Dear Friends,

It was wonderful to see a full church and so many children in worship last Sunday!  Most of the faces I saw are familiar faces, but there were also a significant number of visitors among those in the congregation.  Some of the “new” faces are among those who are “church shopping,” those who at present do not have a church home.  In time’s past people who were new to a town would tend to look for a church home in a denomination in which they grew up or about which they had some knowledge or familiarity. That is not the case anymore.  People are, according to those who study such matters, looking for a place of worship where they may expect to find solid foundations for their lives and families and a church where they feel a sense of community in an often impersonal society.  Of course, people are looking for many things in a church, but less and less is it the case that denominational origins are factor in one’s becoming a member of a particular church.

It is important that we make every effort to be a welcoming church.  This means, obviously, that we personally make people feel as though we genuinely value their participation in our church, but it also means that we are keenly aware of how confusing it can be when someone visits our church for the first time.  If for example, a family with children arrives at the church for the first time, how would they know where to go to register a child in church school?  How do they know that children generally attend worship with parents until after a “Time for Teaching?”  How do they know how safe it is for their children to get to a separate building for church school?  How does a child feel in a strange place and being led away from where their parents are?  How does anyone know that we have a crib room, or nursery, and how would they know where it is?  When they do find the crib room or a church school class, do they find a clean, safe and congenial place which demonstrates how much we value them and their children?  Do we and the conditions of our facilities exude that we are a welcoming and caring community of Christians?  How would someone know that there is a ramp into the sanctuary for those who are physically challenged?

We must work on ways to “advertise ourselves friendly.”  We have made strides in this effort, but we have much yet to do.  Much of our space in our buildings have many and varied uses and are far less than they should be for any of their uses.  We should make it a priority to make people feel welcome to our church and to allow that feeling to be enhanced by the condition, design and “friendliness” of our facilities.

It should be a matter of great joy for us that many are among us looking for foundations in God and the Gospel.  We must make every effort to be welcoming both as a people and in the waywe extend that welcome in our buildings.

Love,

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

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized:  Cliff Sampson, Jordan Hospital

Recuperating at The Life Care Center: Janet Broadbent

Recuperating at home after hospitalization: Ed Bramhall.

Baptisms:

On September 15, 2002, Jacqueline Ann Trask, daughter of Robin (Taber) and Douglas Trask, was baptized during the morning service of worship.
On September 15, 2002, Joshua Richard Ratey, son of Andrea Elizabeth (Wall) and Scott Michael Ratey was baptized during the morning service of worship.
On September 15, 2002, Jack Philip McKay, son of Kathleen Elna (Foster) and Tucker Neil McKay was baptized during a private ceremony following the service of worship.
On September 15, 2002, Molly Malinda McKay, daughter of Kathleen Elna (Foster) and Tucker Neil McKay was baptized during a private ceremony following the service of worship.

Weddings:

On September 14, 2002, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service at the Brewster Garden Bridge for Elisabeth L. Pote and Jonathan F. Denham.

We were sorry to hear of the death of Bea Roberge's sister Alice L. Fabri recently. Our sympathies are extended to Bea and her family.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, Sept. 22—Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Marks Preaching.

Monday, Sept. 23— 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.

Tuesday, Sept. 24--Rev. Marks office hours 9:30-10:30 A.M.; Advisory Board Meeting, 7:30 P.M. in the Mayflower Room; Dan office hours 1:00-3:00P.M; Aerobics-6:45 P.M.-7:45 P.M.-Allerton Hall.

Wednesday, Sept. 25— 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.; 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; Confirmation KickOff: -7:00 P.M in the Church House;.Choir Rehearsal - 7:30 P.M.

Thursday, Sept. 26—Thursday, Sept. 26-Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.-Noon; Aerobics-6:45 P.M.-7:45 P.M.-Allerton Hall; Youth Fellowship Visioning Mtg.--Thurs. Sept. 26, 7:00 P.M. Church House.

Friday, Sept. 27—Rev. Marks office hours 9:30 A.M.-11:30 P.M.; Wedding Rehearsal 6:30 P.M.; Soup, Salad and Sing-Allerton Hall-6:30 P.M.

Saturday, Sept. 28--Overeaters Anonymous- 9:30-11:30 A.M.-Church House; Wedding 3:00 P.M.

PLEASE NOTE

One of our lapel microphones has been missing since August. If you know of its whereabouts, please call the church office or call Rev. Marks.

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.

Please remember as we begin our fall schedule that 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.

The Board of Trustees is updating the list of keys for the Church and Church House Buildings. Any person who has a key to either or both buildings is asked to contact Lillian Knowles (508) 746-3247 so that we may record the proper information for the list. In the future, once the use of the buildings is approved, all keys will be handled by Lillian. Thank you for your cooperation.

Youth Fellowship Visioning Mtg.--Thurs. Sept. 26, 7:00 P.M. Church House. Come help energize and plan our youth groups for the coming year. Any Jr. High or Sr. High youth, or adults interested in youth group leadership or anyone interested in the direction and purpose of youth fellowship is invited to attend. RSVP with Rev. Dan at (781) 588-4326.

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, as we speak prophetically to those in power and advocate for the voiceless. In the spirit of Christ, we seek to confront evil in the world and to alleviate suffering through justice advocacy and direct service. Neighbors in Need supports ministries that address hunger action, poverty reduction, economic development, human rights, peace-making, violence reduction, racial and economic justice, environmental concerns, and public policy advocacy. Two-thirds are distributed to and through Justice and Witness Ministries. One-third directly supports the UCC's Council for American Indian Ministry. Most churches receive Neighbors in Need on the first Sunday of October, World Communion Sunday.

Harvest Fair-The weeks are flying by and we are very close to fair day. I would like to remind everyone to continue working on any projects that you have begun. We will have a table for attic treasures. While you do your fall cleaning keep Gerry Allen in mind for any items that you would like to recycle. Also, I would like to invite any of our crafters to keep the fair in mind and contribute any handiwork that would be likely to sell. We can use such items as aprons, place mats, doll clothes, children's clothing, hats, mittens and, of course sweaters. In the weeks to come I will be asking the members of the congregation to take a poster and find a prominent place to display it. We suggest the back, side window of your car. Thank you, Diana Budge

Church Council Meetings will now be held on the first Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Mayflower Room. Please advise the representative of your committee who will be attending Council meetings of this change.

Notice: The Board of Trustees would like to inform all members of the congregation that we would like to provide transportation to any member who needs it to any church event including Sunday Services. Please call the church office and Diana Budge or David Cowie will try to contact someone to provide this service. The Board feels that lack of transportation should not be a barrier to participation in church activities and we would like to help. We realize that some of our members are unable to drive at all or would rather not drive to evening events. Let us help!

The Board of Trustees will be scheduling a work day at the Parsonage on September 29. The event needs all of us to participate (much like a barn-raising event!). We need equipment, food and frivolity to make this day successful. It should take one Sunday afternoon (1-4 P.M.) to complete. (See enclosed insert).

The evening of "Soup, Salad and Song" is September 27th at 6:30 P.M. We need breads, salads and soup donations. Please contact Debby Porter or Dave Cowie for more details.

Congratulations: Linda and Linzee Brown are the proud parents of their 4th child, Andrew Shepard Brown, born Saturday, September 14th. Linda Brown is the daughter of Bruce and Gerry Allen. Andrew is their 15th grandchild. Bruce and Gerry are the parents of 5 children, they also are great grandparents to 6 great grandchildren. They are truly blessed!

Coffee hour volunteers are needed. You will find a sign-up sheet in Allerton Hall. Please sign-up.

Coming Events

Sept. 29: Parsonage Yard Cleanup, 1-4 P.M.

Oct. 3: Interfaith Clergy Council Meeting, Noon, Christ Episcopal Church. The Church Council will meet at 7:30 P.M. in the Mayflower Room.

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.