Dear Friends,

I read recently that the church might be viewed as the place where we get our marching orders and, having received them, are spiritually equipped for the mission. The church is not, as Mark Twain once put it, "a place where a nice, respectable person stands in front of other nice, respectable people and urges them to be nicer and more respectable."

Today, on Church School Sunday, we celebrate the educational ministries of The Church of the Pilgrimage. On this day we focus upon our church school program, but the educational ministry includes teens and adults, as well. I am very proud of our church school program and our Christian Education Committee. I am also grateful for all those who volunteer to teach and oversee our educational programs.

Through Christian education we are attempting to prepare children for living with the values of the Word of God in a complex and threatening world. Much of what we accomplish in the education of young people is not known immediately, but its results are valuable when later in life today's young people apply our Christian and religious values to sustain them when the storms of life come, and come they will.

We are trying to equip young people for mission.

In addition, to church school, we equip young people with spiritual resources for living in other ways. I recall to you, too, that we educate our young beginning with our crib room and nursery. We offer musical education to young people in our choirs through caring and highly qualified people like Bill Richter, Lois Post and Linda Brookfield. Our Mission Committee involves young people in its plans, an activity especially visible during May and our focus upon the marvelous work of Heifer Project. We as a church offer seasonal family opportunities to learn the ways of faith and we are always seeking family involvement in the life of the congregation. At Christmas time, for one example, there are intergenerational activities and worship services which seek to draw us all into the family of the church.

There are adult educational opportunities which are a part of our ministry, as well. Membership classes, Celtic Spirituality, Bible studies, etc. I should mention, too, that we have an excellent Confirmation program for teens. There are youth groups which, by the way, are in need of staffing.
We do a great deal in our various Christian Education ministries, and we do so on a small budget. We need staff oversight for our programs and to offer us new ways to equip us all for the vital mission of the church. We need your avid support, too, and participation in our church's activities. We all together need to see the importance of worship, education and mission in the life of a world sorely in need of God's Word. We are all in need of being equipped for the costs and joys of discipleship.

Love,

Gary

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

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized - No one, as of May 31st.

Service of Baptism

On June 2nd, 2002, Makayla Marie Wood, daughter of Peter and Lisa (Wennerberg) Wood, was baptized following the morning service at 11:30 A.M.

In Memoriam:

On June 1, 2002, Rev. Marks conducted a Committal Service for the remains of long time church member, Dr. Samuel K. Stewart in a family ceremony.

On June 3, 2002, Rev. Marks conducted funeral services for Clarence Johnson.
Our Sympathies are extended to both families as they grieve the loss of their loved ones.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, June 9

Sunday Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Gary L Marks preaching. This service has been planned by the Church School and features our Church School Sunday teachers and students

Monday, June 10

The Church Office will be closed to allow our church secretary, Pam McNicholas, to attend the Annual Church Secretaries Conference. The office will reopen on Tuesday, June 11 at approximately noon. Aerobics-9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M.-Allerton Hall; Girl Scouts Tr. No. 1128 6:00-7:30 P.M.

Tuesday, June 11

Rev. Marks will conduct a service of worship at the Newfield House at 10:30 A.M. He will be in the church office following the service; 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, June 12

Aerobics - 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. Allerton Hall; Staff Meeting, 10:00 A.M.; Den 2 of Pack 47- meet from 6:30-7:00 P.M. in the Church House; Troop #47 meet from-7:00-9:00P.M., Church House; Choir Rehearsal - 7:30 P.M. - sanctuary.

Thursday, June 13

Troop 207, 4:00 P.M.-5:30 P.M.; Aerobics-6:45-7:45 P.M.

Friday, June 14

Rev. Marks office hours 9:30 A.M.-11:00 P.M.; The Guild Annual Meeting and Luncheon-at The Village in Duxbury at Noon; Wedding Rehearsal-6:30 P.M.

Saturday, June 15

Overeaters Anonymous- 9:30-11:30 A.M.-Church House; Wedding in the sanctuary 4:00 P.M.

PLEASE NOTE

We thank Deacon John McNicholas for reading Scripture and Julie Sears for her children's sermon during the service on June 2nd.

Please inform the church office if you know of hospitalization or other pastoral needs.
If you are interested in church membership, please let Rev. Marks know or phone the church office.

We thank Terry Runnels for a fabulous concert on June 2nd in the sanctuary. The concert featured people from our choir and our fabulous music program. It was an emotional concert as Terry is leaving Plymouth to pursue his career in New York. Terry is an incredible talent, a profound Christian and good friend. We have been blessed to have Terry with us and he shall be sorely missed. God bless you, Terry!

The Guild will hold its annual meeting and luncheon at The Village in Duxbury beginning at noon. Reservations are required. For information please call Lillian Knowles at (508)746-3247.

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 The Pilgrimage Herald is published monthly during July and August. Please organize any news items your organization has, or other information, and submit it to the office by June 24, 2002!

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. If you sign up for a Sunday, and cannot make it, just call me at the church office or at home (508) 746-5821 and I will find someone to cover for the Sunday you cannot make. Greeting is a great way to meet church members you may not know. Thank You!

A note from Pam: It is the end of the school year and my children have various end of the year school activities for which I must make cameo appearances. If you need to drop something off at the office please call to make sure I will be here or place it in the mail slot. Thank you, Pam.

The Search Committee has been working actively on the process to hire an interim associate pastor. Resumes are being reviewed and interviews have been arranged. On June 16, after church, there will be a brief informational meeting to discuss the process. The members of the committee are Marylyn Colburn, Linda Saunders, Allison Bottomley, Pam Pawlowski and John Blomberg.

NOTES ABOUT CHURCH SCHOOL DAY!
1. Special service presented by children of our church school. It is their gift to you. Please come!
2. Bibles will be given by the church to all 2nd graders.
3. Special coffee hour for the children and their guests (all of you) Sundaes on Sunday sponsored by the Christian Education Committee.
4. A gift to each child from the church-thanks to a generous donor.
5. Memorial donation for Ruth Walker.
ARRIVAL TIME --*PARENTS TAKE NOTE*
* Children grades 5-10 with speaking parts -9:00 A.M. in the Sanctuary.
* Children grades 4-9 who are Greeters or Ushers report to those areas 9:30 A.M.
* All children preschool-8 report to teachers in Allerton Hall BY 9:40 A.M.
THANK YOU PARENTS.

Coming Events
June 16--Father's Day
June 20-Recital in the Sanctuary.
June 21-Wedding rehearsals in the sanctuary, 5:00 P.M., 6:30 P.M., 7:30 P.M.
June 22-Weddings in the sanctuary, 11:00 A.M., 2:00 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.