A Letter from Lindy Sept 21
Hi Pilgrims,
Grateful to have returned from the DDH board retreat at Shaker Village, tired and inspired in one breath. For those who have not been, the Village stands as testimony to the indomitable spirit of a people of God who had an distinct ethos of how to live as beloved community. Their faith was reflected in the way they lived, practiced, worshipped and worked with every fiber of their being. The remnant buildings of this community stand as testimony to their labor of love.
The lessons we gleaned from these faith-filled people shaped the Board’s conversation about our past, present and future, wondering how we would create space for forms of learning and ministry that we cannot even glimpse. What do we leave behind? What do we take with us? To provide you the vista before this group, our visioning was informed by our deep commitment to in-person theological education, investing in a $2.4m summer renovation of the residential floors ready for student move-in this week.
What made us fly against the prevailing headwinds of decline for ministry and higher education? The belief that what we do, shaping the conversation partners and leaders for the church in all its expressions is 1) necessary and 2) hungered for, in this moment of time. When I think about Pilgrim and all of the ways we bear witness to God’s justice-seeking shalom; all of the ways we strive to usher in kingdom, I also know this to be true in every fiber of my being.
This truth we will live into on Sunday as we offer deep gratitude for the outgoing leaders of this beloved community, thanking them for faithfully serving amidst our current shifting ground. We will also welcome and celebrate the courage of our incoming leadership team, who have not let the fear of this moment disqualify or disrupt their callings. They have each said "yes" to God (and to Pilgrim), if even with a trembling voice. My prayer is that collectively we can all engage compassionately with our fear, catalyzing it into deep faith, bold courage, and resilient hope this coming year.
grace and peace,
Pastor Lindy
(she/her) why pronouns matter