Hello Pilgrim family & friends!

Part of a Lenten journey can include a call to conversion. A time to “come back to God with all our hearts”. It is an invitation to move away from misdeeds and toward a closer relationship with Christ.

Rather than just external sacrifices, the focus is on a true change of heart, or “rending the heart”. As members of Pilgrim UCC, an Open and Affirming church, we utilize this time of Lent to look inside ourselves and contemplate.

To assist us in that contemplation, following are two links to help educate and give us insights into different viewpoints:

1) An article from Ash Wednesday 2020 – https://justiceunbound.org/queerlent-ash-wednesday/

2) A short video (2023) entitled: LGBTQ+ congregants on finding faith and acceptance –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46_N0GQg8WI

Pilgrim remains active in spreading the word (yes evangelizing!) about being an ONA church! Thanks to Ministry & Outreach for taking the lead in registering Pilgrim for the 17th United for Diversity event held on Saturday, February 21. Our booth assignment was alongside our Café Q friends and fellow Ally churches. We thank all who were able to help that day as well as Pilgrim members and friends who stopped by to say HI!

We thank Barb Roder for stepping up and preparing the meal for Café Q’s valentine gathering on February 20th! Café Q sends its deepest thanks to all that contribute. Remember, if cooking isn’t your skill set – feel free to utilize Pilgrim’s Scrip program and donate cards to Café Q. Cards for grocery stores or restaurants are always appreciated. And when we purchase Scrip, Pilgrim also sees a benefit!

Please plan on joining us in the Sanctuary after worship on Sunday, June 7th. We will have our 2nd and final “We are ONA – What Now” discussion. This will be a duplicate of our January discussion – giving you a chance to give input you might not have thought of in January. Or giving people who weren’t able to attend in January the chance to give input. Also please remember that ONA team members Christine Deaner-Rogers & Sue Kaiser would be happy to sit down for a talk anytime.

Also, please let them know if you are willing to participate on the ONA Team. We will be planning a meeting for April and would love to have you join us.

Your Pilgrim ONA Team!