Thursday, September 24, 2026

What’s New for You?

Update from the Call Committee
Woven Together in Generosity update
Question Marks: Session 1 recording and Session 2 link
We need volunteers for our annual Garage Sale.
Important Kairos cookie update
Parent Pro Tip
An inside look at the ELCA Deaconess Community by Sister D’Etta Broam.
Oktoberfest 2026 is back! Mark your calendars!

Happy Thursday, Pilgrims!

I wanted to say a word about a couple of experiences last week that were so impactful for me. One was the Synod trip to Atlanta when 36 of us traveled there to learn more about racism and the steps we still need to take toward racial reconciliation. It was a full agenda with stops at the National Civic and Human Rights Museum, the Martin Luther King Center, and the Carter Center. It was such an amazing combination of deep sorrow at the ways we have treated each other and the soaring inspiration of leaders like King and Carter who modeled that Biblical image of “a still more excellent way.”

I thought I knew a lot about this history of our country but discovered I knew only a teaspoon full. They say what you don’t know won’t hurt you, but that’s hardly true. Cancer will make you ill or kill you whether you realize you have it or not. Better to know it and treat it, if you want to live a healthy life. Those on our trip spent two days on the verge of tears most of the time, but it was cleansing and empowering.

The following day, I went to the dedication of the historical marker for my immigrant ancestor at the edge of the River Bluff High School property. That week, I also discovered that Delores Steinhauser was working on her family history and discovered that she, her sisters, and I share that same ancestor. Wow, howdy Pilgrim cousins!

The week finished on Saturday with our Navigating the Pressure event that was advertised as Pizza, Planting, and Popsicles. I realize that with such fun advertising, it might have sounded like a purely social event for young families. It was much more than that, both by design and in reality.

Remember that our mission in this ministry prototype is to help kids (and parents) thrive in a stressed-out world. Anxiety, stress, and loneliness are framing our growing up and our culture right now. It’s not healthy. The planting of flowers, vegetables, and blueberry bushes, led by Ryan Mears, was centered around teaching kids how to deal with their worries and anxieties and showing them a way to give those things to God. While they got dirty, hot, and sweaty with this activity and playground time, their parents met in the outside shelter for adult time.

With several experts on hand, including occupational therapist Cathi Christmus, we shared our parent concerns around the ways kids are missing out on mental and physical development due to the use of digital technology and the lack of having outdoor play time. It was a good conversation. We were delighted as Pilgrim members and new families got to know each other.

At the end, the kids came rushing back all red-faced and dirty to show off their pots of planted things. Then, yes, it was time for popsicles!

What a meaningful week it was. Now we’re on to another week of serving Jesus through our church, our work, our volunteering, and our prayers. This is the real journey!

Pastor Mary

Council President’s Page

Mary Beth Hill

The Hospitality Table needs supplies

We rarely need those small water bottles. You do a great job keeping the Hospitality Table stocked with them. However, we’re almost out of water.

We also find ourselves with no volunteers for October. If you haven’t volunteered yet because you’re worried your homemade cookies won’t come out the way you want them to. Don’t worry.

Our congregation is very generous with their praise, and they welcome store-bought items just as much. The Hospitality Table is really about gathering and spending time together. We check on each other. “Are you feeling better?” “How is your great-niece doing? We are praying for her.” “Will your mail be forwarded to you once you’re in the hospital in Greenville?” “Do you need anything?”

As you can tell, I love to soak up the conversations. You probably don’t realize how often you sound like Jesus when you check on people and ask if they need help, a ride, groceries, a meal, or even a load of laundry done.

That’s the real purpose of our Hospitality Table. It’s not whether you can cut perfect cake squares (I can’t, obviously). It’s about coming together and sharing our lives.

To do that, we need water and volunteers. Please consider being a part of this important ministry by contacting Kathleen Shutt, Mary Beth Hill, or Courtney Coker in the church office.

December continues to creep up on us

Pilgrim Lutheran Church’s constitution requires that during our service of worship, we notify our congregation about two upcoming Information Meetings and our Annual Congregation Meeting.

As you know, at the Annual Meeting, the congregation will choose individuals to serve on the Church Council, approve the 2027 budget/ministry plan, and take up any other impending business.

Because the 2026 Annual Meeting takes place on the second Sunday in December (December 13), immediately following worship in the sanctuary, we work backward from that date.

Leading up to the annual meeting, we hold two information meetings. The first information session will take place after Worship on Sunday, November 29. The second takes place after Worship on Sunday, December 6.

At both information sessions, we will have copies of the proposed 2027 Budget/Ministry Plan. Melissa Hendrix and other members of the Generosity (Finance) Team will be here to answer questions about that proposed budget.

We will also have copies of the biographies of individuals running for council member seats.

Please tell anyone you know who attends Pilgrim about these two Information Sessions and the Annual Meeting.

Another reminder

We are thankful for the people who serve as worship assistants, ushers, communion assistants, hospitality table providers, Children’s Time teachers or assistants, and AV and sound providers each Sunday here at Pilgrim.

Our Parish Administrator, Courtney Coker, does a lot to help you remember that you volunteered and need to arrive on time. She usually includes at least two weeks of upcoming assignments in a list of worship assistants, ushers, communion assistants, Children’s Time teachers and assistants, and hospitality table providers that appears in the Sunday bulletins. In other words, your assignment shows up for about two Sundays before you actually serve. She also sends an email and text reminder to that week’s providers.

Mark your calendars

Sunday, November 29, First Information Meeting immediately following worship

Sunday, December 6, Second Information Meeting immediately following worship

Sunday, December 13, Annual Meeting, immediately following worship

Update from the Call Committee

Our search for a new pastor has commenced!

The Call Committee, consisting of Kathy Boivin, Linda Corley, Todd Hendrix, Jackie Kaminer, Don Kosanka, Carol Murray, Wolfram Schwabe, and Delores Steinhauser, was installed during the service on August 30. Delores Steinhauser was elected chair at the first meeting on September 15. Other key positions: Vice-Chair Jackie Kaminer and Note-Taker Don Kosanka.

The first objective of the committee is to complete and submit the Ministry Site Profile (MSP). After that, we will meet with Bishop Wade Roof so that he can get to know us better, as he will play an active role in identifying candidates for us. Fortunately, much of the work required to develop the MSP has already been done. The two “Who Are We?” congregational sessions we held in the Spring and the one this past Sunday provided valuable information defining and affirming new mission, vision, and values statements.

The 46 people who came together last Sunday to give input for questions on the MSP confirmed that we truly are “Woven Together in Christ’s Grace” as we seek a new pastor. The Ministry Site Profile is important because it is the “resume” of the church. Potential pastors will look at it to determine if they want to interview with us. It is how they gather their first impressions of our congregation.

How can you continue to help the Call Committee moving forward?

Pray that we remain aware of the Holy Spirit in this process and that we continue to listen to what God wants for us.

Be supportive of all the members of the committee, and respect the confidentiality required in this process.

Participate in the stewardship campaign initiated by the Generosity Team, whose goal is to increase giving by 15% in 2027, as we will need to demonstrate to candidates that the congregation is on sound financial footing.

Say “Yes!” if you are asked to serve on Council next year, so we can show candidates that we continue to have strong leadership, especially after Pastor Mary retires.

The committee plans to submit the Ministry Site Profile to the Council for approval at their October 11 meeting. Following that submission, we will meet with Bishop Roof, prepare for upcoming interviews, and wait anxiously for our first candidate.

Stewardship Fall 2026

Woven Together in Generosity

Last Sunday, in our weekly Temple Talk, we heard from the Mears family about why they first visited Pilgrim several years ago and why they chose to join and raise their two girls here. Tyler spoke about their desire to find an inclusive church where their children would learn that all people are God’s beloved children. Ryan spoke about the welcome they received from everyone and how welcomed their little children were even when they couldn’t sit still or stay quiet. Of course, that’s just the nature of children, and many of us have been there!

Then Ryan mentioned something that perhaps seemed like an unusual comment about our style of worship. She said she was, and continues to be, very moved by our weekly Prayers of the Church that focus our prayers on real-time local and global concerns and praying for our world and the environment. A prayer life that is attentive to the specific needs of God’s people and God’s creation was new to her and continues to refresh her spirit. The youngest Mears, Delaney and Dylan, stood with their parents with a joyful spirit as well. Thanks for your inspiring words to us!

This Sunday, September 27, we welcome the words of Joey (Joricia) Schneider, who recently joined the congregation. She’ll share her journey to Pilgrim with us. On October 4, we welcome the words of Cathy (and perhaps Karen) Hope, longtime members of Pilgrim who will speak to us about their story and about Legacy Giving.

Our 2026 Generosity Goals

To increase our capacity to provide a compensation package to our new pastor that meets the SC Synod Guidelines for a full-time pastor.

To increase our capacity to comfortably provide for the necessary repair and maintenance of our facilities that support our many ministries.

To increase our generosity in giving to the wider church as we live out our commitment to be a connected church.

All these goals can be achieved with an overall increase of 15% in congregational giving in 2027 over giving in 2026.

Pledge Sunday: October 4

We will receive Generosity Pledges during our Offering time in Worship. Please prayerfully consider how you can increase your personal giving over 2026 to help Pilgrim grow its capacity in several areas, including our ability to give more to the wider church to support the many ministries we share.

The final deadline for turning in these pledges is Thursday, October 15.

Question Marks: Doing Theology by Asking Big Questions

We’re diving deep this fall with Question Marks: Doing Theology by Asking Big Questions, led by Pastor Mary Anderson on September 22 and 29 and October 6 and 13.

In-Person: Tuesdays, 10–11:30 a.m., in the Prayer and Share Room of the Pilgrim Administrative Building

On Zoom: Tuesdays, 7–8:15 p.m. The Zoom link will be in Pilgrim’s Progress and on Facebook.

Any Time: Watch the recorded Zoom session. The link to watch will be published in Pilgrim’s Progress, on the website, and on Facebook.

Overview: In these four sessions, both in-person and on Zoom, Pastor Mary Anderson will lead us in theological conversation about some of the big questions we have about God, Christ, the scriptures, and our contemporary lives.

We’ll combine scriptural interpretation, church doctrine, Lutheran theology, and our own experiences as people of faith and simply as human beings, as we speak about and listen faithfully to these four big questions.

For more information, click here.

Below is the recording of Question Marks: Session 1: How Can We Understand the Ancient Scriptures in Modern Times?

Please use passcode: W7EnkJ*9

The next session is Question Marks: How Can We Share Our Faith With Others? on September 29 at 7 p.m.

Click here to join the Zoom Meeting for that session.

Pilgrim’s Annual Garage and Boston Butt Sale

Pilgrim’s Annual Garage and Boston Butt Sale on Saturday, October 10, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Pilgrim Lutheran Church.

Boston Butt pickup will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Preorder your Boston Butt(s) now. Click here to order. Enter the total for the number of Butt(s) purchased. Select “Lutheran Men.” Include your name and how many were ordered in the memo line.

Donations are welcome, and you may drop off items starting October 6. Please contact Keith Galloway for more information.

Volunteers Needed

We need a wonderful team of Pilgrim volunteers to help bring our annual sale to life! Whether you have a few hours during setup week or can help on the big day, we would love your support.

When and where we need you

Setup week (October 6–9): Help unpack, organize, and price items as donations come in.

Sale day (Sat, October 10, 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.): Help run the sale and answer questions for shoppers.

Clean-up (October 10, after 1 p.m.): Help pack up remaining items and get the Fellowship Hall back in shape.

Can’t stay the whole time? That’s totally okay! Just let us know what days and hours you are available to pitch in.

Ready to volunteer or have questions? Please contact Keith Galloway to sign up for a time slot that works for you. Thank you for your support!

Pilgrim Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Our annual Pilgrim Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be held on November 22, immediately following worship.

Stay tuned for more details coming about donations of meats, sides, and desserts.

Save these December dates!

Saturday, December 5, from 5 to 7 p.m., St. Nicholas Festival, at Pilgrim in the Fellowship Hall.

Saturday, December 12, from 3 to 5 p.m., Cheers to the Years Retirement Party for Pastor Mary Anderson.

Sunday, December 27, is Pastor Mary Anderson’s last Sunday here at Pilgrim. Her last day at Pilgrim will be December 31, 2026.

Pizza, Planting, and Popsicles!

What a fantastic turnout this past Saturday, September 19, at Pilgrim! Families gathered for pizza, faith, and fun — capping off the day with refreshing popsicles and community celebration.

The kids worked hard in the garden, planting blueberry bushes, beets, carrots, and garlic, while exploring how faith builds hope. Meanwhile, parents connected over insights from the book Balanced and Barefoot (which every family received for free).

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to sponsor our Navigating the Pressure: Helping Kids Thrive in a Stressed-Out World! team.

Important Kairos cookie update

Due to strict security protocols at Broad River Correctional Institution, only factory-sealed, store-bought cookies can be accepted for the upcoming Kairos Prison Ministry weekend.

While homemade cookies were approved at the state level, BRCI’s maximum-security policy prohibits homemade baked goods.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support in purchasing store-bought cookies for the ministry!

Parent Pro Tip

This week, our Parent Pro Tip is courtesy of our friends at Jill Smith and Associates Counseling.

How parents contribute to a child’s anxiety

Modeling matters most — kids absorb parental anxiety responses more than parental words.

Over protection/accommodation (avoiding the feared thing on the child’s behalf) reinforces avoidance as the solution.

Inconsistent responses (sometimes dismissive, sometimes over-reassuring) leave kids without a reliable read on how seriously to take their own fear.

The lever you actually control: modeling calm coping out loud and gently pushing toward tolerable exposure instead of avoidance.

An inside look at the ELCA Deaconess Community by Sister D’Etta Broam

In this insightful piece, Sister D’Etta Broam introduces us to one of the churchwide ministries’ best-kept secrets: the ELCA Deaconess Community.

Discover the rich 142-year history of diakonia (service), what it means to be a rostered minister in “Word and Service,” and how modern deaconesses — including right here in our SC Synod — live out their call to justice and care.

Read the full article here.

Oktoberfest 2026 is back! Mark your calendars!

Join us at Incarnation Lutheran Church (3005 Devine St.) for Columbia’s original German festival!

Dates: October 9–11, 2026

Connect: Follow them on Facebook to stay updated on event schedules and announcements!

Calling all Pilgrim friends!

We would love to hang out together during the festival! A group of us will be meeting up for dinner on Saturday, October 10, at 5 p.m.

Look for us under the main tent to grab a table, enjoy great food, listen to the live music, and spend time together. Bring your family and friends. Come join in on the fun!

Yoga with Sister D’Etta Broam

Stretch, breathe, recharge, and pray with yoga led by Sister D’Etta Broam!

Details

When: Saturday at 10 a.m. (45 minutes)

Where: Pilgrim’s Fellowship Hall

Cost: $50 for a 5-session package or $12 drop-in (Venmo, cash, or check accepted at class.)

Participants may contact Sister D’Etta directly with any questions.

The next 5 session dates are:

October 17 and 31, November 14 (Chapel) and 21, and December 5 (Chapel).

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.

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!

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.

CLICK TO DONATE ONLINE

CLICK FOR AUTO-DRAFT FORM

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.

September 27, 2026, 10 a.m.

Worship Assistant — Lou Galloway

Ushers — Scott Grosse and David Marshall

Communion Assistants — Kathy Boivin and Lou Gallaway

Counters — Melissa Hendrix and Don Kosanka

Hospitality Table — Amber Marshall

Children’s Time — Allison Hallman and Shelia McCullough

October 4, 2026, 10 a.m.

Worship Assistant — Kathleen Shutt

Ushers — Mary Beth Hill and Tyler Mears

Communion Assistants — Ricky and Becky Wingard

Counters — Scott Grosse and Delores Steinhauser

Hospitality Table — Need Volunteer

Children’s Time — Need Volunteers

October 11, 2026, 10 a.m.

Worship Assistant — Ricky Wingard

Ushers — Brenda Sommer and Need a Volunteer

Communion Assistants — Mary Beth Hill and Kristen Dashiell

Counters — Don Kosanka and Todd Hendrix

Hospitality Table — Need Volunteer

Children’s Time — Shelia McCullough

October 18, 2026, 10 a.m.

Worship Assistant — Jamy Claire Archer

Ushers — Joe Kaminer and Ted Wingard

Communion Assistants — Jackie Kaminer and Debra Richardson

Counters — Delores and Wally Steinhauser

Hospitality Table — Need Volunteer

Children’s Time — Allison Hallman

Pilgrim’s Prayer List

Our prayers continue for our brother in Christ, Rick Harris, as his treatment for blood cancer continues. He wants you to know that he will go to Greenville Hospital for several weeks of treatment and recovery in early October. While he’s too vulnerable to receive visitors, Rick would love to hear from you by mail.

Rick’s address in the Yacht Cove community is:

147 Seafarer Lane

Columbia, SC 29212

Alan Addy

Myra Boyd

Norma Drafts

Rick Harris

Jimmy Metts

Bill Sanders

Greg Sommer

Friends of Pilgrim

Joyce Czarnecki