An oft quoted bible verse from Proverbs says that “idle hands are the devil’s workshop,” but there have been no idle hands in the busy congregation of St. Joseph’s Pilgrim Congregational Church of Christ for the past year. In fact, the “Pilgrims,” as they are affectionately known, have been extremely active during the coronavirus pandemic, playing a key role in helping get food to those in the community who have been hardest hit by the pandemic’s negative economic effects.
Next Wednesday, March 24th, you will see Pilgrims packing food boxes and/or distributing those boxes to folks in need just as they have done every month since April of last year.
Ronda Collier who serves on the Pilgrim Invitation team and is charged with organizing Pilgrim volunteers says, “We are very excited to be celebrating one full year of our partnership with the Southwestern Michigan Community Action Agency (SMCAA),” and adds, “SMCAA is a wonderful organization that serves hundreds of families, seniors and others in need every single month. It has been very rewarding for all Pilgrims who have participated.”
Pilgrims have become a staple at the SMCAA drives and have even organized ad-hoc groups to help pack boxes for upcoming events. Yvonne Vidt, SMCAA community services manager, says, “We are extremely grateful to the Pilgrim volunteers. They have come rain or shine in impressive numbers and with helping hearts. Now with 11 months of experience behind them, they are truly a dream team of volunteers and we are so happy that they chose us in their quest to help.”
Pilgrim Pastor, David Stout, says, “I could not be more impressed with our congregation,” adding, “Despite some hard losses and crises within our own church family, they don’t hesitate to reach out and help others in need. They are proof that God is still speaking, Jesus is still living, and the spirit is still moving to, for and through Pilgrims.”
The photos accompanying this story on Moody on the Market are courtesy of the Pilgrim Congregational Church of Christ in St. Joseph.
