Letter from Lindy Dec 26

Pilgrims, Merry Christmas!

This will be the last newsletter for 2021 so as to carve out respite for Pilgrim staff to enjoy some downtime post Christmas festivities. A “links only” email will still be generated for both the 12/26 and 1/2/22 services, rest assured for those who use it. Please note that Felix will be taking much earned PTO 12/27 through 1/1. Franklin will be adjusting his schedule that week to accommodate time off he worked through prior to next week. Let grace abound if emails, phone calls and/or texts are delayed.

As of this writing, we are still planning for an in person worship on 1/2/22 with the baptism of Dane Norboge into our embrace. If our plans need to shift, I will send a church-wide email accordingly. Our service for 12/26 is a pre-recorded service for you to enjoy in the comfort of your home as we guard against potentially spreading the virus in our midst after holiday travel and gatherings.

I want to linger in Christmas’ embrace, but do want to plant a reminder seed for January that our dedicated budget team and church council will be bringing forth the 2022 budget for your consideration in January. These faithful Pilgrims have worked long and hard to plan for a 2022 that we cannot yet imagine given the fluidity of our ongoing journey with COVID. We are all deeply grateful for the response thus far to our stewardship campaign. From the last correspondence, we have reached an 80% pledge response which is wonderful… and there is still work to do if we hope not to make cuts to the proposed budget. If you have not yet been able to add your pledge to this percentage, I encourage you to do so, whether you are a returning or first time pledger. Your beloved community is leaning into the hope that we meet our financial aspiration so we can continue to bear witness as we have over these past two years, even amidst so many unknowns.

I am sure our erstwhile treasurer will send out her own note, but let me also encourage those who want to ensure their 2021 giving is recorded this year, your offering must be in by year’s end.

I pray that as we turn our hearts to 2022, we continue to learn and grow and adapt through these uncharted waters of pandemic. We have done such a remarkable job, with unexpected and extraordinary challenges that came along the way. I am grateful to have been held by your love and grace as I find my footing anew. I hope this for us all.

joy and love,
Pastor Lindy (she/her)whypronouns matter

Living and working on occupied Shakori land.
If you'd like to learn more about the Indigenous people whose land you occupy,
the information is just a text message away. Clickhereto learn more.