Western & Pilgrims Session Meeting Summary
What is God building us into?
Recently, the Pilgrims and Western sessions met with each other to check in about our ongoing efforts to mingle our congregations. After a season of trying new things together, we wanted to talk about how these activities have gone so far and where we feel the Spirit moving us for future steps. Those who attended—about 16 between the two congregations—felt our season for getting to know each other has gone well and we’d like to keep creating community together. Led by Psalm 127: 1-2 (below), we asked the question: What is God building us into? Both sessions hope to lead our congregations into our next “season” of asking that question with each other and taking deliberative time to listen for answers.
Throughout the summer, Pilgrims and Western members are going to have very deliberate one-on-one conversations with folks in each other’s community (Pilgrims members will talk with Western congregants and vice versa). These discussions will focus on getting to know our passions and interests in order to help discern the "what" God might be calling us together for in this season. Hopefully we’ll continue to find places of overlap, but also places for growth and rejuvenation. We also will have more opportunities to worship together, have fun and make new friends along the way. If you haven’t had a chance to “swap sanctuaries” yet, plenty of opportunities are on their way! By the time September comes around, we hope to know much more about where the Spirit is leading us, and maybe be ready to make some decisions.
In the background, we will be working on some operational questions we need to start to answer if our congregations decide to combine communities: financial auditing, legal concerns, property management, and other needs. For anyone reading this who is still on the fence about this new season, have no fear: No decisions are being made that are irreversible. We’re simply making plans so that if all of us decide we’re ready to commit to a long-term relationship, we’re ready for those steps. (Please also know that no formal decisions have been made about what a long-term relationship will look like. There are a few options available; we need more discernment before we can decide what will be best.)
More information is coming soon about all of the ways you can participate in this summer of conversation, worship, and discernment. We look forward to having as many people involved as possible. And, as always, reach out to Erin or David—or any member of either session—if you have questions, concerns or other feedback.
Psalm 127: 1-2
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain
Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,
Eating the bread of anxious toil, for God gives sleep to God’s beloved.
- Karen Garrett, Elder for Finance and Trustee, Church of the Pilgrims