began to take concrete shape, along with a new urgent call from Housing for New Hope to advocate for a specific affordable housing site, to DCIA’s board retreat as we set priorities under new leadership. Then two clergy gatherings where we struggled together to discuss how the church “shows up” on critical issues facing our state (an example Felix will talk about later in this letter), while being present to the real needs of our communities, Finally to an advisory committee about health care equity at Duke to the wonderful music of Sonam…and it's just Thursday.
 
I have held in my heart a lesson heard among my wise clergy colleagues that our communities need to discern together what feels its most pressing issue/s in this moment, knowing our church cannot be all things to all people. The world’s needs are so great and trying to be present to them all is impossible. So what tugs at our hearts the most deeply, knowing the myriad of issues are of critical importance? Three of the churches with which I gather have just gone through their own listening/visioning sessions in the wake of those held by the IAF affiliates in their respective communities (like Durham CAN). Perhaps a worthy exercise upon my return from sabbatical (or in the intermittent months) to help us determine when an “all call” to show up warrants our presence and participation as the body of Christ collectively.
 
Just pondering here, but would love your thoughts to help shape my ministerial thinking on sabbatical.
 
As we wonder, let’s look forward to Confirmation Sunday where our presence shapes a new generation. I hope you will be there!
 
Pastor Lindy (she/her) why pronouns matter

 
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