June 12, 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 Jen McCLurg. Note: Jen recently started the Masters in Theological Studies (M.T.S.) program at Wesley Seminary here in D.C.
It’s hard to pick just one time that I have felt a connection here at Pilgrims, when there have been so many over the short three years I have been here. From Service Days, to greeting Friday Club as I put my lunch in the refrigerator, to Ryan’s baptism and everything in between – all of these have cemented my belief that Church of the Pilgrims is one of the most loving, open, and community-oriented places I have ever experienced. The one that stands out most vividly in my mind is the Maundy Thursday service this year.
I had never been to the service before and I wasn’t really planning on it this year, but Ashley’s enthusiasm in describing the service to me in order to convince our Pilgrimage groups to attend had me intrigued. I still wasn’t convinced, but in my New Testament class the week before Easter, we had discussed how we can’t really know the joy of Easter Morning until we understand the abject despair of Maundy Thursday. As I shared with the congregation when I first started at The Pilgrimage, I don’t believe in coincidence anymore; I believe in “God-incidence.” That is, God directs us to where we are meant to be by giving us little signs along the way. To me, this class discussion coupled with Ashley’s enthusiasm was a sign that I was meant to go. I knew that I had made the correct decision when I ended up seated next to Ann Krehbiel and spent a while talking to her about how this was her favorite service of the year as we ate dinner. When she got up to present her part of the story, I had chills.
By the end, when the final candle was extinguished, I was in tears. Each clang of the bell at the end made me wince as my heart pounded in my throat. Never before had I so deeply understood what it is we celebrate on Easter Morning. That was the first night I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was truly fulfilling my call by attending Wesley Seminary. The people who make up the Church of the Pilgrims have been so incredibly supportive of my choice to attend Wesley (even more so than my home church, ironically) and I know that you are all a part of the God-incidence that led me there. My connection, and the clarity that I found, were not just to The Pilgrimage and Pilgrims, but to myself. Being here, in this community of faith and love, has led me to find who I really am and what I am meant to be.
Sabbatical Updates:
- Where is Jeff? On June 1st, Jeff left for 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/>
Speaking of “God-incidences”: Check out Jeff’s blog for a new update from Taize, including a story from this past week about running into Rob Hardies, Senior Pastor at All Soul’s UU here in D.C., at Taize. Louise Green, Director of Social Justice Ministries at All Souls, was our guest preacher this past Sunday. What a global connection!
Sabbatical Preaching Schedule for June-July:
June 17th: Ashley. Come and witness the confirmation of Martinique Elsa Duran Gigax.
June 24th: Rev. Margee Iddings
July 1st: Ashley
July 8th: Louise Green, All Souls UU
July 15th: Jeff, the blogger and sabbatical-taker, back in the pulpit.
Connections at Pilgrims
Capital Pride Weekend at Pilgrims
What a weekend! Above is a picture of our More Light parade contingency. Marchers included folks from Westminster, D.C Westminster Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC; Clarendon Presbyterian Church, Arlington, VA; Takoma Park Presbyterian Church, Takoma Park, MD; Rockville United Church, Rockville MD: St. John United Church, Columbia MD, and Church of the Pilgrims. Pilgrims alone had 18 marchers, including Sebastian and Emma Oosterveld in the bottom of the picture. My little Ryan experienced his first Pride parade and our stroller is now covered with rainbow stickers. We had over 50 people marching under the More Light banner. Amazing!!!
Thanks to Gerry Hendershot for organizing the pre-parade art show reception. The Bird Room was full of people looking at our new exhibit, “Through the Window: Insights into the Spirituality of AIDS" by Lois Wilson. Thanks to Pat Goeldner and her help with the reception.
On Sunday, June 10, Pilgrims’ sanctuary was hung with several dozen stoles from the Shower of Stoles Project, and Louise Green, a UCC, Bisexual Pastor and minister at All Souls UU, challenged us to reject the privilege systems that perpetuate the oppression of LGBT persons. Later, both Open Doors and Pilgrims had booths at the Pride Festival on Pennsylvania Avenue. Thanks to Jonathan Mertz who organized our booth and to all who staffed the booth during the festival.
It was a weekend to be proud of being a More Light congregation and the call to live into the challenge of being a welcoming, Christian community.
Christian Education--9:30-10:30 in the Bird Room
· June 17th: Connection and Clarity with Martinique Elsa Duran Gigax: Come and hear about Martinique’s confirmation process and witness Session approve Martinique to be confirmed in the Christian church. We will start at 9:45am on the 17th. NOTE THIS TIME CHANGE.
June 24th: Connection and Clarity with Rev. Margee Iddings, our guest preacher for worship.
July 1st: NO Adult Education. Fourth of July weekend.
July 8th: Connection and Clarity with Rev. Louise Green, our guest preacher for worship.
Vacation Bible School: June 19, 20 and 21st. It is that time of the year again for Vacation Bible School for our little Pilgrims. This year I will be using a Mennonite curriculum entitled, Be Bold! God is with You! The curriculum focuses on stories in the Bible that build courage and strength in the midst of fear and the unknown. Adrienne Tilton is co-teaching with me this year.
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
Upcoming Weddings: Amir Venegas and Joanne Leong will be married at Pilgrims this Saturday, June 16th. Amir and Joanne have been worshipping with us since the fall. Shannon Smythe and Michael Fleischman will be married in an interfaith ceremony in Shannon’s hometown, Watsonville, PA, on June 23rd. I am honored to officiate both, including co-officiating with a local D.C. rabbi for Shannon and Mike’s ceremony.
Prayer Requests:
Diana Bruce: Prayers for Diana’s mom as doctors have identified a slow growing form of cancer and are working on a treatment plan.
Dick Gigax: Prayers for Dick and his recovery from a fall.
Jeannette Pike: Prayers for Jeannette as she recovers from a bed sore and pneumonia.
Van’s mom: Prayers for Van’s mom as she undergoes surgery for cancer of the tongue. Doctors are not sure if they will have to remove just part or all of her tongue. If all of the tongue is removed, Van could be on the threshold of hearing his mom’s voice for the last time. Prayers for Van and his family.
Tari Gregory: Prayers for family members who are pregnant and for a niece undergoing surgery.
Rob Passow: Rob asks for prayers for Susan Cox who is beginning chemotherapy.
Kevin Goodrich: Prayers for a victim of a fire.
Mitch Fulton: Prayers for a colleague starting chemo for breast cancer.
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