Dear Friends,

Since September 11th, I have heard several people say that old familiar hymns, prayers and words of Scripture have taken on a totally different meaning than before. I have noticed that myself and I have never known people to be so intent, for instance, during the reading of Scripture than since that horrid date. I am in a particularly advantageous place in the pulpit area to read facial expressions as people sing, too. During some of the great hymns of the church I can see that some words and ideas resonate with people, whereas before the singing of hymns may have been perfunctory or an obligation borne of routine. Last Sunday, for example, during the singing of the majestic and beloved, "A Mighty Fortress is our God," I can see in you, and feel in myself, a new, or renewed, urgency and earnestness when the words of the third verse are sung: "And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us." Once we may have taken the words about "devils," for instance, as language speaking of a more primitive time than our own, but, even if that is true, we also find in our time a corresponding kinship with the hymn through the evils and "devils" of 2001.

These reflections have led me to a renewed understanding of the role of faith and its repeated expressions in our lives. Those of you who have had the experience of worship, prayer and Christian duty as a part of your life's patterns know the power resident in the routines of faith. Those who are coming to faith and its expressions are learning, as though for the first time, the power that faith and faith alone can bring to our always fragile and precarious lives.

In a book, Lord, Teach Us to Pray, a New Look at the Lord's Prayer, Arthur Boers makes a point something like the one I'm trying to make in this letter. He explains how telling our children that we love them, not understood at first, grows into deeper meaning over time and in repeating the phrase, "I love you" the ideal and the reality eventually coincide.

A prayer, like the Lord's Prayer, is a gift to us. Its words help us when we are immature in faith, and they are words that we can always grow into. Like all the ways by which we express our faith, the Lords' Prayer accompanies us with truth along life's way, even at rebellious times when we have no idea of why we repeat it. The Lord's Prayer is always there to meet us at whatever stage in life we find ourselves. The repetition of acts of faith and worship allows us to grow into their meaning as life's needs and challenges unfold. For example, since September 11th have not the words "...but deliver us from evil" been words of a different meaning than when you said them before that date?

There is grace in the repetitions of acts of faith and worship and that grace is amazing whether the repetitions come late or soon to us. They make the power of faith available to all no matter what level of religious maturity at which we have arrived.

Keep the faith! Faith will keep you!

Love,

Gary

 (c)The Church of the Pilgrimage in Plymouth, MA Inc., all rights reserved.

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized

Marche Ross, Jordan Hospital

Recuperating-after hospitalization, Rodney Morgan

Now at the Plymouth Life Care Center, Robert Lowery, husband of Ruth Lowery

In Memoriam:

On October 22, 2001, Rev. Marks and Rev. Bickel conducted a funeral service for long time and active church member Margaret Stacey. Our sympathies are extended to Peg's beloved family and friends.

Baptism

On October 28, 2001, Rev. Marks baptized Olivia Rose Stutzenberger, born on 3/11/01, daughter of Karl H. Stutzenberger and Patricia E. (Headd) Stutzenberger, during the worship service; and
Alex Martin McCormack, born on 12/13/01, son of Frank McCormack and Mary (Locketti) McCormack, during the worship service.

THIS WEEK

Monday, Nov. 5

Aerobics - 9:00 - 10:00 AM - Allerton Hall, Rev. Robin's Office Hours 11a.m.-1:00 p.m.; Girl Scouts Tr. No. 1128 6:00-7:30 P.M; Women's Fellowship Meeting-7:00 p.m.-Cooking and Nutrition with Lynn Tripp, M.S. Food Science. Interfaith Series on Islam from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. at the Christ Church. Please plan to attend and invite a friend.

Tuesday, Nov. 6

The Rev. Gary L. Marks'- office hours: 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M., Girl Scouts Trp. #1234 - 6:30 PM - 8:00 P.M. - Church House, Aerobics - 6:45 P.M. - 7:45 P.M. - Allerton Hall. The Church Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. in the Mayflower Room.

Wednesday, Nov. 7

Aerobics - 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. Allerton Hall, Staff Meeting - 10:00 A.M., Rev. Marks is available in the office following staff meeting, Rev. Robin's Office Hours - 11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. The Visitation Committee will meet in the Church House at 1:00 p.m.; Den #47 Pack Meeting-7:00-8:00P.M, Church House, The Missions & Outreach Committee will meet on November 7 at the home of Bonnie Peck at 7:00 p.m.;Choir Rehearsal - 7:30 P.M. - Sanctuary; The Feasibility Study Committee will meet in the Pastor's Study at 7:30 P.M.

Thursday, Nov. 8

Aerobics - 6:45 P.M. - 7:45 P.M.

Friday, Nov.9

The Rev. Gary L. Marks'- office hours: 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M; Aerobics - 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. - Allerton Hall; The Guild- will hold its annual Missions Emphasis meeting beginning at 1:00 P.M. The speaker will be Gail Mason, President of the Plymouth Fragment Society. The society formed in 1818 is the second oldest social service agency in the U.S. and serves families in the local area.

Saturday, Nov. 10

Overeaters Anonymous 9:30 - 11:30 A.M. - Church House

PLEASE NOTE

Church Membership-If you are interested in church membership, please let Rev. Marks know or call the church office. A class will be organized when several people indicate their interest.

Pledge Cards and Envelopes - anyone desiring pledge cards or envelopes please contact Tom Mudgett at (508) 224-7296 or the Church Office. New pledge envelopes will be available for the remaining 6 months of the fiscal year, January-June 2001 in December.

We thank all who organized, ran and in any way participated in the Harvest Fair Weekend at The Church of the Pilgrimage. It was not only a successful series of events financially, but the times of sharing and fellowship were a very welcome respite from the worries of our troubled times. We thank Diana Budge for her dynamic leadership in the oversight of the Harvest Fair.

Special Thanks to those great "Folks" who helped donate linens, work the table, or help buy linens. We were a great success for our first year and we thank you! Please remember me the next fair year 2002. We would love to do it again if you have more linens! Gayle David

COMING EVENTS

Nov. 13-Rev. Marks and Rev. Bickel will take part in the "Read Aloud" program at Plymouth South Elementary School.
Nov. 14-Rev. Marks will take part in an ecumenical service at the Newfield House at 2:00 p.m.
Nov. 17-Time and Talent Auction.
Nov. 18-Thanksgiving Sunday-The S.E.R.R.V. Sale (Sales Exchange for Refugee Rehabilitation Vocations) will be held after worship in Allerton Hall. Sale of handcrafted items made from cooperatives in third world countries for self-help of the underprivileged of the world. S.E.R.R.V. ensures the artisans are paid a fair wage for their wares. Please keep this date in mind and bring your Christmas List.
Nov. 22-Thanksgiving Day. Open House at the Church of the Pilgrimage, 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Pilgrim's Progress, 10:00 a.m., Rev. Marks will portray the Elder William Brewster.

NOTICE

In accordance with the Bylaws of the Church of the Pilgrimage, a Special Business Meeting has been called by the Board of Trustees. The meeting will be held on November 11, 2001, immediately following the Service of Worship.

The purpose of the Meeting is to:

1. Amend the following 2001-2002 Budget items

5511 - Primary Organist
5520 - Choir Director

2. Elect Officers, Board and Committee members to fill vacancies that have occurred since the 2001 Annual Meeting.

A quorum is necessary to conduct any business, and all Church Members are urged to attend.

Lois E. Post
Clerk

Clerk - Lois Post; Moderator - Steven Triffletti; Treasurer - Cliff Sampson; Collector - Thomas Mudgett; Asst. Collectors - Jerry and Debbie Chaskes; Music Director - William B Richter; Secretary - Pam McNicholas; Sexton - Tony Nightingale; World Mission Emphasis - Heifer Project International; Church Building Telephone - (508) 747-1341.