Dear Friends,

I read a rabbical story recently which is too long to relate in this letter, but the conclusion of that story makes sense even without its lengthy preamble. The conclusion is this; "Freedom is discovered in obedience."

Any parent knows that this sentence is true. We try to teach our young that freedom is something quite other than blank permission, that freedom has parameters. We draw a distinction between what is an acceptable range of behavior and the basic human desire "to do as one pleases". We try to teach that freedom is not license to do whatever one wants to do. We know that license leads to undisciplined freedom which is an abuse of liberty, and we know that such abuse leads to disaster and, perhaps, the loss of all freedom. In other words, freedom involves obedience to a basic set of beliefs and values which, while not restrictive, are nonetheless limits which secure a genuine liberty.

Last summer, for example, I was trying to teach a Golden Retriever named Colby, that he could be free of leash and chain when outside when he was aware of the limits within which his freedom could be exercised. Colby's youthful instincts were to bolt when not confined by leash or chain and "to follow his nose" into ever expanding areas of novelty. His instinctual desire was to be free of any constraint whatever, even, to run into a busy road which is quite far away from our property, but not feared by a young dog who did not sense even danger to be a limiting fact to his freedom "to do whatever pleased him."

I'm happy to report that by summer's end Colby the dog learned his limits and is now able to enjoy freedom from chain and leash. He discovered, through patient coaxing with many "doggy treats", that freedom is discovered in obedience.

The hard lessons of freedom and obedience, and the relationships between them, are not lessons needful to children or dogs only. We all need to learn that we are not free "to do whatever pleases us." It is a life long process to resist the breaching of acceptable boundaries in order to be able to live in liberty.

The teachings of Jesus, illustrated in last Sunday's Scripture lesson in Matthew 21:23-32, is that true human freedom is found in being obedient to the Word of God. Such freedom is not ever enjoyed by merely believing what God's Word commands, but in deeds, in acting out what it is that we say we believe. It is necessary for individuals and societies to discover that freedom is to be found in obedience.

The grace of our Christian faith is that God's Word liberates us to love one anther and in obedience of the ethic of love we are truly free.

Love,

© The Church of the Pilgrimage in Plymouth, MA Inc., all rights reserved.

CHURCH RECORD

Baptisms:

On September 29, 2002, Katrina May Bingham-Maas, daughter of Jennifer Jeanne (Maas) and Norman Lloyd Bingham, was baptized during the morning service of worship.

On September 29, 2002, Haylee Marie Costarelli, daughter of Marie McLeod and Michael Costarelli, was baptized during the morning service of worship.

Weddings:

On September 28, 2002, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Heather Gabriel and Joseph Giardini in the Sanctuary.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, Oct. 6— Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Marks Preaching. Communion will be a part of the morning service; Wedding in Assonet, 5:00 P.M.-Rev. Marks will conduct the wedding service.

Monday, Oct. 7— Aerobics - 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.; Dan's office hours 10:00 a.m.-Noon; Girl Scouts 6:00-7:30 P.M. Church House; Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship, 7:00 P.M.

Tuesday, Oct. 8--Rev. Marks will conduct a worship service at the Newfield House, 10:30 A.M.; Rev. Marks will be in the church office following the service; Dan's office hours 1:00-3:00P.M; Aerobics-6:45 P.M.-7:45 P.M.-Allerton Hall. .

Wednesday, Oct. 9— Aerobics - 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. Allerton Hall; Staff Meeting, 10:00 A.M.; Dan's office hours 1:00-3:00 P.M.; Domestic Violence Seminar, Christ Church Episcopal, 9:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M.; Troop 47 - 7:00-9:00 P.M. in the Church House; Cub Scout Pack 47 - 7:00-8:00 P.M. in the Church House; Choir Rehearsal - 7:30 P.M.

Thursday, Oct. 10—Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.-Noon; Aerobics-6:45 P.M.-7:45 P.M.-Allerton Hall.

Friday, Oct. 11—Rev. Marks office hours 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; The Women's Guild, Dan Spacek, Guest Speaker, 1:00 P.M.; Wedding Rehearsal, 5:30 & 6:30 P.M. in the Sanctuary.

Saturday, Oct. 12-- Overeaters Anonymous- 9:30-11:30 A.M.-Church House; Weddings in the Sanctuary, 2:30 P.M. & 5:00 P.M.

PLEASE NOTE

The Board of Trustees thanks all of those who showed up to work on the Parsonage yard. Andrew & Fred Northrop, Al Saunders & his family, Arthur & Diana Budge, Jon & Debbie Porter, Tom & Pat Mudgett, John McNicholas, Ray Quinn, Bob Colburn, John Healey, Julie , Geoffrey and Gregory Daigle and Kathy Marks. The group started a project that will be continued in the Spring. We expect to hold this even in September and April of each year.

Soup, Salad and Song Night was enjoyed by about 40 people. The Ways and Means Committee of the Board of Trustees plans to hold this fellowship event on a monthly basis. We will be looking for other people to contribute their favorite soup and salad dishes. The Board of Trustees gives thanks to the talent of the 5 soup makers, the 5 salad maker, the one bread maker, and the one tickler of the ivories!

Steve Triffletti, Moderator, has made the following appointments to fill vacancies in unexpired terms: Board of Trustees, Lawrence Foster, 2003 and Charles Blanton, 2004; and Nominating Committee, Stephanie Gray 2005.

Copies of Rev. Marks' book, Pilgrims: Then and Now are available in the church office or from Rev. Marks on Sundays. The cost is $7.00.

If you are interested in church membership, please call the church office or speak to Rev. Marks. There will be a series of three classes. Dates and time will be announced when interest has been determined.

Please remember any information you wish to be included in The Pilgrimage Herald must be submitted to the church office on the Monday prior to any given Sunday.

Please call the church office if you or someone you know is presently or soon to be hospitalized.

Rev. Marks met with a group of Native American Peoples from major nations from around the country on September 27th.

We thank the Board of Trustees for providing a fun evening at the church on Friday evening (September 27th).

Rev. Marks is on a committee which has as its goal the 400th celebration of the Scrooby Covenant of 1606. Our church is an heir to that important covenantal legacy.

Parsonage Cleanup, Sept. 29th. The Markses are very appreciative for the incredible amount of work done on the parsonage property! The work done by church volunteers makes the property, a valuable church asset, look so much better than it did. The Markses thank one and all and the chores were done cheerfully by all who were there. A special thanks goes to Debbie Porter of the Board of Trustees for organizing the workday and to Board members who worked on the project.

Mission Moment-Neighbors in Need: It's about Justice!

Neighbors in Need is the all-church offering of the UCC that expresses our commitment to ministries of justice and compassion in the United States and Puerto Rico. Two-thirds are distributed to and through Justice and Witness Ministries. One-third directly supports the UCC's Council for American Indian Ministry. Please contribute to the NIN offering which will be taken on October 6th.

Also, The Missions & Outreach Committee is asking all parents of our young adults who are away from home in the service or attending a college, etc., to please contact the church office with their address of place their address and photograph in the marked box for the M & O Committee in Allerton Hall. Thank You!

We thank Tom Barnes for polishing the silver vases used during baptisms and the baptism bowl itself. They are beautiful!

We also thank an anonymous donor for giving a state-of-the-art laser printer to the church office. The church office often has to make due with out-dated or second-hand equipment.

It is so much appreciated when people see the needs of a busy office and respond with such a generous an up-to-date gift. Thank you!

The Women's Fellowship will meet on Monday evening, Oct. 7, 2002. All are welcome to join us for a craft project which will be provided by Julie Macuch. Julie will help us do something useful to be sold at the Harvest Fair and she assures me that we all have sufficient talent to accomplish this. We hope to have a good showing at this meeting and all are welcome.

Harvest Fair-October 26, The final organizational meeting of the committee is scheduled for Wednesday, October 9 at 7:00 P.M. It is important that all table leaders are present to deal with any last minute questions and information. I would like to ask you to bring a list of those working on your table as well as the number of tables that you will require. We are almost ready and it looks like it will be a great fair this year. See you there! Thank you, Diana Budge

Linda Saunders asks me to remind everyone that we are still collecting books for the Book Table and they can be placed in the basket in the vestibule or your can call Linda to have them picked up. We will have some lovely things donated by Party Light candle company this year at the Linens and Things Table and Gerry Allen has been busily collecting items for Attic Treasures. If you have any items that you want to donate, please call me at (508) 746-4514 and I can direct you to the appropriate table leader. I hope that as many as can will participate in some way this year. Thank you in advance for your support.

2 Patriot's Tickets, Weekend For Two At The William's Inn, Handmade Quilt, & Chimney Cleaning - just a few great prizes that you could win by purchasing a chance for our Harvest Fair Drawing. You may pick up tickets to sell and/or drop off money and ticket stubs already collected, during coffee hour Please contact Marna Blomberg with any questions at 781-826-2543. Thank you.

Our sympathies to Marna Blomberg and her family on the recent loss of her aunt.

Coming Events

Oct. 15-The Board of Trustees will meet in the Mayflower Room at 7:00 P.M.

Oct. 16-Rev. Marks will conduct a worship service at the Evanswood Center at 7:00 P.M.

Oct. 19-Paul Sinn Peace Event at Christ Church, U.C.C. in Brockton at 2:30 P.M.

Clerk - Lois Post; Moderator - Steven Triffletti; Treasurer - David Kegel; Collector - Thomas Mudgett; Asst. Collector - 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.