May 17, 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. This story of connection and clarity comes from Stacy Pervall.
As I have announced in service, I recently experienced a great loss in my life - the death of a true friend whom I've loved for over 20 years. The loss has been made all the more difficult because it was a suicide. Going through all the "what if" scenarios and grappling with feelings of guilt, disappointment, frustration, and deep sadness has been a daily ritual for a number of weeks now.
I think most of you know that I love to sing. I was notified of Norm's death on a Thursday. I went to choir practice that evening knowing I would feel better by lifting up my voice and being around Rob and our group of the "usual suspects" for Thursday rehearsals. I was not ready to verbalize my loss to anyone and I certainly sang terribly that night. But we practiced a new song and the final verse touched me with a message I needed to hear: "And when my life on earth has ended, then I will know his grace, and I will see his face; forever I will know that heavenly place with him."
On the Sunday of Jeff's last sermon before leaving for sabbatical, Norm's Mom called to ask if I would deliver part of his eulogy. I was both honored and devastated. How would I find the words to honor Norm's life? That morning Jeff preached on believing and "beloving." Again, I was touched by a message I needed to hear: to "belove" – love what he loves. This not only impacts our journey of faith, but also how we can better love each other. I was inspired and had the basis for my eulogy.
Through these events, I know I was seeing the workings of the Holy Spirit – that manifestation of the trinity that I often have a hard time understanding – and I was more connected to my faith and to Pilgrims.
Sabbatical Updates:
- Sabbatical Retreat: May 19th, 9am-4pm at Pilgrims All Pilgrims are invited to join in our sabbatical retreat. Our retreat will be a day of spiritual formation as we explore how we are connected to Pilgrims and thus to the city and the global village in which we live. This is not an occasion to "just sit there” but to “do something.”
Please join us for this unique opportunity to connect with one another, to clarify our mission as a community of faith, and to grow spiritually under the guidance of one of our Presbyterian Saints.
Registration fee: None. Lunch cost: None. Commitment to the Way of Jesus Christ: Total
- Where is Jeff? Jeff is now back from Guatemala and ready to head-up to Simon’s Rock <http://www.simons-rock.edu/> to celebrate Ann’s graduation.
- Jeff’s a Blogger! Check out Jeff’s Sabbatical Blog <http://www.jeffkrehbiel.blogspot.com/>
- Sabbatical Preaching Schedule, May through early June:
May 27th, Pentecost: Ashley
June 3rd, More Light Sunday: Rev. Christine Wiley, co-pastor, Covenant Baptist Church <http://covenantbaptistdc.org/home.html> , Washington, D.C. Read about Rev. Wiley’s ministry at Covenant Baptist in this article from the Washington Blade <http://www.washblade.com/2005/7-29/locallife/cover/arms.cfm> .
June 10th, Washington Capital Pride <http://www.capitalpride.org/flash/index.html> Weekend, Rev. Louise Green, Director of Social Justice Ministries, All Souls UUA <http://www.all-souls.org/> , Washington, D.C.
This past Sunday, we welcomed Rev. Hector Mendez, pastor of First Presbyterian Reformed Church in Havana, Cuba. What an inspiration! Our “Cuban Pilgrims” were practically glowing in Hector’s presence and his visit “clarified” their loyalty and reverence to Hector and Cuba. Thanks to Stan, Stacy, Mitch and Gerry for hosting the potluck last week for Hector and our Cuban companions at New York Avenue. Thanks to Sue Krehbiel for translating in Adult Education and in worship.
Connections at Pilgrims:
Christian Education: 9:30-10:30 in the Bird Room
May 20th: Connections and Clarity: Explore the Lectionary Texts for May 20th worship with our guest preacher, Rev. Margee Iddings.
May 27th: No Sunday School. Memorial Day weekend.
June 3rd: Connections and Clarity with Rev. Christine Wiley, our guest preacher for June 3rd worship
Pilgrims Gay & Lesbian Fellowship Picnic, May 20th after church at Rock Creek Park - exact location to be determined. We will carpool to the picnic right after church. Jonathan Mertz will supply various meat and vegetarian items for grilling. Please bring a side dish, drink or dessert. May I bring my roommate, partner, girlfriend, boyfriend or friends? Yes! Just let Jonathan know so he can plan accordingly. Please RSVP to Jonathan (202-321-5069 or kstodc@earthlink.net) with the following: 1) Number of guests. 2) Your side dish or dessert. 3) Can you drive or will you need a ride? 4) Special dietary concerns. 5) Anything else you would like to share.
Upcoming Special Offering:
Pentecost Special Offering Supports At-Risk Youth –
On Sunday, May 27, Church of the Pilgrims will be participating in the Presbyterian Church USA Pentecost special offering to benefit children at risk, youth, and young adults. This is one of four church-wide special offerings throughout the year. Pilgrims’ portion of the proceeds from the special offering, forty percent, will be used to support at risk youth participating in the Hope and a Home <http://www.hopeandahome.org/> program which serves youth and their families in the Columbia Heights and Shaw neighborhoods of D.C.
The Hope and a Home Program provides affordable housing for formerly homeless families and a variety of supporting services for parents and their children, to enable the families to live independently at the end of three years. The remaining 60 percent will be used by the General Assembly for ministries with youth and young adults, young adult volunteer opportunities, and child advocacy.
Prayer Concerns:
Dick Gigax who is recovering from a fall.
Pilgrim Graduates: Ann Krehbiel (Simon’s Rock College of Bard), Jennifer Stacks (The University of North Carolina at Wilmington), Crystal Quintanilla (Holy Cross), Laura Pippenger (summer intern, ’06, from Denison University), Emily Presley (summer intern, ’07, from Davidson College).
Peace,
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