Dear Friends,

My life as a minister of the gospel is a complex one, not easy to express to those who have little contact with its demands. In most ways my work is synonymous with my vocation. That may not be true for you and I was, therefore, intrigued by the observation I recently read.

The author, a man named Wayne Boss oddly, says that a part of the problem experienced by individuals and most organizations is that they are confused by what work is about. Generally, he suggests, work is seen as what you do to make a living. He further suggests (and I have done this many times) that you strike up a conversation with someone while standing in line, and ask that person, "What do you do?" More often than not the person will respond by telling you what his/her job is, if he or she has a job, or that he/she is looking for a job. It is not likely that such a person will tell you what his life work is, what his/her vocation is, what that person's calling to service is. Boss concludes that while work is about making a living, to be sure, that is not the whole of it.

At the time of the Protestant Reformation a theological position, based on biblical ideas, was developed that all vocations are holy. In such a position it is believed that all work is to contribute to an ordered society which is pleasing to God. I feel safe in concluding that this insight of the Reformers is not the operative impulse on how we view work today. It is my observation, and you may have a different one, that for most people in American society the meaning of work is considered making a living, not how our work is service to a "higher good," let alone how work brings honor and praise to God.

In the church we continue to cling to the notion that work is dignified and made meaningful when our lives are also blessed with being a vocation no matter what we also do to make a living. The work of the church is a part of your vocation, it is a call to service, a call to mission, a call to serve God which, we believe, gives integrity and purpose to our living.

Considering a life vocation is important as we consider our gifts to the church during this stewardship season, and beyond that, when we are called upon to aid the church by volunteering to serve on one of the several boards and committees which perform the work of the church. The church is our vocation, no matter what it is we do to make a living.

I often feel guilty when I ask "busy" people to work yet one more time on some project within the life of the congregation. I am enabled to do so, however, because I firmly believe in the vocation of faith to which God in Christ has called us. I also believe that in serving the church with gifts of true generosity and with one's unique talents brings purpose and integrity to living beyond what we do to make a living. A vocation involves serving God and that is the sole reason for which the church exists.

Serving God locally and globally through our vocation as servants is a wonderful gift in itself, an outward prompting of grace received.

Love,

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

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized: As of 11/13/02, Neil Antoniotti, Dorothy Shaw, Richard Bramhall and Dorothy Shepherd, all at the Jordan Hospital.

Wedding:
On November 9, 2002, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Paul J. Gruillard and Marsha J. Holman in the church sanctuary.

Baptism:
On November 10, 2002, Andrew Shepard Brown, son of Linzee and Linda (Allen) Brown, was baptized during the worship service.
On November 10, 2002, Graciela Adrianna Verdugo, daughter of Pedro and Megan (Harting) Verdugo, was baptized during the worship service.
On November 10, 2002, Haley Mae Grace, daughter of Daniel Grace and Kristin Nickerson, was baptized in a private service.

In Memoriam:
On November 14, 2002, Rev. Marks conducted a funeral service for Scott Baker. Our sympathies are extended to his family and friends.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, Nov. 17— Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Marks Preaching. The Stewardship Committee is sponsoring a luncheon following the morning worship service. All are invited to attend. There will be no regular Coffee Hour because of the luncheon.

Monday, Nov. 18— Aerobics - 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.; Girl Scouts 6:00-7:30 P.M. Church House.

Tuesday, Nov. 19--Rev. Marks' office hours 9:30-11:30 A.M.; Dan's office hours 1:00-3:00P.M; Aerobics-6:45 P.M.-7:45 P.M.-Allerton Hall.; Board of Trustees Meeting-7:00 P.M.-Mayflower Room.

Wednesday, Nov. 20— The office will close at 1:30 P.M. as it is a half/day for the Town of Plymouth Schools. Aerobics - 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. Allerton Hall; Staff Meeting-10:00 A.M.; Visitation Committee will meet at 1:00 P.M. in the Church House; Rev. Marks will take part in an Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at the Newfield House at 2:00 P.M.; Dan's office hours 1:00-3:00 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, Nov. 21— Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.-Noon; Girl Scouts Tr. 1227-6:00-7:15 P.M. in the Church House; Aerobics-6:45 -7:45 P.M.

Friday, Nov. 22—Rev. Marks office hours 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M. There will be a Pilgrim Service, a reenactment, in the sanctuary at 1:00 P.M. following a special Pilgrim's Progress. Seminars on Pilgrim history will follow the service in the church building. All are welcome.

Saturday, Nov. 23-- Overeaters Anonymous- 9:30-11:30 A.M.-Church House. The Mission Committee will set up for our annual S.E.R.R.V. Sale today).

PLEASE NOTE

If anyone knows the whereabouts of the church's hearing aids that are coordinated with our sound system, please call the church office.

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 contact the church office if you have a change of address. Every time a Herald goes out and is returned because you have moved we get charged.

Please call the church office or let the ministers know if you or someone you know is presently or soon to be hospitalized. This information is especially important to receive in the case of out-of-town hospitalizations.

Stewardship Sunday is Coming! You are invited to Stewardship Lunch and Learn!

This Sunday, November 17th, following worship in Allerton Hall we welcome all friends and members of The Church of the Pilgrimage to a light luncheon. Church committees will be present to educate you to their financial needs and answer your questions. Please plan to join us and learn how you can Give God The Best!

Reminder: Please write in on your pledge cards the amount you want to go towards our local expenses and the amount you want to go towards wider missions. Thank you from the Stewardship Committee. Again, if you have any questions contact Julie Sears.

We thank Ken Heckman and Debbie Porter for the informational meeting on November10th regarding "Safe Church" issues. Ken and Debbie represented five of our people who attended a Safe Church Seminar last spring at Andover Newton Theological School. A committee is being formed which will establish a Safe Church Policy for our congregation which will eventually be presented for a congregational vote. The establishment of Safe Church policies will take time to formulate and the committee will render its recommendations after careful and studied deliberations. We thank Debbie and Ken for giving us an excellent initial report!

Again, we thank the Post Family and Hildegard Schimpf for providing an up-to-date phone system for the church office.

The new fax number is (508) 746-4362. This number is also noted on the header of the Herald.

On November 22nd our church has been asked to host an educational event regarding our Pilgrim beginnings. There will be workshops on the following themes: (1) Who the Pilgrims were? - 1:00 P.M.; (2) The Mayflower Compact - 2:00 P.M.; (3) The History of Thanksgiving by James Baker - 3:00 P.M.; (4) Enactment of a Pilgrim Service - 4:00 P.M. Rev. Marks will preach the sermon. (This will include the Pilgrim's Progress). All are invited to any or all of these educational opportunities.

Rev. Marks office hours during the next weeks will be variable because of many preparations for which he has accepted responsibility on behalf of the church. He can be reached by calling the church office.

Thanksgiving Open House-Once again our church will be open to visitors on Thanksgiving morning. We will be offering coffee, hot chocolate and treats to the many people who spend the holiday in Plymouth. Donations of cookies, cupcakes, breads, etc. are needed to help provide for this annual event. If you would like to make something and are unable to bring it to the church on Thanksgiving morning, contact Liisa Budge to arrange for a more convenient delivery. In addition, we are looking for volunteers to help on Thanksgiving morning with the serving as well as church members to give informative tours of our wonderful church. Interested members can contact Liisa at (508) 830-1723 evenings or (508) 746-0593 days.

SERRV Sale (Sales Exchange for Refugee Rehabilitation Vocations. Sale of handcrafted items made from cooperatives in third world countries for self-help of the underprivileged of the world. SERRV ensures the artisans are paid a fair wage for their wares. Please keep this date in mind and bring your Christmas list! Thank you. The Missions & Outreach Committee.

The Moderator has appointed David Peck to the Music Committee.

Greeters are needed for December 15, 22 and 29. Please call the church office to sign up!

Coming Events

Nov. 24 -Thanksgiving Sunday Service; Stewardship Sunday with the Chest of Joash; SERRV Sale will be held in following the service in Allerton Hall.

Nov. 26-Advisory Board in the Mayflower Room, 7:00 P.M. Pleas note the earlier meeting time).

Nov. 28-Thanksgiving Day; Pilgrim's Progress; Interfaith Service at the First Parish Unitarian Church, at 10:00 A.M., Rev. Marks will be the preacher; Open House at The Church of the Pilgrimage, 10:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M.

Dec. 1 - The First Sunday in Advent. Pilgrim Festival Chorus in the sanctuary. (Details to follow in future Herald).

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.