Committed to Public Education

Congregational churches have long been committed to the support, and advocacy for, education.  In the early days of this nation, our congregationalist ancestors established schools of higher education, including Yale, Harvard, Dartmouth (originally to give Native Americans an opportunity for higher education), and Oberlin, (one of the first to offer women's higher education).  Even before the Civil War battles were finished, Congregationalists established schools in the southern states to educate former slaves.  And throughout our history, Congregationalists have supported public education for children and adolescents.

In the spirit of this tradition, Pilgrim urges members of our community to participate in the ISD 709 THINK KIDS discussions.  Now that the district's schools have been consolidated, renovated, or newly built, it's time to engage in a community wide discussion--what do we want for the youth who attend our schools?  Meetings will be held for parents of students in various schools.  There are also meetings for neighbors and members of the community.

Our congregation encourages you to attend a THINK KIDS meeting--if you have children, go to the meeting designated for your child's school.  If you live near a school, go to the meeting designated for neighbors or community members.  Even if you don't have children attending school, your insight and wisdom is important.

Want to know more about what's happening in the schools?  Want to know more about the questions teachers wish you'd ask?  Come to the 2nd hour following worship at Pilgrim on January 13th.  Members of Pilgrim who work in ISD 709 will be available for conversation.  Learn more about the public school in your neighborhood.  

A Ministry of Prayer

When Thomas Merton gave up a life of activism for the quiet of life in a monastery, his students were flabbergasted.  How could he do this?  Merton is rumored to have said, "Because I believe in the power of prayer."

An important and often unseen ministry at Pilgrim is the ministry of the Prayer Chain, a group of Pilgrims who  respond to prayer requests and pray on behalf of others.  On Sunday, January 6th, members and friends of the congregation interested in this ministry are invited to meet in the Parlor following the coffee hour.  Leaders of this ministry will talk about how the chain has worked in the past and there will be discussion about procedures and policies related to handling prayer requests.  Anyone who worships regularly at Pilgrim is invited to participate in this ministry.

Come Sunday to celebrate Epiphany, the season of light, with us.  Jackie Falk will preach "Home by Another Way" and communion will be part of the service.  Then stay for the 2nd Hour on A Ministry of Prayer.

Channel 7 Christmas Specials from Pilgrim

If you get cable television in Duluth, you can enjoy several Pilgrim specials during the upcoming weekend.  On Friday, December 28, at 11 am and 4 pm, PACT will broadcast a compilation of music from 2012.  On Saturday, December 29, at 6:30 pm and on Sunday, December 30, at 2 pm and 6 pm there will be rebroadcasts of last year's La Fiesta de la Posada.  

The Thanksgiving service from November 25, 2012 will be shown on December 31 at 10:00 am and 7 pm and January 1 at 10 am and 8 pm.

Christmas Eve services will be broadcast at 11 am and 4 pm on Friday, January 4 and again on Saturday, January 5 at 6:30 p.m.

The December 23 service, "Heaven Does Not Hold Him" will be shown during Pilgrim's regular broadcast on January 2 and 3.

I Remember Christmas

Worship on December 30 is a celebration of the traditions and memories of the season.  Traditional carols, personal stories, and shared prayers for the new year.  Come at 10:00 to worship; stay for coffee, cookies and conversation.  The church office will re open on January 2.

Christmas Eve services at 5:00 and 10:00 p.m.

Come, worship with us on Christmas Eve at either 5:00 or 10:00 p.m.  Both services feature candlelight, readings and music of the season.  Child care is available.  Come at 9:00 for the social hour--enjoy some light refreshments and conversations with your friends and neighbors.  Check out our Facebook page for a brief video of Silent Night at last year's service.

The church office will be closed from December 25-January 2.  On December 30, the congregation will gather for a worship service at 10:00 a.m., I Remember Christmas.  Enjoy this service of stories and traditional carols.

Heaven Does Not Hold Him

Rejoice in the mystery of this Christmas season.  The God of all, Creator, the One from before the beginning of time, does not rest in the heavenly realm.  God yearned to be a part of life here on earth, and came in the form of a boy child, born in Bethlehem.  That was long ago.  We celebrate because God continues to descend and dwell among us.  Worship with us during this upcoming holiday weekend: Sunday, December 23, at 10:00 a.m. and on Christmas Eve, at 5:00 and 10:00 p.m.  Both Christmas Eve services are candlelight services.

On December 23, Pilgrims will share the joy of the season with homebound members of the congregation.  Meet at church at 4:00; return at 6:15 for pizza and pictures of the polar bears in Churchhill, Canada!

Christmas Festivities at Pilgrim

Pilgrim will be celebrating Christmas with a touch of English tradition on December 16th.  The Pilgrim choir will present Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols in the 10:00 a.m. worship service.  This work was written in 1942 and is based on English carols of the 15th and 16th century.  The carols are accompanied by harp.

Children and youth in the congregation will dramatize the Christmas story during the worship service.

All the hymns and service music will come from the English carol tradition:  God Rest You Merry, We wish You a Merry Christmas, and the First Nowell for children, youth, choir and handbells are just a few examples of the fun the English have bequeathed to our holiday celebrations.  Worship begins at 10:00 and there is time for refreshments and conversation afterwards.  Child care is provided for children ages 4 and younger.

Members and friends are invited to an evening of caroling homebound members on December 23, leaving the church at 4:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve services will be held at 5:00 and 10:00 p.m. December 24.