As our congregations are in a season of discernment over how we might be called to shared ministry together, the sessions of Pilgrims and Western each voted last week to approve a worship schedule for this Fall that will have the congregations worshipping together each Sunday. With one exception we will worship at Western on the first and second Sundays of each month, and at Pilgrims on the third and fourth Sundays. (The exception will be Sunday, Sept. 21, when we will worship at Western.)
The combined worship planning group of Western and Pilgrims, meeting last month with pastors Erin and David, proposed this worship calendar through November. The group based the plan on two key factors:
First, the strong sense that the work of relationship building has been overwhelmingly positive, and both communities feel ready to move forward in forming something new. Thus it makes sense to move to joint worship regularly.
Second, the recognition that the ultimate decisions on property are complex and not likely to be settled in the near term. Thus it makes sense to continue using both spaces for worship so that everyone becomes increasingly familiar with both spaces. The worship team and both sessions believe this will help everyone more readily embrace whatever decisions ultimately get made regarding property.
We are excited about spending the Fall together continuing to get to know one another and continuing to discern God’s call for us in this new season!
Western and Pilgrims Fall Worship Schedule
Sept 7 Worship together at Western - Big Fall Celebration
Sept 14 Worship together at Western
Sept 21* Worship together at Western
Sept 28 Worship together at Pilgrims
Oct 5 Worship together at Western - World Communion Sunday
Oct 12 Worship together at Western
Oct 19 Worship together at Pilgrims
Oct 26 Worship together at Pilgrims
Nov 2 Worship together at Western - All Saint’s (observed)
Nov 9. Worship together at Western
Nov 16 Worship together at Pilgrims
Nov 23 Worship together at Pilgrims
At our October joint session meeting, the sessions of both congregations voted to keep worshiping together, with the schedule as follows:
11/30 - Worship at Pilgrims
12/7 - Worship at Western
12/14 - Worship at Western
12/21 - Worship at Pilgrims
12/24 - Christmas Eve Worship at Western
12/28 - Worship at Pilgrims