A Letter from Lindy Nov 19

Beloved Pilgrims,
 
I pray your pre-Thanksgiving week is going well. What I’m finding is people wanting to cram a whole lot of meetings into this week, so they can be off next week. I pray them through so they can give thanks with friends, family, loved ones….whoever may gather around their tables. The dissonance for me is my just returning, so I’m trying to get up to speed as they whiz by me. My tortoise to their hare.

Let me thank all of you who responded to the Sabbatical Committee survey. From Ami’s perspective we had a banner response! Much of your constructive responses, we had worried about in our planning and hoped to mitigate as little disruption as possible. But a pastor stepping away for three months is a tough road for any congregation, and when you add how my sabbatical was constructed, I asked a lot of you. I am grateful for your grace and willingness to offer me the sacred space and time I sought. I am indebted to the Sabbatical Committee–Stephen Schloss, Alice Ratliff, Mindy Neale, Janet Clarke-McLean, Kathy Stasser, Kate Bartlett and our sabbatical liaison, Felix Flanders, for their leadership. They could not have done this work without the steadfast presence and participation of the Board of Deacons who ably guided us along the way. Pilgrim Deacons were incredible in the worship leadership. Your pastor is grateful.
 
Another word of gratitude is that we have a new R&R partner, Calrutha Johnson, with whom we met last week. Incredible human being, overcoming extraordinary circumstances. I am humbled in his trust for us to hold his story and to walk with him. Without violating the confidentiality of our conversation, I seek your prayers surrounding him as he creates a new life for himself. Calrutha journeys with significant medical issues, so his challenges are formidable. Drew Doll has gotten him plugged into support in various ways, including food, but one way Pilgrim could offer tangible love is to provide him fresh produce on a regular basis, perhaps a basket on the Sundays the team meets with him. I am working on getting specific likes and dislikes, so stay tuned. He has also benefited from our Little Free Pantry, so let’s keep it stocked!

Finally, this Sunday we invite you to meet the budget. The lifeblood of our worshipful work! Please join us during fellowship to look at its composite sketch of our vision and walk around to ask questions of the board and budget committee reps. The more you know, the more intentional your investment in the present and future of this amazing church we call beloved.
 
Hope to see you Sunday.
 
Pastor Lindy (she/her) why pronouns matter
 
Living and working on occupied Shakori land. 
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