THIS SUNDAY: Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, Sept. 6, 2020, Proper 18, and Zoom; Contact Pastor Brett Webb-Mitchell (919) 444-9111; brettwebbmitchell@gmail.com and visit www.communityofpilgrims.com.
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Dear Pilgrims of the Way:
Here’s your weather report for the opening paragraph of this newsletter: for the pilgrims in Portland, the weather is incredibly hot, especially for September. It is in the 90s, with humidity around 40%! As we walk along on our everyday pilgrimage, we are enjoying this extended summer, with flowers still blooming, fresh produce at all the farmers’ markets, and still able to wear sandals, shorts, and short sleeve shirts. We pray, wherever you live, O Pilgrims, your weather is phenomenal today.
The Gospel focus this Sunday is Matthew 18:15-20. One can tell in this passage that it is actually written by someone called “Matthew” some years after Jesus’ life, because the writer has Jesus use the word, “church” (v. 17), and Jesus wasn't referring to churches in his living ministry. What is most pertinent to us, in this COVID 19 pandemic, in which we are keeping a safe social distance and not meeting in sanctuaries, is this example of being “church” with each other: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (v. 20). Jesus doesn’t talk about having to physically meet in a physical sanctuary to know God, though sanctuaries are a testament to this love of God. We don’t have to sing hymns, though that is a nice way to express the faith. We don’t have to read anything. Pay anything. We can meet on Zoom, on a phone call, with a text, email, or letter, and be “church” with one another. We don’t have to hold hands or hug, though I like doing both of those gestures. For example, in my role as a chaplain with one who is sick or dying, I’ve held a hand and mentioned these words more times than I can count. This is a simple yet fabulous passage on the power of numbers. Where two or three are together is Christ. Is love. Is peace. Is hope. Is joy. Is calm. Is happiness. It’s simplicity makes it as radical as it is. Wherever two or three are gathered, no matter how they are gathered, Jesus lives. God dwells there. Spirit is alive. When two siblings or three pilgrims of the faith concur, along an actual pilgrimage road or everyday path of life, so does God. Spirit is that close. Please join us this Sunday, the Sunday of Labor Day no doubt, and spend some time with other pilgrim siblings of Christ, and let us be with God and God’s Spirit by being with one another, even if it is just two or three of us.
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Happy 3 Year Anniversary to the Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship! As the Organizing Pastor, I am thankful to all of you who have joined us once, or joined us Sunday after Sunday, and walked your pilgrim walk with Christ with each other on our everyday pilgrimage of life. This is one of my longest tenures as a pastor with a church or fellowship, so I am deeply grateful for your gift of presence, and, along with God’s Spirit, for making this community what it is, and who we are today. In light of the passage from Matthew (above), we have gone from being “two or three” on a Sunday afternoon, to up towards 31 people. Join us on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in which we will meet at 9460 SW Martha St, Tigard, OR, 97224 (wear a mask, 6 feet social distancing, in the driveway or back yard) for light snacks and a beverage of your choice for a celebration, along with being on Zoom! Choose whichever way you wish to join us, but do join us. With a heart of thanksgiving to God, let us raise a glass of (name your fave beverage), let us celebrate being a growing community of faith in the Portland-Vancouver metro area, thanks be to God!
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While we are not meeting in person, the Community of Pilgrims will still welcome your financial contribution. We still have bills to pay as a community of faith, with Zoom, etc. Please make a check out to the Community of Pilgrims, and mail it to Brett Webb-Mitchell, 9460 SW Martha St., Tigard, OR 97224, or use “Give Now” button on the Community of Pilgrims website, www.communityofpilgrims.com. Many thanks!
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The Presbytery of the Cascades gave each church and fellowship $1,000 to make a change in the world. Combining our m$1,000 with Moreland PCUSA, the stimulus check blossomed to over $9,000. We will be able to share the money with Street Roots, Emerge, Meals on Wheels, and Human Solutions! With a spirit of gratitude, we say, “Amen.”
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Events!
Sept. 6, Gather and Devotion and Zoom!
Sept. 13, Gather and Devotion and Zoom and Join Us at Our Home! Celebrating our 3-year anniversary of the Community of Pilgrims!
Sept. 20, Gather and Devotion and Zoom!
Sept. 27, Gather and Devotion and Zoom!
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Prayers of Celebration and Concern
* Prayers for Portland-the divisiveness in our city;
* Sense of hope-partnership of Fridays for Freedom (youth organization) and NAACP;
* Lorinda-double vision; cataract surgery did not go well. Safe travels to MT;
* Linda Fuqua-Anderson’s brother Gary-will he decide to move or not move to assisted living; She hopes he will let go;
* Christian’s friends, Dan and Tom, just bought a house in Vancouver, WA;
* Rev. Fitz and Rev. Laurel Neal—retiring and moving to Colorado;
* Tom Miller-in a group home for paraplegics; He spiked a high fever, in the ER, not Covid but don’t know what it is;
* Ken Miller-severe pain from broken vertebrae;
* Sue and Mary need a house!
* Global climate change and its impact upon the Gulf Coast;
* COVID 19 pandemic here in the States and around the world;
* Safe elections here and abroad;
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Poem
Where Two, Where Three, a Blessing, by Jan Richardson
Take my hand
And you will see
How this blessing
Finds its way
To us
Not as if
We each held
A piece of
Its puzzle
But as if
It cannot resist
This space that opens
Between us,
This place that is made
Where we two meet
Where we three touch
Where we gather
With our eyes
Open
With our hearts
Open
With our hands
Open
One to another
And on our lips
The name of Love
All the blessing
We need ever
Know.
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Buen Camino!
Pastors Brett & Karen Cornwell Fortlander.