A Letter from Lindy Sept 15
Hello Pilgrims,
Thank you for the gift of last weekend’s absence so that I could be with family as we surrounded my mom on her 88th birthday. As so many of you have asked, it was a tender weekend with my daughter and family and my older sister’s family as we wove a blanket of love piece by piece so that my mom had family holding her Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. We did so incrementally, so that even this small portion of my family did not overwhelm. Like the fable of Little Red Riding Hood, it was just right and I am grateful.
As much as I thought otherwise in the moment, I now know that how John Pradka’s memorial service on October 12 at 11am has unfolded is also just right. The family chose the date as it is close to John’s birthday on October 7. I had initially encouraged Lois to imagine October 5th or 6th. Because of the complexity of her daughter’s lives and travel arrangements therein, they could not make that weekend work and it shifted to the next–a weekend I will not be in Durham.
As I agonized over this dilemma, God naturally whispered a possibility into my heart and I reached out to Revs Mark and Margot Pickett to see if they were planning to be with us to honor their dear friend. With a yes, a plan was born for them to officiate the celebration of life of one they know far better than do I. I am so deeply grateful for their generosity of spirit to lean into Pilgrim’s need with their extraordinary gifts.
The service will be a testimony to this beloved man whom I deeply cherished. I ask all Pilgrims who will be in Durham that weekend (many, many are traveling) to be on hand to offer your support to the Pradka family, the Picketts, and the friends and family who will be gathering in Pilgrim’s sanctuary to seek God’s embrace as they grieve the death of one they love.
On a more immediate note, over the weekend, I received notice from Duke Divinity School that Pilgrim has been gifted an intern for the academic year. Your staff had the opportunity to meet her this past Tuesday as she joined us for our team meeting. Although this Sunday should be her first worship service with us, we gave her a pass as her significant other is in town from California for the weekend. That being said, I look forward to introducing Ashtyn Adams to you. Ashtyn is a third MDiv year student, pursuing a certificate in Theology and the Arts and a certificate in Gender, Sexuality, Theology and Ministry. Her hope is to pursue her doctorate with the goal of becoming a professor. She is in the throes of applying now.
Ashtyn grew up in Fresno, CA with a younger sister and completed her undergraduate at Pepperdine before coming to North Carolina for her graduate studies. She enjoys working out, playing pickleball, having game nights with friends and family and experiencing new places while traveling. Denominationally situated within the Episcopal tradition, Ashtyn hopes to learn from Pilgrim as she is excited about the ways in which we engage our faith in community and the world.
I look forward to you meeting her Sunday, September 22 when we will covenant with her for her year with us.
Pastor Lindy
(she/her) why pronouns matter