Vacation Bible School--July 21-25

Vacation Bible School offers community, fun, crafts, music and Biblically based learning for every age!  It will be held at Peace United Church of Christ, 1111 11th Avenue, Duluth, from 9:00 a.m.-noon, July 21-25.

Children ages 4-5th grade meet in age-level groups and are led by youth volunteers through stations where adults lead games, supervise snacks, tell stories, and oversee craft projects, all related to the theme and story of the day.  Cost is $20/child with pre-registration or $25/child on the first day.  Registration forms are available through Pilgrim's church office or on the table in Salter Hall.

This year VBS will feature a "camp band"--adults or youth who play guitar, percussion, or other instrument are invited to come and jam with Jim Pospisil, Director of Music at Peace UCC.

Training for adult leaders is Sunday, July 20, at 11:30 a.m.  Youth leadership training is Wednesday, July 16, at 7:00 p.m.  Both training sessions will be held at Peace.

Welcome! Give and Receive God's Great Love 

School's Out!

Pilgrim Congregational Church in Duluth Minnesota will celebrate the end of the academic year on Sunday, June 1 with a service filled with youthful energy!  Children and youth of the congregation will present the musical Are We There Yet? by Tom Long and Allen Pote.  The dancing and singing troupe is under the direction of Rachael Kresha.

In addition, the congregation will honor four graduates of Duluth East High School:  Will Dahlmann, Sophie Hillmeyer, Georgia Jacobson, and Miranda Peterson.  All four students were confirmed at Pilgrim and are members of the congregation.

Following worship, the congregation is invited to a School's Out! party in the Fellowship Hall.  A picnic meal will be served by the Christian Education Ministry.

Sunday School Students Feed the Hungry

This past fall Pilgrim's 4th-8th Sunday school class began to study issues of food justice.  They learned about food production and food waste.  They also learned how differently people eat in various parts of the world.  They were surprised at the cost of processed foods in the United States.  They heard about local hunger issues and some of them visited places in Duluth where meals are served.  They wanted to do something to alleviate hunger and chose to work with an organization called Kids Against Hunger.

Kids Against Hunger packages single servings of a highly nutritious meal and distributes the packets to refugee camps or places where people are living in the wake of agricultural disasters.  Pilgrim's Sunday school class set a goal for themselves--to raise $2500, enough to package 10,000 meals for Kids Against Hunger.  On February 2, the Sunday School class and their teachers presented information to the congregation.  During the coffee hour, they accepted donations which amounted to more than $1800!  When they have reached their fund raising goal, they will make arrangements for a packing event to which they will invite members and friends of Pilgrim.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye. . .All Witches and Wizards...Party at Hogwarts, Sunday, October 27 5:30-8:00

Pilgrim goes all out to host one of Duluth's best Halloween parties for the younger crowd.  Come visit Diagon Alley, the Joke Shop, and eat at Three Broomsticks Tavern.  Find your way to the Platform 9 and 3/4 and take a carriage ride.  Travel upstairs to visit owls from the Lake Superior Zoo.  This party is for all Harry Potter fans of any age.  

We couldn't do it without a lot of help from Duluth business and volunteers from all sectors of the community.  So check out our sponsor board.  And if you'd like to bring a donation for Kids Closet, we'll deliver your gifts to them.  But mostly, just come for some good Halloween fun.

Enjoy a bit of pumpkin carving on Saturday morning, 9-noon--then pick up your pumpkin at the end of the party Sunday evening.

And if Halloween trick or treating isn't quite your preference on October 31, come to Pilgrim at 7:30 for a Spooktacular Organ Recital.  Rachael Kresha will be playing "spooky" music from some of the world's most beloved classical composers.

Happy Halloween!

Vacation Bible School

Pilgrim will again collaborate with Peace United Church of Christ to offer Vacation Bible School. Gordon Linn is Pilgrim’s contact person and coordinator. (218-213-3555 or linnfinity@gmail.com)


Cost: $20 per child if you register early ($50 max per family), or $25 per child if you register on the first day of VBS ($55 max per family). Early registration is so helpful as we plan our supplies, helpers, etc.

Vacation Bible School this year is all about serving. We will learn how God calls us to love and serve each other. We are looking for Volunteers! Are you willing to help lead a station for one or two days, or even the whole week? Stations will include: Arts and Crafts, Games, and Service Projects. Let Gordon Linn, or Charlotte Frantz know if you can help.

Supply Lists will be available in Salter Hall! As always we need our Peace Church and Pilgrim Church members to donate most of our supplies to keep costs down. Please take a donation slip or two or three! Donate items so that our kids can have a great experience.

Adult Leaders Needed for Activity Stations!

For this great event, we are looking for adults to team lead activity stations. All curriculum and supplies are provided. Volunteers may sign up for one or two days or a week long commitment. It’s a great way to get to know the younger generation. Please let Gordon Linn know if you are interested.

Youth VBS NEEDS YOU! We need your energy, experience and enthusiasm to help make this year’s VBS extraordinary. Let Charlotte Frantz or Gordon Linn know if you can help out! It will be a great week if YOU join us!

A Winter Afternoon at Hartley Nature Center

Saturday, February 2, 2013 1:00 to 4:00 PM

Whether you're 8 or 80, come to Hartley Nature Center Saturday afternoon. The center is located at 3001 Woodland Avenue in Duluth. Pilgrim has reserved a large room indoors.  Outdoors, there are trails to walk and ski, a lake for ice fishing, and woods for exploring.  Hartley has both cross country skis and snowshoes for rent, or you may bring your own.  One of Hartley's naturalists will lead a walk at 1:30.  There will be childcare for the youngest children, and some indoor activities for children as well. There is no charge, so dress for the weather and come.  Drop in to visit for just a few minutes or stay for the whole afternoon of winter fun.  For more information about Hartley, go to www.hartleynature.org

Vacation Bible School

Pilgrim Congregational Church is offering Vacation Bible School in conjunction with Peace United Church of Christ, located at 1111 N 11th Ave E. VBS will be held July 25-29 from 9:00 until Noon for children ages 4 through 5th grade. This VBS is filled with rocking music, energy packed games, stellar crafts and snacks, and amazing bible stories that will help kids learn more about GOD. Middle school and high school students help guide classes through the various adult-led activities. It’s a great mid-summer week of fun! Cost is $20 per child or a max of $60 per family. Registration forms are available from Pilgrim or Peace.

A Hogwarts Halloween

Sunday, October 31---6:00-8:00 pm
Come, visit Diagon Alley of the town of Hogsmeade-wizards, witches, house elves, and costumed guests of all ages welcome (but no dementors, please-non-violent costumes only). Activities will be appropriate for all ages-especially children from Preschool to Grade 6

Register Now for Vacation Bible School

Pilgrim offers Vacation Bible School in partnership with Peace United Church of Christ. Join the fun August 2-6, 9:00-noon each day. Classes are held for students age 4-grade 5; middle school and high school youth serve as class assistants and leaders. Registration can be made through the church office (email us at pilgrimdlh@msn.com). $15 registration fee/child with a maximum of $40/family. All children are welcome, regardless of church affiliation.

Make a Joyful Noise Concert May 9th

Make a Joyful Noise, Pilgrim's Children's music class is coming to a close for this year. We've learned so much! Come and join us at our Celebration Concert on Mother's day, May 9th, 2pm, in the church's sanctuary. The Pilgrim Percussion Ensemble will also have their debut performance. Come support your fellow Pilgrims and some community youth at this fun event!

Sunday School Begins September 13; New Music Program for Kids

Along with the beginning of the school year, Pilgrim's educational activities for children and youth are starting up. September 13 is Gathering Sunday when Sunday School classes begin. This year we have two classes: one for children ages 4-2nd grade and the other for children 3rd-6th grade. Both classes encourage children to learn stories from the Bible. The younger class uses Godly Play and the older class focuses its attention on Jesus and His Kingdom of Equals. These curricula were chosen because they teach Biblical stories, engage children in age appropriate critical thinking, and emphasize issues of social justice as well as personal spirituality. Classes meet during the worship service.

Make a Joyful Noise is a new program at Pilgrim designed for children ages 5-10. Not a church choir, this weekday program is an integrated approach to music using songs, percussion, movement and stories. The class meets on Wednesdays at 6:00.

Sunday School and Make a Joyful Noise is open to Pilgrim members and non-members. For more information, contact the church office at 724-8503 or pilgrimdlh@msn.com.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School will be held for children age 4 through 5th grade, August 3-7, at Peace United Church of Christ. Check in the church office for registration forms. Cost, $15 per child. Teen and adult volunteers needed as well. Come for a week of fun--9:00 a.m to noon each day!