This Advent, let's wonder together. Meet at Western Pres on Wednesdays at 5:30pm and let's go for a walk, check out the Christmas lights, wonder where everyone is going, dream about what we could do together in our city, and explore a bit in the winter air. Meet Erin at the corner of 24th and G NW on Wednesday nights that are not Christmas-Eve or New Year's Eve. Let's wonder....
Issues Among Us: Dec 6
November is Native American Heritage Month, but we're going to extend it a little into December, too.
For our next Issues Among Us gathering, on Saturday 12/6 we'll meet at Western Presbyterian Church at 12pm to head off on a DC Indigenous History walking tour. Created by American University Professor and Chickasaw Nation citizen, Dr. Elizabeth Rule, the walking tour features sites of importance to Native peoples across the nation's capital, emphasizing policy and culture. We'll finish our journey at the Museum of the American Indian in time to visit their Native Arts Market, where you can meet Native artists, learn about traditional crafts, and purchase traditional and contemporary handcrafted artwork. This is a 2.5 mile journey, so please dress for the weather and a lot of steps, and plan to take public transit or a ride share back to church or home when we're through.
If walking all over the city in the winter weather isn't for you, the National Museum of the American Indian is making available several short films in celebration of Native American Heritage Month, and you can watch them from the comfort of your own home. Click here between Nov. 21 -28 to watch several short films featuring indigenous people and their stories.
***Issues Among Us is a series of gatherings where we go out into the city to learn about issues facing our community right now. Together, we go to museums, speakers, film screenings, library events, music performances, etc. and then often share a meal together and discuss what we learned and how it relates to our faith. We work to always make sure these gatherings are free and accessible to all.
Advent and Christmas with Pilgrims and Western
Advent is a season of watching and waiting for Emmanuel. This Advent, we’ll be exploring the themes of fear and hope through a special series Insisting on Hope this Advent. Join us for worship, pop in and take a part in our spontaneous pageant, come caroling outside the metro stations, and share in a season as together we insist on hope!
Here’s the Schedule:
11/30 Sunday worship at Pilgrims
12/7 Sunday worship at Western with tree trimming
12/14 Sunday worship at Western with Pageant
12/21 Sunday worship at Pilgrims
12/24 8pm Christmas Eve Worship at Western
12/28 Brunch Worship at Pilgrims
Christmas Poinsettias! Order by 12/10
Special poinsettias during Advent remind us of the approaching celebration of Christmas. If you would like to help sponsor the Poinsettias decorating the sanctuary from Sunday, December 14, through Christmas Eve, they will be available for $20 each. Poinsettia sponsors may take their flowers immediately after the 8 p.m. Christmas Eve services. Any remaining flowers will be shared with others.
Click here for the order form.
Please complete the order form and pay in person or online by December 10!
Gerry Hendershot Memorial - 11/22 at 11am
We will share in the Memorial Service for Gerry Hendershot on Saturday, Nov. 22nd at 11am at Church of the Pilgrims.
The Service will be streamed on our YouTube channel. Click here to watch online.
Click here to download the worship service bulletin.
Spending November with Miriam's Kitchen
In November, Pilgrims and Westerners are invited to dive into our ministry with Miriam's Kitchen. On Sunday, Nov. 2nd, Miriam's Executive Director Scott Schenkelberg will join us for worship, and will be preaching during the service! After worship, we'll be showing the new volunteer orientation video, so that anyone who wants to get involved can complete the required first step. Then, on Thursday, Nov. 6th we're volunteering together to serve guests at MK!
Do you already have a MK VolunteerHub account, log in and sign up to serve with us on 11/6.
If you're new to volunteering with MK, click here for all the instructions on how to get started.
Oh, and the MK fun doesn't stop there. The Run for MK is coming up Saturday, Nov. 15. Get your running shoes on and join us in raising funds for MK, and raising fun on the run! There are both 5k and 10k options for the route along the C&O Canal Path, from Fletcher's Cove. Click the link below for details and to register to participate: https://www.miriamskitchen.org/campaigns/run4mk2025/
We're Hiring: Communications Coordinator
Together, Church of the Pilgrims and Western Presbyterian Church are hiring a part time (10-15hr/week) Communications Coordinator.
Click here to read the position description and details on how to apply!
Advent Worship Planning - 11/5
Do you love Advent? Have a favorite Christmas hymn that you want to make sure we sing this year? Curious about how worship services get made? Well then, you should come to our Advent Worship Planning Pop-Up Meeting! No need to join a committee or have any special training. Just show up! Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 7pm at Church of the Pilgrims in the Bird Room. Hope to see you there!