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Dear Pilgrims,
My return trip home from my daughter’s Master’s graduation at the University of South Alabama gave me more than I bargained for. After all the graduation festivities and our parental duties were concluded, we looked at a map of Alabama to get our bearings. We realized we were deep in the heart of the history of slavery and the Civil Rights Movement. We were in Mobile, where the last ship of Africans was brought to the U.S. (illegally) in 1860. We visited that site and the still-existing community and talked to several folks there. Then to Gee’s Bend, a secluded community created after 1865 by former slaves - such a story of their quilts and their fight to vote. We met some amazing people there, too. We were in the middle of nowhere geographically but in the middle of everywhere historically. Then we set out for Selma, and walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in the rain.
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Our final destination was Montgomery to visit the relatively new Legacy Museum dedicated to the story of African people from their slavery to their mass incarceration. It was so powerful and well done; it took your breath away. A mile from that impressive place was the National Memorial for Peace and Justice remembering all African Americans who suffered lynching. The picture at the left is of the entrance. Eight hundred weathered columns hang from the ceiling. Each column represents a county in our United States where lynching has been documented. Those people's names and death dates are also etched on the column.
I looked for and found Lexington County, SC. Eight names were there; the death dates spanned from 1890 – 1921. I also found columns for Saluda and Newberry counties.
To say it was all sobering doesn't begin to capture it. Let me know if you'd appreciate hearing and seeing more. I bought a few books, took pictures, and grabbed brochures. I'd be grateful to share it with you sometime soon! You can only work for justice if you know where the injustice is.
Peace with justice,
Pastor Mary
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Short Stories by Jesus
A New Bible Study beginning Tuesday, May 16
Tuesdays, May 16, 23, 30, and June 6
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. (during the Prayer and Share Program time) OR
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. by Zoom Only
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We will be focusing on some of the parables of Jesus from a different perspective for most of us. We’ll use as our guide the book by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, Short Stories by Jesus.
Dr. Levine was a professor at Vanderbilt Divinity in Nashville in New Testament and Jewish Studies for many years. As an Orthodox Jewish woman, she has a love for Rabbi Jesus. She has also dedicated much of her research and teaching to better understanding the First Century Palestinian context that was the place and source of Jesus’ teaching.
Participants are encouraged to purchase this book for themselves. The book is at this link on Amazon. Having the book isn’t a must, but reading her commentary ahead of time will support our learning.
Please use the button below to register with an email to our church office. We will send a Zoom link before the first session. After registering, please order the book.
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Council Meeting Update
After worship, Pilgrim’s Church Council met on Sunday, May 7, in the Prayer and Share Room. We did a lot, but one of the most exciting things was to approve members for several task forces and one team.
We are excited to inform you about the formation of a Constitution Task Force made up of Kathy Boivin, Leah Peery, and Carl Richardson. Their experiences, individually and together, uniquely equip them for this responsibility.
The Constitution Task Force will work with the South Carolina Synod to update Pilgrim’s Constitution (last updated in 2010) and partner with our Church Council about any changes they recommend to our bylaws (details specifically related to our church).
Here’s some information about these task force members and their photographs.
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Kathy Boivin became a member of Pilgrim in 2010 after transferring her membership from a church In Maryland. Always active in church choirs, she joined Pilgrim’s Choir soon after joining the church. Kathy also serves as a lector and has assisted with communion.
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Leah Peery, a retired elementary school teacher, has been an active member of Pilgrim since 1991. She served two terms on the church council and in many other roles and capacities here. She was on the team that last revised our constitution and bylaws.
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Carl Richardson, a lifelong member of Pilgrim, is a retired engineer with a background in the environmental regulatory area participating in reviewing and revising regulations. He recognizes the importance of the church’s constitution and bylaws as they reflect our church’s ministry and respects the updating process, which includes Pilgrim’s members in the decisions, congregation meeting(s), and vote(s). He feels his experience will aid the process.
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Gathering/Coffee Time - Help is needed
Most Sundays, a “Coffee Time” gathering occurs in the narthex right after worship. Light snacks and drinks are available as part of this fellowship time.
Many of you have asked, “How do I volunteer to help one Sunday? Here's the answer: Click here, fill out your information, and let us know when you’d like to volunteer and what you’d like to bring.
Carolyn Horner, who leads that ministry, will get back to you.
Mark your calendars
- Sunday, May 14 — Mother’s Day
- Sunday, May 21 — Pilgrim’s Preschool Day — Council Contact Jennifer Schwabe
- Sunday, May 28 — Zach Shealy’s Confirmation and Pastor Mary’s 40th anniversary of her ordination — Council Contact Melissa Hendrix - We will have a reception in the narthex after church.
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Sunday, June 4 — Congratulations, Graduates Day! — Council Contact Carolyn Horner. We will share a meal and honor Madisson Kaminer, Amy Shealy, and Victoria Smith, who are all graduating from high school. However, to provide enough food, we’d like to get a headcount. So if you think you are coming to our celebration of Madison, Amy, and Victoria, please go to this RSVP document and let us know!
- Sunday, June 11 — Special Tree Planting Ceremony — Council Contact Keith Galloway - Church Council Meeting
- Sunday, June 18 — Father’s Day Celebration — Council Contact Jimmy Smith
Noisy Offering
Just a reminder that Pilgrim Lutheran Church’s April and May Noisy Offering will go to a ministry at the college called Wolves Pantry. The Wolves Pantry provides food for college students who need help. You can read more about this worthy mission here.
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Preschool celebrating Spring Fling this week | |
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As we approach the end of the year, we are full of activities! We are excited to celebrate our Spring Fling on Thursday with a bounce house and a small animal petting zoo. We will enjoy a pizza picnic lunch following our fun day outside. We are also spending the week celebrating our wonderful teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week. Please reach out if you want to join our preschool family as a teacher next year.
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Pilgrim Preschool will be celebrated on May 21 | |
Preschool Sunday is May 21. What will that be like? No, the three-year-olds are not leading the service! We have invited all our preschool families to attend worship as we seek to build a stronger bridge between the church and the school. We will have a nursery. Pastor Mary will lead the normal Children’s Moment in a similar way that she, the children, and the teachers do chapel every week. At the conclusion of the service, the graduating 4-year-old classes will sing their farewell song, “We Love You, Pilgrim!” During announcements, we’ll have greetings from Preschool Board Member, Jennifer Schwabe and our Preschool Director, Meredith Cook. Don’t miss it!
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Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 14 | |
Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and we’ll gift all our women and girls with a flower to celebrate. In our prayers we will remember our mothers who have gone before us in this life, for those who parent children now, for those who have lost children, and for all those who are motherly mentor to others.
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Pentecost Day is Sunday, May 28 | |
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As Eastertide concludes, we prepare to celebrate the gift of the Spirit 50 days after Easter Day on Sunday, May 28. All are asked to wear something RED, showing we’re full of the Spirit, too.
We will also celebrate the Rite of Confirmation for Zachary Shane Shealy during this service. Zach’s parents are Kim and Boyd. His confirmation mentor is Keith Galloway.
We will also recognize Pastor Mary Anderson’s 40th Anniversary of Ordination. Her ordination day was May 27, 1983, at Newberry College.
There’s much to celebrate this Pentecost. Mark your calendars in RED and plan to be with us.
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Sunday, June 11
Planting Pilgrim's Season of Renewal Tree
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On Sunday, June 11, we will conclude our morning worship outdoors as we gather to plant a tree celebrating Pilgrim’s Season of Renewal. If you worshipped with us during the Season of Lent, you would remember the bare sycamore tree that appeared on the first Sunday, standing tall by the pulpit. Through the season, we watched it slowly bud and then leaf out. We are now calling it our Season of Renewal Tree and will be planting it on the south side of the sanctuary. We pray that as it grows under God’s care, our congregation will too!
| Men's choir is organizing for Father's Day, June 18 | |
Father’s Day will be a big day for Pilgrim. We are organizing a Men’s Choir to sing the anthem. Our regular singers will participate, but any man or older boy who would like to join in singing is invited to come to the sanctuary by 9:30 a.m. on that Sunday to rehearse. Greg Sommer will bring our homily for the day. A celebratory hot dog lunch will be cooking on the grill out front.
We are also inviting everyone who would like to submit the name of a special father figure or male mentor in their lives to do so in the next few weeks. The names you submit will be listed in the bulletin, and a prayer of thanksgiving for them will be included in our Prayers of Intercession. Starting next week, look for a bulletin insert regarding this prayer listing, or email the name to the church office.
Last, we will provide a tour of our newly repaired sanctuary areas for all to see. We thank all the property team folks who worked so hard to accomplish this work for us.
| Community food pantry needs are updated | |
Thank you for your continued generous support of our Food Pantry. In addition to canned meat, which is always needed, please add pop-tarts, peanut butter, and toiletry items to your grocery list. Toiletry suggestions include bar soap, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. Again, many thanks for helping Pilgrim take the love of Christ into our neighborhood daily.
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Pilgrim Youth meeting Sunday, May 21 for lunch | |
Pilgrim Youth, Middle School, and High School students will meet Sunday, May 21, at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and conversation.
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Registration is open for Lutheran Summer Camps | |
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Parents, as a congregation Pilgrim isn't planning a summer camp experience, but you may be interested in Lutheran summer camp options. Explore options through the button below. Scholarships and payment plans may also be available through the camps. Inquire with your registration.
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To keep Pilgrim's membership informed about events and activities, a 10-Day Church Calendar can be accessed and printed through the button below. | |
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Ryan Lowrie
Dell Collins
Carol Metts
Family and friends of Kay Mills
Jennifer Schwabe’s grandmother
Yvonne Isola
Ron Davis
Zach Mattox
Jerry Shutt
Peter Reinhart’s friend, Chris
Jamy Claire Archer’s father, Tom
Garry Sutherland
Boyd Shealy’s mother, Caroline
Prayers for our congregation and all its leaders
Victims of gun violence
If you have prayer requests and thanksgiving to share, please contact the church office at plc@wearepilgrim.com or call (803) 359-9421 or write requests on the welcome cards at worship.
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WORSHIP - SUNDAY AT 10 A.M. | |
Sunday's worship service - May 7, 2023 | |
A Gift or Offering is an act of worship | |
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You may also mail your gift or offering or deliver it in person to:
Pilgrim Lutheran Church
1430 N Lake Drive
Lexington, SC 29072
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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