Dear Friends,

Sometimes we just want people to realize how tough our job is, to be appreciative of what we do, to understand that we are doing the best we can in challenging and trying circumstances. In order to indicate this desire for understanding and appreciation I came across this plea put on the answering machine at the Pacific Palisades High School in California. Since my wife and one of my sons are teachers this message may have resonated the more poignantly with me. In any case, here it is.

"Hello! You have reached the automated answering service of your school. In order to assist you in connecting with the right staff member, please listen to all your options before making a selection:

- To lie about why your child is absent-Press 1.
- To make excuses for why your child did not do his/her work-Press 2.
- To complain about what we do-Press 3.
- To swear at staff members- Press 4.
- To ask why you didn't get information that was already enclosed in your newsletter and several flyers mailed to you-Press 5.
- If you want us to raise your child-Press 6.
- If you want to reach out and touch, slap or hit someone-Press 7.
- To request another teacher for the third time this year-Press 8.
- To complain about bus transportation-Press 9.
- To complain about school lunches-Press 0.
- If you realize this is the real world and you want your child to be taught to be accountable/responsible for his/her behavior, class work, homework, and you applaud our efforts to make that happen, hang up and have a nice day."

I am not sure how enthusiastically this answering service message is received among those who phone the school, but I rather image that more people hang up without selecting an option than was once the case. I also imagine that a few people even pause to consider the challenges faced by our schools and teachers and have a good laugh. I have even thought of revising this answering service message for our machine at the church office!

The point in relating this story to you, is this; we all need to appreciate the obstacles and difficulties faced by others as they, by and large, struggle to do good work, often amid complaints without understanding as their only reward. Oddly, for some, hearing no complaints over even trivial matters is

Let's think on these things.

Love,

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

CHURCH RECORD

Recuperating at Beverly Manor following surgery - Cliff Sampson

Weddings:

On September 21, 2002, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Jennifer L. Keedy and Raymond J. Banks in the Sanctuary.

On September 21, 2002, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Kathryn E. Handrahan and Peter G. Chapman in the Sanctuary. "In honor of their wedding guests, Peter G. Chapman and Kathryn E. (Handrahan) Chapman have made a donation to The Peter A. Chapman Music Fund at The Church of the Pilgrimage.

Our congratulations and prayers are with these fine young newlyweds!

In Memoriam:

On September 28, 2002, Rev. Marks conducted a graveside service for long time church member Catherine Kriegle. Catherine has lived in Florida for a number of years. Our sympathies are extended to her family.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, Sept. 29—Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Marks Preaching. Parsonage clean-up 1:00 - 4:00 P.M.

Monday, Sept. 30— 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, Oct. 1-Rev. Marks office hours 9:30-11:30 A.M.; Dan office hours 1:00-3:00P.M; Aerobics-6:45 P.M.-7:45 P.M.-Allerton Hall.

Wednesday,Oct. 2— 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; Choir Rehearsal - 7:30 P.M.; Missions and Outreach Committee will meet at 7:00 P.M. at the home of Bonnie Peck.

Thursday, Oct. 3—Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.-Noon; The Interfaith Clergy Association will meet at Christ Episcopal Church at noon; Aerobics-6:45 P.M.-7:45 P.M.-Allerton Hall; Church Council Meeting-7:30 P.M. in the Mayflower Room. Please note the day change. Each board and committee is expected to have a representative at Council meetings.

Friday, Oct. 4—Rev. Marks office hours 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Boy Scout Troop 10 from Maine, sleep over in the Church House.

Saturday, Oct. 5--Overeaters Anonymous- 9:30-11:30 A.M.-Church House; Bible Study, 8:00 A.M. in the Mayflower Room; Rev. Marks will conduct a private memorial service for Howard Edward McGuire at the home of a relative, 11:00 A.M.

PLEASE NOTE

Gary thanks Dan for taking him to his first pro-football game! It was an exciting game, too, and the companionship was terrific!

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.

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.

We extend our sympathies to the family of Diantha Rogers who passed this life last week. Diantha was a church school teacher and active in the Summer Sale at The Church of the Pilgrimage. She lived in Kingston where services were held for her.

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 Jordan Hospital: The information regarding patients being at The Jordan Hospital has been irregular in recent weeks. Normally a "Clergy" file is available at the information desk, but has not been consistently available recently. If it isn't there, the ministers have no way of knowing who is in the hospital from our church. Rev. Marks makes rounds at the Jordan about twice a week and whenever requested, day or night, for emergencies. If you or a loved one or friend is in the hospital, please see to it that the office is informed. This will be a great help to the ministers who don't want anyone who desires it to be without their pastoral support.

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. Please contribute to the NIN offering which will be taken on October 6th.

Also, The Missions & Outreach Committee is asking all parents of our young adults who are away from home in the service or attending a college, etc., to please contact the church office with their address of place their address and photograph in the marked box for the M & O Committee in Allerton Hall. Please help us to keep our list up-to-date. We hope to keep in touch with them. Thank You!

Harvest Fair-October 26. 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. 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

2 PATRIOT'S TICKETS, WEEKEND FOR TWO AT THE WILLIAM'S INN, HANDMADE QUILT, & CHIMNEY CLEANING - just a few great prizes that you could win by purchasing a chance for our Harvest Fair Drawing. Please plan to visit the Drawing Coordination Table Sunday mornings during coffee hour. You may pick up tickets to sell and/or drop off money and ticket stubs already collected. Please contact Marna Blomberg with any questions at 781-826-2543. Thank you.

Notice: Please call the church office, Diana Budge or David Cowie if you need transportation to church for worship or any other church event.

Coming Events

Oct. 8-Rev. Marks will conduct a worship service at the Newfield house, 10:30 A.M.
Oct. 9-Domestic Violence Seminar, Christ Church Episcopal, 9:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M.
Oct. 11-Wedding rehearsals in the sanctuary, 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 12-Weddings in the sanctuary, 2:30 P.M. and 5:00 P.M.
Oct. 19-Paul Sinn Peace Event at Christ Church, U.C.C. in Brockton at 2:30 P.M.

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.