Letter from Lindy March 14

Hello Pilgrims,

I am mindful that I pen this letter on the anniversary of the United States naming the pandemic, and our ensuing shutdown, that still has its hold on the world, even as we see signs of hope with numbers of cases declining and numbers of vaccines increasing. That hope seems to imbue our spirit as noted during many meetings this week where the check in round of highs and lows had a disproportionate amount of highs with very few named lows. I can't remember the last time that was true. Watching the evening news (recorded) last evening after our ongoing Lenten series on Race and Our Stories, they closed with a segment on the last photographs people took pre-pandemic from around the country. The panoply of images reminded the viewers of all of the ways we have sacrificed through this year with the hope that our gatherings large and small will return soon. Let us pray. Let us continue to be safe and help our whole community be safe.

We mark a new Pilgrim chapter this coming week as we welcome Franklin Hirsh into ministry with us. As I have introduced him in this space previously, let me use this opportunity to invite you to welcome him with our inclusive embrace. Felix and I have what we hope is a realistic and just on-boarding schedule to help him fit nicely into our Pilgrim rhythm. I know many of you will want to extend your personal welcome, but Franklin did ask if we might do so with care and sensitivity so as to not overwhelm him with too many new faces and names in his first few weeks. I'm know we can respond accordingly.

Finally, I'm sure many of you have reached out to our Auxiliary worship leaders to celebrate and thank them for the truly wonderful worship experience last Sunday. My heart was full and my eyes teary as they created space for holy presence, all the while celebrating women leadership and empowerment. I did mention to Beth that the service was so powerful, we may have to reprise it every year :).

Here's hoping! Go outside and enjoy these glorious days.
Pastor Lindy