May 25, 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 Joanne Leong. Joanne and her partner, Amir Venegas, have been worshiping at Pilgrims since the fall and will be married at Pilgrims in June.
My first experience with Church of the Pilgrims was when Amir and I stumbled into Pilgrim’s Arts and Crafts Fair this past fall. We decided to take a walk around Dupont Circle and saw the hubbub. I think we were more fascinated with the church itself than the fair. Aside from the church being very pretty, I felt something very peaceful and welcoming when I was actually inside the church. That was my first introduction to Church of the Pilgrims.
Each time I come to a service on Sundays, I feel like my connection to the people at Church of the Pilgrims is strengthened. I was pleasantly surprised at the service for Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend. I had never seen a Children’s Circle during a church service, much less any kind of participation from children besides altar boys. It is always a nice feeling to be reminded of the wonderment that children experience. As adults, we are jaded by our life experiences and sometimes forget that one of the reasons to keep the world a beautiful place is so that children can experience this wonderment – the special feeling they get from being part of the church service, the lesson they get about civil rights and Martin Luther King, Jr. and the connection they have to us and each other.
Some weeks later I also felt extremely touched by the baptism for Phoebe Noonan. I thought it a little odd when I first heard there would be a baptism during Sunday’s service. I think this is because I have always considered baptisms to be a private ceremony for close family and friends. There would be strangers present. Did these parents really want strangers at their baby’s baptism? During the baptism, however, everyone gathered around as Phoebe was blessed and she was taken around the congregation so that we could all wish her and her family well. In everyone’s own way, they welcomed Phoebe into the Church, showed her love, wished her well and channeled all the positive energy there was. I realized that no one was a stranger. Why in the world would any parent want their child to miss out on this powerful experience? Why would I want to miss out on Phoebe’s experience? At the beginning of the service, I didn’t really know anyone but by the end of the service, I felt a connection with everyone in the church. It was a wonderful experience for me to feel that connection with everyone in the church because we were all there together to give Phoebe our blessings and well wishes. I felt moved, blessed, teary-eyed and connected.
My world consists of my relationships with close family and friends and my job. It’s really easy to get wrapped up in only those relationships, forgetting that there is a whole world going on beyond where I am. The experience with Phoebe’s baptism made me realize how one experience can connect you to others. Usually the one experience is a disaster, that’s when people come together. But it makes so much more sense to come together beyond times of need.
Sabbatical Updates:
- Where is Jeff? Jeff is now back from Guatemala and preparing for trips to Taize <http://www.taize.fr/> in France and Iona <http://www.iona.org.uk/> in Scotland.
- Jeff’s a Blogger! Check out Jeff’s Sabbatical Blog <http://www.jeffkrehbiel.blogspot.com/>
- Sabbatical Preaching Schedule, May through early June:
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.
June 17th: Ashley. Come and witness the confirmation of Martinique Elsa Duran Gigax.
Connections at Pilgrims
Pentecost, May 27th. Wear RED to celebrate the beginning of this liturgical season.
Christian Education: 9:30-10:30 in the Bird Room
· May 27th: No Sunday School. Memorial Day weekend.
· June 3rd: Connections and Clarity with Rev. Christine Wiley, our guest preacher for worship
· June 10th: Connections and Clarity with Rev. Louise Green, our guest preacher for worship.
Upcoming Special Offering:
Pentecost Special Offering Supports At-Risk Youth –
Remember that this Sunday, May 27, Pilgrims will participate in the Presbyterian Church USA Pentecost special offering. Through this offering and in celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit, the church expresses a common commitment to provide hope for children at risk, opportunities for youth and young adults to grow in their faith, and short-term mission service options for young adults. Please plan to give generously.
Connections with the City and Global Village: Upcoming Dates
Annual Capital Pride <http://www.capitalpride.org/flash/index.html> Week Interfaith Service: Tuesday, June 5, 7:30pm @ Lincoln Temple United Church of Christ , 1701 11th St NW (11th & R Sts, 3 blocks from Howard or U St Metro). Join an interfaith gathering to celebrate Pride week with “Together in Pride, Together in Faith.”
Artist’s reception for “Through the Window: Spiritual Insights into HIV,” by Lois Wilson, Saturday, June 9th. Our artist’s reception is co-sponsored by the DC chapter of More Light Presbyterians <http://www.mlp.org/> , 3-7 PM (light refreshments).
Capital Pride Parade, June 9th, kicks off at 6:30 PM 23rd & P on Pilgrims door step; March with Pilgrims, More Light churches, and exquisite drag queens <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drag_queen> !
Interfaith Convocation on Hunger, June 11th, 6pm @ The National Cathedral. Join an interfaith gathering to call on the president and Congress to renew their commitment to end hunger. This convocation is sponsored by Bread for the World <http://www.bread.org/gathering2007> and other anti-hunger organizations.
Lawmakers find $21 a Week Doesn’t Buy a Lot of Groceries. Read this incredible story in the Washington Post <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/15/AR2007051501957.html?referrer=emailarticle> about Congressional-types living on $21 a week or the average amount one is given per week from Food Stamps. The article also includes links to blogs that describe the lawmakers’ experience. Worthy of a read!!!
WIN Action Team Meeting, Thursday, June 14th at Covenant Baptist Church. Join other Pilgrims at this WIN event to hear an update on politics with Mayor Fenty to implement the Neighborhood Investment Plans and Vote Neighborhoods First Election Agenda. Contact Jean Stewart if you are interested: stewartsj@starpower.net
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