Letter from Lindy June 7

Hello Pilgrims,

Grateful am I to journey with a church that continually demonstrates how we are the body of Christ in, with and for our community in a myriad of ways. I offer my gratitude particularly for how you surrounded the Stewart/Sun/Beale and Norboge/Neal families as they grieved the death and celebrated the life of those they love. Each service was a testament of love. Not only the family and friends for the deceased, but each and every Pilgrim who offered their time and energy to hold all who gathered in their caring embrace. I continue to be humbled to journey with you–such an amazing group of people.

There are so many people to thank who showed up to serve that I know even if I tried to list your names, I would invariably leave someone off who contributed greatly. So please accept my collective and sweeping thank you for jobs beautifully done. You reminded Pilgrims and guests alike just what it means to be woven into the tapestry of beloved community. I know I rinse and repeat, but I cannot imagine moving through the trials and tribulations (and joys) of life, without the embrace of my church family. Not surprising, I heard that refrain repeated many times as I greeted people who thanked us for creating such profound meaning in these tender times.

In June, we will continue to show up. No rest for the weary. In addition to the ways in which we will honor the Pride month of June, as Greyson names below, we have other celebratory events to mark along the way.

This coming Sunday we will bestow our love upon our graduates and commission them to their next steps, whatever those may be. On June 21, we will bless our Youth as they embark on their trip to Guatemala. I cannot wait to hear the meaningful experiences they will have upon their return. June 28, we will join with The Refuge Church to bring our VBS fun-filled learning to our sanctuary. Grateful always for this growing collaboration with the newest of our UCC sibling churches. Umstead Park is also partnering with us for VBS, but unable to be with us that Sunday. We will lift them in spirit as we fill our sanctuary with joy.

A full June, as you can see. My prayer is that each opportunity invites us to connect and deepen the ties that bind as beloved community.

until Sunday,

Pastor Lindy

(she/her)  Pronouns matter