"The Fierce Urgency of Now" Pilgrim Hosts Guest for MLK Weekend

Sunday morning, January 20,  Brandon Clokey will be Pilgrim's guest minister.  Brandon, who is African American,  is the adopted son of white parents and has always lived with an awareness of difference. Now, as a father of three, an ordained pastor, and community activist, Brandon has often been involved in helping people deal with issues of diversity.  At North Star Academy, he advises students of color and helps them articulate their experiences and communicate more directly with staff and teachers.  Teachers have found him a helpful resource.  

Brandon is an active member of Lincoln Park Community Church.  He believes that people of faith have a unique perspective on racial and economic differences and a particular mandate to work at reconciliation.   Brandon will preach at Pilgrim and stay afterwards for a 2nd Hour discussion.  Worship begins at 10:00.  2nd Hour begins about 11:20.  

"it used to be that everyone within a community looked the same and acted the same.  They came from the same background and shared the same feelings.  Communities prayed together, learned together, and played together.  Everyone seemed to get along or so it seemed. . . . The truth is, diversity has always been a part of our world and our communities.  Whether we handle it with the same love and concern that God has shown us, has been up to us.  As we know, diversity is not always an easy element to overcome, and world events have proven that.  Now is the time to look at one another for the blessing others not like us are to the world and learn what God is sharing with us through them."        Quote from Brandon Clokey

Other community wide events Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend:

Friday, Jan. 18  7:00 pm  Friday night with MLK, Duluth's Got Talent, Denfield High School

Saturday, Jan. 19 6:00 pm  Readings and Reflections on the Work of Martin Luther King, Jr.   

     Universalist Unitarian Congregation, Duluth, 835 College Street

Sunday, Jan. 20  5:30 pm Community Worship Service

      Church of  Restoration

      2623 W. 2nd Street (formerly Boys and Girls Club)

Monday, Jan. 21  7:00 am  Community Breakfast and Broadcast of Marion Wright Edelman

       First United Methodist Church, 230 E. Skyline Drive

Monday, Jan. 21  9:45 am  Community March and Rally

       Meet at Washington Center and march to the DECC

Cracking the Shell of Whiteness

Pilgrim Congregational Church and Peace United Church of Christ are offering the course, Cracking the Shell of Whiteness on Monday evenings, beginning January 24. The class will meet at 6:00 p.m. at Pilgrim. Facilitators are Doug Bowen Bailey and Ellen O'Neill. This is a curriculum designed to help "white" folk better understand the ways in which American society is structured to encourage their participation and success. Pre-registration through either church office is requested: 724-8503 or 724-3637. Or email us to express your interest. A donation of $50 is suggested, but no one will be turned away.

March Against Racism Monday May 3

Pilgrim Church has a deep and longstanding commitment to dismantling racism. Members of the congregation will join in the March Against Racism Monday, May 3. This march is organized by the Student Coalition Against Racism and is one of several marches in the Northland tomorrow. Although the march was planned as part of a response to a particular incident at UMD, it is an acknowledgement that racism is still present in the wider community of Duluth. Marchers are committed to standing up against racism wherever they encounter it.