A Letter from Lindy May 22
Beloved Pilgrims,
So much to be grateful for last Sunday.
The way in which we are nimble enough to create space for Danny to step back as he and his family grieve the death of his father-in-law.
The connectedness of community when Nick and I called a last minute audible to seek a guest organist for the Dickerson memorial service–it truly takes a village!
To the Fellowship team who coordinated an undertaking to host a luncheon in between our worship and memorial services. (Thank you to the Dickersons for providing a scrumptious lunch from Fosters).
To Auxiliary who set the task before them to have all of the fellowship chairs cleaned. Not to cast aspersions upon our messiness, but it was a huge effort!!
To the columbarium team who ensured our sacred space was ready to meet those who gathered to lay Florence’s cremains to eternal rest.
We truly did the work of the church this past weekend.
And that is in addition to our Deacon and Trustee boards who faithfully show up each Sunday to get our campus and sanctuary ready to receive you for worship. Piece by piece we are building back community and I am grateful to do this work with you.
We took another step Sunday which showed me how out of practice we are after a two and a half year shutdown. A few of us responded to the Durham CAN call to show up for the candidate forum Sunday evening. Yes, after a very full Sunday :) As weary as those intrepid six Pilgrims may have been, we were better for having joined with other Durham congregations to bear witness to our elected officials, demonstrating just how intent we are in joining with them to help make Durham more equitable for all. And also to put them on notice that we will hold them accountable to their word. Promises were made to deepen this relationship so true reform in Durham’s housing and justice system will be central to their work. We must now stay the course in turning their promises into action.
The gathering did not have the turn out of past ones, but that was to be expected as people are still negotiating what feels safe to participate in. When and how to show up has become a more complicated decision for all. And we are out of shape in the discipline of so doing– whether that be at a CAN action or at in person worship, so practice we must.
In that, let me put on your radar two additional opportunities to bear witness. At 6pm, on Sunday May 22, Six-Eight Church and Kyles Temple AME (409 Dunstan Ave) are partnering for a vigil for the Black lives lost in the Buffalo mass shooting. As the invitation reminds us, we are called to take a moment to pause and pray for these sacred lives lost, so that we become mobilized for action to fight against the evil of white supremacy.
Also in the planning stages, with no date nor location yet set, is a vigil for women whose very lives are in danger if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade. Although all women will feel its reverberation, it is clear that the most disproportionate impact will be for women of color and of lower socio-economic means. There is genuine and understandable fear and anger at not only the prevailing draft opinion, but the rush of states passing the most restrictive anti-abortion bills possible in advent of the Court’s ruling. We must use our voices together to protect this basic human right of health care. As I learn of the specifics for this vigil, I will keep you informed.
As we find our way forward, there is much work to be done. I am grateful to do it with you.
Pastor Lindy (she/her) why pronouns matter
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