Pullen Weekly News
April 6-12
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A Guide Through Holy Week
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Though this Holy Week will look and feel different for our church, we have learned in the past weeks that we can still be connected to one another even as we experience self-distancing and sheltering in place. The stories I am hearing of people reaching out to check on another’s well-being are quite moving. I can feel you taking care of one another.
Even though we will not be able to gather at church for our Maundy Thursday meal and worship or walk the labyrinth in the chapel on Good Friday we can still journey through Holy Week together as a community. This “guide through Holy Week” offers a scriptural reading and a question for reflection for each day, beginning today, as well as instructions for how to join us on Maundy Thursday at 6:30 p.m. for a live stream Tenebrae service. It is my hope that as you journey through each day this week you will feel the presence of fellow Pullenites walking with you.
-Nancy Petty
Monday of Holy Week:
Question for Reflection: Can you feel yourself rising from any dead places in your life--dead dreams or hopes? And if so, like Mary, how might you show your gratitude?
Tuesday of Holy Week:
Question for Reflection: Where have you experienced loss in your life that eventually lead you to a new way of living and being in the world?
Wednesday of Holy Week:
Question for Reflection: If you had the opportunity to “recline” next to Jesus what question would you want to ask him?
Thursday of Holy Week:
- Text: John 13:1-17; 31b-35
Question for Reflection: Is there some part of you that you are not letting Jesus wash? A hurt you are holding on to? A disappointment that you can’t seem to let go of? Imagine what it might mean to allow the soothing waters of God’s love wash that clean. How might it deepen your love for someone in your life?
Join us at 6:30 p.m. on Pullen’s live stream page for our Tenebrae Service.
Friday of Holy Week:
Question for Reflection: Where might you be betraying the spirit within your own life? What of the Spirit of Jesus is waiting to rise up in you that you are holding at arms length?
Saturday of Holy Week:
Question for Reflection: What are we holding onto that makes it difficult to embrace new life?
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May a Song Remain Among Us
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For all of us who seek to minister to others, it’s a challenge in these unusual days to strike just the right tone. There are so many different needs of body, mind and spirit, that it is sometimes difficult to know just the right expression to offer. Some need uplifting from the loneliness of isolation, some need to be reminded of the joys around us, while others need time to grieve. The first three of these columns offered a wide variety of music for ministry. This week, recognizing that during this pandemic the world finds itself in a constant “Good Friday,” I offer two pieces of music that assist in our lament and grief while offering some comfort and hope.
For the first Sunday we cancelled “in-person” worship services at Pullen, the Youth and Chancel Choirs were to combine and sing a moving anthem, “Requiem.” After the devastation of the 2004 Asian Tsunami, singer/songwriter, Eliza Gilkyson, composed this simple, chant-like song. Arranger Craig Hella Johnson crafted a moving arrangement for choirs. The piece cries out to the universal mother: “our world has been shaken…mother mary, come and carry us in your embrace.”
For all who need to lament and feel an embrace through music and lyric, listen to “Requiem.”
Last year, the Chancel Choir learned a new setting of a beloved text: “O Love” by composer, Elaine Hagenberg. Many of you commented on how meaningful it was when they sang it. The hymn text it expresses is a comfort to many.
For all who need a comforting expression with familiar words, listen to “O Love.”
Performance Links:
Whether near or far apart, may a song remain!
-Larry E. Schultz, Minster of Music
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ZOOM into a meeting with Pullen Friends!
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To make space for continued connection, we’re offering several opportunities to connect in small online groups via Zoom! Zoom allows you to communicate via video chat or by phone.
We have two types of groups. One will be less formal and more conversational. It will begin with a check in and leave lots of space to just talk. The other option is a bit more contemplative, but not too formal. There will still be time to check in with one another before reflecting on a theme, reading, song or visual art.
We shared the meeting links in a Pullen email on Friday evening, March 27. If you need the meeting links you can also contact Chalice at
covery@pullen.org
.
Times for meetings are:
- Monday, 7 pm (conversational)
- Tuesday, 10 am (contemplative)
- Wednesday, 7 pm (conversational)
- Thursday, 10 am (contemplative)
- Friday, 12 pm (contemplative)
-Chalice Overy
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Home Cooking Available from our Wednesday Night Chef
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I trust you are all well and adapting to a new way of living for a while. It has certainly been an adjustment for all of us! I am currently preparing one home cooked item per week that you can purchase for immediate consumption or to freeze. You may pick them up or I will deliver within a 5 mile radius. (I live near Joyner Elementary School.)
This week I will be preparing my
Homemade Four Cheese Mac and Cheese
in a 9X13 recyclable casserole dish. 8 healthy portions at $20.00 per casserole.
If you would like to purchase or preorder the Mac and Cheese Casseroles, call or text me at 919-649-7430 or email me at
jacgilbert@me.com
and we will work out delivery/pickup and payment options. Thank you for your support!
In this time of staying home, eat healthy, (lots of colors! ~ and that does not include Cheetos or other processed foods!), get some exercise, and stay connected with others.
Seeking Inner Peace,
Julie Gilbert
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Stay Connected to Pullen Church during Covid-19
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There is a
new page
on the Pullen Website to help you stay connected during the pandemic. Visit it for all of the links to our emails, videos, and Zoom meetings.
Note: The church office closed on March 27, 2020 at 12:30 and will remain closed until the Stay-at-Home Order is lifted. You can leave a voice mail at the church (919-828-0897). You may also email staff.
Our addresses are available
here
.
Please each out if you have questions or suggestions about our communications channels. Email Communications Specialist Dana Deaton at
news@pullen.org
.
-Dana Deaton
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Brooks staying a while longer - Search Committee hard at work
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As the Church Administrator Search Committee continues its search, the impact of COVID-19 (and social distancing) on that process is an unknown. As we collectively embrace our current era of uncertainty,
Brooks Wicker has graciously agreed to delay her retirement until the end of May.
Brooks providing this stability during a time of great change is a true gift to Pullen.
The Church Administrator Search Committee is still accepting applications for Pullen's full-time Church Administrator.
-Kyle Hampton, Chair of Church Administrator Search Committee
-Catherine Corbett, Chair of Personnel Committee
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We recognize that those in vulnerable populations will want to remain as isolated as possible, but may still need medications, groceries, etc. If you have needs, but do not feel comfortable going out, please
contact Chalice Overy at
covery@pullen.org
or 919-828-0887 ext. 214
.
-Chalice Overy
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We hope that in the coming weeks you will join for worship each Sunday by watching the
livestream
. The recordings of the services are then archived on our webpage, so you can watch any time.
If you have comments or concerns about the livestream, or if you would like to volunteer to help, please email Nathan and Dana at
news@pullen.org
.
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Please share this email with your friends!
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