Pilgrim's Progress

Here is a link to our latest newsletter:

March 3, 2010

For earlier newsletters, please scroll to the bottom of the page.
For archived newsletters, call or write Marty at the office.  pilgrimucc@verizon.net  / 489-1381

Sunday School

Sunday morning activities for children immediately follow the children's word in worship.  Teams are teaching ages 2-4, grades K-2, and grades 3-5.  During the 9:30 hour we have activities for children (including music at 10:15), and a class for adults.

Adult Sunday School: Global Stories

You are invited at 9:30 am each Sunday in Lent and Easter to explore stories of faith and human rights with fellow Pilgrims and outside speakers in the Community Room.  On March 7 and 14, Jerry Mikell and Tom Trueblood with the Coalition for Peace with Justice will share on-the-ground stories from Israel/Palestine.  Other presenters will share stories from the PLD trip to South Africa, The Innocence Project, and the Carolina Interfaith Task Force on Central America.

Golden Sneaker challenge 2010

Pilgrim won the CROP Walk Golden Sneaker Award in 2009, for the fourth year running.  Can we make an outstanding effort to feed the hungry again in 2010?  We are recruiting donors and walkers for CROP walk on March 21, and we invite your help!  Use this link to sign up or donate:  http://www.tinyurl.com/pilgrimcrop2010

Penny Sunday

On March 7, our children will collect donations to help those in our community who are less fortunate than ourselves.  Food donations will also be collected.  Don't forget!

Agape for All Ministries, Inc.

A radically inclusive - Christ-centered ministry, presents:

Spirit-filled praise, annointed worship and relevant Bible study, and plain talk about tough issues.  Join us every Wednesday evening from 6:30 -- 8:00 pm at Pilgrim UCC.  Facilitated by Rev. J. Michelle Mathis & Reb. Marvetta M. Walker.

For more information, call 919-251-8154 or email afaministries@aol.com

Children's communion class

A communion class will offer our children an understanding of the sacrament and give them the opportunity to carry the elements into worship, receive communion, and stand with us as we serve communion on Easter.  The class will be at 9:30 to 10:15 on March 21 and 28, and is most appropriate for children ages 5 and up.  Please let Rev. Carla know by March 7th if your child will be participating.

Interested in joining Pilgrim?

We will welcome new members on a Sunday in April, and we ask you to email our office at pilgrimucc@verizon.net if you are interested and the dates you are available.

We will offer a general information class about Pilgrim and membership immediately following the service on Sunday March 7.

Lenten Dinner and Program

You are invited to join us for a simple dinner and Lenten study on baptism every Wednesday during Lent, beginning at 5:45 pm.  Sign up in the foyer for dinner and to help provide food.  Childcare is provided.

Stewardship Stories

You are invited to participate on the weekend of March 12-14, as Ms. Jena Roy shares the story of her congregation in Winchester MA and its stewardship journey, and leads us in an exploration the theme, "taking care of ourselves so we can take care of others".  Sessions will be held Friday March 12 from 7-8:30 pm and Saturday March 13 from 9-11 am.  Let Rev. Carla know if you will need childcare.

Pilgrim Visiting and Care

Pilgrim's Care Team is looking for people to join a pool of volunteers who would like to provide urgent or especially needed care to Pilgrims with medical or other temporary needs, and to visit/support people who can't get to church.  The Care Team helps with regular visits, phone contacts, food, communion, transportation to the doctor, and other services.  Please speak to Rev. Ginger or your deacon for more information or to volunteer.

English Classes

Each Wednesday and Thursday from 7:30-9:00 pm, we have volunteers ready to teach English to Hispanics in both group and individual sessions, in our Bilingual Exchange program.  Childcare is provided. 

Additional volunteer tutors are always welcome and needed, and there is a special need for tutors on Thursdays!

Parenting Group

In 2010, we will offer an 8-week reflection group for parents beginning Wed Feb 3 at 10 am.  We will be using the booklet, "Parenting: A Sacred Path", by Patience Leiden Robbins. Childcare will be available.  Please contact Rev. Carla if you would like to be a part of this group. Click here for information about Robbins' booklet.

If there is enough interest, a second group will be offered at an evening or weekend time. 

4th Annual Empty Bowls

Please join the battle against hunger at a benefit soup and bread dinner on Friday March 5 from 5:30-8:00 pm at the downtown Durham Armory.  Come for a meal prepared by the area's finest restaurants and for hand-crafted bowls made by local potters.  Proceeds will support our Community Cafe feeding 500-600 people every day.  Our Milton Brasher-Cunningham will be prparining one of the soups, and if you would like to join a group of Pilgrims, meet outside the armory at 6 pm.

Youth Group meeting

All middle and high school youth are invited to join Revs. Ginger and Carla following worship on March 21 for lunch and to participate in planning for the mission trip, fundraising, events and activities.  Please bring $10 so we can grab lunch and then those who are walking will head over to CROP walk.

Youth Mission Trip to the mountains

During July 11-17, youth who are rising 7th through 12th graders are invited to join other UCC youth on a summer mission trip.  We will join other UCC youth from North Carolina in working on a housing project and enjoying the NC mountains.  Accommodations and leadership will come from the UCC's Johns River Valley Camp.  Contact Rev. Carla for more information.

Conference on African Americans in the UCC

Franklinton Center at Bricks presents a conference March 8-10 which will explore Black Congregational, Afro Christian and other African American UCC churches -- history, preaching, and dreams for the future.  For more information, visit http://www.ucc.org/franklinton-center/black-preaching-and-worship.html.

Men's Breakfast

Pilgrim's men are invited to participate in the bi-weekly men's breakfast group held at Elmos' Diner at 7:30 am every other Wednesday, with the next breakfast on March 17. 

Health Care Advocacy

We are urged by UCC leaders to "engage in the work of transforming our nation's health care system into a just and compassionate system of healing".  To read the entire UCC letter, and for suggestions for action, such as calling your lawmakers, click on this link :

http://www.ucc.org/health-care-reform/