Dear Friends,

Last Sunday I drew upon the themes of peace which are implicit in Romans 5:1-8. I found an introduction to that text by recalling that the Rev. Paul Sinn was recognized at the Mass. Conference Annual Meeting for having been ordained for fifty years. Paul, as most of you know, is an active member of The Church of the Pilgrimage, former Southeast Area Minister and a fellow pilgrim. When Paul retired as Area Minister he was honored by the formation of the Paul E. Sinn Peace Center, a testimony to Paul's lifelong commitment to peace, inner peace, communal peace, world peace. We thank Paul for his faith and ministry.

Since I wrote last Sunday's sermon I have come across an ancient Jewish story which suggest to me, at least, another approach to peace which may also be an aid to you in this world where peace seems ever elusive and to which state we humans never seem to arrive. I believe that peace is dependent upon grace, but also that getting in sync with God is to get into as much harmony as we can with the human.

A rabbi asked his students how they could tell when the night had ended and that day was on its way back. "Could it be," asked one pupil, "when you see an animal in the distance and can tell whether it is a sheep or a dog?"

"No," replied the rabbi.

"Could it be," asked another "when you look at a tree in the distance and can tell whether it is a fig tree or a peach tree?"

"No", said the rabbi.

"Well, then, what is the answer?" his students demanded.

"It is when you look on the face of any person and see your brother or sister. Because, if you cannot do this, then no matter what time it is, it is still night."

To be sure, we are a long way from seeing the wisdom of the rabbi's simple, yet profound teaching. Our hearts and minds tell us that he is right; we understand that to follow the rabbi's teaching would lead to peace, inner peace, communal peace eventually world peace. Maybe people of all ages could understand this teaching. Yet, such understanding has never seemed to work out in practice, and surely the world today doesn't seem to have taken what is understandable very seriously!

Roman's 5:1-8 suggests that it is faith in Jesus Christ which gives us access to the God of peace. Faith sees more than what understanding alone sees. We need to be in sync with the God of peace in order to see in the face of any person a sister or a brother. This is the faith, a part of it anyway, which "passes all understanding."

Love,

Gary

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

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized - Emerson Coleman and Cliff Sampson, Jordan Hospital.

Recuperating at home following a stay at the Jordan Hospital, Laura Sampson, Tracy Winslow.

Service of Baptism
On June 16, 2002, Connor Angus MacLeod was baptized during the service of worship. Connor is the son of Duncan and Brenda (Happnie) MacLeod.

Wedding
On June 15, 2002, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Mark Stephen Cressman and Cindy Jane Connaughton in the sanctuary.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, June 23

Sunday Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Gary L Marks preaching.

Monday, June 24

Aerobics-9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M.-Allerton Hall. Today is the deadline for submitting information for the July Newsletter to the church office.

Tuesday, June 25

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 Advisory Board will meet in the Mayflower Room at 7:30 P.M.

Wednesday, June 26

Aerobics - 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. Allerton Hall; Staff Meeting, 10:00 A.M

Thursday, June 27

Whitney's Women's Chorale Concert in the Sanctuary, 7:30 P.M.

Friday, June 28

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

Saturday, June 29

Overeaters Anonymous- 9:30-11:30 A.M.-Church House; Third Annual Church of the Pilgrimage Golf Tournament will be held at the Squirrel Run Country Club, shot gun start at Noon. See Notes for further information; Weddings in the sanctuary 4:00 P.M.and 6:00 P.M.

PLEASE NOTE

Preaching schedule during Rev. Marks' vacation:

July 7 - Rev. Ken Heckman
July 14 - Rev. Paul Sinn
July 21 - Rev. Ken Heckman
July 28 - Rev. Paul Sinn
Aug. 4 - Rev. Ken Heckman.

Rev. Marks will return to the pulpit on August 11th.

Rev. Marks and the Advisory Board are considering the coverage of pastoral duties during Rev. Marks' vacation. That information will be available in the Pilgrimage Herald and announced from the pulpit.

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.

Search Committee Process-We thank Marylyn Colburn, Chair of the Search Committee, for providing information about the committee's work on June 16th.

June 16th was Music Appreciation Day at The Church of the Pilgrimage. A list of those who make up our music ministry was included in the June 16th bulletin and it is an impressive list, indeed! We thank our Music Director, Bill Richter for overseeing our outstanding music program. We also thank Lois Post for directing the Cherub Choir and Linda Brookfield, organist. We thank all who enrich our worship and faith through music. We have a fabulous music ministry and we are grateful to all who make it possible. Thank You!

We hope you have noticed the church quilt, now beautifully framed, and hanging in Allerton Hall. We thank the Memorial Fund, and those who contributed to it in memory of loved ones, for providing the funds to build the frame.

We also thank those who planted flowers along the side entranceway to the church and in the Chapel Yard along School Street. Julie Sears, Jen Healy and Kathy Marks for the plantings left over from Church School Day. The rhododendron plant in memory of Ruth Walker was placed in the Chapel Yard. It is our hope to clear the Chapel Yard of unruly growth and turn it into a memorial garden. The Chapel Yard is in the narrow space between the church building and School Street, on the west side of the church building.

Missions - As of June 7th, a total amount of $1,890.00 has been contributed to Heifer Project International. Thank you for your generous support!!!

HPI Poster Contest! Congratulations to the following winners: Augusta, Nathaniel, Matthew & Naomi Moore; Nicholas & Gabrielle Cataldo; Sara Balboni and Sarah Sibley. A Heifer will be donated in your honor! Thank you! The Missions & Outreach Committee.

The Saturday morning Adult Bible Study Group will resume in September. The Group meets on the first Saturday of the month and all are welcome to attend. Jerry Chaskes
Don't forget to pick up your envelopes for the new fiscal year. They are available in Allerton Hall.

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.

Summer Sale will open on Monday, July 1, 2002. Donated items are being received 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 the church office (746-3026) to greet for one Sunday during the summer or see Pam following service.

Coffee hour volunteers are needed for Sunday, June 30 and for the coming months of July & August. Coffee hour after Sunday worship is an important part of the life of our fellowship. We need your help. You will find a sign-up sheet in Allerton Hall. Please sign-up.

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.