Pilgrim weekly E-Blast
Pilgrim Friday E-Blast
What is Happening at Pilgrim!
It’s August and there is a lot of upcoming events as we ready for our New Program Year
August 21, 2026
REMINDER: There have been a number of members who received either an INVITATION or what looks like a E-Greeting Card from people at Pilgrim. These are attempts to gain personal or log-in information. Do not click on the links and if you have provided a password we suggest you change the password for that account. When in doubt check with the church office , Pastor Jeffrey, or Neal Sieglaff. Thank you.
A note on these E-Blast emails; we have received reports that people we are sending to are not receiving the E-Blasts. Most of the big email platforms are aggressively blocking emails especially from email lists that their criteria identifies as possible attacks ( I know had to believe when you look at the junk that comes into your inbox).
Starting today I am going to make some changes to minimize the chances of having our E-Blast identified this way. One major thing will be to limit the URL links to other sites than pilgrimuccfdl.org. I will include them on the Email but they will not be hyper-links so you will need to copy and paste them into your WEB browser. Second I will limit the pictures in the E-Blast email because they need to link to somewhere as well. However if you wish to have pictures and all the active links you can go to our WEB site E-Blast page at www.pilgrimuccfdl.org/about-pilgrim/e-blast
WEB Page: www.pilgrimuccfdl.org
Link to August Quill newsletter: https://www.pilgrimuccfdl.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/August2026QuillWorddoc-1.pdf
Dear Pilgrim Family,
As I begin this new chapter with you as your minister, I want to share how grateful I am for the warm welcome, kindness, and openness you have already extended to me. Already 3 weeks into this work, I find I am deeply honored to walk alongside this faith community, and I look forward with joy to discovering together all that God is calling Pilgrim to be and do in the days ahead.
This Sunday, August 23, we gather for worship at 9:00 AM as we begin a new 4 week worship series, Lessons in Leadership. This week, we give our attention to “Power.” Our scripture is Exodus 1:8–2:10, the story of Moses’ birth and the courageous women who refused to let Pharaoh’s abuse of power have the final word.
Pharaoh used his power through fear, oppression, and violence. Yet the people who changed the story were not those with official authority. Shiphrah, Puah, Moses’ mother, Miriam, and Pharaoh’s daughter each used the power they had to protect life and create hope. Their example invites us to ask: How are we using the power and influence we have?
The women in Exodus remind us that leadership does not always come from positions of authority. Sometimes leadership is a midwife refusing an unjust command, a mother protecting her child, a young girl keeping watch, or a stranger choosing compassion.
What will we do with the power we have? Join us Sunday as we explore this question and consider how Pilgrim can use its power faithfully for life, hope, mental health, and the flourishing of our community.
I look forward to worshiping with you at 9:00 AM this Sunday!
Grace and peace,
Rev. Jeffrey
No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here
Rev. Jeffrey Dodson, M.Div., has served as the Minister of Pilgrim United Church of Christ since August 2026, and is a member of the Wisconsin Conference UCC Board of Directors and the Association of Professional Chaplains. Rev. Jeffrey lives in Ripon with his spouse Ashley and three daughters: Ainslie (6th grade), and twins Ellie and Frankie (3rd grade), and their dog Artemis. He has served as a chaplain, executive camp director, Minister for churches in Vermont, Wyoming, and Colorado, and is a director for theater at Ripon High School. Rev. Jeffrey is passionate about justice and peace, and sharing his gifts with the wider community.
Contact Info:
📧 jeffrey.dodson@pilgrimuccfdl.org
📞 719-330-8549
📬 535 Stow St. Fond du Lac WI 54935
Email or text your prayer requests to Rev. Jeffrey Dodson
SUNDAY WORSHIP 9:00 a.m.
Join Pilgrim worship where ever you are This is the YouTube link for worship:
https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimucc117/streams
REMINDER:
If you need a ride to Pilgrim Sunday church service, please contact Randy Stutz 920-539-6277
Prayerful Support: Allison Zimmerman (Betty Sinnen’s daughter),Betty Karls (Cancer), Lee, Dana Caldwell, Jim Thomas, Jerry Wicihowski, Judie Behnke, Brooklyn Heitger, Gene Wicihowski (Steven’s uncle), Judy Reinke, Abigail Blanc, Carl Zwerg (son of Lynne Zwerg), Luke (friend of Martial Blanc), Judi Faubel, Brian Blank, all the families that were affected by the tornado in Menasha/Appleton/Neenah, Dave & Kathy Wicihowski (Steven’s parents) & Mary Hobbs’ relatives: Susie, Karen, Bob, Tailor & Mike
Calling all Choir Members (Existing + New + Interested)
The 2026-2027 choir season starts on Thursday, September 3, 2026at 7:00 PM in the choir loft at church for the first practice.
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Fondue Fest – September 12
Pilgrim will again have a table at Fondue Fest on September 12 on Main Street. Please check out the poster in the Narthex and sign up to be a part of this fun time! We need at least 2 people at our table through-out the day and will have giveaways to help share our message of love and inclusion. Thank-you! Membership and Evangelism.
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Our next Loaves and Fishes meal is on September 9, 2026. As always, help will be needed and greatly appreciated. Please sign up to help on the poster in the Narthex.
If you have questions, please contact Karen Goodacre or Jim Bentley.
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Pilgrim Celebration Sunday – September 13
All are Welcome to the Celebration potluck after worship – More information to Come
Children, Youth, and Adults are invited to participate in our Summer Bingo Game! Complete the tasks on the game to stay engaged in church and wellness activities during the summer. Complete 5 in a row and turn in for a chance to win a prize. Complete every activity on the game board and be entered to win our grand prize! Turn in completed Bingo boards to the drop off box in the Narthex by Sunday, August 23rd for your chance to win.
The Christian Education Ministry is in search of a new ministry member. Please reach out to Michael if you are interested in supporting our children and youth by serving in our ministry. We would love to have you!
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Adult Education
ADULT FORUM & EXPANDING HORIZONS
WATCH YOUR MAIL IN AUGUST FOR THE FULL BROCHURE!
ADULT EDUCATION
Time to Get Ready for:Pilgrim’s Fall Rummage Sale
Thursday, October 15, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday, October 16, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday, October 17, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Stay tuned for more details to come!
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SCRIPT
As we begin to get ready for the new program year and the return of school, please keep the SCRIP program in mind. Stop at the SCRIP table in the Narthex and purchase your needs for the week…gas, grocery & restaurant (places you go regularly) cards to name a few. You buy the cards at face value (ex. $25 Kwik Trip – you pay $25) but the church earns a percentage of each card purchase. Please stop and talk with Karen on Sunday morning or call her at 920)904-5740 if you have any questions. This program has so much more potential than we are utilizing!!
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PILGRIM PRARIE GARDEN
That’s a lot of yellow flowers! And it’s ok as this is the 2nd growing season for Pilgrim’s Prairie. What you see blooming is mostly brown-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia). Rudbeckia is a native biennial or short-lived perennial that often dominates a prairie planting in the first 1-3 years. This dominance is temporary and beneficial as they help stabilize the soil, occupy space and out-compete many non-native weeds. Plus, they provide excellent late-summer nectar and pollen for pollinators and seeds for birds.
As longer-lived prairie perennials like bluestem grasses, coneflowers, bergamot, and asters establish deeper roots and expand, the brown-eyed Susans naturally decline. Full establishment and peak diversity take 3-5 years. Patience is the main requirement for establishing a prairie.
GREEN TEAM
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Pastor Jeffrey’s office hours:
in August on the following days:
Mondays: 9:00 AM to 12 noon
Tuesdays: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Wednesdays: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Thursdays: 9:00 AM to 12 noon
Fridays and Saturdays will be my Sabbath days, and I will typically not be available on those days except for scheduled special services or events.
I will be in the office at other times throughout the week.
If you would like to visit with me during a time not listed, feel free to call me and we can set up a time to get together.
You can contact me at jeffrey.dodson@pilgrimuccfdl.org or on my cell phone (719) 330-8549.
Church Office Hours: 09:00 AM – 1PM
Monday – Friday
Need to have something added to this weekly email?
EMAIL: neal.sieglaff@pilgrimuccfdl.org
I am sharing the info below for FDL Indivisble 1st Annual Picnic next month, Sept 13. This will be a good place to meet and connect with others in the community. RSVP is requested, but I think the address in the poster is incorrect. Use fdlindivisible@yahoo.com
Tracy Abler
Message from Juliann Bliefnick – FREE Movement
we continue to hold our monthly solidarity caravans past Taycheedah Correctional Institution on the 23rd of every month. We meet at 4:30 p.m. in the Festival Foods parking lot before driving past the institution together. Taycheedah is operating at nearly twice its intended capacity, and the conditions women describe are deeply troubling. Our goal is simple: to remind the women inside that they are seen, they are valued, and they have not been forgotten. We would love to have more members of the Fond du Lac community join us.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would like more information. The women of FREE Movement are always grateful for partners who believe that stronger, healthier communities are built through compassion, dignity, and justice.
Thank you for your continued support.
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Kindly,
Juli Bliefnick
FREE Northeast Organizer
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Dear P4P Friends,
Kat Griffith has created a new presentation that will focus on the arrest and detention machine the Trump Administration has built. It will cover the following:
The starting point of our story: border data from 1980 – 2024
Resourcing the machine: the DHS budget and the OBBB
Staffing the machine: recruiting, hiring and training agents; 287(g) agreements
The detention center build-out: following the money
Who’s being detained and what happens in detention?
What can we do – and why we shouldn’t feel hopeless!
Please plan to join us – and bring your friends – for Kat’s presentation:
ICE Arrest and Detention Machine
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Founders Hall
CSA Motherhouse
320 County Rd K
Fond du Lac, WI 54937
We will also appreciate you helping us spread the word.
Please continue to watch your emails as we work to bring Rapid Response Training to FDL!
In Light & Love,
Tracy Abler
Secretary