Worship This Week
Can you believe that next Wednesday (2/22) is Ash Wednesday? Yes, Lent is almost here. We’ll begin the season next Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. with a mostly-sung Taize service of reflection and the imposition of ashes. (Yes, Choir. You’ll still meet after the service.)
A few things about the season of Lent…
1) It’s the six week period leading up to Easter Sunday (April 8 this year).
2) It’s a time for personal reflection.
3) It’s traditional either to give something up or to take something on for Lent…like giving up Facebook or taking on a practice like daily prayer.
4) At Pilgrimage this year, we’ll have another tool available to assist you with your personal reflections. Rachel Shively has put together a Lenten Reflection Guide. The Guide will help to focus your reflections during Lent.
Copies will be available by Ash Wednesday.
5) The theme for Lent this year is Covenant. Sermons will focus on God’s covenants with human beings and our covenants (think relationships) with each other.
6) Lent is the season of no Hallelujahs (or Alleluias)….
…which means we’ll be singing Hallelujahs for all we’re worth on Sunday! So bring plenty of your own and come ready to celebrate. It’s going to be a great day.
See you Sunday,
Kim
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
First Ever Pilgrimage Chili Throw Down Next Weekend!!
Greetings All!
Please feel free to pass along the flyer which was sent to you through email a couple of days ago for the Chili Throw Down. This event will be held on the 25th of this month and we’re extending the invitation to any and all friends, family members, coworkers and others!
We want this to be a great turn out for our church so the better we do at getting the word out, hopefully the better the turn out!
Looking forward to seeing everyone!
–Gabriela Mills & Caroline Massie
MISSIONS COMMITTEE – WE NEED YOUR HELP!!
For the past year, our congregation has been involved in the fight against Human Trafficking/Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children by educating ourselves about the issues; attending meetings with other faith communities, government representatives, and people interested in the issue; supporting young girls who have been rescued from the trafficking by providing Christmas gifts, sewing school bags, and donating school supplies and blankets; and writing legislators to ask them to support several bills to increase penalties for pimps, providing services for the rescued girls and women, and stating that the girls and boys under the age of 17 are VICTIMS not prostitutes. Last year, the Georgia Legislature passed HB 200 which covered the items in the last sentence, but there was no funding attached to the bill. The head of the Georgia GBI has been very proactive without funding, and he has set up a task force of professionals by taking several people from other task forces (already, they have opened 125 investigations), initiated training for police to learn to be more sensitive to
the victims and more observant to catch the pimps and johns using training grants from President Obama’s stimulus bill, and coordinating resources for victims after they are rescued.
This session, the House has passed HB 1151 which sets up a study commission to study human trafficking and the treatment of victims in Georgia. Senator Renee Uterman (R), who has introduced bills to deal with human trafficking for the past four years, is going to introduce a similar bill in the Georgia Senate.
**This is where we need your HELP.** Please write to your state senator to ask that he/she vote yes to set up a study commission in Georgia to look at the total issue and decide what needs to be done next. If you do not know your state senator’s name, you can go to www.GA.gov to find out his/her name. Please feel free to forward this request to friends and family. Representative Buzz Brockway stated, “It has been non-profits, faith communities, and individuals who have pushed the lawmakers for better laws and services for the victims to help them escape from the trade and reestablish their lives.”
Thank you so much for your assistance. A Future Not a Past periodically sends out information about upcoming bills in the legislature which deal with children’s issues and human trafficking, so we will be requesting your participation for other write in campaigns.
Beth Loyless and Fran Howard
One Great Hour of Sharing
This year, we will begin collecting for this cause on March 18.
Did you know One Great Hour of Sharing responds to disasters on average every 2.5 days, while it changes lives 365 days each year? Your gift to OGHS is hard at work in 138 countries, including the U.S. When you make a gift to the offering you become a partner in the refugee, disaster relief, and community development efforts of the UCC.
Thank you in advance for your support of the offering.
Dr. of Friendship Award
Each year the deacons designate a Pilgrimage member as the Doctor of Friendship, someone who does not seek, but is deserving of, recognition. This person prefers to be behind the scenes, seeing a need and quietly going to work, serving God through church and community. We have many such “backstage” workers at Pilgrimage, but because they shun the limelight, we’re not always aware of their accomplishments. That’s why the deacons need your eyes and ears to bring these folks to our attention.
As we seek nominations for the 2012 Doctor of Friendship Award, consider this verse from the hymn, “Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant,” by Richard Gillard:
“We are pilgrims on a journey, we are travelers on the road;
We are here to help each other go the mile and bear the load.”
Perhaps you know of a fellow traveler who has gone the extra mile, whose good deeds have helped lighten the load. Tell us why you feel this person should be our next honoree. You will find nomination forms on the table in the narthex, or you can email Juliann Heilhecker. Return your nomination to Juliann by placing the form in the Deacons’ mailbox in the church office or by emailing:
VBS Announcement
The Vacation Bible School theme this year is Little Children – Big Difference. The children will learn Bible stories about children and do mission projects which will help other children throughout the world. We are asking anyone interested (especially youth and children), to contribute ideas for this year’s t-shirt design based
on this theme. There is a box in the narthex where you can place your drawing, or you may email it to vbs@pilgrimageucc.org. Submissions must be in by Sunday, March 11.
February is Undie-Sunday Month
The Missions Committee is collecting packages of new underwear during the month of February which will be
donated to our friends at MUST. Underwear and T-shirts for the men and women who come to MUST are especially needed. While underwear for kids is needed, most of MUST’s clients are men and women. We
appreciate your support for this important mission’s project.
EVENTS THIS WEEK
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday falls on February 22nd this year. The service will begin at 7:00 p.m.
YOUTH
On Saturday, February 25, the youth will participate in a bowling event. For more information, contact Wayne at neuton25@yahoo.com.
The Youth Council Meeting will be held Sunday, February 26 at 12:30 p.m.
Project Open Hand
The Youth Council has teamed up with the Missions Committee to provide you with an opportunity to serve the greater Atlanta community through Project Open Hand. On Sunday, March 11 we will be packaging food at the Project Open Hand kitchen from Noon – 3:00 PM. These meals will then be delivered to low-income men, women, and children who are dealing with a critical, chronic, or terminal disease; and to homebound seniors. If we get a large enough group, there may be an opportunity to help deliver food as well.
If you are interested in joining the youth on this important mission project please contact Wayne Scott (neuton25@yahoo.com or 770-652-3057).
Youth Mission Trip This Summer
Our youth are in full swing planning for their mission trip to a Native American reservation this summer. Has learning about their trip stirred some interest in you for a trip for adults? The UCC is providing several opportunities for service this summer. Read about them at http://www.ucc.org/volunteer/disaster-recovery-volunteers/. If you have an interest–and especially if you’d be interested in
coordinating a trip!–please let Kim or the Missions Committee know! Missions committee members are: Kathy Mateer (Chair), Betty Roth, Fran Howard, Beth Loyless, Sterling Garner, and Janet Alspach.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
March Book Club
The March evening meeting will be held Thursday, March 1 at the home of Beth Loyless. The book for discussion is “Wickerby, An Urban Pastoral” by Charles Siebert.
The Day Book Club will meet Wednesday, March 14 at 1:00 p.m. The book for discussion is “The Tiger’s Wife”
by Tea-e Obrecht.
Deacons Potluck & Trivia Night
The Annual Pilgrimage UCC Deacon Family Potluck Trivia Night is Saturday, March 24, 2011, at 6:00 p.m.! We ask that you bring a favorite food item to share with your friends and family, as well as your thinking caps for the
questions that will be carefully selected and kept hidden in a vault by the accounting firm, Price Waterhouse (kidding!). There will be prizes and great fun, so mark your calendar and plan to join us!
April Book Club News—Mark Your Calendar!!
On Thursday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m., Patricia Sprinkle will be joining us at Pilgrimage to discuss her latest novel,
“Friday’s Daughter.” It will be a great time to meet the author of several Georgia-based novels (including two very entertaining mystery series) AND to learn about her significant advocacy work, especially on behalf of children.
ITEMS OF INTEREST
From the Church Action Newsletter Week of February 13, 2012 Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta RCCAtl.org:
Don’t forget to come out to support A Future. Not A Past., Street GRACE, and Janie Chu. Thursday, February 23, 8 p.m. at the Drunken Goat, 736 Ponce de Leon Ave NE , Atlanta 30306
Eleven years after his sold-out run of The Gospel of John at Theatre in the Square, Brad Sherrill returns to the Alley Stage to bring new life to Jesus’ words as written in Matthew, Mark and Luke. This world premiere performance is not to be missed! Brad Sherrill Red Letter Jesus, Feb 8- March 10, at Theatre in the Square, Marietta Find out more and buy tickets at www.theatreinthesquare.com
Georgia-South Carolina Association of the UCC Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of the Georgia-South Carolina Association of the UCC, will take place on Saturday March 3rd. The meeting is being held at Decatur UCC, 109 Hibernia Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030.
Early registration is encouraged. Copies of the registration forms are located in the Narthex. If you would like a form sent via email, please send your request to office@pilgrimageucc.org.
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SUPPORT
Cancer Support Community
www.thewellnesscommunity-atlanta.org
Support groups link:
http://www.thewellnesscommunity-atlanta.org/current_support_programs.htm
Tidings & eTidings Information
The deadline for the articles and prayer list in Tidings is WEDNESDAY at 5:00 PM. You may continue to send in prayer concerns at any time, and they will go into the next Tidings.
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To receive the weekly eTidings, please make sure we have your
current email address by sending an email request to office@pilgrimageucc.org
and we will see to it that our address book is updated.
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astor Kim’s Weekly Blog
Check out Pastor Kim’s weekly blog, “Spirituality for Real Life” at: www.reallifepastor.wordpress.com
Global Ministries
If you want to learn more about ways in which the UCC is involved
in Global Missions, visit the Global Ministries website at www.globalministries.org.
(You can also sign up to get weekly global ministries updates.)
Going Green!
Pilgrimage’s newsletter is posted to our website each month.
If you wish to continue to receive the newsletter in the mail, please contact the
office at office@pilgrimageucc.org. Copies are also
available in the narthex.
Recycling:
Pilgrimage has always recycled, but now we are going to streamline the process.
After contacting our trash service, we found out that there is no need to separate the recycling; however, they ask that we rinse out the plastic soda bottles and aluminum cans. Recycled products include
everything except bubble wrap and Styrofoam.
A wooden bin will be located in the Fellowship Hall where you can place your recycling. Recycling and trash pickup are every Thursday, meaning that we’ll have to have the container ready for pick up the night before.
See how easy it is! Let us know if you have any questions or comments regarding our recycling program by emailing office@pilgrimageucc.org.
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Joys and Concerns
New
- Travel mercies for Amy & Morgan while they are away to visit family in Wilmington NC.
- Janet D—prayers for Ken’s cousin, Anna (& her children, Thomas & Hillary) whose husband, Dennis, passed away this week; good news that Ken’s son, Jeff’s wife had successful surgery & is doing well.
- Michelle B—prayers for her sister, Mary, who will be going on kidney dialysis.
- Prayers for Wayne S & his family as his father passed away last weekend from cancer.
- Carol H—prayers for her friend’s husband, Scott, who is having health concerns; prayers for Eden who has been furloughed from her job.
- Becky N—prayers for friends & associates who are experiencing cancer-related issues.
- Kathie H—prayers for her co-worker, Taylor, whose niece died from leukemia.
- Paula R—prayers for her sister, Laura, who is having divorce-related issues.
- Bill M—prayers for his cousin whose daughter lost her battle with cancer.
- Mary H—shared joy that her son, Mike, is home visiting.
- Kim P—shared joy that she is expecting a baby in September.
- Michelle K—was happy to report that her Mom’s surgery was successful & she may not need further treatment.
Ongoing
- Julia S—prayers for David & Donna; Donna has been diagnosed with ALS & is bedridden.
- Gabriela M—prayers for her brother, Matthew, as no one has been able to get in touch with him for a month.
- Continued prayers for Art & Joyce’s daughter who is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
- Sharon G—prayers for her friend, Jim, who is having skin cancer surgery.
- Rochelle L—prayers for her friend, Leann, whose Mom past away.
- Georgeanna H—prayers for her friend, Lisa, who has been diagnosed with rectal cancer.
- Sharon G—continued prayers for her friend, Kathy, who has several family members with serious health issues.
- Juliann H—prayers for her sister who is having serious health & stress-related issues.
- Joshua D—prayers for his cousin who is having brain surgery.
- Bill D—continued prayers for his brother, Craig, who is coping with Agent Orange related health problems.
- Bill M—prayers for his cousin’s daughter, Theresa, whose cancer returned.
- Don T—prayers for his nephew, Derek, who is being treated for depression.
- Becky S—prayers for Becky who will undergo treatment for breast cancer; prayers for her brother who had a stroke & who has been the caregiver for their mother.
- Prayers for Kristen & Mike V whose middle daughter, Emma, has been diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder.
- Ric R—prayers for his father, Harold, who has been experiencing health problems.
