Dear Friends,


Last Monday I attended the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast held at Plymouth South High School. The prayer breakfast is sponsored by the Plymouth Interfaith Clergy Association and I personally thank the members of that group for planning this wonderful event.

I think I've attended the King Prayer Breakfast since it was first offered. Martin Luther King Day triggers many feelings in my heart and I am transported back in time to what we refer to as the onset of the Civil Right Movement. Surely, Rev. King was the powerful and gifted voice of a movement which sought the equality implied in our U.S. Constitution to apply in fact to all Americans. Those values of equality, freedom and justice for all are deeply rooted in our biblical tradition and were essential components of Jesus' teaching. Rev. King's unique qualities and the conditions of the time converged to set in motion one of the great social justice movements ever known.

We in the faith communities should not lose sight of the power of faith to change the world for the good of all people and likewise should not treat the achievements of Rev. King as a long past and accomplished fact. Progress has been made, but the vision of Rev. King extended far beyond what is viewed as the liberation and entitlement for American black people. His was a part of the great biblical mandate to seek the good of all people and to rid ourselves and society of discriminatory practices which are at odds with the will of God. Faith is more than personal salvation; it is also seeking to bring equality to all people in a just society.

I heard Rev. King preach when I was a seminarian at The Oberlin Graduate School of Theology. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people packed Tappen Square at the center of Oberlin's campus and were captivated by the eloquent cadences of that unmistakable prophet voice urging us on that day not to sleep through a revolution, like Rip Van Winckle did in another context. We seemed to sense, at least I did, that the power of our biblical faith had found a prophet and that Rev. King was ushering in a new age of human understanding. Of course, we were na•ve enough to believe that God's purposes could actually be brought to bear upon the realities of our social and economic institutions. Indeed, we were na•ve, but there is a beauty and innocence in being na•ve which we should cherish always. We did know, however, that Rev. King was only beginning what justly and humanely needed to be accomplished. We surely are not finished with the task of seeking what our faith believes to be the will of God, and with the work which Rev. King saw so clearly.

Love,

Gary

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

The Rev. Gary L. Marks will be preaching at 10:00 AM worship service.

The Pulpit Flowers are in loving memory of Gerda and Wadsworth Savery given by Maggi and Ken Tavaris.

The Children will attend Church School following their dismissal from the Worship Service.

Confirmation Class will meet from Noon to 2:00 P.M. in the Church House. Please remember to bring your sketches for our banner.

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized

Hospitalized - Eddie Hall, Jordan Hospital

Recuperating at home following a series of tests, Cliff Sampson.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, January 27

Rev. Gary L. Marks will be preaching.

Monday, Jan 28

Rev. Gary L. Marks' Office Hours-9:30-11:30 A.M.; Aerobics-9:00 A.M.-10:00 P.M.-Allerton Hall; Girl Scouts Tr. No. 1128 6:00-7:30 P.M.

Tuesday, Jan 29

Girl Scouts Tr. No. 1234 6:30-8:00 P.M.- Church House; Aerobics-6:45 P.M.-7:45 P.M.-Allerton Hall.

Wednesday, Jan 30

Aerobics - 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. Allerton Hall; Staff Meeting, 10:00 A.M.; Rev. Robin's Office Hours-11:30 A.M.-1:30 P.M., Den #47 Pack Meeting-7:00-8:00P.M, Church House Choir Rehearsal - 7:30 P.M. - Sanctuary.

Thursday, Jan 31

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

Friday, Feb 1

Aerobics-9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M; Rev. Gary L. Marks' Office Hours-9:30-11:30 A.M.

Saturday, Feb 2

Bible Study-8:00A.M.-9:30A.M. Mayflower Room; Overeaters Anonymous- 9:30-11:30 A.M.-Church House.

PLEASE NOTE

A new edition of Rev. Marks' little book, Pilgrims Then and Now, is now available. The cost of the book is $7.00. Any profits above the cost of the books will be deposited in The Minister's Discretionary Account. Of course, the Author will be honored to autograph any book purchased.

Our Sympathies-to the Coutts family as they grieve the death of Dave's mother. And to Gerry Bailey for the recent loss of her mother.

Church Membership-If you are interested in church membership, please let Rev. Marks know or call the church office.

Basic Bible Study Rev. Marks will lead a Bible Study for one hour following the worship service. The sessions will last for one hour and Child Care will be provided. The class will consist of four or five meetings. IF there is enough interest, other Bible Study meeting will be organized. Rev. Marks will lead the first meetings. The Bible is the basis of our church and it is both an honor and responsibility to be aware of biblical content. This study opportunity will be the most basic sort. It is hoped that it will stimulate interest and excitement for learning about the Bible and finding spiritual guidance for life's pilgrimage. Pleas join us!

The Time and Talent Auction-was a big and fun church family event despite the long weekend, a snow storm and the Patriot's game!. We thank all who planned the event and who worked to make it a success. Ws also thank all who donated "items" for auction and all who attended and purchased them. The auction is great fun in itself, but it also provides a wonderful opportunity for church members to get to know one another and to share our gifts with one another. If you were unable to attend last Saturday night, please make sure you attend the Time and Talent Auction the next time it comes around!

We are in desperate need of help with Coffee Hour after the worship service. For your convenience a sign up sheet is located in Allerton Hall or contact Hildegard Schimpf at 746-6698.

To all Committees and Boards - please submit your preliminary budget for Fiscal year 2002-2003 to the Budget Committee Chairman, Cliff Sampson by January 31, 2002. Thank you.

"Do you know where your children are?"-The Missions and Outreach Committee would like to know the whereabouts of the youth of our church who are in college or the service. We would like to send them a special valentine. Please help us out! Even if you have submitted this info in the past, please resubmit! You can call Barbara Quinn at (508) 746-3901 or e-mail her at alrayq@aol.com with their address. Thank you.

Mission Moment-The Missions & Outreach Committee received a card of thanks from a local family for our help at Christmas. Thank You!

Former Men's Bible Study Class-will henceforth be open to anyone wishing to attend, regardless of gender. These classes are held in the Mayflower Room at the Church on the first Saturday of each month from 8:00 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. We will begin study of Paul's letter to the Romans in February. The class is currently led by Jerry Chaskes. Jerry brings an interesting perspective, being a student of the Hebrew Tradition. Also contributing are Bob Cole and Ken Heckman. Bob is a retired history teacher and provides historical and social perspective while Ken is a retired Methodist Minister. The discussions at the study session have been very informative and lively. Please come on Feb. 2, 2002. Thank you, Paul Scheid.

Exploring Islam-An Interfaith Conversation: Series 2, three Sunday afternoons in Feb. (3rd, 10th, 17th) from 2-3:30 PM. For further information please contact Rev. Ken Heckman at (508) 746-3647.

Collector's Pledge statements for 2001 have been mailed.

Reminder-the deadline for submitting notices in the weekly Herald is Monday at 3:00 p.m.

Coming Events

Feb. 3, 2002- Special Congregational Meeting following morning worship.

Feb. 10, 2002-The first in a series of classes on the basics Bible Study. (See note above).

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 February 3, 2002, immediately following the Service of Worship.

The purpose of the Meeting is to:

Vote on a severance agreement with the Reverend Robin L. Bickel.

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.