Given by Rev. Madison Shockley July 4, 2021 Those of us today must understand the prophetic traditions of ancient Israel. We cannot understand Jesus unless we understand the traditions that produce him and in which he stood. Jesus read about the ancient prophets when he went to the synagogue. After his call at the Jordan river, [...]
Given by Caroline Theiss-Aird April 4, 2021 Over the last several months, our church has talked about racism and internal bias. The congregation is invited to complete the survey coming soon so we can determine where we go from here, both as a congregation and as an individual. We would like to set clear objectives. We [...]
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley January 17, 2021 Today is Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. We are also getting ready to celebrate the inauguration of a new president. In our reading today, Jesus tells his disciples that if they continue doing his work, then they are truly his followers. They will know the truth and [...]
Moderated by Rev. Madison Shockley for Prof. Melina Abdulla October 4, 2020 This is the question and answer session with Professor Abdulla following her sermon. Everyone's voice counts. Both candidates and measures are important. The entire ticket matters, not just the top. We must undo white supremacy to end racism. Video:
Given by Rev. Madison Shockley June 14, 2020 Today, our theme is help wanted. The message from Jesus is that the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. As we are healing from COVID-19, we can help by wearing masks and social distancing. Pilgrim is doing its part by being cautious concerning opening. We [...]
https://vimeo.com/242154592 Event on October 22, 2017 The forum today is co-sponsored by the ACLU and Pilgrim United Church of Christ. The two-person panel consists of the Reverend Robert W. Lee, IV, and Reverend Carl Crider. Our Reverend Madison Shockley acts as the moderator. We believe this conversation needed to occur given what is going on [...]
https://vimeo.com/216572308 Given By Rev. Carl Crider April 30, 2017 Racism is the subject of today's sermon. Rev. Carl Crider recalls the first incidence that he experienced being taught how to live in a racist society. His grandmother scolded him for drinking from their black servant's cup. He was only four years old. Twenty years later, [...]
On the eve of our presidential inauguration, we consider the question of what would Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. say to the nation. Rev. Shockley uses King's own words from his 1968 sermon titled The Drum Major Incident. King used passages from Mark in his sermon. We can relate these to Trump.
https://vimeo.com/171246802 The reading from I Kings 21 speaks of the troubles King Ahab encounters after his madness leads to murder. His greed causes the death of an innocent man. The anniversary of the Charleston Church shooting is coming up and still needed to be reflected on. Racism, both in our society and in our [...]
