Over 20 years ago, my five-year-old biracial daughter and I wandered into Pilgrim just before 11:00 on a sunny, summer Sunday. With the congregation singing, we marched right up to the front pew and picked up a hymnal, only to discover that the service started at 10:00 during the summer. Feeling a bit embarrassed, we turned to leave and were met by several good-natured smiles and extended hands as people shared the humor of the moment. As we left, I asked if Pilgrim was an integrated church. The pastor replied, “Not really – but we’d like to be!”
Many years later, Pilgrim is indeed an integrated church – in ways I could not have imagined in the early 90’s. In so many ways – age, race, sexual orientation, income, even theology – Pilgrim is a patchwork quilt, welcoming and celebrating everyone who comes in the door. Along with my wife and both children, we grew and thrived as part of this extended family.
As Moderator of the church, it is my privilege to help us live most fully into being the community that God calls us to be. That means listening, facilitating and discerning. Sometimes we succeed, sometimes we stumble, but we always listen intently for God’s call as we learn to love one another and God more perfectly.
Join in with us as we worship, and work and play together.
Lee Capps