Christmas tends to flood our hearts with memories--the smell of cookies in the oven, the taste of whatever was the traditional meal at grandma's, the comfort (or discomfort) of family gatherings. The seasonal spotlight tends to exaggerate our experiences--tragic events are more poignant, joy more palpable and dreams, more achievable. At Pilgrim Congregational Church, we make room for sharing some of these more personal stories of Christmases past.
On the Sunday following Christmas, members of the congregation share some of their own memories and traditions. This year's speakers are Don Bjoralt, Anne Whitworth, Tucker Hanlon and Hav Gilbert.
We sing a lot of carols--including a northern Minnesota version of The Twelve Days of Christmas enumerating gifts from the North Woods. Enjoy this light-hearted but still reverent Christmas worship service at 10:00 a.m., December 28th.
For regular posts of Pilgrim's various activities, like our page on Facebook.
Friday, December 26, 2014
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Advent Expectations
The Christian church sets aside the four weeks prior to Christmas as a time for anticipation and preparation, not only for the upcoming Christmas holiday, but for new realizations about one's own life. The Biblical texts at the beginning of Advent are about human yearning for the end time when God promises justice and peace. As the church moves closer to Christmas, the texts begin to focus on what we can do, here and now, to move toward a more just life. Then on Christmas Eve, we celebrate the birth of one who gave the world new visions of a just society.
At Pilgrim, every Sunday during Advent has its own character and joy.
November 30 we will hang the greens during worship--literally decorating the sanctuary during the service of poetry and song, story and drama. It's a wonderful introduction to the season.
December 7 we will celebrate with Holy Communion and Advent hymns. After worship, we will gather in Fellowship Hall for lunch and our Annual Advent Workshop. There will be opportunities to make decorations and ornaments for home as well as a small craft market by Pilgrim members.
December 14 the Pilgrim Choir will present Conrad Susa's Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest, accompanied by harp and marimba. The Carols and Lullabies are from various Spanish and Hispanic traditions. Handicrafts from Guatemala will be on sale during the coffee hour to help fund a service learning trip next summer.
December 21 will be an intergenerational re-telling of the nativity story by the animals who were in the stable that first Christmas. Pilgrim's Handbell Choir, Bellissimo, will play. This is a light-hearted look at Christmas.
Christmas Eve worship will be held at 5:00 and 10:00 on Christmas Eve. Both services will feature carol singing and candlelight.
December 28 we will listen to personal Christmas stories around the theme, "I Remember Christmas." Our own stories are poignant and powerful.
Enjoy any or all of our holiday services at 10:00 on Sunday morning or watch our broadcast Wednesday or Thursday on PACT-TV (cable channel 180.) Check our Facebook page for pictures and video clips.
At Pilgrim, every Sunday during Advent has its own character and joy.
November 30 we will hang the greens during worship--literally decorating the sanctuary during the service of poetry and song, story and drama. It's a wonderful introduction to the season.
December 7 we will celebrate with Holy Communion and Advent hymns. After worship, we will gather in Fellowship Hall for lunch and our Annual Advent Workshop. There will be opportunities to make decorations and ornaments for home as well as a small craft market by Pilgrim members.
December 14 the Pilgrim Choir will present Conrad Susa's Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest, accompanied by harp and marimba. The Carols and Lullabies are from various Spanish and Hispanic traditions. Handicrafts from Guatemala will be on sale during the coffee hour to help fund a service learning trip next summer.
December 21 will be an intergenerational re-telling of the nativity story by the animals who were in the stable that first Christmas. Pilgrim's Handbell Choir, Bellissimo, will play. This is a light-hearted look at Christmas.
Christmas Eve worship will be held at 5:00 and 10:00 on Christmas Eve. Both services will feature carol singing and candlelight.
December 28 we will listen to personal Christmas stories around the theme, "I Remember Christmas." Our own stories are poignant and powerful.
Enjoy any or all of our holiday services at 10:00 on Sunday morning or watch our broadcast Wednesday or Thursday on PACT-TV (cable channel 180.) Check our Facebook page for pictures and video clips.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Interfaith Thanksgiving Worship
Tuesday evening, November 25, at 7:00 p.m. congregations and faith communities will gather at Pilgrim Congregational Church UCC for an evening of giving thanks. The service includes choral music, prayers and readings from a variety of faith traditions. Participating congregations are Peace UCC, Pilgrim Congregational UCC, Hope United Methodist, First United Methodist, Temple Israel, Duluth-Superior Friends Meeting, Twin Ports Islamic Center, St. Paul's Episcopal, Glen Avon Presbyterian, and the Universalist Unitarian Congregation of Duluth. The public is invited.
A free will offering will be taken as part of the service with donations going to support CHUM, an interfaith agency supported by these and other congregations in Duluth.
A free will offering will be taken as part of the service with donations going to support CHUM, an interfaith agency supported by these and other congregations in Duluth.
Monday, November 3, 2014
Confirmation at Pilgrim
In the United Church of Christ, we believe that it is incumbent upon each generation to examine and claim our faith heritage for themselves.
When Pilgrim youth reach adolescence, the congregation provides them an opportunity to examine the faith they have been taught. After a period of study, youth decide for themselves whether to affirm the commitments made years earlier on their behalf in the sacrament of baptism. This affirmation is made public in the "rite of confirmation." Confirmation preparation includes at least a year or year and a half of classroom conversation and faith exploration with an adult mentor.
On Confirmation Sunday, students express their faith publicly in worship setting and are blessed by their mentors and parents. The congregation promises to continue to support and encourage these students as they assume more adult roles and responsibilities in the congregational community.
Students usually prepare for confirmation when they are in 9th and 10th grade, though occasionally the class may include an older or younger student.
On Sunday, November 9th, Alex Hadlock, Alex Frantz, and Jenna Olsen will be confirmed. The class instructor and guide has been Jackie Falk, a member of Pilgrim, graduate of United Theological Seminary with specialized training in faith formation. Mentors are Kane Tewes, Clyde Johnson and Julie Johnson. The worship service begins at 10:00 a.m.
When Pilgrim youth reach adolescence, the congregation provides them an opportunity to examine the faith they have been taught. After a period of study, youth decide for themselves whether to affirm the commitments made years earlier on their behalf in the sacrament of baptism. This affirmation is made public in the "rite of confirmation." Confirmation preparation includes at least a year or year and a half of classroom conversation and faith exploration with an adult mentor.
On Confirmation Sunday, students express their faith publicly in worship setting and are blessed by their mentors and parents. The congregation promises to continue to support and encourage these students as they assume more adult roles and responsibilities in the congregational community.
Students usually prepare for confirmation when they are in 9th and 10th grade, though occasionally the class may include an older or younger student.
On Sunday, November 9th, Alex Hadlock, Alex Frantz, and Jenna Olsen will be confirmed. The class instructor and guide has been Jackie Falk, a member of Pilgrim, graduate of United Theological Seminary with specialized training in faith formation. Mentors are Kane Tewes, Clyde Johnson and Julie Johnson. The worship service begins at 10:00 a.m.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Spooktacular Organ Recital--Friday, October 31, 7:00 p.m.
Enjoy an hour of horrifying, bone-chilling music at Pilgrim Congregational Church. Rachael Kresha, Director of Music will play a variety of music on the Jaekel organ. An AGO Scholarship Student will help terrify you with every note. The only charge is a free will
donation to the Arrowhead Chapter of Organists Scholarship
Fund.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Duluth Hosts Quidditch World Cup This Halloween
Pilgrim Church, located at 2310 E. 4th Street, is the site
of a community-wide Harry Potter-themed Halloween party on Sunday, October 26,
2014 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. The party
is FREE and open to the public. Explore Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade, the Forbidden
Forest and the Hogwarts Castle where there will be a myriad of activities and
games ranging from silly to scientific and spanning 3 floors!
From a peek in the pensieve and a broom
flying lesson to posting mail from the Owlery or sipping Pumpkin Juice at the
Three Broomsticks Tavern there is an attraction to delight all. Wizards, witches and costumed guests of all
ages welcome. Make sure you bring your
cloak for a "thestral"-drawn carriage ride outside (weather
permitting.) No dementors please (non-violent costumes only.) Donations gladly
accepted to raise money for the Kids Closet of Duluth and cover party costs.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Welcome to our Front Door
Once upon a time, not so many years ago, everyone knew where to find a church's front door. The front door faced the street, and one needed to climb imposing, concrete steps to get in. Members of the congregation knew there was an easier access to the building--usually a smaller door, off to the side or close to the parking lot. The large front doors were used on special occasions--like weddings or funerals. On more routine Sundays or during the week, most everyone used the smaller doors.
This isn't just a phenomena in the history of Pilgrim Congregational Church. It's the story of many, many church edifices built in the late 1800's and early to mid 1900's.
Today's culture has moved the front door away from the building and onto the internet. For most visitors and guests, the "front door" is the church's website. It's a point of entry for those curious about a congregation's life and practice. The physical building is more like the old side door--the entry into the life of the gathered community.
If you are exploring our website, welcome! I hope you'll find something that intrigues you. If you like what you see here, check our Facebook page for more immediate news of events and happenings. Explore us in person at 2310 E. 4th Street, Duluth, MN. We gather every Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
Almost nothing we do is limited to members. You are welcome to help us cook at Damiano Center, go along on a service learning trip to Guatemala, help move families from CHUM's transitional apartments into permanent housing, discuss books with our Women's Book Club or play on our softball team during the summer.
Our building is an imposing brick structure that could resemble a fortress--but our community's boundaries are permeable.
Whoever you are, and wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!
This isn't just a phenomena in the history of Pilgrim Congregational Church. It's the story of many, many church edifices built in the late 1800's and early to mid 1900's.
Today's culture has moved the front door away from the building and onto the internet. For most visitors and guests, the "front door" is the church's website. It's a point of entry for those curious about a congregation's life and practice. The physical building is more like the old side door--the entry into the life of the gathered community.
If you are exploring our website, welcome! I hope you'll find something that intrigues you. If you like what you see here, check our Facebook page for more immediate news of events and happenings. Explore us in person at 2310 E. 4th Street, Duluth, MN. We gather every Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
Almost nothing we do is limited to members. You are welcome to help us cook at Damiano Center, go along on a service learning trip to Guatemala, help move families from CHUM's transitional apartments into permanent housing, discuss books with our Women's Book Club or play on our softball team during the summer.
Our building is an imposing brick structure that could resemble a fortress--but our community's boundaries are permeable.
Whoever you are, and wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!
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