July 3, 2007
Updates and Invitations: The Sabbatical Version
Throughout the sabbatical period, we will be hearing stories in worship and in our Updates and Invitations from Pilgrims based on our sabbatical themes of “connections and clarity.” Each Pilgrim “storyteller” was given a reflection exercise to help name and articulate a story of connection and clarity from their experiences at church. Our final story of connections and clarity comes from Jeffrey Fox.
MTHE RIGHT PLACE, THE RIGHT TIME
As many have written before me it is very difficult to select a single moment of connection and clarity when it comes to Pilgrims. Be it the “all are welcome sign,” the care we give in welcoming each new worshiper, feeding the poor each Sunday, involvement in community action groups, or the holding hands at the conclusion of each service-- all of which continue to make me feel connected and focused.
I have decided to share with you the first time I felt a personal connection with other members of the church which brought my whole experience at Pilgrims to a new level of connection and clarity.
The Easter season of 2006 I attended my first evening Bible study series. Ashley led us through a study of Psalms. We talked a lot about being in the pit (an experience of disorientation or chaos) and feeling renewed in your relationship with God after returning from the pit. As one of the exercises we sat in small groups and discussed our individual experiences in regards to being stuck in the pit. We learned that some of us spent more time then others in our own personal pits. It tore at my heart to hear the stories of others pit experiences. Like a light bulb turning on it all of the sudden clicked. I had been in the pit even though I didn’t know about the pit.
As a child and young adult I pretty much went through the motions when it came to my relationship with God and the church. Many times taking both relationships for granted. As an adult I was pretty much in the pit without knowing it. I didn’t even go through the motions anymore because I thought I knew what was best for me. Guess what…. I didn’t.
Returning to church and joining Pilgrims had brought me out of my pit. As I was able to share this with others who had similar pit experiences I was able to see God’s plan for me more clearly. I left the Bible study that evening feeling more connected and focused then I had felt in a very long time. I feel God intended me to be at that Bible study, at that time, hearing each of the other experiences in order to realize where I was in my journey. Talk about being at the right place at the right time.
Sabbatical Updates:
Where is Jeff? At the moment, he is getting ready to take a red-eye back from California. On July 11th, Jeff will be back at Pilgrims!
Jeff is a Blogger! Check out Jeff’s sabbatical blog <http://www.jeffkrehbiel.blogspot.com/> with final sabbatical musings by Jeff.
July 15th: Jeff back in the pulpit.
Connections at Pilgrims
Memorial for Jeannette Pike: Jeannette Pike, mother of Greta and Jonathan Pike, a child of God, died on July 1st. A memorial service celebrating the life and resurrection of Jeannette will be held on July 26th at 11am.
Greta and Jonathan are both at Oakland School for the summer. They can be reached at this mailing address:
Greta or Jonathan Pike
Oakland School
Boyd Tavern
Keswick, Virginia 22947
Darfur Vigil: Starting this Sunday, July 15th, the National Capital Presbytery <http://www.thepresbytery.org/> Peacemaking Team will be holding a Presbytery sponsored vigil/demonstration in support of Darfur in front of the Sudan Embassy. These vigils will take place on the third Sunday of every month. The plan is for Pilgrims and those from the Presbytery to assemble at Pilgrims at 1:00 PM and march to the Embassy for our protest gathering from 1:15 - 2:15 PM, and disperse from Pilgrims.
“Mayor Fenty, What Have You Done for Us Lately?”
The Washington Interfaith Network <http://www.windc-iaf.org/> , a nonpartisan, interfaith organization of 50 congregations of which Pilgrims is a member, organizes people and money to fight for peace with justice in low income DC neighborhoods by putting pressure on DC politicians and agencies. In the 2006 Democratic Primary Election, WIN demonstrated its power by increasing voter turn out in targeted precincts by 15%.
Newly-elected DC Mayor Adrian Fenty got the message. He publicly promised to meet regularly with WIN leaders. He publicly promised to work for all of WIN’s “Neighborhoods First” priorities, including affordable housing. He publicly promised to find more than $500 million to fund WIN’s “Neighborhoods First” projects.
Promises, promises, promises! WIN says that in politics there are no permanent enemies and no permanent allies. So on July 16 WIN will ask Mayor Fenty, publicly, “What have you done for us lately!?” About 500 WIN leaders will gather at Covenant Baptist Church in Southwest DC, from 7 to 8:30 PM to hear Mayor Fenty answer that question.
Pilgrims has pledged 10 members for the July16 meeting, but we think we can do better than that!
Due to limited parking around Covenant, free transportation will be provided from Foundry United Methodist Church <http://www.foundryumc.org/> , departing at 6:30 from Foundry. Please meet at Pilgrims before 6pm since we will leave for Foundry at 6pm sharp.WIN Actions give us glimpses into what God dreams for us. They are full of Spirit, inclusive, joyous! Be there!
If you plan on attending the WIN action, please RSVP our summer intern, Rob Heppenstall, at roheppenstall@davidson.edu. We need to know RSVP’s so we are sure we have room on the bus from Foundry.
Finally….a reflection from an adult leader from our recent Pilgrimage group from New Hartford Presbyterian Church in New Hartford, NY. This reflection was created during a writing workshop with David Harris, our poet-in-residence at The Pilgrimage. Note the use of the word “connection” in this reflection!
I don’t know your name, but I remember you. Here I am – in the nation’s capital during the week of July 4. Flags waving, fireworks in the sky, everyone is in a party mood. Did you choose that shirt you have on or did you just have to wear it? You come through the line – you pick up your tray – you seem grateful.
This week we celebrate freedom, right? What are you thinking? What freedom are you celebrating? Wouldn’t you like the freedom to choose your own food, choose your own neighborhood, and choose your own job? If you got to choose your own shirt, what message would it have on it?
But here you are – in a borrowed shirt that says “God Bless America.” I’m sorry.
I don’t’ know your name, but I’m sure God does. When God calls you – can you hear? What is God saying to you? What is God saying to me when I see you? When our eyes meet and the food passes from my hands to yours, is that God’s spirit passing between us? I think so. What can I do to keep our connection when you live in DC and I go home to New York? You will be in my prayers, whoever you are. I don’t know your name, but God does.
Cheers to community, connections, and clarity.
Ashley
Sabbatical 2007 Pastor's Updates
February 2007 Pastor's Updates
December 2006 Pastor's Updates
November 2006 Pastor's Updates
September 2006 Pastor's Updates