A Letter from Lindy Aug 24

Hi Pilgrims,

Well, I hoped this week that we would be recommending a candidate to Pilgrim’s Council for the new Director of Faith Formation, after an on-site visit this past Monday. The search committee had narrowed its process to one candidate who they felt would seamlessly step into the role, taking the baton from Felix, as we so aptly prayed (and practiced) last Sunday when we blessed and commissioned her forward.

Sadly, our path presented an unexpected twisty hill that made our search feel more like the Tour de France than the rounded track we anticipated, finish line in our sight. Last Thursday, one of the chairs received a phone call from the candidate, in which they unexpectedly withdrew from the process, having accepted a position closer to home. To our surprise, because the candidate had insisted their family was deeply committed to relocating to Durham for both of the partners’ careers. We concluded, within our disappointment, that our candidate’s partner’s offer must not have unfolded as planned, so they made the familial decision to stay within the community they knew and had employment. Needless to say, this call moved the proximity of the finish line for the search committee.

The committee rightly took the weekend to process our sense of loss and also to celebrate Felix before discerning next steps. One might say we collectively felt bent over by our disappointment, frustration, depletion–like the woman in our gospel text for Sunday–quite unable to stand up straight, envisioning the way forward. Grateful am I that where two or three are gathered, Jesus reaches out his hands, lays them upon us, so that we are able to rise up and see the wonderful things God is doing in our community. Even amidst the complex of emotions we feel in the moment. So last night we processed. We reflected together to learn from this first chapter of our search. And we turned the page to the second. Trusting that God is with us, guiding us toward our future where another deeply capable candidate will feel called to respond.

Please surround the search committee with your love and compassion. Breathe God’s hope and purpose into their being. Shore their emotions and energy up with your support. For they are but apostles– ones sent by you– to forge a way forward for the good of us all.

grace and peace,

Pastor Lindy
(she/her) 

PS–An adjustment note for our worship rhythm with the continuing challenges of our sanctuary HVAC unit.  Although we had hoped the problem resided with the thermostats (all of which have now been replaced by Duke Energy), we discovered that the unit’s coil needs replacing, which is a significant repair that will take a few weeks. We will monitor the forecast over the next few Sundays to determine whether it's tolerable to worship in the sanctuary or rather shift our service to the fellowship hall. If the shift must occur, we are unable to livestream worship for our folks who tune in. Apologies in advance.