A Posting from Pastor Lindy

Hi Pilgrims,

Saturday our newly elected Pilgrim officers will gather for our annual leadership retreat. The morning is packed with what I hope will be fun-filled learning about how we are, and how we do, church together. 

One of the facets I love about Pilgrim is our deep understanding of shared leadership between the congregation and clergy. Together we lean into God’s breath moving through this beloved community, paying attention to the ways in which Holy Ruach is guiding us along the way. Together we discern our hope for how to best live as God’s people in our place and time. Together we work to help usher in kindom on earth in this lovely place called Durham, paying attention to the most vulnerable and addressing the systems and structures that impede and oppress the flourishing of all God’s creation. Together we gather to open our whole selves to the Divine in worship and fellowship so that we might be nourished and nurtured for the work before us. 

All these “togethers” make us church–the embodiment of Christ in word and deed today. Reading and reflecting on our “togethers” help us understand the charge and challenge before Pilgrims leaders as they shape our way forward. In beginning conversations with new board chairs, a word keeps bubbling to the surface–belonging–hopefully shaping the contours of our journey this year. 

What does it mean to belong to Pilgrim? What does it mean to belong as a citizen, as a person of faith, to our city, our country, our world? In a season when our sense of belonging may feel vulnerable, threatened, disintegrating (I’m curious what words you might add), I can think of no more important mission and ministry of the church than to help people (ourselves and others) know that they belong in the many spheres they inhabit. 

How do we translate that to concrete goals, actions, programs? Answering these questions is the hope of Saturday’s retreat–to begin just that.

can’t wait! 

Pastor Lindy

(she/her)Pronouns matter