Hi there, my name is Charley Eastman and I’m the pastor at Pilgrim Church in Southborough.

I’m writing to invite you to Rally Sunday at Pilgrim Church on Sunday, September 15^th at 10:00 am. Rally Sunday is the day we kick off our Sunday School program, which runs from September through May. This year, we’re starting a project to finance an Ark of Animals to Heifer Project International. There will be a petting zoo, face painting and refreshments and we’d love to see you there!

I’m writing because I think we might be able to help each other.

As a father of three, I know that raising kids in 2024 provides new challenges. Families are more isolated than they used to be. Though parents and kids have smartphones and can text across miles in moments, we’re communicating less and feeling less connected. We are consumed by social media riding the wave from activity to activity, rarely stopping to ask why.          

Why?

Why do we choose to do the things we do? When did we decide it was okay to ourselves in endless scrolling, rather than in good conversations? How did we lose the chance to teach our kids value judgements, morals, and citizenship? And why did we decide that we must do all this alone, without any sense that a God who loves us might be rooting for us?

At Pilgrim Church, we don’t have all the answers, but we’re figuring things out together.

Pilgrim is a place where we gather across generations, to find purpose and connection. Expectations have changed since when you were a kid: most families attend church once or twice a month. You don’t have to commit to coming every week (though I promise, we’ll be there if you do). Each week, from September through May, we have Sunday School where we share stories from the Bible and talk about how they’re relevant to our lives—including to our kids’ lives. We share food and spend time together.

We know not everyone has the same idea of what church is anymore, but we’re looking for less judgment and more celebration. Pilgrim is also where we learn to serve others…each year the Pilgrim Church Youth Group takes a group of high school kids on a service project where we help build and support community outreach in places like Washington, D.C. We do Habitat for Humanity workdays. We contribute to Heifer Project International, and we provide backpacks full of laptops and school supplies to kids in need through DCF.

We do all this while welcoming and caring for each other.

Pilgrim Church is interested in bringing young families together for mutual support and to build our community. We get that we’re asking at a time when not everyone goes to church. We need you, as much as you might need us. If you have any questions about Pilgrim or you would like to meet, feel free to call or text me directly. I hope Pilgrim Church might become that place where you and families like yours feel empowered and supported to grow and to learn together.

Regards,

Rev. Charley Eastman, Pilgrim Church

(508) 507-0903

cfeastman@pilgrimchurch.us

www.pilgrimchurch.us