A Letter from Lindy May 10

Hello Pilgrims,

I always have the fantasy that I will wax poetically in this letter each week, giving sermonic teasers to the questions that are tugging at my heart from our scripture passage for the upcoming Sunday. And then I remember the many events, actions, conversations that are forthcoming about which I want to invite and/or remind you, and my letter sadly becomes a narrative calendar, of sorts.

As Hannah and I were texting last evening about literally not laying eyes on each other the entire day, even though both of us were physically present in the office together, she shared that May has been referred to as May-cember, because there is too much going on. So true for Pilgrim’s calendar.

There are two May events to which I want to draw your attention. I use my letter because a number of you have remarked not knowing that either was happening. On Saturday, May 23 at 1pm, we will surround Sara Sun Beale and her family as they celebrate the life and grieve the death of her sister, Pamela Sun Stewart. Pam passed away in January, and her children, under the loving guidance of Sara, have entrusted themselves to our care as they offer thanksgiving to God for their mother’s life. Although Pam did not have a church home, she did attend Pilgrim with Sara on occasion, so the family felt it was good and right to hold this sacred ritual here. Please hold the Beale, Sun, and Stewart families and friends in your embrace as they move through memorial weekend, honoring just that of their mother, sister, grandmother, cousin and friend.

The following weekend, on Saturday, May 30 at 10am, you are invited to gather with Emily and Dane, and the Norboge and Neal families, as we grieve Nick’s passing together. Pilgrim’s world feels a little less bright without his gentle, kind and generous presence in our pews. As Emily and Nick’s circle of friends and family is extensive, this memorial service is estimated to host over 300 people in attendance. We are deep in our planning to create the sacred space to surround these families. And as the saying goes, it takes a village. If anyone feels moved to help, we need volunteers in various capacities to ensure a hospitable welcome to Pilgrim’s guests. Please contact Hannah Hansard at puccdurham@gmail.com if you can lend a hand and she will sign you up. We will need volunteers Friday for set up and Saturday for the service.

A special note about this service. As you ponder the number of people Emily thinks will join together to celebrate Nick’s life, you may be wondering where we are going to park and seat everyone. Seating is simple–we are creating an overflow worship space in fellowship hall where the service will be live streamed. (A time of fellowship is being hosted off-site) Parking will be a bit more challenging. Hannah has already received permission to use the entire campus of the office complex and Montessori school. We are looking to secure additional overflow locations. That being said, it would be great if Pilgrims would ride share if planning on coming to the service so as to extend our hospitality both inside and out.

Thank you Pilgrim for all of the ways you make this beloved community so special.

grace and peace,

Pastor Lindy

(she/her)  Pronouns matter