Pilgrim weekly E-Blast
Friday E-Blast
for October 2, 2026
The Link to the October Quill is: https://www.pilgrimuccfdl.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Oct2026QuillWorddoc.pdf
What’s Happening at Pilgrim
Reverend Jeffrey Dodson Weekly Message
Dear Pilgrim Family and Friends,
This Sunday, October 4, we gather at 9:00 AM for worship and World Communion Sunday. We’ll celebrate the ways God’s love connects us across communities, cultures, and the whole of creation, and we’ll be blessed by music from our choir.
Our Sermon this Sunday is “The Cornerstone of Creation,” based on Matthew 21:33–46, Jesus’ parable of the vineyard and the rejected stone that becomes the cornerstone. We’ll reflect on what it means to be caretakers rather than owners of God’s creation, and what kind of “fruit” our lives and our community are producing: justice, mercy, compassion, generosity, and love.
October 4 is also the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, and this year marks the 800th anniversary of his death.
I have been reflecting on a poem that speaks beautifully to his life, “Saint Francis and the Birds,” by Seamus Heaney:
When Francis preached love to the birds
They listened, fluttered, throttled up
Into the blue like a flock of words
Released for fun from his holy lips.
Then wheeled back, whirred about his head,
Pirouetted on brothers’ capes.
Danced on the wing, for sheer joy played
And sang, like images took flight.
Which was the best poem Francis made,
His argument true, his tone light.
Francis is remembered for preaching the Gospel to all creation and for his deep love of the natural world. As we conclude the Season of Creation, we’ll consider how we might follow Francis’ example by finding joy in creation and joining God’s work of renewal and healing.
Because it is World Communion Sunday, we remember that God’s table is larger than just Pilgrim UCC. Christians around the world will gather around tables of bread and cup, reminding us that we are part of a global community and that God’s love extends beyond every boundary we might create.
We will also receive the Neighbors in Need Special “5 for 5” Offering, providing an opportunity for us to share the abundance entrusted to us and help produce the fruits of justice and compassion in the lives of our neighbors.
A few announcements for Sunday:
• Children will stay in worship this Sunday and are welcome to participate with their families in Communion.
• The Church Council hosts Fellowship Hour after Worship at 10:15 am.
• “Call Me Malcolm” – Join us on Sunday October 4 as our Open and Affirming Ministry continues a conversation about the documentary which can be viewed online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh4Pv10lFyc.
I hope you’ll join us this Sunday at 9:00 AM as we worship, sing, share communion, care for creation, and celebrate the amazing ways God can take what has been rejected and make it something beautiful.
Come worship with us. There is room at the table, and there is work to do in the vineyard!
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.
COMMUNION SERVICE – Pilgrim Choir Sings
“Neighbors in Need”: The Stewardship Committee is asking Fondy Pilgrims to Please Support Our UCC Special Mission Offering on
October 4th by using the “Neighbors in Need” Envelopes in the Sunday Bulletin today, Oct. 4th. Thank You.
Join Pilgrim worship where ever you are – LIVE STREAMED on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimucc117/streams
This link is also available on the WEB site Home page
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), 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, Janet Yttri (Trixie’s mom), Perry Brandenburg (Patty Minter’s brother-in-law) & Gordy Rupert (Tracy Abler’s dad) & the family of Jean Fischer.
Sunday School
(Sunday School Students stay in worship & celebrate Communion)
ADULT EDUCATION THIS WEEK
{For those joining from home, the link for the programs will be the same each week}
They are found on the church WEB site at www.pilgrimuccfdl.org/education
Sunday, October 4
COFFEE HOUR IN LOUNGE AFTER WORSHIP
&
ONA Committee
Discussion on “Call Me Malcolm” – Part 2
In the Sanctuary at 10:30am
Leader: Pilgrim’s ONA team
We look forward to learning and growing together as we meet to discuss “Call Me Malcolm”
(There will be video clips in the presentation before each section of discussion)
LINK for ZOOM Adult Forum: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87682457999?pwd=NklCT0ZEYWtTRnIwcEtRNDBCMGRhQT09
Monday, October 5 at 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
EXPANDING HORIZONS
Buddhism 101
Leader: Reishin Denise Leong
Hollow Bones / Zen River Sangha
We have so many questions! Reishin Denise will join us to share the beliefs, practices and heart of Buddhism.
LINK for ZOOM Expanding Horizons: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88978012384?pwd=cGxJa0pJbExSM0FFWEtIMmtJYzNodz09
The Outreach Ministry is sponsoring our annual Coats for Kids collection
Oct. 1-29. Please bring new or gently used coats (any size) and place them
on the shelves or in the box in the entryway.
Every child deserves a warm coat for our Wisconsin winter!
Thank you.
Its that time again – Thursday, November 5 serving 4 – 6:30
Randy will be donning the PIG hat this Sunday for the first announcement
YOGA stretching with Jean is back, every Thursday at 9am in the Fellowship Hall.
The Memorial Garden Committee will be having a wreath and tool kit raffle.
Tickets available before and after church on November 1st, 8th and 15th with drawing to take place after service on Nov 15th. 1 for $5 or 3 for $10
Fall Rummage Sale!
The upcoming dates for the next rummage sale are:
Thursday, October 15, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday, October 17, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Friday, October 16, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Stay tuned for more details to come!
Pill Bottle Collection Update
Thank you for helping us send about 1,000 pill bottles to the collection agency for reuse!
We have one important request: please wash your bottles inside and out and remove any sticky label residue before dropping them off.
Postage is costly, so we can only send clean bottles. A little soap and warm water does the trick!
Pastor Jeffrey’s office hours:
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
email Amy at amy.rector@pilgrimuccfdl.org
Phone: 920-921-0415
Wisconsin Conference Newsletters are found at https://wcucc.org/news/newsletters/
Need to have something added to the weekly email?
EMAIL: neal.sieglaff@pilgrimuccfdl.org
Join us Saturday, Oct. 3, at the CSA Earth Fair in Fond du Lac
and talk to the experts about how you can start saving money on gas today and become a safer driver as well.
Stop by our faith-based outreach called “Driving in God’s Garden and learn about the Top Ten $mart Driving skills to save you money.
Really, 10-30% savings on gas prices…YES!
Dear Church friends,
Following a moving dedication ceremony last weekend when Amanda and her three children became homeowners, we are pleased to announce that applications for our next partner family are opening soon.
As you interact with families in need in your communities, please make them aware.
Yours,
Al Sturgeon
Church Communications, Chair
Habitat for Humanity of Fond du Lac County
People4people announcements are on our WEB site at www.pilgrimuccfdl.org/mission/people4people-news-email
Marian University Circle K has asked us to help get the word out about their Trunk and Treat event
on Oct 25th at Marian University parking lot.
I have attached the flyer if you could please share with friends and family.
Thank you
Donna Freund [email: dkfreund@charter.net ]
Fall Dates for Conversations of the Heart!
The Sisters of St. Agnes invite you to a 6-week series, Conversations of the Heart,
to learn skills and habits for having healthy conversations with those who have different opinions and perspectives.
Starting October 12 and ending November 16, each Monday night from 5:30 â 7pm.
This is in person: CSA Motherhouse in Founders Hall, 320 County Rd K.
Details at: www.csasisters.org/our-values/unity.cfm <or> to apply: forms.gle/6wTMz4UDJy9Fzv8Y9