At worship we celebrate our relationship with God, we strengthen our relationship with each other, and we explore what it means to "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God".

Please join us for for this second Sunday of Lent. as we welcome Rev. Dr. Stephanie Crumpton as our guest preacher. The Rev. Dr. Stephanie M. Crumpton is a professor practical theology at McCormick Theological Seminary. Prior to that, she was an assistant professor of practical theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Her research and work in communities has involved serving as a state court family violence advocate, publication of "A Womanist Pastoral Theology Against Intimate and Cultural Violence" and upcoming research into the role of faith communities' woman-centered mentoring to support women reentering community following incarceration.

Please join us for her inspiring message!

The Sacred Conversations on Race Committee will host a discussion based on the South Poverty Law Center's video "10 Ways to Combat Hate".
All are welcome to attend.

Middle School and High School youth are invited to join us for a discussion of Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card by Sara Saedi. The hilarious, poignant, and true story of one teen's experience growing up in America as an undocumented immigrant from the Middle East, has won numerous awards and is in development as a television series!

At thirteen, bright-eyed, straight-A student Sara Saedi uncovered a terrible family secret: she was breaking the law simply by living in the United States. Only two years old when her parents fled Iran, she didn't learn of her undocumented status until her older sister wanted to apply for an after-school job but couldn't because she didn't have a Social Security number. Fear of deportation kept Sara up at night, but it didn't keep her from being a teenager.

Just ask for the Pilgrim Young Adult book club selections at the Oak Park Public Library (main branch) and then let me know you’re coming (Gloria.cox@pilgrimoakpark.org) so we can make sure to save a seat for you at our table!

In faith traditions around the world, prayer is a core competency of spiritual life. We pray in many ways, assuming many postures, ascribing to many rituals, for many reasons. But, always, we pray. Join us on March 16, as Pilgrim and Gather co-host a daylong interfaith prayer workshop. We’ll welcome teachers from a diversity of faith traditions (spiritual consciousness, Judaism, Islam, Christianity) who’ll share principles and practices that enrich their prayer lives.

The workshop will begin at 9:30a, and wrap at 4p. Lunch will be provided, with donations encouraged to cover expenses. So we can plan appropriately, please email gatheraop@gmail.com to let us know you plan to attend. We look forward to seeing you—and invite your friends!

Join us for our March Book Club meeting to discuss “Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate. a New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly Bestseller

Based on one of America’s most notorious real-life scandals—in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country—Lisa Wingate’s riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we belong.

We hope you can join us for what promises to be a heartfelt and engaging discussion!
For more information contact inquiries@pilgrimoakpark.org

Our Lenten walk continues based on 40-Day Journey with Howard Thurman, with this week’s focus centered on “Christian life” (Days 7-12).

What does it mean to be a Christian in 21st century America? What strength and solace can we draw from our faith? What conflicts and confusions make faith hard in these unwieldy times? Join us at 7:30pm as we reflect together on a number of challenges Thurman places before us.

Please join us in the Chapel for prayer during the Lenten season. All are welcome.

Join us at Pilgrim on the 2019 Lenten Journey to the Resurrection

During the weeks of Lent we will offer three Multi-Generational Events in the Parlor

• Tuesday, March 12th

• Tuesday, March 26th

• Tuesday, April 9th

The evenings will offer soup supper, featured scripture with short reflection and supportive activity (craft, games, music etc.). This event will be for all ages, so join us for one or more evenings as we look to enrich our Lenten experience. For more information please contact Maureen.deahl@pilgrimoakpark.org

All Pilgrim middle school and high school youth are invited to join us for an afternoon of fun & fellowship at Putting Edge in Norridge. Cost per person is $10.00, which includes 18 holes of mini-golf, 2 slices of pizza, soft drinks and $5 worth of arcade tokens. RSVP by Sunday, March 3rd to Gloria.cox@pilgrimoakpark.org if you’d like to join in the fun.

At worship we celebrate our relationship with God, we strengthen our relationship with each other, and we explore what it means to "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God".

Please join us for for this first Sunday of Lent.
Rev. Michelle Hughes is leading worship and preaching. Our focus scripture is 2 Timothy1; 1-5.
Our worship service will include a special celebration of three of our Sheroes in recognition of International Women’s Day - Evelyn Finegan, June Witzl and Grayce Papp.
All are welcome!

We will have an open discussion of two films from the One Earth Film Festival. The two films we recommend seeing if your schedule allows are “From Paris to Pittsburgh”, which is recommended by the Interfaith Green Network, and is showing on Saturday March 2 at 12:30 at St. Giles, and “Dirt Rich”, which is showing on Saturday March 9 at 2 pm at Triton College.

Ann Platzer will moderate the discussion. You do not have to see both films to attend the discussion. We will share highlights of the films. Please join us!

As a follow-up to our Mind-Body-Spirit event in January we’re hosting a 4-class Nia@Pilgrim series!
Nia (pronounced “NEE-ah”) is a non-impact, barefoot, sensory-based, cardio movement practice.
All ages and all abilities are welcome to relax, stretch, tone and smile through Nia’s easy-to-follow movements set to great music. Our instructor, Andrea Edwards, has been practicing Nia since 2004 and has been a certified instructor since 2009. She also has a background in Iyengar yoga and dance.

Dress comfortably, bring a mat or beach blanket and your personal water bottle. Cost is $35 for the full 4 class series and must be paid before class starts, no refunds. This is an ADULTS ONLY CLASS, age 18 and up. No childcare provided.

There is ROOM FOR ONLY 12 STUDENTS, so register early by clicking here

Gather’s Lenten study will follow the guidance of 40-Day Journey with Howard Thurman (available on amazon) to reflect on our faith commitments and spiritual journeys. We have an excellent conversation partner in Howard Thurman, one of America’s greatest philosophers, social activists, pastors, and mystics.

Following the book’s lead, we’ll spend time contemplating on the nearness of God (Days 1-6 in the book). Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your Lenten experience each Thursday evening at 7:30pm.

Please join us in the Memorial Chapel as we begin our Lenten journey.

At worship we celebrate our relationship with God, we strengthen our relationship with each other, and we explore what it means to "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God".

Please join us for the last Sunday after Epiphany as we celebrate the Transfiguration. Rev. Michelle Hughes leading worship and preaching. Focus scripture: Luke 9:28-36 (37-43A)
All are welcome!

We will explore the role that music, especially religious music, has played in the centuries-long struggle against racial oppression, focusing primarily on the Civil Rights Movement.

Led by Dr. David Brodnax

As a follow-up to our Mind-Body-Spirit event in January we’re hosting a 4-class Nia@Pilgrim series!
Nia (pronounced “NEE-ah”) is a non-impact, barefoot, sensory-based, cardio movement practice.
All ages and all abilities are welcome to relax, stretch, tone and smile through Nia’s easy-to-follow movements set to great music. Our instructor, Andrea Edwards, has been practicing Nia since 2004 and has been a certified instructor since 2009. She also has a background in Iyengar yoga and dance.

Dress comfortably, bring a mat or beach blanket and your personal water bottle. Cost is $35 for the full 4 class series and must be paid before class starts, no refunds. This is an ADULTS ONLY CLASS, age 18 and up. No childcare provided.

There is ROOM FOR ONLY 12 STUDENTS, so register early by clicking here

Deuteronomy/Love

In the book of Deuteronomy Moses delivers a series of valedictory sermons to prepare his followers to establish a free and faithful nation. Six times he urges them to love God in language we recognize from the Gospels and Epistles. How are love for God and neighbor essential to our freedom? How does it shape our self-image and worldview?

We conclude our series “Set Free to Be Free” with the timeless challenge: love. Join us at 7:30 this Thursday evening in the Resource Room.

We are pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Stephen G. Ray Jr. as our guest preacher today!

Rev. Dr. Ray Jr. is the President of Chicago Theological Seminary. In addition, he is the President of the Society for the Study of Black Religion. Having written and lectured broadly in the areas of Systematic Theology, African American religion, human rights and the intersection of religion and politics, President Ray’s current work focuses on reinvigorating the public square as a place for all and reclaiming a vital expression of progressive religion in that project.

Our worship today will also include a Pilgrim Black History Moment by Dr. Wilbert Watkins and special music by Marsha Holmes. Rev. Michelle Hughes is leading worship.

An amazing end to our Black History Month celebration. You don’t want to miss this!

Come join this Chanting Circle, this simple ancient form of communal, singing prayer. Chanting, we honor the Divine within and around us and foster a deep sense of our belonging to one another, to the human community, and to all life. Each chant repeats a simple phrase for some time, then subsides into silence. Listen and join in as you feel comfortable. Harmonize if you like. We will sing chants from many sacred traditions, including Native American, Gaelic Christian, S. African, Sufi and Hindu. All are welcome. As we offer our voices, we share in this circle of praise.

Led by Lisa Bassett

Our next men’s breakfast will be hosted by Sam Bowen and Lee Capps. They will provide the main dish and attendees are asked to bring a side dish or beverage to share (enough for 3-4 people).

Please contact Bruce (dadcox@aol.com) by Tuesday, February 19th if you are able to attend., and please let him know what you plan to bring. All Pilgrim men are welcome.

Join us for our February Book Club meeting to discuss “A Place for Us: A Novel” by Farhen Mirza. Named One of the Best Books of 2018 by: Washington Post • NPR • People • Refinery29 • Real Simple • Buzzfeed!

As an Indian wedding gathers a family back together, parents Rafiq and Layla must reckon with the choices their children have made. There is Hadia: their headstrong, eldest daughter, whose marriage is a match of love and not tradition. Huda, the middle child, determined to follow in her sister’s footsteps. And lastly, their estranged son, Amar, who returns to the family fold for the first time in three years to take his place as brother of the bride. What secrets and betrayals have caused this close-knit family to fracture? Can Amar find his way back to the people who know and love him best?

A Place for Us is a book for our times: an astonishingly tender-hearted novel of identity and belonging, and a resonant portrait of what it means to be an American family today. Hope you can join us for what promises to be a lively discussion! For more information contact gloria.cox@pilgrimoakpark.org

Leviticus/Legalism

In Christian thought, Liberation Theology rejects legalism that arises from literal readings of ancient texts like Leviticus. But it’s more than that, because spiritual freedom also opposes power and privilege that enable legalism. How does the liberty we draw from faith become compromised by rigid religiosity? How do we resist conformist ideologies that inhibit freedom? This week we look at the naïve surrender of God-given freedoms and individualism.

Join us this Thursday at 7:30 in the Resource Room as we continue our discussion, “Set Free to Be Free.”

Middle school and High school youth are invited to join us as we commemorate Black History Month with a special “traditional southern dinner” and then viewing and discussion of February One: The Story of the Greensboro Four.

This engaging, first account documentary tells the story of how four young black college males helped jumpstart racial equality in this country. These four young men (who were just teenagers at the time) are brave, brave heroes and proof of everything we've been told: ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

Please RSVP to gloria.cox@pilgrimoakpark.org so that we can make sure to have enough food and space. Cost is $10 to help cover the cost of food.

We will meet following worship. Newcomers are welcome!

Join fellow Pilgrims for our quarterly birthday celebration and pot luck after worship. Please bring a dish to share and enjoy a leisurely time of visiting.

All are invited!

Our worship today will feature very special a Pilgrim Black History Moment honoring our own Rev. Bennie Whiten as told by Sue Sporte. We know him as “Bennie”, but Rev. Bennie E. Whiten Jr., is also an honored clergy leader who over the years has been widely recognized for his contributions in transforming and enhancing the quality of life in local communities as well as at the global level. He has held many leadership roles in our denomination, including Massachusetts Conference Minister in the United Church of Christ, acting executive minister of the UCC's Wider Church Ministries and acting president and CEO of the UCC's Insurance Board. He also has served in a number of ministerial, seminary and community service positions in the New York and Chicago areas.

Please join us in honoring Bennie’s many contributions and learn from his journey as we celebrate Black History Month at Pilgrim. Rev. Michelle Hughes is leading worship.

We will explore what “worship” means for us, individually and collectively. Consider what is the essence of most forms of worship, what is practical and inspiring for you, and what is reflective of the United Church of Christ’s commitment to being a united and caring church.

Led by Dr. Wilbert Watkins, Director of the Pilgrim Chancel Choir.

As a follow-up to our Mind-Body-Spirit event in January we’re hosting a 4-class Nia@Pilgrim series!
Nia (pronounced “NEE-ah”) is a non-impact, barefoot, sensory-based, cardio movement practice.
All ages and all abilities are welcome to relax, stretch, tone and smile through Nia’s easy-to-follow movements set to great music. Our instructor, Andrea Edwards, has been practicing Nia since 2004 and has been a certified instructor since 2009. She also has a background in Iyengar yoga and dance.

Dress comfortably, bring a mat or beach blanket and your personal water bottle. Cost is $35 for the full 4 class series and must be paid before class starts, no refunds. This is an ADULTS ONLY CLASS, age 18 and up. No childcare provided.

There is ROOM FOR ONLY 12 STUDENTS, so register early by clicking here

Exodus/Liberty

The Exodus narrative is Liberation Theology’s north star. It is from this tale of political resistance and faith-based reliance that we draw our understanding of God’s role in our lives and the world. And in this story we hear resonant language that speaks to our own circumstances as well as the plight of oppressed peoples everywhere. What does it mean to “come out of Egypt”? Why must we claim this experience for ourselves in our own context?

We’ll ask these questions this Thursday, as “Set Free to Be Free” continues in the Resource Room at 7:30.