Dear Friends,

I didn't know the importance of an event in 1965-66 when I was one of a couple of thousand people gathered on Tappan Square in Oberlin, Ohio to hear a famed black preacher. I knew, of course, of the work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the college and seminary at Oberlin were active in the civil rights struggle locally and in nearby Cleveland. In fact, some of our seminary professors and students had ventured into the South to register voters and demonstrate their solidarity with those who were in a very visible and dangerous struggle against insidious and overt displays of racism. I was not one of those students to venture into the arena of that righteous movement in the South, but I had gone to Washington D.C. in 1964 with a group of professors and students to meet with elected officials in an effort to secure their support of Rev. King and the civil rights movement. This was one week after Rev. King's famous march on Washington, far less publicized, but in itself a large demonstration of support.

On that day in Oberlin when I heard Rev. King preach a version of his famed "Sleeping Through A Revolution" sermon, I still did not realize that I was hearing one who would become a martyr for the sake of justice, a martyr who had been inspired and convinced of the social teachings of Jesus. I was in awe that day before a great preacher, but I could have had no idea then that Rev. King would be slain not long after that and become recognized as one of the greatest giants of morality in American history.

On January 20th we celebrate the anniversary of Rev. King's birth on a day now designated as a national holiday. As we do I hope that we will remember that just because a holiday has been declared does not mean that the issues of racism and other social injustices are things of the past. Rather I hope that remembering the achievements of Rev. King will be a reminder to us to continue the struggle against, not only lingering racism, but all the injustices which keep people from the realization of their potentials in our society and around the world. The call to seek justice is a part of Jesus' social teachings and that call is extended to us as the followers of Jesus' Way.

When I was at the Vanderbilt Divinity School I used to listen to Sen. Albert Gore Sr.'s Sunday radio talk with his constituents. Sen. Gore was in a difficult time and place as a champion of the civil rights movement. One day a constituent who did not share Sen. Gore's belief in racial justice and equality stopped by his office. In colorful terms which are here sanitized the man told Sen. Gore that he did not want to eat with African-Americans, he did not want to live with African-Americans, and he did not want his children to go to school with African-Americans.

In response Sen. Gore asked the man gently, "Do you want to go to heaven with African-Americans?"

On of Rev. King's great strengths was that he realized from his biblical faith that all people share a common destiny and are children of one God, the God he knew in Jesus Christ. Realizing that we all share a common source and destiny is one of the first steps toward racial harmony and in seeking justice wherever it is challenged or denied.

Thank God for the vision and ministry of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.!

Love,

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

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

The Pulpit Flowers are in loving memory of Robert Walters, given by Kathleen.

The Flowers on the left side are in loving memory of Hope and Richard S. Cole, given by their daughters, Judith Page and family and Joanne Ball and family.

Greeters: Jeff, Diane, TJ and Kathy Lindquist.

The Children will attend Church School following the Time for Teaching.

Church Membership Class-Mayflower room from 11:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M. Childcare will be provided.

All are invited to join us for Coffee Hour downstairs in Allerton Hall following the worship service.

Confirmation Class and Mentors: will meet at 3:30 at the Church House to go to the Contemporary Jazz Service in Cambridge.

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized: Virginia Morgan, Jordan Hospital.

Baptism:
On January 12, 2003 Jacob Charles Moody, son of Kenneth and Denise (Leonard) Moody, was baptized during the worship service.

In Memoriam:
On January 10, 2003 Rev. Marks conducted a graveside service for Ava Clair Krupa, infant daughter of Todd and Sandra (Shores) Krupa.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, Jan. 19— Rev. Marks will be preaching. The third in the Church Membership Class series will be held from 11:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M. in the Pastor's Study. Childcare will be provided. Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship Pie and Cookie Sale in Allerton Hall during the Coffee Hour.

Monday, Jan. 20— Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The church office will be closed. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast, 7:30-9:30 A.M., at Plymouth South High School; Girl Scouts 6:00-7:30 P.M. Church House.

Tuesday, Jan. 21-- Rev. Marks' will not be in the church office this morning. He will be available later in the day after an out-of-town appointment; Dan's office hours 1:00-3:00P.M; Aerobics-6:45 P.M.-7:45 P.M.-Allerton Hall; Board of Trustees Meeting-7:00 in the Mayflower Room.

Wednesday, Jan. 22— 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.

Thursday, Jan. 23— Dan's Office Hours 1:00-3:00 P.M.; GS Troop 1227-6:00-7:15 Church House; Aerobics-6:45 P.M.-7:45 P.M.

Friday, Jan. 24—Rev. Mark's Office Hours, 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Aerobics-9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M.

Saturday, Dec. 25-- Overeaters Anonymous- 9:30-11:30 A.M.-Church House.

PLEASE NOTE

Please call the church office or let the ministers know if you or someone you know is presently or soon to be hospitalized or in need of pastoral care. It is especially important to inform the ministers of those hospitalized in out-of-town hospitals.

Also, if you would like to receive Communion at home, please let the ministers know.
As indicated January 20th is designated Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We hope to have a good number of our people attending the Prayer Breakfast at Plymouth South High School on that day. It is a wonderful inter-faith gathering which allows us to honor one of our great Americans and to keep our focus upon the lingering problems of racism and other injustices. Please plan to attend if you can.

Rev. Marks will be away from January 24-26. He will be in Philadelphia to receive the Distinguished Mayflower Scholarship award. The award is offered through the Pennsylvania Society of Mayflower Descendants and will be held at the Philadelphia Country Club. The Pennsylvania Society is known for its interest in responsible scholarship regarding the Pilgrims, their origins and contributions to civilization. Rev. Marks is greatly honored to have been selected to receive this prestigious award.

Missions Moment: A luncheon will be held on January 26th following the service in Allerton Hall for Rev. Karl & Mrs. Jan Whiteman. They are missionaries serving in the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands through the UCC-Wider Church Ministries. Please join us in welcoming them to our church and learn a little of their ministry. The Missions & Outreach Committee.

Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship Pie and Cookie Sale- Sunday, January 19, 2003 after service. Baking day, Saturday January 18, 2003 at 9:00 A.M. in Allerton Hall. All who would like to bake pies together are invited. Please remember to bring your own ingredients and aluminum pie plates. Feel free to bake pies at home if you prefer. If you have signed up to participate by making cookies or pies, you will receive a reminder in the mail. If you have not signed up and want to help, you are welcome. This may be our only fundraiser for the year. Let's make it a successful event!

I wish to thank everyone at church for the lovely poinsettia plant you gave me while I was in the hospital. I also thank all of you for all your prayers, cards, calls, visits, and concerns. I feel blessed and truly loved. God bless you all. I hope to see you in 2 or 3 weeks. Love, Pat Mudgett.

Help! The Visitation Committee needs your help, to visit, make phone calls or write cards to our shut-ins in the Nursing Homes and at home. At the present time we only have four volunteers. Maybe you would wish to adopt a shut-in. Trace Sears (in our choir) and his family want to adopt a shut-in. Thank you for any help you can give us. My phone number is (508) 747-2603 or see me after church. Billie Courtney, Chairperson.

Pilgrim District Women's Meeting-Tuesday, January 28, 2003 at 9:30 A.M. gathering; Meeting 10 A.M.-1:00 P.M. Luncheon $5.00. Speakers Debra Moore and Rev. Heather Kinnear-"Women's Spirituality". For reservations and information call Janet Brust (781)-447-4052 by Friday, January 14, 2003.

Greeters for Sunday Morning Services are needed! Please call Pam in the church office to learn of an upcoming Sunday which needs greeters. This is a good way to meet and greet old friends and new comers to the church. Currently, greeters are needed for February 9, 16 and 23!

Coffee Hour -we still need volunteers to prepare for Sunday morning Coffee Hours. There is a sign-up sheet in Allerton Hall. If you have never hosted a Coffee Hour, there are many people who will explain the procedures. These events are important to our church's social life, so please give us a hand.

It is up to the Chairs of boards and committees to inform the office of meeting times and places. Information should be given to the church office on Monday prior to the week when a meeting or event is planned. This holds for any news item you may wish to have placed in the Herald.

Coming Events

Jan. 26: Rev. Marks will be away. (See notes).
Jan. 26: Mission Luncheon in Allerton Hall following service.
Jan. 28: The Advisory Board will meet at 7:00 P.M. in the Mayflower Room.
Feb. 2: Scout Sunday-Troop 47 will greet, usher and provide our coffee hour!
Feb. 2: Nominating Committee Meeting 11:30 in the Mayflower Room.

BULLETIN BLOOPER (from Church Secretary Today)

"Mark your calendars not to attend the church retreat".

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.