November 11, 2012:

What Makes Pilgrim Church Special?

                As I listen to folks who have been part of Pilgrim Church for years as well as those who have joined us more recently they have many different reasons for what makes our church special to them and others.  Here is some of what I have heard . . .

• Pilgrim is a liberal church tolerant of different points of view and open-minded to new religious ideas.
• Pilgrim is a progressive church.  It’s not bogged down in the past.
• Pilgrim honors Christian traditions but expresses them in contemporary ways.
• Pilgrim has a great history in Chattanooga of supporting justice for all people when it was not a popular thing to do.
• Pilgrim supports modern ways of understanding the Bible.
• Pilgrim is part of the United Church of Christ which believes that God is still speaking to people today.
• Pilgrim’s worship services are inspiring with great music and challenging sermons.
• The people of Pilgrim really care about each other and go out of their way to help one another.
• Pilgrim is a church that not just accepts human diversity, but welcomes it.
• Pilgrim has a good program of Christian education for children, youth and adults. There is something for everyone who wants to learn more3 about the Christian faith.
• Pilgrim serves the Chattanooga community in many ways through programs such as Pilgrim’s Food Pantry that serves hundreds of people in need each month.
• There is loving pastoral care and counseling for people struggling with personal or family problems and for those in hospitals and nursing homes.
• Pilgrim is a congregation with a sense of humor! We can be serious but we laugh a lot, too.

Have I left out a reason that makes Pilgrim Church special for you? I’d love to hear it.
Just one last thought:  like most churches today, Pilgrim is a bit fragile. We need the support of all our members and friends. We do this in four important ways . . .

• By praying for our members, leaders and pastor.
• By attending worship regularly,
• By supporting our church as generously as we can.
• By volunteering to serve our church and community.

Imagine what our own lives and the life of Chattanooga would be like without Pilgrim Church. Joining together, we can keep Pilgrim the special place it has been for more than a century.

Love,
Dave