issue 1 volume xxv february/march edition

8
Issue 1 VOLUME XXV 2015 FEBRUARY/MARCH EDITION My favorite hymn, above all others, is “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” and it has been sung at every landmark moment in my adult life. It was sung at my ordination service and whenever the anniversary of my ordination has fallen on a Sunday. It has been sung whenever I have preached a Candidate Sermon, including the Can- didate Sermon I preached at Pilgrim. It was sung at my first wedding ceremony and at my second wedding ceremony. It was sung when my son was baptized and when my daughter was baptized. It has been sung whenever I and my family have said goodbye to a congregation with whom we have shared the joy and privilege of ministry. And it will be sung on March 1, my last Sunday at Pilgrim. When the time comes, I hope it might be sung at my Memorial Service. It is my favorite hymn because it bears witness to an eternal joy which comes from God … an eternal joy which undergirds, uplifts, and guides us through all of the seasons of our lives and all of the struggles and celebrations in our lives. The hymn tells us this joy comes to us when we belong to God and to each other and when we continually seek the courage to live in love. “I have said these things to you,” Jesus proclaims, “so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete (John 15: 11).” It is Jesus who reveals this joy to us and calls us to share this joy with one another. In the time that Anne and I have been in your midst, we have tasted this joy. We have tasted it in the celebrations we have shared, the challenges we have faced, and the struggles, sorrows, and changes we have experienced together. And so we need to say a heartfelt THANK YOU. For our part, just as we have sought to humbly work with you in further strengthening Pilgrim’s ongoing commitment to peace with justice, so we have sought to humbly work with you in deepening and enrich- ing a sense of belonging, accompanied by a sense of enjoying God and enjoying each other as we follow Jesus. Indeed, as far as I can tell, without such enjoyment, we may be able to do good deeds but chances are we will not be able to do any real ministry, and I will be emphasizing this theme in our Joint Ash Wednesday Service. As I retire, I personally need to say, in the words of Sly & the Family Stone, “Thank you for lettin’ me be myself again.” I also pray I have let you be yourselves while we have tried, with God’s help and with each other’s help, to keep growing into our best selves. And I trust the same dynamic will hold true in your relationship with your new pastor. Not too long ago, I quoted these words by a writer named Flavia Weedn: “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same.” Please know you have left footprints upon my heart and upon Anne’s heart, and neither of us will ever be the same. However, our hearts will forever overflow with gratitude for the time we were given in your midst, and we will seek to carry your blessings to others. We will keep praying too that God’s eternal joy will sustain and carry you forward as you cherish Pilgrim’s past while embracing its future. with love, Pastor Allen PILGRIM’S PROGRESS NEWSLETTER Embodying God’s Diversity; Embracing God’s Potential PILGRIM Congregational Church United Church of Christ 826 No. Union Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63108 __________________ (314) 367-8173 - Phone (314) 367-8174 - Fax Website: www.pilgrimucc-stl.org http://groups,google.com/ group/pilgrim-ucc-stl Email: [email protected]t OUR MINISTERIAL STAFF THE PEOPLE OF PILGRIM, MINISTERS REV. DR. ALLEN H. GROTHE, Pastor MR. CHRISTOPHER KIEPPER, Director of Music Ministries REV. DR. MARK LEE ROBINSON, Minister of Reconciliation & Evangelism Ms. Diane Yanczer Director of Christian Education Valerie Winslow - Office Manager Vernon Billops -- Head Custodian Harold White ---- Asst. Custodian Yalanda Harris - Nursery Attendant “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are WELCOME here.”

Upload: others

Post on 25-Nov-2021

6 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Issue 1 VOLUME XXV FEBRUARY/MARCH EDITION

Issue 1 VOLUME XXV 2015 FEBRUARY/MARCH EDITION

My favorite hymn, above all others, is “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” and it has been sung at every landmark moment in my adult life. It was sung at my ordination service and whenever the anniversary of my ordination has fallen on a Sunday. It has been sung whenever I have preached a Candidate Sermon, including the Can-didate Sermon I preached at Pilgrim. It was sung at my first wedding ceremony and at my second wedding ceremony. It was sung when my son was baptized and when my daughter was baptized. It has been sung whenever I and my family have said goodbye to a congregation with whom we have shared the joy and privilege of ministry. And it will be sung on March 1, my last Sunday at Pilgrim. When the

time comes, I hope it might be sung at my Memorial Service.

It is my favorite hymn because it bears witness to an eternal joy which comes from God … an eternal joy which undergirds, uplifts, and guides us through all of the seasons of our lives and all of the struggles and celebrations in our lives. The hymn tells us this joy comes to us when we belong to God and to each other and when we continually seek the courage to live in love. “I have said these things to you,” Jesus proclaims, “so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete (John 15: 11).” It

is Jesus who reveals this joy to us and calls us to share this joy with one another.

In the time that Anne and I have been in your midst, we have tasted this joy. We have tasted it in the celebrations we have shared, the challenges we have faced, and the struggles, sorrows, and changes we have experienced together. And so we need to say a heartfelt THANK YOU. For our part, just as we have sought to humbly work with you in further strengthening Pilgrim’s ongoing commitment to peace with justice, so we have sought to humbly work with you in deepening and enrich-ing a sense of belonging, accompanied by a sense of enjoying God and enjoying each other as we follow Jesus. Indeed, as far as I can tell, without such enjoyment, we may be able to do good deeds but chances are we will not be able to do any real

ministry, and I will be emphasizing this theme in our Joint Ash Wednesday Service.

As I retire, I personally need to say, in the words of Sly & the Family Stone, “Thank you for lettin’ me be myself again.” I also pray I have let you be yourselves while we have tried, with God’s help and with each other’s help, to keep growing into our best selves. And I trust the same dynamic will hold true in your relationship with

your new pastor.

Not too long ago, I quoted these words by a writer named Flavia Weedn: “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same.” Please know you have left footprints upon my heart and upon Anne’s heart, and neither of us will ever be the same. However, our hearts will forever overflow with gratitude for the time we were given in your midst, and we will seek to carry your blessings to others. We will keep praying too that God’s eternal joy will sustain and carry you forward as you cherish Pilgrim’s past while embracing its future.

with love, Pastor Allen

PIL

PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

NEWSLETTER

Embodying God’s Diversity; Embracing God’s Potential

PILGRIM Congregational Church United Church of Christ

826 No. Union Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63108

__________________

(314) 367-8173 - Phone (314) 367-8174 - Fax

Website: www.pilgrimucc-stl.org

http://groups,google.com/ group/pilgrim-ucc-stl

Email: [email protected]

OUR MINISTERIAL STAFF

THE PEOPLE OF PILGRIM, MINISTERS

REV. DR. ALLEN H. GROTHE, Pastor

MR. CHRISTOPHER KIEPPER, Director of Music Ministries

REV. DR. MARK LEE ROBINSON, Minister of Reconciliation

& Evangelism

Ms. Diane Yanczer Director of Christian Education

Valerie Winslow - Office Manager Vernon Billops -- Head Custodian Harold White ---- Asst. Custodian Yalanda Harris - Nursery Attendant

emb

“No matter who you are or where you are

on life’s journey, you are

WELCOME here.”

Page 2: Issue 1 VOLUME XXV FEBRUARY/MARCH EDITION

PILGRIM’S IN-HOUSE NEWS

(continued on the opposite page)

ADULT EDUCATION SEMINAR RESUMES IN FEBRUARY Our Adult Education Seminars will resume in February, and we will be focusing on the book Understanding White Privilege: Creating Pathways to Authentic Relationships across Race by Frances Kendall. According to the African American Review, “Kendall’s book comes close to meriting the label ‘required reading’ for anyone who would aspire to a radically different racial future.” The book has received a number of other endorsements as well. A brief description of the book is provided below. The seminars will be held on Sunday Mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., in the Conference Room, beginning on February 1. Because of the high cost of the book, reading material will be provided for people on the hallway table a week prior to each class. Come and join us as we seek to grow together as individuals and as a society.

Knowingly and unknowingly we all grapple with race every day. Understanding White Privilege delves into the complex interplay between race, power, and privilege in both organizations and private life. It offers an unflinching look at how ignorance can perpetuate privilege, and it offers practical and thoughtful insights into how people of all races can work to break this cycle. Based upon thirty years of work in diversity with colleges, universities, and corporations, Frances Kendall candidly invites readers to think personally about how race (theirs and others’) frames experiences and relationships, focusing squarely on white privilege and its implications for building authentic relationships across race.

This much-anticipated revised edition includes two full new chapters, one on white women and another extending the discussion on race. It continues the important work of the first, deepening our knowledge of the recurring history on which cross-race relationships issues exist. Kendall’s book provides readers with a more meaningful understanding of white privilege while equipping them with strategies for making personal and organizational changes.

HAVE YOU ORDERED YOUR ALTAR FLOWERS YET!?!

The 2015 Flower Donations Calendar is now on the hallway bulletin board.

Please look at the calendar and choose dates that may have special significance to you that you would like to celebrate. As always, flowers can be donated in honor of family members or in memory of a loved one, in honor of someone or simply just to help beautify the sanctuary.

Just list your name in the date(s) you want and submit the wording you wish to express, and that’s it. The info can be phoned, mailed or sent via email to the office. Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who has already signed up.

Page 3: Issue 1 VOLUME XXV FEBRUARY/MARCH EDITION

February 1 Mary Morris March 1 Kathryn Banks February 8 Margaret Ganyard March 8 TBA February 15 Barry Smith March 15 Marcia Jones-Scott February 22 Amanda Hollis March 22 TBA March 29 TBA

“Glory”

The song “Glory,” from the soundtrack of the movie Selma, is a collaborative effort by John Legend and the rapper Common, and it seemed appropriate to share during Black History Month. We have researched different websites for the lyrics and believe we have the correct ones. However, if anyone knows of any mistakes, please let us know.

Chorus: One day when the glory comes, it will be ours, it will be ours One day when the war is won, we will be sure, we will be sure Oh glory … glory … glory … glory

Hands to the Heavens, no man, no weapon … Formed against, yes, glory is destined Every day women and men become legends … Sins that go against our skin become blessings The movement is a rhythm to us … Freedom is like religion to us Justice is juxtapositionin' us … Justice for all just ain't specific enough One son died, his spirit is revisitin' us … Truant livin,' livin' in us, resistance is us That's why Rosa sat on the bus … That's why we walk through Ferguson with our hands up When it go down, we woman and man up … They say, "Stay down," and we stand up Shots, we on the ground, the camera panned up … King pointed to the mountain top and we ran up (Chorus)

Bridge: Now the war is not over, victory isn't won And we'll fight on to the finish, then when it's all done We'll cry glory … glory … glory … glory We'll cry glory … glory … glory … glory

Selma's now for every man, woman, and child … Even Jesus got his crown in front of a crowd They marched with the torch, we gonna' run with it now … Never look back, we done gone hundreds of miles From dark roads he rose, to become a hero … Facin' the league of justice, his power was the people Enemy is lethal, a king became regal … Saw the face of Jim Crow under a bald eagle The biggest weapon is to stay peaceful … We sing, our music is the cuts that we bleed through Somewhere in the dream we had an epiphany … Now we right the wrongs in history No one can win the war individually … It takes the wisdom of the elders and young people's energy Welcome to the story we call victory … Comin' of the Lord, my eyes have seen the glory

(Chorus) When the war is done, when it's all said and done We'll cry glory, oh glory … We’ll cry glory, oh glory

PILGRIM’S IN-HOUSE NEWS

FEBRUARY LITURGISTS MARCH LITURGISTS

Page 4: Issue 1 VOLUME XXV FEBRUARY/MARCH EDITION

SAVE THE DATE March 1, 2015

A Celebration of the Ministry of Pastor Allen Grothe … Join us for a lunch and special program immediately after service

to celebrate the ministry of Pastor Allen Grothe.

As we prepare to say good-bye to Pastor Allen, please know that we are working hard on making sure that the next steps in this time of transition are as smooth as possible. Thank you to all the members of Council who are putting in more than the traditional one Monday a month for meetings. Thank you to all the members of the Pilgrim Family that are asking questions about the process and keeping us accountable and on our toes. While I can’t promise that there won’t be growing pains, we will try to have as few as possible. Together, we’ll build on the growth-both personal and as a congregation- that we have experienced during Pastor Allen’s time here with us. Together, we will continue to be even better. Kathryn Banks, Moderator

Dear Pilgrims:

Welcome to 2015! I am excited about the New Year and all that it holds for us. We had an amazing year in 2014 and we were able to assist many of our neighbors who struggle with food insecurity through our Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen. Our Soup Kitchen continues to serve hot meals every Wednesday.

Our numbers keep growing as the need is great. We could not have done it without help from all of you. We are small in number, but we have made a great impact on those we help. I appreciate all of your donations of food and financial support.

I am currently seeking donations of books to furnish our Wednesday Ministries library which will be located in the dining hall. We received an $800 grant from the Deaconess Foundation to be used for a literacy program. The library is the first of many things that we would like to incorporate into our ministry. If you have books to donate, please let me know.

The Pilgrim Youth Choir did an amazing job on our Christmas Pageant. We had great participation from the children. We continue to learn and grow each week in Sunday School. We are also looking forward to performing again soon during worship service.

Sincerely,

Diane Yanczer

&

Page 5: Issue 1 VOLUME XXV FEBRUARY/MARCH EDITION

IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

AND IN OUR COMMUNITY

RESTORE THE CORE: Dine Out in the City – Let’s Go Eat! Please join the group @ 6:30 pm, the 1st Thursday of each month.

Restore the Core is a group of people who just enjoy dining out. We meet the first Thursday of every month, trying out and supporting new, independent restaurants that are within the St. Louis city limits. There is no agenda or dues, just extraordinary fellowship!

The “Restore the Core” group will gather on Thursday, February 5 at 6:30 pm, at Rooster on South Grand. Rooster is located at 3150 South Grand, 63118. The spot is the former Commerce Bank Building and has only been open a few months, with good food. Check out the menu at: http://roosterstl.com/files/2015/01/Rooster-2-Dinner-Menu.

It is handicapped accessible, with street parking and a free public parking lot nearby. Price range $$. To RSPV, please contact Jenny Heim at [email protected].

New Board Members Needed

UCM - Union Communion Ministries has several vacancies on its board, and we will be seeking to fill these positions in the coming months. If you have 2 -5 hours per month to spare and you have an interest in helping to govern the business affairs of UCM, then you just might be the person for one of these positions.

Agency information can be found on our web site at www.ucministries.com. If you are interested & need additional information on becoming a member of the UCM board, please contact the agency’s Executive Director, Archilla Buford at (314) 367-2112 or your pastor.

NEWS FROM UNION COMMUNION MINISTRIES

At the January 26th Union Communion Ministries Board of Directors’ meeting, Archilla Buford submitted her letter of resignation as Executive Director of UCM, effective the end of March, 2015. Archilla has served in this position since 2007.

Archilla expressed her heartfelt gratitude for being able to serve in this position but does feel God is calling her to a new though as yet undetermined ministry. All of us at the three partner churches that make up UCM (Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, Union Ave. Christian Church, and Westminster Presbyterian) in turn give thanks for the beautiful gift Archilla has been to us and to the community.

We will sorely miss her but do ask God’s blessings upon her as she lets God lead her into the future. A Farewell Celebration is presently being planned, and details will be shared as they become available.

IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS OUR SICK & SHUT-INS

Phillip Burton Donna Coleman

Kathy Hampton Bobbie J. Hawthorne

Ed Heininger Kathryn Hewitt

Milton Holmes Tamera Jackson

Beverly Jones Tim Macnamee Jewel Mercurio

Joyce Marks Betty & Wayne Morris

Bea Parks Eulice Posley

Brooks Pumphrey Bernard Randolph

Billie Randolph Claire Schuman

Gladys Shiroky Ollie Q. Simms

For contact information, to call or send greetings to someone, please feel to contact the Pilgrim church office at (314) 367-8173 or via email at [email protected]. If you are on Pilgrim’s prayer list and no longer wish to be, please inform either Pastor Allen or the Office Manager. We are reluctant to randomly take people off as we hesitate to assume that someone no longer needs the prayers of Pilgrim Church!

Page 6: Issue 1 VOLUME XXV FEBRUARY/MARCH EDITION

~ 2 0 1 5 FEBRUARY 2 0 1 5 ~

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1 9am Adult Ed in Conference Rm

10:30 Worship w/the Sacrament of Holy Communion

Justice Sale in the parlor

2

3 10am Staff Meeting

4 Wed. Ministries Food Pantry

10 – 11:30 am

Wed. Ministries Soup Kitchen 12-1 pm

7 -8:30 pm Choir

5 Restore the Core: Dining in St. Louis at Rooster, 3150 S. Grand at 6:30 pm

Sacred Soup 6:30 – 8::30 pm

at Mark Robinson’s

6 CHURCH

7

CLOSED

8

9 am Adult Ed in Conference Rm 10:30 Worship & Church School

9

5:30 pm

Church

Council

10

11

Wed. Ministries Soup Kitchen 12-1 pm

7 -8:30 pm Choir

12

Wash. U’s Project ARK will meet in

Goodell Hall 12:30 – 2:30 pm

Sacred Soup 6:30 – 8::30 pm

at Mark Robinson’s

13 CHURCH

14

CLOSED

VALENTINE’S DAY

15 9 am Adult Ed in Conference Rm 10:30 Worship & Church School

Card Signing & Food Pantry

Sunday

16

17

18 Wed. Ministries Food Pantry

10–11:30

Wed. Ministries Soup Kitchen 12-1 pm

JOINT Service 6:30 pm @Pilgrim

NO CHOIR

19

Sacred Soup 6:30 – 8::30 pm

at Mark Robinson’s

20 CHURCH

21 CLOSED

22

9 am Adult Ed in Conference Rm 10:30 Worship & Church School

Service of Release for Pastor Allen by the St. Louis Association

23

24

10am Staff Meeting

25

Wed. Ministries Soup Kitchen 12-1 pm

7 -8:30 pm Choir

26

Sacred Soup 6:30 – 8::30 pm

at Mark Robinson’s

27 CHURCH

28 CLOSED

Meetings for the Building & Grounds Ministry, Membership Care Ministry, Communications & Evangelism,

Worship & Music Ministry, and the Children’s Choir will be announced AS NEEDED.

Snacks by Church Council

Snacks by Church Council

UPCOMING MARCH EVENTS

MARCH 1 – PASTOR ALLEN’S LAST SUNDAY AS PASTOR AND RETIREMENT FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON AFTER WORSHIP

MARCH 6 – WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

MARCH 29 –

Page 7: Issue 1 VOLUME XXV FEBRUARY/MARCH EDITION

~ 2 0 1 5 MARCH 2 0 1 5 ~

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Pastor Allen’s 1 LAST Sunday

10:30 Worship w/ the Sacrament of Holy Communion

Noon -Pastor Allen’s Retirement Luncheon

21

3 10am Staff Meeting

4 Wed. Ministries Food Pantry

10 – 11:30 am

Wed. Ministries Soup Kitchen 12-1 pm

7 -8:30 pm Choir

5

Restore the Core: Dining in St. Louis – TBA 6:30 pm

Sacred Soup 6:30 – 8::30 pm

at Mark Robinson’s

6 CHURCH

World Day

of Prayer

7 CLOSED

8

10:30 Worship and Church School

Justice Sales in the parlor

Amistad Sunday

9

5:30 pm

Church Council

10

11

Wed. Ministries Soup Kitchen 12-1 pm

7 -8:30 pm Choir

12

Sacred Soup 6:30 – 8::30 pm

at Mark Robinson’s

13

CHURCH

14

CLOSED

15 10:30 Worship & Church School

Card Signing & Food Pantry

Sunday

16

17

10am Staff Meeting

18 Wed. Ministries

Food Pantry 10–11:30

Wed. Ministries Soup Kitchen 12-1 pm

7 -8:30 pm Choir

19

for the next newsletter

Sacred Soup

6:30 – 8::30 pm at Mark Robinson’s

20 CHURCH

21 CLOSED

22

10:30 Worship & Church School

23

24

25

Wed. Ministries Soup Kitchen 12-1 pm

7 -8:30 pm Choir

26

Sacred Soup 6:30 – 8::30 pm

at Mark Robinson’s

27 CHURCH

28 CLOSED

29 10:30 Worship and Church School

Pacific Islander and Asian American

Ministries Sunday

30

31

10am Staff Meeting

Meetings for the Building & Grounds Ministry, Membership Care Ministry, Communications & Evangelism,

Worship & Music Ministry, and the Children’s Choir will be announced AS NEEDED.

Snacks by Church Council

Snacks by Church Council

APRIL 2 – MAUNDY THURSDAY – JOINT SERVICE AT WESTMINSTER APRIL 3 – GOOD FRIDAY APRIL 4 – HOLY SATURDAY APRIL 5 – EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 6 – EASTER MONDAY – THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED APRIL 22 – EARTH DAY

U C C W o m e n ‘ s W e e k , M a r c h 1 st - 7 th

UPCOMING APRIL EVENTS

NO Justice Sales this day

Page 8: Issue 1 VOLUME XXV FEBRUARY/MARCH EDITION

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

TIME DATED MATERIAL PLEASE RUSH!

TO PASTOR ALLEN

A REPORT FROM THE BUILDINGS & GROUNDS MINISTRY

We are sad that you have decided to retire. You have been such a great help to our

ministry. We have learned how to open our building to other organizations ... some

worked out and some did not work out ... but we learned how to handle both results.

When Dignity House Food Pantry closed, you encouraged us to take on the task of

feeding our neighbors who are in need and it is now a new ministry called The

Wednesday Ministries ... again a new use for our building. You have made us very

visible in our neighborhood with being a part of the Kensington Block Party and

including neighbors in our annual Christmas Caroling on Kingsbury Place.

Your tenacity in dealing with the roofers and our insurance company is to be truly

admired! If it wasn't for your dedication, we would still be trying to figure out what

needed to be done. We will try to continue your legacy of staying viable and visible in

our neighborhood. Thank you for all you did for us.

We will really miss you.

Pilgrim Congregational Church United Church of Christ

826 North Union Boulevard Saint Louis, Missouri 63108

______________________________

(314) 367-8173 Fax (314) 367-8174 Website: www.pilgrimucc-stl.org

http://groups,google.com/ group/pilgrim-ucc-stl

Email: [email protected]

_________

Non-Profit

U.S. Postage Paid

St. Louis, MO

Permit No. 1122

STILLSPEAKING.COM

WATCH FOR UPCOMING ACTIVITIES & SPECIAL

EVENTS in the

Edition of PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

JOINT ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE 6:30 pm, Wednesday, February 18, 2015,

here at PILGRIM CONGREGATIONAL

PASTOR ALLEN GROTHE will be preaching for this service. Please plan to join us.