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Thursday, June 25, 2026
What’s New for You?
- Welcome to our New Members!
- Tomorrow’s Blood Drive needs you!
- Warren and Margaret Christmus: Married at Pilgrim, celebrating 60 years
- Holy Casseroley will be in the kitchen on Tuesday!
- Fire Suppression System: final touches underway.
- Food Pantry update: last call for protein donations!
- Summer Camp update: completely full!
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Happy Thursday from Lutheridge!
It’s been a beautiful week at our Lutheran camp in Arden, N.C., with lots of campers. I’ve been helping, along with my daughter, Elise, with the daily faith formation time with the high school group of about 22 participants.
It’s been exciting to be here with little Pilgrims Delaney and Dylan Mears, pictured here, who are having their first camp experience.
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My oldest daughter, Colleen, is pictured here with her co-nurse, Gwen, handing out morning meds.
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Thankfully, there’s also time to explore the mountain rivers and trails. Elise has taken up a new hobby of fly-fishing, so we went out together into Pisgah Forest so she could show me how it’s done!
I’ll be back Saturday and look forward to seeing everybody on Sunday. See below for details of the celebrations we’ll be having in worship. Next week will be a short week because of the 4th of July and especially our nation’s 250th year. I’ll also need to spend some time preparing my office and my suitcases for my time away working in and from Evanston, IL, from July 6 to August 16.
July 3rd will be Parish Administrator, Courtney’s, third anniversary on staff. Be sure to let her know how much you value her presence and all the gifts she brings to Pilgrim every day!
Pastor Mary
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Council President’s Page
Mary Beth Hill
Thanks to our LMM!
On Sunday, Father’s Day, Pilgrim’s Lutheran Men in Mission grilled hot dogs for the congregation out on the portico. As ushers, we were tortured by the wonderful smells every time we came in and out of the narthex.
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Our thanks to Jimmy Smith for bringing hot dogs and buns and for heading this up, to Scott Grosse for the chili, and to Ricky Wingard for providing ketchup, mustard, and peaches. Joe Kaminer was a big help, too!
Angie and Victoria Smith also helped set up before and tear down everything after. We are so grateful for the whole Smith family.
Clarifying a few questions
In last week’s Pilgrim’s Progress, we invited you to send any questions you had about our policy regarding the consumption of alcoholic beverages on the Pilgrim campus to Courtney Coker or any member of the council. We also invited you to drop any questions in the offering plate on Sunday.
We received this question: “Will this be in the form of an amendment?”
I have heard back from Pastor Ozzie Herlong (He is our Synod adviser on all things process and procedure.). He says the Alcohol Policy does not need to be included in or be part of the church’s Constitution. And adds that once a policy has been adopted and approved, it can stand alone, along with other congregation policies.
With that in mind, we will create a PLC Policy notebook that includes the Facilities Rental Policies and Process, the cemetery guidelines, and any other policies or important processes.
We continue to follow our normal process for passing any policy changes by introducing the change(s), allowing two Sundays after worship for “information sessions” regarding the policy, and then holding a congregational vote on the third Sunday.
On Sunday, June 14, we provided you with a copy of the draft policy. Several people who weren’t there on June 14 reached out for copies during the week or at church this past Sunday.
Since the two information sessions were designed to address your questions, and since Pilgrim’s men were grilling hot dogs in honor of Father’s Day on Sunday, June 21, we provided a “work around” so that you could still ask your questions. We asked you to write your question or questions on a piece of paper, bring it to church, and drop it in the offering baskets as the ushers come around. We also had several people send in questions by email. We have answered those questions in this issue of Pilgrim’s Progress.
Our second information session takes place this Sunday, June 28. We know you may be on vacation this week and unable to attend, but you still have a question. Feel free to email it to Courtney Coker or to me.
The congregational vote on the policy takes place after worship on Sunday, July 12.
We need YOU!
We are always looking for individuals willing to serve as worship assistants, ushers, communion assistants, hospitality table providers, children’s time teachers or assistants, and AV and sound providers. We teach you all you need to know, and we aren’t looking for perfection. We are looking for those willing to serve.
If you are interested in serving as one of these, please reach out to Courtney Coker or me, and we will get you on the calendar.
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Welcome to our New Members!
Meet Joricia (Joey) Schneider
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I am a farmer’s daughter, born and raised on a small family farm in central Iowa. I graduated from Iowa State University in the early 1980s with a degree in Business Administration/Management and spent the last 34 years in produce-supporting businesses (Chiquita and IFCO). I held various roles at both, but in my final role at each, I was in support and growth of business with the retailer, Walmart.
I retired in mid-2024 to spend more time with my husband of more than 40 years and our only child, our daughter Lara Raymond, who attended USC for graduate school and married a local young man. Because of this, we relocated to Lexington a year ago from the Cincinnati area (Lebanon, OH) to be near our two grandchildren, who are two and three years old.
As an Episcopalian for nearly 50 years, I feel that Pilgrim Lutheran Church just feels like home. My desire is to be a part of an organized group of prayerful Christians who discern how God wishes us to serve one another and the wider world. In faith and trust, I begin this journey with you.
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Steven Dorrell was just a little guy when his grandparents, Rev. George and Mary Fisher, retired and moved to South Carolina to be near him and his family. When they joined Pilgrim, he came along, too.
He fondly remembers the families with children near his age, as well as some of his mentors in the faith, such as David and Jane Park, and Linda and Myron Corley.
Today, he works for a garage door repair company and absolutely loves it! He still lives in Lexington and has been returning to church, sitting in the back with his grandma, who gets a huge smile on her face when he slips in next to her before the service starts. Welcome back, Steven!
| | Tomorrow’s Blood Drive needs you! | | |
Pilgrim will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive tomorrow, Friday, June 26, from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. This is a simple way to make a lifesaving difference in our community this summer.
As a special thank you, everyone present to donate will be entered to win four Six Flags tickets, valid at any Six Flags park in the United States through September 7, 2026. Donors may also qualify for additional Red Cross gift card promotions and prize drawings.
Book your appointment by clicking here. Six appointments are still available. Help us fill the schedule, support this life-saving mission, and make a difference in our community. Every donation matters!
| | Warren and Margaret Christmus: Married at Pilgrim, celebrating 60 years | | |
Congratulations to Warren and Margaret Gable Christmus, who were married at Pilgrim Lutheran Church (the current granite building) on June 25, 1966, with a reception in the Assembly Room downstairs. Margaret’s brother-in-law, Rev. J. Hilton Roof, performed the ceremony.
Pictured here, Warren and Margaret share their first slice of wedding cake. Join us for another slice of cake as we celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary this Sunday, following worship!
Blessings on this remarkable couple!
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Holy Casseroley takes over the kitchen on Tuesday! | | |
Join us on Tuesday, June 30, at 6:30 p.m. as we gather in the Fellowship Hall kitchen for another evening of Holy Casseroley.
We’ll be preparing casseroles to share with members of our church family and community.
If you would like to join us and haven’t already signed up, please contact Delores by today, June 25. Knowing who’s coming helps us plan the recipes and assign ingredients to bring.
We’re also looking to add a few new dishes to our rotation. If you have a favorite casserole recipe that freezes well in two 8x8 pans and is simple to prepare, we’d love for you to share it.
Whether you’re a seasoned casserole maker or trying it for the first time, we’d love to have you in the kitchen with us.
| | Fire Suppression System: final touches underway | | |
As some of you may know, we recently discovered a leak in our church fire suppression system.
The great news is that the leak has been completely fixed and the system is fully operational.
We are now in the home stretch with the cosmetic repairs, with the final touches wrapping up over the next few weeks. Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we get our beautiful building looking its best again!
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Have you noticed something different around campus? A huge shout-out and thank you to Keith Galloway and Scott Grosse, who recently cleared the overgrown bushes along the main building. Their hard work has completely opened up the view, letting a lot more natural light shine on our beautiful stone walls.
Be sure to check out the fresh, clean look next time you’re on campus and give them a word of thanks!
| | We Celebrate our New Synod Bishop | | |
At the 2026 Synod Assembly, June 11-13, 390 voting members and 40 visitors gathered in the Convention Center of Brookland Baptist Church in West Columbia. During these days, our retiring bishop, Virginia Aebischer, was nicely feted as we celebrated her six years as bishop and her previous 12 years as Assistant to the Bishop.
We went about the difficult and joyful discernment process to elect a new bishop and succeeded on the fifth and final ballot by electing Rev. Wade Roof, Pastor of Mt. Tabor Lutheran in West Columbia. He will officially begin on September 1 and will be installed on October 24.
Bishop-elect Roof will be our partner as Pilgrim searches for a new pastor at the end of this year and into 2027. We look forward to this partnership. In his closing comments to the assembly before the final ballot, he spoke about the synod-wide concern over the lack of pastors to serve our congregations. He is both aware of the issue and has some ideas of how to move us forward. We look forward to this partnership!
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Representing Pilgrim as voting members were Pastor Mary, Tyler Mears, and Delores Steinhauser.
We are especially proud of Delores, who spoke to the assembly on Friday and did an outstanding job presenting on Navigating the Pressure. If you missed her presentation, we encourage you to take a few minutes to watch it online by clicking here. Delores is introduced at approximately the 3:20:00 mark of the video.
| | Pastor Mary to Receive 2026 Cathy Novinger Award | | |
We are especially honored to announce that Pastor Mary Anderson will receive the 2026 Cathy Novinger Award in recognition of her long-standing commitment to serving individuals experiencing homelessness through Transitions.
Pastor Mary has been part of this work from the very beginning, serving as a founding board member and helping lead the Light the Way campaign that helped establish Transitions in our community. She has continued her faithful service through board leadership, teaching Bible studies and classes, and her weekly “Coffee with Pastor Mary” gatherings, which provide encouragement, dignity, and connection for those being served.
Attend Reconstructing Home 2026, an evening celebrating art, community, and impact on Thursday, September 24, 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Columbia Museum of Art. Tickets are $25 per person or $45 per couple.
The evening will also feature original artwork from Transitions clients, a silent auction, food from local restaurants, and a ceremony honoring this year’s award recipients. Guests will hear first hand stories of progress and hope from individuals actively rebuilding their lives.
| | Register now for the family Creek Walk! | | |
Join Pilgrim Lutheran Church on July 18 at 9 a.m. for a morning of creek walking, outdoor wonder, and meaningful conversation at Saluda Shoals Park.
Children and their grown-ups will explore Corley Creek with Saluda Shoals Park Rangers, learn about the Lower Saluda River ecosystem, enjoy a snack and faith formation, and gather for a parent discussion and Q&A with a children’s counselor from Jill Smith and Associates Counseling.
This event is designed to be playful, welcoming, hands-on, and low-pressure — a chance for children to explore creation and for parents to connect around the joys and challenges of raising happy, confident kids.
Registration ends July 10. Space is limited to 30 total participants, including both children and adults. Preference is given on a first-come, first-served basis. If the event fills, we will keep a waitlist and notify families if spots become available.
There is no cost to participate. This event is paid for by a grant from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the South Carolina Synod. Click here for more information on the creek walk.
| | Ultra Short Survey for Families | | |
The Navigating Team wants our content to be truly impactful for families.
Parents and Grandparents, please take this one-question survey to share any questions or curiosities you have about anxiety in children.
| | Celebration of Life for Claudine Hope | | |
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Claudine Bevill Hope, who left us peacefully on June 2, 2026, at the age of 97. Born on November 18, 1928, in Springfield, GA, Claudine was a respected and loved member of the Lexington community where she resided for 58 years.
Click here to read the official obituary of Claudine Bevill Hope.
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Family and friends are invited to gather for a Celebration of Life honoring Claudine on Sunday, July 12, from 2–5 p.m. at the Corley Mill House.
We ask that you continue to hold her family in prayer and give thanks to God for the blessings of her life.
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Stretch, breathe, and recharge with yoga led by Sister D’Etta Broam. These welcoming sessions will include a chair/mat combination to accommodate different abilities and comfort levels.
Our first of five sessions began on May 30 and will continue on June 27 and July 18 (working around Synod events and the Fourth of July). Sessions will meet for 45 minutes on Saturdays at 10 a.m. The classes will be held in the Fellowship Hall.
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Looking ahead, the next five yoga sessions will be held on August 1, August 15, September 5, September 12, and September 19.
Cost is $50 for five sessions or $12 per drop-in class. Participants may pay using Sister D’Etta’s Venmo or by cash or check at the class.
If you would like to participate or learn more, please contact the church office. Participants can also reach out to Sister D’Etta directly with any questions.
| | Food Pantry update: last call for protein donations! | | |
This Sunday is the final Sunday in June, and we are making a final push to stock Pilgrim’s food pantry. We are still in need of canned and shelf-stable meats, such as canned chicken, tuna, Spam, Vienna sausages, meat sticks, and pepperoni.
Thank you for dropping off your donations this Sunday and helping support our community!
| | Summer Camp update: completely full! | | |
If you’ve been around Pilgrim lately, you’ve probably heard the joyful sounds of summer camp! Hosted right here at Pilgrim, the camp is led by two of our wonderful preschool teachers, Heather and Mimi.
The camp is a huge hit this year, currently averaging about 16 kids per week. In fact, every single week for the rest of the summer is completely full, and a wait-list is growing!
Running Monday through Thursday through July 30, camp activities take full advantage of the Fellowship Hall and Pilgrim Park. Campers are staying busy playing games, making crafts, diving into STEM projects, running science experiments, and embarking on themed adventures.
While open spots are filled, the program is designed with family flexibility in mind, offering a week-by-week payment structure with no full-summer commitment required. To get more information or to be added to the waiting list, please contact Heather at 607-743-5074.
| | Pastor’s Discretionary Fund | | A reminder that our church maintains a Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, which is used to provide confidential assistance when needs arise within our community. If you would like to contribute, please note “Pastor’s Discretionary Fund” in the memo line of your check or on your envelope. Thank you for your generosity and care for one another. | | Savvy Seniors Summer Camp | | |
St. Michael’s Lutheran Church is hosting a 6-week Savvy Seniors Summer Camp this summer for seniors who enjoy learning, staying active, and fellowship! Classes will include a variety of historical and community-centered topics, and lunch is included each week.
The camp will be held on Wednesdays at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 400 River Rd., Irmo, on the Irmo side of the dam. The cost is $45, and seating is limited.
For more information, click here or visit St. Michael’s website.
| | Stay updated with Lutheran publications | | | | If you’re looking for inspiring stories and updates about the ELCA and happenings around the world, be sure to check out the Living Lutheran magazine. Just click here. | | |
If you’d like to stay connected with what’s going on in South Carolina, don’t miss the weekly newsletter from the South Carolina Synod, the Lutheran Living in South Carolina eNews. Just click here to read it. Enjoy!
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Summer Giving
Just a reminder that many in our congregation have found the Simply Giving program to be the perfect way to make their regular contributions to the church. You can simply fill out and email this form or drop it off at the church office.
Another way is to contribute online from wherever you are. Regular giving is a faithful discipline that strengthens our relationship to God and our neighbors. Thank you for your generosity!
| | How Can I Give to Pilgrim? | | |
We offer multiple ways to give that make supporting us easy and convenient. You can give in person or online, send your donation by mail to Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1430 N. Lake Drive, Lexington, SC 29072, or set up recurring giving with Simply Giving, our electronic automatic giving program.
As you think about your contributions, please consider electronic giving. It’s simple, reliable, and helps us plan better for the future. With Simply Giving, your donation is ready to go toward our ministry needs right away, and it also involves fewer fees than online credit card donations.
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Worship Service Volunteers, please read!
You can view the 2026 list of Worship Volunteers in the schedule here. It is always a work in progress. If you notice an error or suspect a conflict, please notify us. We need your help keeping up with them.
Remember, if you can’t cover your assigned job, please find someone to take your place. If you ask, other volunteers will swap weeks with you. Then, once you’ve found someone to take your place, call or text Courtney Coker in the office, and she can make those needed changes online, in Pilgrim’s Progress, and in the Sunday Bulletin.
June 28, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Ryan Mears
Ushers — Don and Jamie Kosanka
Communion Assistants — Myron Corley and Mary Beth Hill
Counters — Delores Steinhauser and Scott Grosse
Hospitality Table — Margaret and Warren Christmus are providing a cake to share with our church family in honor of their 60th wedding anniversary.
Children’s Time — Allison Hallman and Lou Galloway
July 5, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Peter Reinhart
Ushers — Scott Grosse and Brenda Sommer
Communion Assistants — Carl and Debra Richardson
Counters — Melissa and Todd Hendrix
Hospitality Table — Need Volunteer
Children’s Time — Jackie Kaminer and Need Volunteer
July 12, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Kathleen Shutt
Ushers — Mary Beth Hill and Tyler Mears
Communion Assistants — Kathy Boivin and Peter Reinhart
Counters — Jamie Kosanka and Scott Grosse
Hospitality Table — Need Volunteer
Children’s Time — Ryan Mears and Lou Galloway
July 19, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Lou Galloway
Ushers — Joe Kaminer and TBD
Communion Assistants — Ricky and Becky Wingard
Counters — Melissa Hendrix and Don Kosanka
Hospitality Table — Richardson Family
Children’s Time — Need Volunteers
July 26, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Ricky Wingard
Ushers — Carl Richardson and David Marshall
Communion Assistants — Jane and David Park
Counters — Jamie Kosanka and Wally Steinhauser
Hospitality Table — Lou Galloway
Children’s Time — Need Volunteers
August 2, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Jamy Claire Archer
Ushers — Jimmy Smith and Ted Wingard
Communion Assistants — Kathleen Shutt and Margie Bundrick
Counters — Todd Hendrix and Delores Steinhauser
Hospitality Table — Need Volunteer
Children’s Time — Need Volunteers
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Pilgrim’s Prayer List
Alan Addy
Myra Boyd
Norma Drafts
Rick Harris
The family and friends of Claudine Hope, as they mourn her death.
Steve McCullough and his family, as the mourn the death of his mother, Donna McCullough.
Jimmy Metts
Bill Sanders
Greg Sommer
Friends of Pilgrim
Bishop Ginny Aebischer
Annie Allen, Shelia McCullough’s mother
Joyce Czarnecki
Beth Davis, friend of Pastor Mary
Ben Green, Greg Sommer’s brother-in-law
Nadine Greene, friend of Karl and Carolyn Horner
Joyce Kirkland and Joanna Kirkland, sisters-in-law of Debra and Carl Richardson
Tina Krause, friend of Pastor Mary
Lars, Brenda Sommer’s Nephew
Eileen and Ronnie Leaphart, dear friends of Myron and Linda Corley
LeMaster Family, family of Melissa Hendrix
Louise Newton, friend of Ricky and Becky Wingard
Jill Sanders, Wally and Delores Steinhauser’s cousin-in-law
Heidi, Wolfram Schwabe’s sister
Trey Soud, friend of Wally and Delores Steinhauser
Louise Velky, the newest member of Mary Beth Hill’s family, as she is facing a rare genetic diagnosis.
Pastor Carl and Debra Yost, as his health struggles continue.
Please contact the church office if you would like someone added or removed from the prayer list.
| | Worship is at 10 a.m. each Sunday. | | |
Scriptures for this Sunday
The First Reading: Jeremiah 28:5-9
The Second Reading: Romans 6:12-23
Gospel: Matthew 10:40-42
| | Worship Service replay from Sunday, June 21, 2026 | | | | |
