Dear Friends,

Last Sunday the Church of the Pilgrimage celebrated its educational ministries. The focus for the service was on the outstanding work of our church school, but all areas of Christian Education were recognized, affirmed and celebrated. It was an outstanding service of worship and I was deeply moved and impressed by the quality of our educational ministries.

Oversight for Christian education is the responsibility of the Christian Education Committee. I was very proud of all the work that important committee does on behalf of the church and of the cheerfulness with which it does it. Of course, the committees greatest area of concentration is upon the Church School, but it recognizes that Christian education is a life long activity in seeking to deepen our relationship to God as we progress along the roads of our own pilgrimages. The Christian Education Committee has accomplished a great deal and this without the presence of staff leadership for the last three months. The committee realizes the need for professional leadership and it is my hope that the leadership will be in place in the not too distant future.

In the fall a new, or revised, Church School curriculum will be introduced. The wonderful Church School teachers who volunteer their services will need direction and guidance in implementing what appears to be a truly outstanding approach to educating our young people in the development of their own faith and a sense of what it means to be a part of the church and carrying out the mission of Jesus Christ. I hope that those of you who don't have young people of Church School age will give more than lip service to the often heard remark, "The young are the future of the church." Our Christian Education Committee needs your emotional support always, but this support is best proven when you volunteer to serve and provide adequate financial support to authenticate what you say.

On Sunday areas of Christian Education were recognized of which many may not be fully aware as being a vital part of our educational ministry. I list them briefly: Crib Room, Bible Studies (both occasional and ongoing), courses on Celtic Spirituality, an Introduction to the Bible, a course of seven weeks on the Ministry and Mission of The United Church of Christ, adult membership classes, Confirmation classes, a course on Islam, Herald letters, a parenting course, worship/educational opportunities such as a presentation on The Isenheim Altarpiece during Lent. Education in Christian music is also a part of our ministry. These include a Sanctuary Choir, a Cherub Choir and a Junior Choir. There is more to our educational work, but I hope those listed will help broaden your perceptions of how wide and varied our educational ministries, in fact, are and how much more we can and should do.

For now, though, I am extremely grateful to all who planned and organized one of the best Church School Day services ever! Thank you!

Love,

Gary

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

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized - No one, as of June 7, 2002.

Service of Baptisms
On June 9th, 2002, Jack Warren Ottino, the son of Warren and Karen (DeCoursey) Ottino, was baptized during the service of worship.

The following children received Bibles on June 9, 2002:

Emma Lynne Canducci

Gabielle Louise Cataldo

Stephanie Deneault

Kyle T. McNicholas

Samantha Dean Pickett

Rebecca Lynn White

THIS WEEK

Sunday, June 16

Sunday Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Gary L Marks preaching. There will be an update on the Search Committee's work in seeking an interim minister following the service in the sanctuary.

Monday, June 17

Aerobics-9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M.-Allerton Hall.

Tuesday, June 18

Rev. Marks will be in the church office 9:30-11:30 A.M. Aerobics-6:45 P.M.-7:45 P.M.-Allerton Hall. The Board of Trustees will meet in the Mayflower Room at 7:30 P.M.

Wednesday, June 19

Aerobics - 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. Allerton Hall; Staff Meeting, 10:00 A.M; Choir Rehearsal - 7:30 P.M. - sanctuary.

Thursday, June 20

Maryann Withington Music Recital, 5:00-9:00 in the Sanctuary; Aerobics-6:45-7:45 P.M.

Friday, June 21

Rev. Marks office hours 9:30 A.M.-11:30 P.M.; Wedding Rehearsals in the sanctuary-5:00 P.M., 6:30 P.M. and 7:30 P.M.

Saturday, June 22

Overeaters Anonymous- 9:30-11:30 A.M.-Church House; Weddings in the sanctuary 11:00 A.M., 2:00 P.M. and 5:00 P.M.

PLEASE NOTE

We thank Julie and Trace Sears, Marna and John Blomberg for being our delegates to the Mass. Conference Annual meeting on June 7th and 8th at Mount Holyoke College. Our delegates will provide a report to those interested on a date to be announced.

At the Annual Meeting The Rev. Paul Sinn was honored on the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination. We join the Mass. Conference in congratulating and thanking Paul for his dedication to the ordained ministry and to The United Church of Christ. We also take this opportunity to thank Paul for his continued service to The Church of the Pilgrimage as a faithful member and valued friend.

We extend our sympathies to Rev. Robin Bickel whose grandmother died recently.

We were saddened to learn that Charles Parker Rolfe recently passed this life. Our sympathies are extended to his family.

Search Committee Process--For those who are interested in the process of hiring an interim associate, the Search Committee will be available to you on June 16th following the worship service in the sanctuary. If you have questions, this is your opportunity to ask them. You may also ask any member of the committee about its progress. Marylyn Colburn is chair of the committee. Other members are Linda Saunders, Allison Bottomley, Pam Pawlowski and John Blomberg.

Third annual Church of the Pilgrimage Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, June 29 at Squirrel Run Country Club. Shot gun start at noon with a social hour and dinner to follow at 5:30 P.M. Cost is $75.00 for golf and dinner and $16.00 for dinner only. Corporate sponsorships are $50.00. Sponsorship for one hole will be dedicated to the members and friends of the church for a cost of $10 per person. More info and sign up sheets available during coffee hour in Allerton Hall or call Ed Pawlowski @ (508) 746-2819.

Please Remember that items for the July issue of The Pilgrimage Herald are due in the church office by June 24, 2002. During July and August the Herald is published monthly. If you have information for the July issue, please get it into the church secretary as early as possible.

Summer Sale will open on Monday, July 1, 2002. Donated items will be received beginning June 19th in the Church House. There will be two sorting rooms, one for household goods and toys and one for clothing and linens. Remember that all donations should be in good condition or new!

Harvest Fair-Have you begun your Harvest Fair Projects yet? We are in need of knitted things craft items, holiday decorations, etc. A craft session is planned for the end of July and details will be forthcoming for that event. Hope that many will attend. Do you have candles or candle holders that you are no longer using? We can put them to good use at our Linens and Things table. Gerry Allen asks members to collect special items for the Attic Treasures Table. It is always popular and unique collectibles are in demand.
Music Lovers. Tuesday Evenings in Town Square, July 9-August 27 will need help with setup, ushering and cleanup on any Tuesday Evening.

The Second Plymouth Chamber Music Festival will bring artists and students to the church building from July 27 through August 3. The reward is to see talented musicians and master classes up close. Volunteers will be needed to help during any session hours, any day or parts of days will be welcome. Please call Bill Harting at (508) 746-4097 for more information about volunteering to help with both the Tuesday Evening concerts and the Plymouth Chamber Music Festival.

Please inform the church office of recent graduations. We like to honor and keep track of our young people as they attain significant events in their lives and in their life's pilgrimage. Let us know!

We are in need of Sunday Greeters! Please call Pam McNicholas at the church office (746-3026) to greet for one Sunday during the summer. Greeting is a great way to meet church members you may not know. Thank You!

The church secretary, Pam McNicholas, attended a church secretaries meeting at Craigville on June 9th and 10th. These meetings have been very informative for past secretaries and an aid in the important work they do for our church.

Rev. Marks will be on vacation this year from July 7th through August 6th. We are very fortunate to have the Rev. Paul Sinn and the Rev. Ken Heckman, both church members, who have agreed to fill our pulpit during Rev. Marks' vacation. The preaching schedule is as follows: July 7th Rev. Heckman, July 14th, Rev. Sinn, July 21st Rev. Heckman, July 28th Rev. Sinn and August 4th, Rev. Heckman. We are grateful to Paul and Ken for agreeing to serve their church in this way. Rev. Marks will return to the pulpit on August 11th.

Arrangements for other pastoral coverage are now being made. We hope to have ministers for anyone to contact during Gary's vacation for emergencies.

We thank Lillian Knowles for providing geraniums to our church school students on Church School Day.

A remembrance of the service to our Church School by Ruth Walker was observed during last Sunday's celebration of our educational ministries. A rhododendron plant will be placed in the space next to the church building in her memory.

Thank you, thank you everyone who helped in any way on this years' plant sale. I could not have done it alone and all your help, considerations and spirit made it a great success. Thanks to all of you we netted $952.75 on Saturday, June 1st and Sunday after service another $57.00, for a grand total of $1,009.75. Good work everyone! Pat Mudgett.

Coming Events
June 25-The Advisory Board will meet at 7:30 P.M. in the Mayflower Room.
June 27-Whitney Women's Chorale- 7:30 P.M.
June 28-Wedding rehearsals in the sanctuary, 5:00 P.M. and 6:30 P.M.
June 29-Weddings in the sanctuary, 4:00 P.M; 6:00 P.M., 5:00 P.M.

Clerk - Lois Post; Moderator - Steven Triffletti; Treasurer - Cliff Sampson; 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.