Letter from Lindy July 12

Hi Pilgrims,

This week your intrepid staff met to sketch out what the balance of the 2026 year holds for us as a community of faith. A marathon 4 hours later (sustenance through pastries), we had a sense of each month’s rhythms and demands through Epiphany. Not only our worship ways, but also how we live into being beloved community– including faith formation, community participation, presentation and installation of Pilgrim leadership, budget, stewardship, and everything in between. As we’ve remarked often, Pilgrim is deeply engaged and invested in being church, for which your pastor is so grateful. 

We undertook this endeavor not only to put dates on the calendar for the many boards and committees and peoples that bring every effort into being, and also to prepare our newest staff member, Greyson, for what lies ahead–this still being his first year at Pilgrim! We chuckled somewhat about how quickly he is settling into his role within and among us, and yet recognize that he has only been with Pilgrim 3+ months. In a corporate setting, our Associate Minister would have just passed his 90 day introductory period. A mutual “trial” window, in other settings, that creates space for checking in as to whether we feel we are a good fit. My sense (and belief) is that we each affirm this call for and with each other. 

Our session had us examining the many threads that weave Pilgrim together to help us do our part in ushering in kindom in our little corner of the world. Each thread matters to weave this tapestry we call Pilgrim. Our planning session, coupled with my weekly check-in with Pilgrim’s Moderator and Treasurer, filled my heart with gratitude for the team Pilgrim has assembled to shepherd our processes. We are in caring, compassionate hands! 

One example of said hands–although Council, boards and committees claim July as our month of rest and renewal, Pilgrim’s deacons will gather nonetheless next Sunday to take the contours of the staff’s artful sketching of the calendar and begin to imagine how to bring their pieces of thread into being. Many are the deacon threads! So grateful for their dedication who hold with such care their calling as our spiritual lay leaders. We are well served by them, and truly every board of the church.

Please hear me, I am not trying to rush summer in any way, and I am excited for what is to come.

always grateful,

 
Pastor Lindy

(she/her)Pronouns matter