Pilgrim weekly E-Blast
Pilgrim Friday E-Blast
September 11, 2026
What Is Happening at Pilgrim!
Today we remember those who died and those who they left behind
Fondue Fest – Saturday, 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.
Pilgrim United Church of Christ
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Weekly Email Newsletter
WEB page: www.pilgrimuccfdl.org
Link to the September Quill:
https://www.pilgrimuccfdl.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Sept2026QuillWorddoc.pdf
A Message from Rev. Jeffrey Dodson
Dear Pilgrim Family,
This Sunday, September 13, we gather at 9:00 AM for Celebration Sunday as we kick off a new church program year at Pilgrim United Church of Christ. After a summer of changing schedules and slower rhythms, it is wonderful to come back together for worship, fellowship, learning, and ministry.
This week we conclude our “Lessons in Leadership” sermon series with “Lessons in Leadership: Grace,” based on Exodus 14:19–31, the story of the Israelites crossing the Sea of Reeds. Throughout this series we have reflected on power, acceptance, and conflict. This final lesson asks what holds those lessons together: grace.
Grace is more than simply being nice or avoiding conflict. Grace allows us to tell the truth without shaming one another, hold boundaries while offering forgiveness, recognize one another’s gifts, and leave room for people, and communities, to grow and begin again. As we look toward a new season at Pilgrim, we will consider what it means to lead and grow together as people who have received God’s grace and are called to extend that grace to others.
Bring your backpacks to church this Sunday!
We will also celebrate the beginning of a new school year with a Backpack Blessing during worship. Students, teachers, administrators, and school staff are invited to bring backpacks, briefcases, teacher totes, or whatever represents the work and learning they carry into this new season. And this blessing is for everyone! Bring your paper calendar, smartphone, work bag… or simply bring yourself. There is no age limit on needing grace, encouragement, a fresh beginning, or the reminder that God is with us.
At the end of worship, please join us in the fellowship hall for our Celebration Sunday Breakfast, featuring trivia and prizes and information about the many programs and opportunities planned for 2026–2027. It will be a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, learn what is coming this year, and celebrate all that God is doing through the Pilgrim community.
I hope you will join us Sunday as we begin this new season together. May we carry less fear and more faith, less judgment and more compassion, and, most of all, grace with us wherever we go.
Blessings,
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 54935Email or text your prayer requests to Rev. Jeffrey Dodson
SUNDAY WORSHIP 9:00 a.m.
Celebration Sunday – Pot luck breakfast after worship
Pilgrim’s programming year kick off September 13
Potluck breakfast following service
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, Janet Yttri (Trixie’s mom)
Adult Education
For those joining from home, the link for the programs will be the same each week.
To join with the Zoom link go to pilgrimuccfdl.org/education
September 13
ADULT FORUM
PILGRIM CELEBRATION POTLUCK following our worship service today in the fellowship hall.
September 14 (12:30PM Start)
Monday afternoons 1:00PM to 2:30PM in the lounge.
Welcome Back to Expanding Horizon Salad Luncheon
Hosts: Adult Education Team
We’ll gather to share a meal, to reconnect and to review the upcoming year.
The Outreach Ministry invites you to help “Stock the Shelves”
of the Fondy Food Pantry during September.
Please see the details in the September Quill.
Lists of the most needed items are also on the shelves in the entryway.
Thank you to all who helped with Loaves and Fishes this past Wednesday.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Please sign up (on the clipboard in narthex) if you plan to attend Pilgrim’s Intergenerational Night on Friday 9/18. We will be tie dying t-shirts. If you bring your own item to tie dye – 100% cotton works the best! See you on the 18th!
Teachers, Shepherds, and Youth Group Leaders:
Please consider serving as a teacher or shepherd in the Sunday School program.
Or as a Youth Group Leader. Lessons are provided to you and no prior teaching experience is needed.
Please scan the QR code or stop by the youth bulletin board to find the sign up sheet. We would love to have you join the team!
Sunday School Registration:
We are looking forward to the upcoming school year!
Please take a moment to register your students for Sunday School using the QR code
or with the paper copy found on the youth bulletin board.
We are so excited to welcome back our students!
The Christian Education Ministry is in search of a new ministry member.
Please reach out to Michael or ministry member if you are interested in
supporting our children and youth by serving in our ministry.
We would love to have you!
Memorial Garden dedication
A Memorial Garden dedication service will be held on Sunday, September 20th.
The worship service will conclude with a dedication prayer and a
short walk through the Memorial Garden space that surrounds Ruth Sandidge’s tree
Donations for the Memorial garden can be made anytime to help with the upkeep and maintenance.
There will be donation envelopes in the weekly bulletins leading up to the Memorial Garden dedication service. Please put your name on the envelope if you wish to receive proper credit for this church donation.
YOGA stretching with Jean is back, every Thursday at 9am in the Fellowship Hall.
Pilgrim’s ONA group is hosting a discussion of the movie Call Me Malcolm.
September 27th: Adult Forum, 10:15–11:15 a.m. in the lounge.
October 4th: 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary.
Created within the UCC Justice Ministry, Call Me Malcolm tells Malcolm’s story and introduces the experiences of transgender people.
The film invites viewers to deepen their understanding of faith, love, gender identity, and their own journeys through grace, compassion, and knowledge.
Please watch the movie in advance if possible: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh4Pv10lFyc
Advance viewing is not required; we will show trailers during the discussions so everyone can participate.
For those without reliable internet, Pilgrim’s ONA group will show the movie at Pilgrim:
Sunday, September 20th — time TBD, Pilgrim’s lounge
Friday, September 25th — 5:00 p.m., Pilgrim’s lounge
*Please note: there will be no discussion sessions after these movie viewings.
We look forward to learning and growing together on September 27th and October 4th at Pilgrim or online. Find the Zoom links at www.pilgrimuccfdl.org/education
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!
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
Need to have something added to the weekly email?
EMAIL: neal.sieglaff@pilgrimuccfdl.org
Wisconsin Conference Newsletters are found at https://wcucc.org/news/newsletters/
Fall Book Study: “The Future Is Peace”
Thursdays 6:30–7:30 PM, beginning Thursday, September 10
Looking for a meaningful opportunity to explore faith, justice, and peacemaking with others? Pastor Karen Gygax Rodriguez of the Federated Church in Green Lake and Professor Emeritus Brian Smith from Ripon College co-moderate a weekly Zoom book discussion during the academic year focused on issues of social justice and spirituality. The group began during the COVID-19 pandemic and has grown into a community of approximately 30 regular participants from seven states. The group meets Thursday evenings from 6:30–7:30 PM, beginning Thursday, September 10.
For the first seven weeks of the fall, the group will read and discuss The Future Is Peace: A Shared Journey Across the Holy Land by Aziz Abu Sarah and Maoz Inon. New York: Crown Publishers. The authors—one Israeli and one Palestinian—have each lost family members in the conflict, yet have come together to promote peace, reconciliation, and a shared future for both peoples.
Each week, participants will receive chapter summaries and discussion questions in advance. Sessions are also recorded for those who are unable to attend. No prior experience with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is necessary—just a willingness to listen, learn, and engage in thoughtful conversation. Everyone is welcome! If you would like to participate, please contact Pastor Karen Gygax Rodriguez of the Federated Church so she can include you in the weekly Zoom invitations: kgr7@greenlakefederated.org
Come join us for conversation, learning, and an exploration of what it might mean to choose peace in a divided world.
🎨 CALL FOR ARTISTS
RECOVERY UNFILTERED: Conversation, Hope, Music & Connection
We invite artists and community members of all ages and experience levels to share artwork that reflects hope, healing, resilience, connection, personal growth, or the human experience.
You do not have to consider yourself an artist—we want to see what inspires you and tells your story.
We will curate approximately 30 pieces for display at:
📅 Sunday, September 20, 2026
⏰ 1:00–5:00 PM
📍 Fond du Lac County Prairie Theater & Event Center
HOW TO SUBMIT
Send a photo of your artwork by September 15th to:
Please include your name (or anonymous), title of the piece, and a brief description/story if desired.
Your story matters. Your perspective matters. Your creativity creates connection.
#RecoveryUnfiltered #CommunityArt #StigmaAwareness #HopeAndHealing
You can still purchase tickets to attend the annual Voces de la Frontera Gala on Friday, September 18.
Visit: https://vdlf.org/2026-gala/
People4peoplefdl
people4peoplefdl@gmail has many announcement this week – please check out this page on our WEB site for the whole email from them: https://www.pilgrimuccfdl.org/mission/people4peoplefdl-news-email/
I know this is short notice, but I wanted to invite any Green Team or Creation Care Team to display your Electrified Vehicle at the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on
Saturday, Sept 19th, at their Fond du Lac campus.
This is a great opportunity to support the CSA’s 168-year legacy of environmental concern, as well as the 20-year Driving in God’s Garden outreach by Drive $mart Wisconsin.
So, if you own a Hybrid, a Plug-In Hybrid, or a Full Battery Electric vehicle and want to share your knowledge and experience,
as well as share the benefits of ownership, please fill out the Join Us section at this link for the National Drive Electric Month event:
https://driveelectricmonth.org/event?eventid=5447
Here is some background on the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes and their 168-year history, as well as the 20-year Driving in God’s Garden initiative.