Greyson's Greetings

Pilgrims,

Lindy’s heart-stirring sermon last week began us on a journey towards All Saint’s Day, which we will honor this Sunday.

All Saints Day for the UCC is about honoring those who have passed on who influenced our lives as we strive to live full and integrated lives in service of God’s kin-dom. Sometimes that means celebrating bona fide saints, like Saint Francis; other times, it means paying homage to the grandmother who shaped our spiritual language or the Sunday School teacher who first taught you about God’s work towards liberation for all.

It is a service that can have complicated emotions. Grief and gratitude, complicated sorrow and stubborn hope, dance in our bodies as we are present for the ritual of All Saints. Whatever grief you carry, however you need to show up, come with that authenticity into this community of belonging on Sunday.

My prayer, as Pilgrim’s Associate Minister of Faith Formation, is that our ability to move through complex and sometimes conflicting emotions models that the breadth of human emotion is not something to be feared, but something we can navigate with the knowledge and assurance that our God is with us.

If you would like to be part of a physical symbol of God’s presence with us in our services, our refreshed acolyte schedule is posted outside Hannah’s office. All are welcome to sign up, whether young or young-at-heart!

Greyson