THIS SUNDAY: The Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, February 7, 2021, Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, Gather and Devotion on Zoom. If you have any questions, or are interested in a conversation, contact Pastor Brett Webb-Mitchell (919) 444-9111; brettwebbmitchell@gmail.com and visit www.communityofpilgrims.com.
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Dear Friday Pilgrims,
Welcome, February! The week began with opening celebrations around Black History month remembrances. Then there was Groundhog Day on Feb. 2nd, reminding us there are more weeks of winter left until we come to Spring. We all continue to stay safe, practice 6 feet of distance between other folk, wash hands, and pray that COVID infection and death rates go down, praying for those who have died or are infected, and that the vaccine numbers go up. And this weekend, in the Portland, OR area, it is the Portland Winter Light Festival: https://www.travelportland.com/events/portland-winter-light-festival. You’re welcome. Happy Friday!
There is a lot that is going on in this short passage from Mark 1:29-39, and I am still trying to figure out which part of the story I would like to focus on for this coming Sunday. Because of COVID 19, I’m drawn to this first “miracle of healing” story. Here's the situation: Having just performed a miracle in a synagogue, a place in which men are only welcomed, Jesus goes into a house, a private place for women. The house belongs to Simon. Mark does not give a name to the woman. All we know is that the woman is Simon’s mother-in-law, in bed, with a fever. Jesus takes her by the hand and lifts her up, and immediately she is healed. And immediately she did what was common in the Mediterranean culture in terms of hospitality: she served those who were in the house, not only with food, but in general, as women did in those days. This is also a story of Jesus knowing he needed, and finding, his deserted place in order to re-energize the spiritual aspect of his life. Finally, this is also a story about “celebrity syndrome,” in which the “whole village” turned out to be healed by Jesus. But Mark makes it clear that many, but not all, were healed. There were limits. Join us this Sunday as we continue to explore the multifaceted aspects of Jesus’ life!
** Our Lenten service will be to provide parts of a breakfast program with Human Solution’s Gresham Emergency Women’s Shelter. More about this is to come.
** It still isn’t too late to send in a pledge form for 2021. As all of you know, we have been supported in large part by the generous gifts of the PCUSA 1001 New Worshiping Communities and the Presbytery of the Cascades New Ministries Team funds since we began in 2017. We are one of the rare new communities of faith ventures that have been granted funds from the Seed Grants, Investment Grants, and Growth Grants! At the end of 2021, we will be dependent upon the financial gifts, time, service, and talents of the membership of the Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, with possible help from other non-profits. Thank you for considering your gift in support of the Community of Pilgrims in 2021!
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Events!
Feb. 7, Gather and Devotion on Zoom.
Feb. 14, Transfiguration Sunday, Gather and Devotion on Zoom.
Feb. 17, Ash Wednesday, 12 noon to 1:00 pm, on Zoom
Feb. 21, First Sunday of Lent, Gather and Devotion on Zoom.
Feb. 28, Second Sunday of Lent, Gather and Devotion on Zoom.
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Prayers of Celebration and Concern
· Birthday celebrations for Bill, Lorinda, Mary, and Luke.
· The vaccine and prayers people will get it fast enough but recognize it will take some time.
· Dayna's new adopted dog.
· Syria and Yemen where heavy rains have flooded refugee camps.
· Imprisoned opposition leader Alexey Navalny and the thousands detained during Russian anti-Kremlin protests.
· Our democracy that we pay attention to evil and confront it with compassion not hate.
· Chuck's new cat Sara who helps his old mind.
· Close neighbors Shane and Liz who need help dealing with alcoholism.
· Healing, health, and wholeness for Richard Rodriguez.
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Poem
February Evening in New York, by Denise Levertov
As the stores close, a winter light
opens air to iris blue,
glint of frost through the smoke
grains of mica, salt of the sidewalk.
As the buildings close, released autonomous
feet pattern the streets
in hurry and stroll; balloon heads
drift and dive above them; the bodies
aren't really there.
As the lights brighten, as the sky darkens,
a woman with crooked heels says to another woman
while they step along at a fair pace,
"You know, I'm telling you, what I love best
is life. I love life! Even if I ever get
to be old and wheezy—or limp! You know?
Limping along?—I'd still ... " Out of hearing.
To the multiple disordered tones
of gears changing, a dance
to the compass points, out, four-way river.
Prospect of sky
wedged into avenues, left at the ends of streets,
west sky, east sky: more life tonight! A range
of open time at winter's outskirts.
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Buen Camino!
Pastors Brett & Karen Cornwell Fortlander.