Dear Friends,

Last Sunday I concluded my sermon with a lesson taught by a fifth century monk. The monk's name is not known, but his or her lesson has come down to us through the ages as exemplifying one of the many values which emerge timelessly from Jesus' own teachings regarding unity and inclusiveness. The story is similar in style and content to the teachings of the fourth century Desert Fathers and Mothers and to those I've found in my study of Celtic Spirituality. I repeat the story here as a kind of lesson, or model, for us as a congregation to follow as we enter a new church season together.

The monk told his students to form a large circle with everyone facing toward the center. He/she told them to image God as being at the center of the circle. Next he instructed them to start moving toward the center, toward God.

As the people moved toward the center, and thus toward God, the circle shrank. Each person ended up shoulder to shoulder as they moved toward the center and toward God.
The lesson of the monk on that day centuries ago was this: you can't get closer to God without, at the same time, getting closer to one another.

This ancient and wonderful story makes a profound impression upon me each time I think of it or retell it. It teaches, in a very simple image, that out faith is to be centered toward God involves u in a sacred process of becoming closer to and appreciative of one another.

I suggest to you, as I also try to learn for myself, that this remarkably simple story become a model for our spiritual pilgrimage together. In all of our efforts as a congregation may the God of the Center be honored in our progressive "coming together" as we move toward the holy and divine center of all things. Indeed, we may also pray that the truth of this story may serve as a model for our fractured and fragmented world which seems increasingly to be centered upon nothing much more than self-interest. The world shall not move in any meaningful direction unless it relearns that all life has center in God and that, in spite of differences, we are fulfilled only when we together move in unison toward God the Center.

The movement toward God should be our common goal as a congregation. In our worship, in our music, in our board and committee work, in our educational endeavors, in our giving, in our patience with one another-in all our ways-lest us remember what it is that we hope our pilgrimage together is meant to accomplish. Our goal is to follow the teachings of Jesus and the Bible to keep our spiritual lives focused on God. It we do that, we shall also come closer together as brother and sister pilgrims on the way to hope and promise. The lesson is still this: we can't get closer to God without, at the same time, getting closer to one another.

Love,

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

Morning Worship 10:00 A.M. Rev. Gary Marks preaching. Communion will be a part of the service.

Greeters: Dave and Diane Cowie.

The Pulpit Flowers are in loving memory of the Savery, Bregoli, Holman and Reggiani Families given by Helen and Jack Lane..

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

Greeters are needed for all of November. Please call the church office to volunteer to greet or look for the sign-up sheet on the coffee hour counter.

Rev. Dan's Adult Bible Study and Lunch Bunch will be starting up again in October. Adult evening Bible Study will be on October 20 at 7:00 p.m. in the Church House and Lunch Bunch will be on October 21 at Noon in the Church House. In the fall a course on the Psalms will be offered, and during the month of December there will be an intensive Advent Course. Please let Rev. Dan know if you intend to join either class as resource books are required.

Office Hours: M-F 8:45 A.M.-3:45 P.M. Thursday's 8:30 A.M.-3:00 P.M. Pam will be out of the office on Monday, October 6 as a vacation day.

CHURCH RECORD

Recuperating: At home after a brief stay at the Jordan Hospital, Arthur Budge.

We wish Janet Broadbent well after a hospitalization a few weeks ago.

Baptism:
On September 28, 2003, Nicholas John Ferrante, son of John and Tanya (Suk) Ferrante was baptized during a private service.

Weddings:
On September 26, 2003 Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Timothy Joseph Cherry and Wendy Eileen Otto in the church sanctuary.
On September 27, 2003, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding ceremony for Erik Charles Bumpus and Angela Marie Rago at the John Carver Inn in Plymouth. (Erik is the grandson of Roland and Audrey Shuart).

THIS WEEK

Sunday, Oct. 5: Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Marks preaching. Communion will be a part of the service. Children's Worship Service in the Church House at 10:00 A.M. They will be dismissed to church school following the service. The Third Church Membership Class will be held from, 11:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M. (See "Notes").

Monday, Oct. 6: Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in Allerton Hall; Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M. - Noon; Girl Scout Tr. 1128, 6:00 P.M. in Church House; Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship, 7:00 P.M. in Allerton Hall (See notes).

Tuesday, Oct. 7: Rev. Marks' office hours 9:30-11:30 A.M.; Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M. - Noon; Aerobics, 6:30 P.M. in Allerton Hall; Stewardship Meeting, 7:30 P.M. in the Church House; Harvest Fair Meeting, 7:00 P.M. at Diana's house, 15 Oak St.

Wednesday, Oct. 8: Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in Allerton Hall; Rev. Dan's office hours 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Staff Meeting-10:00 A.M; Choir Rehearsal - 7:30 P.M; Tr. 47, 7:00 P.M. in the Church House; Pack 47, 7:00 P.M. in the Church House.

Thursday, Oct. 9: Rev. Dan's office hours Noon-2:00P.M.; G.S. Tr. 1227, 4:00 P.M-5:30 P.M. in the Church House; Aerobics, 6:30 P.M. in Allerton Hall; Membership & Evangelism Committee, 7:00 P.M. in the Church House.

Friday, Oct. 10: Rev. Marks' office hours, 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Women's Guild, 1:00 P.M. in Allerton Hall.

Saturday, Oct. 11:

PLEASE NOTE

Please call the church office if you are aware of persons hospitalized or in need of pastoral care. It is especially important to let the ministers know about out-of-town hospitals. Hospital listings prepared for clergy at the Jordan Hospital, too, have been irregular in availability. It is, therefore, important that the ministers and church office be informed of any hospitalizations. Thank you for your help.

Membership Classes-Rev. Marks is planning to conduct another New Member Class in the near future. A number of people who had indicated an interest in membership were unable to attend the first series of classes. If you are interested in membership, please call the church office or contact Rev. Marks.

Gary and Kathy Marks will be away on the weekend of October 11th to visit their son, Robbie, who is in his first year of college at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky.

Habitat for Humanity held a ground breaking ceremony for its first house in Plymouth on October 4th. The house will be located at the corner of South Street and Brayley Lane, diagonally across from the "new" Plymouth Library. We thank all who contributed to the work of Habitat through the special offering received during the service on September 28th. If you were not in worship on that date, you may make an offering on a future Sunday or by sending it to the church office. If you would like to help Habitat in other ways, please contact Nancy Morse.

We are currently keeping the Mayflower Room available as a Crib Room. That means that church meetings will need to be held in Allerton Hall or in rooms in the Church House. Please contact Pam to schedule a meeting room and contact Lillian Knowles to obtain a key for the Church House Building. The decision to make the Mayflower Room available for children was made by the Board of Trustees because of the happy circumstance of having so many infants and toddlers at church with their parents. The Crib Room needs to have a great many toys, etc. and it is convenient, for now at least, to designate that space for use as our Crib Room. We are also committed to make that space meet the recommendations of our Safe Church Committee. We thank you for understanding the reasons for finding alternative space for meetings.

The Church of the Pilgrimage Services will be aired on P.A.C.T.V. on Sundays at noon and at 10:00 P.M. We are grateful to Bruce Allen for taping the services and for arranging for them to be aired on a delayed basis of one week.

Women's Fellowship will meet Monday, October 6 at 7:00 P.M. in Allerton Hall for a Harvest Fair Craft Night. All women of the church are welcome. Please bring your favorite grace or Thanksgiving prayer for a Thanksgiving basket booklet and don't forget your canned goods. We hope to see you all there.

The Crop Walk is November 2nd. Join us for this fun and worthwhile event. Call Rev. Dan if you would like to walk or volunteer on walk day.

Harvest Fair Drawing. The selling of tickets is underway! If you have not already done so, please plan to visit the Drawing Coordination Table downstairs in Allerton Hall during coffee hour. Committee members will be available every Sunday through October 19th to distribute tickets for you to sell, collect ticket stubs and money from those tickets sold, as well as to distribute more tickets as needed. We want to remind you that this year, the tickets come in books of six. Tickets are either $1 each or 6 for $5.00! Thank you for your continued support, Marna Blomberg and Tom Mudgett (Co-Chairs, Drawing).

Harvest Fair News: Tuesday evening October 7, a final meeting for preparation for the fair will be held at 15 Oak Street. It is very important that all table leaders be present or send a representative. Last minute information will be available and particular items will be distributed. I encourage all to continue to pursue any activity that will promote the fair including items for sale and the sale of drawing tickets.

Fair day offers another opportunity for getting involved. If you can spare a few hours to help out at a table, let me know. Above all, come and support this effort with your purchases. We guarantee good buys.

This year the children's corner will feature face painting, cookie decorating and an opportunity to have your picture taken in "dress up" clothes. Call Liisa Budge if you can volunteer your time to help with the children and be sure to visit the jewelry table at the foot of the stairs for some lovely handmade bead necklaces and earrings.

Are you crafty? If you are and enjoy making decorations for the holidays, Betty and Kristen Sander would welcome your additions to their Holiday Table. Xmas, Thanksgiving and Halloween items would be most appreciated.

This year a new table will provide you with a piece of cake and a recipe for it for a minimal charge. Judi Besegai is responsible for this table, so if you are interested in submitting your favorite cake and are willing to include the recipe, both would be welcome.

Again this year we will have a MYSTERY BOX of at least $100 value for a special drawing. For a donation of $2.00, you may be a winner. Take a chance and help the church as well.

For telephone numbers of individual table leaders please call me at (508) 746-4514. Diana Budge

Harvest Fair Luncheon: Deb Porter asked me to appeal to the members of the congregation that can spare the time for help setting up the afternoon of October 24 and help in serving, etc. on Fair Day. If you can spare a few hours but are unable to be there the whole day, it is no problem. We will schedule help in smaller time increments as we have volunteers. At this point, manpower is a real need in several areas. If you can help, please contact Deb Porter at (508) 746-4109.

Knitting Evening: The knitting group will meet at my home at 15 Oak Street on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 at 7:00 P.M. All are welcome whether experienced knitters or beginner. Bring a friend. It is a great time for fellowship and fun.

There will be a Candlelight Interfaith Vigil on October 16, 2003 at 7:00 P.M. at the First Parish Church of Plymouth honoring victims of domestic violence.

Chris Vannozzi will be selling popcorn during coffee hour on Sunday, Oct. 5 to support Troop 247.

COMING EVENTS

Oct. 14: Rev. Marks will conduct a worship service at the Newfield Home at 10:30 A.M.
Oct. 16: South Shore Women's Center Service at First Parish Church, 7:00 P.M.
Oct. 18: Rev. Marks will attend the Pilgrim Fellows meeting.
Oct. 19: Reception for New Members during the worship service.

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.