Lent Begins on Ash Wednesday

Pilgrim will observe the beginning of the Lenten season with an evening service Wednesday evening at 7:00.  The quiet, contemplative service marks the beginning of the Lenten season.  "We are made of dust and to dust we shall return."  Life is short and fleeting, and oh, so precious.  Let go of regrets and anxieties.  Live in the fullness of God's grace and forgiveness.  Come light a candle. Take time to pray.

During this first week of Lent:
   Speaking of Faith Discussion groups begin--Thursdays at 2:00; Sundays at 11:20
   Worship Sunday morning, The Heresy of Belief, 10:00
   Monday evening, 6:30  Learning from Reinhold Niebuhr

Books and a companion piece for Speaking of Faith are available at Pilgrim.
 

Speaking of Faith, Lent 2013

Lent, the six weeks before Easter, is a time for deepening one's faith and spiritual practice.  At Pilgrim, we've used this season for conversations about the meaning of our own faith.  This year Pilgrims are reading Krista Tippett's book, Speaking of Faith, her own spiritual autobiography shaped by the radio interviews she conducted as the host of NPR's program of the same name.  Sunday mornings will reflect some of the questions and themes in the book.  There will be small groups for discussion of the material offered on Sundays at 11:20 and on Thursday afternoons at 2:00.  In addition, Pilgrim will show videos and use audio podcasts to hear more from Tippett's conversation partners.  These will be shown at 6:30 on Monday evenings.  Reading, discussion groups and the Monday video series are open to friends of Pilgrim and guests as well as members of the congregation.  Copies of the book and a reader's discussion guide are available at Pilgrim.

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

Congregational Polity

The word "polity" refers to an organization's governance and authority.  In the Congregational tradition, authority rests among members who have joined in a mutual covenant.  Each year in January and May, members of Pilgrim gather to make decisions that effect the life of the congregation.  In addition, special meetings can be held as needed during the year.

On January 27th, following the worship service, there will be a congregational meeting for the following purposes:  To act on a proposed Constitution for the congregation; to authorize a budget for fiscal year 2013, and to elect delegates to the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ, CHUM, and the United Campus Ministries.

Meetings are open to visitors and guests, although only members have voting privileges.

"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

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.