Letter from Lindy Sept 19

Hello Pilgrims,

So how did Sunday feel for you? Whether you were in-person, on Zoom or YouTube, we would like your feedback! Please share your thoughts with me by email (as some of you have already done :) so that we can continue to strengthen our witness and worship.

It was good to see so many masked faces in our sanctuary, even if we need a little practice about when to stand and sit ;) A huge shout out to our faithful deacons who are shepherding us through. Please offer them a word of thanks when you pass them by. Speaking of deacons, we will be instituting communion after worship, beginning next week. We will pause this Sunday due to the congregational meeting. As we are learning all things hybrid, there are so many balls to juggle, one more was just a bit too much. For those who faithfully partake, please accept our apology. Communion after worship invites both in-person and virtual participation. The communion host will open the communion zoom link on their device, so that all can break bread and share cup together--again modeling the inclusivity and hospitality we always discover at God’s banquet table. As this will be another new practice of juggling, let grace abound.

Not to cast our gaze beyond the importance of our congregational meeting, but I do want to draw our attention to Pride weekend (9/25-26). As I noted in the prayers of the people last Sunday, the LGBTQ center has had to again make the call to shift this life-giving witness and gathering to predominantly virtual. Per the director’s note to me, “We have worked diligently to make something happen this year, but we have to move to virtual for much of what we are doing. We have decided to remove the parade and concert in person and will only have essential services at our festival. Specifically, we will have testing and vaccinations and a free meal service for those who need it. Additionally, we have added a few additional virtual programs (concert, conference style sessions, and virtual vendors). Our youth with also have the ability to participate in a self-guided scavenger hunt through Durham’s queer history, Finally, we are also providing free meals at the Center for Senior Living in Downtown Durham.”

The Board of Christian Service’s hope is that Pilgrims will gather to invest in the weekend’s virtual activities that I am sure will be wonderful and meaningful. Felix suggested small groups form watch pods if that feels safe. Watching together can bring some measure of the camaraderie this weekend always evokes, if only in part. BCS also wants to continue to invest in the Center’s work financially to further extend Pilgrim’s tangible support to the Center’s work and outreach. We are also in conversation about how best to use Pride Sunday to celebrate and honor the LBGTQ community through our worship. Always amazing how this pandemic changes both the context and our journey through times and experiences so important to Pilgrim. Stay tuned.

Now for the Congregational Meeting! Please don’t forget to linger after worship to add your presence and voice to our congregational meeting. Let us surround and support all of those who have said yes to becoming part of Pilgrim’s leadership. To echo Ami’s words, a huge debt of gratitude to our Nominating Committee again for guiding us through yet another complicated year. We are truly blessed by and through them.

grace and peace,
Pastor Lindy (she/her) why pronouns matter

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