Pilgrim's Progress

Here is a link to our latest newsletter:

February 1, 2012

For 2011 newsletters click here.  For recent 2010 newsletters, click here.

For archived newsletters, call or write Marty at the office.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   / 489-1381

Sunday School

Sunday morning activities for children immediately follow the children's word in worship; teams teach ages 2-3 (Lambs), Pre-K-1st grade (Lions), and grades 2-5 (Leopards).   Note that on first Sundays, the Leopards class will not meet but instead will be in worship with us.

The nursery is also available for children under two.

During the 9:30 am hour we have a class for adults and children's music at 10:15. 

Adult Sunday School

The Inquirer's Class meets on Sundays at 9:30 am in the Community Room.  Childcare is provided.  Everyone is invited to make suggestions for Bible study or books that relate our faith or the Bible to contemporary issues.  For more information, contact Tom Harris or Kristin Herzog.

In February, the class will continue a study of atonement.  Why did Jesus have to die, and what did God have to do with it?  On Feb 5, Mark Rutledge will lead the discussion of four pages of Marcus Borg's book, The Heart of Christianity.

"The Bible Makes Sense...?"  class

We invite you to an ongoing class for all of those seeking a basic understanding of the Bible and the biblical story.  The first class will be Sunday Feb 5, starting promptly at 9:30 am.  This class is for you if you have every thought the Bible is confusing, or if you wanted a safe space and supportive community to ask and share your questions about the Bible.

Pilgrim Auxiliary

Everyone is welcome to join us at 10:30 am on Monday Feb 8 to hear our own Pastor Carla Gregg talk about her Mexico experience, titled Sabbatical Reflections: The Beauty of Mexico.  Lunch will be served and childcare will be provided.

Youth Group Feb 12th

All Middle and High School Youth are invited for youth group on Feb 12 following worship.  We will share lunch and then make and deliver Valentines to some of Pilgrim's homebound members.  Please let Rev. Carla know if you will be joining us.

Parent's Night Out!!

Back by popular demand, Pilgrim youth will be offering a parent's night out on Sat March 10 at the church from 5:30 -8:30 pm.  This will be a fundraiser for the Peru Mission Trip.  Donations of any amount will be accepted, but we suggest the amount you would normally pay a baby-sitter.  Look for more information soon.

Early Release Hangout

We plan to continue the friendships we've made with Summer Lunch Bunch and offer a safe place for kids to hang out once a month after school on DPS early dismissal days, providing snacks and activities.  Please let Rev. Carla know if you would like to volunteer.

Parenting Group 

Join Pilgrim parents at 9:45 am on Thursdays in the Dowdy room for a time of prayer and reflection.  We are beginning the Bible study "Do what you have the power to do".  There is coffee and tea available as well as childcare in the nursery.  Please speak with Rev. Carla if you are interested.

Book Club

The Book Group will meet on Feb 9 at 7 pm in the Dowdy Room to discuss The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness by Simon Wiesenthal.  For March, we plan to read a new book by PD James, Death Comes to Pemberley, which uses the characters of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.  For April we plan to read The Glass Castles by Jeannette Walls, a memoir.

Feeding the Homeless in our Community

We will be participating in Interfaith Hospitality Network on Tuesday, Feb 28 and Thursday, March 1.  Anyone who is willing to drive, host or prepare/provide part of the meal for several homeless families, please contact Karen Bradsher.

Contemplative Prayer

Alice Myers and the Contemplative Prayer Group invites you to join them on Thursdays from 9-10 am in the Prayer room in the education wing as part of your spiritual experience.

Women's Retreat 

Pilgrim women are invited to a retreat weekend,  Feb 17-19 at Fort Caswell on the North Carolina coast.  Our facilitator will be Rev. Heidi Gessner, who is the bereavement Coordinator for UNC hospital, and a member at United Church in Chapel Hill.  The theme will be "You are the light of the world!", and we will study the life of Hildegard von Bingen as an example to our imagination, and to explore new ways to express ourselves in the world, with God, and with each other.

Registration and a $75 deposit are due in January, and materials are outside the Pilgrim office.

English Classes

On Wednesdays from 7:30-9:00 pm, our volunteers offer to teach English to Hispanics in both group and individual sessions, in our Bilingual Exchange program.   We are also looking for volunteer tutors who are willing to teach once a month on Wednesdays.

Reconciliation and re-entry faith team

Pilgrim's R&R team invites others to join them in partnership with a released prisoner, who will face tremendous obstacles when returning back into society.  A new training session will be held in October, and we expect to have a new Partner in early November.

Since 2004, Pilgrim's team has helped 5 ex-offender partners in their search for employment and affordable housing, provided emotional support during crises, sought financial assistance during emergency situations, and most importantly, provided friendship.  

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays

This support group meets on 1st Thursdays at Pilgrim, and 3rd Wednesdays at Community UCC in Raleigh.  Meetings begin at 7:30 pm.  www.pflagtriangle.org

2012 Pilgrim Mission Trip to Peru  

Pilgrims will leave on Friday July 6 and return on Saturday July 14 on a visit to the Children's Village outside Lima, the capital of Peru.  Pilgrim has supported this village with about 100 homeless children since 1987, in a partnership created by Duke Divinity School with the help of Pilgrims Fred and Kristin Herzog.  Mission members will also visit a new theological seminary and contribute practical work on a dormitory for students from poor families.

If you plan to go please send your $75 check to the church office and also contact the office to let Marty know that you are going.  Questions?  Talk to Kristin Herzog.

Empty Bowls 2012

Save the date for an evening of soup, music, desserts and more on Thursday March 8 from 5:30 - 8 pm at the Durham Armory, to raise awareness and funds for Urban Ministries, which serves nearly 220,000 meals each year.  Buy your tickets now online here.