Dear Friends,

One of the outstanding preachers of our time is Barbara Brown Taylor. I have often found her observations about and reflections upon our faith to be provocative and stimulating to my own theological thinking and to my spiritual practices. I found both provocation and stimulation in an article she wrote in the February 21, 2001 issue of The Christian Century magazine.

Among Taylor's contentions in that article is that the church used to be a place which supplied people with purpose. She adds "...but I'm afraid we are going through a little slump right now." In her style of preaching/writing she is able to put very sensitive issues in an amusing way. In speaking about the "slump" into which she deems the church to have fallen she notes that the old purposes we used to find in the church have run out of steam, such as conquering the world under the banner of Christ or even keeping the Christ in Christmas. I quote Taylor: "If you walk into the average Christian church to explore your purpose, chances are you will come out with an invitation to join the choir or volunteer at the soup kitchen on Tuesdays."

It does seem at times that we do seek to enlist people in the varied ministries and activities of the church without making clear what any of those things have to do with the purpose of life or with the overall ministry, and mission of Jesus Christ. Some people may, in fact, only be attracted to a church because of its focus upon one or two specific ministries or activities. There is nothing wrong with that motivation, of course, but we must never forget that everything a church does is but a part of its overall reason for being. The variety of gifts are to be used in proportion to those gifts, to be sure. Our interests and abilities do focus our relationship to, and activity within, a church. This is as it should be, but we should also realize that all that we do, individually and together, we do because the church also gives our lives purpose and a sense of direction. We as a church can never afford to be in a "slump" where purpose is concerned!

I thank Barbara Brown Taylor for yet one more insight, an insight which this time helps me to hold to my focus as pastor of a wonderfully dynamic and engaged church. I see the center of our life together to be in worship, to be energized by Word and sacrament, from which our many ministries and activities emerge. Worship is the hub of the wheel and all other ministries are spokes radiating from that hub. Surely the image of the wheel with radiating spokes is not a new one. Yet, it is an image which amply reflects that all that we do as a congregation has a center in the purpose which faith alone can bring to our living. The Church of the Pilgrimage is a congregation where purpose is primary. My calling is to help us all work variously for the common goal of finding the loving heart of God at the center of our lives. To do that is to have purpose and it is to proclaim it joyfully to those in search of the same.

Love,

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

Morning Worship 10:00 A.M. Rev. Gary Marks will be preaching. The confirmands and their mentors will be recognized during the service.

Greeters: Joen and Chuck Blanton

The Pulpit Flowers are in loving memory of Dr. Samuel Stewart given by Dr. Goody and Valerie Stewart and their children.

The Flower on the Right are given in loving memory of Danielle McNeely given by Mommy.

All are invited to join us for Coffee Hour downstairs in Allerton Hall following the worship service. Also, Volunteers are needed to sign up for Coffee Hour. Please look for the sign-up sheet on the coffee hour counter.

The Annual S.E.R.R.V. Sale will be held following morning worship in Allerton Hall.

Greeters are needed for December 7, 14, and 21. Please call the church office to volunteer to greet or look for the sign-up sheet on the coffee hour counter.

Confirmation Class will meet in the Church House immediately after worship.

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. .

Office Hours: M-F 8:45 A.M.-3:45 P.M. Thursday's 8:30 A.M.-3:00 P.M.

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized: Judy Mitchell, Jordan Hospital, Warren Besegai at the Boston Medical Center.

Recuperating after recent hospitalizations: Paul Sinn, Janet Broadbent, Norman Fortini, Diana Budge, Bertha Jennings.

Baptism:
On November 9, 2003, Colby Christopher Jones, son of Christopher and Nanette (Barlow) Jones was baptized during the morning service.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, Nov. 16: Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Gary Marks will be preaching; Confirmands and Mentors will be recognized during the service; Brief Meeting of the Nominating Committee in the Pastor's Study following service; The Annual S.E.R.R.V. sale will be held following morning worship in Allerton Hall.

Monday, Nov. 17: Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.-Noon;; Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in Allerton Hall; Girl Scout Tr. 1128, 6:00 P.M. in Church House.

Tuesday, Nov. 18: Rev. Marks will not have regular office hours, but will be in the office after an out-of-town appointment; Lunch Bunch will meet at Noon in Allerton Hall; Aerobics, 6:30 P.M. in Allerton Hall; The Board of Trustees will meet at 7:00 P.M. in the Church House.

Wednesday, Nov. 19: Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in Allerton Hall; Rev. Dan's office hours 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Rev. Marks will take part in an ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at 2:00 P.M. at The Newfield House; Music Committee Meeting, 6:30 P.M. in Allerton Hall; 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, Nov. 20: 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.

Friday, Nov. 21: Rev. Marks' office hours, 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.

Saturday, Nov. 22:

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 another series of classes for those desiring to become members of The Church of the Pilgrimage. If you are interested in becoming a part of our church family and its ministry, please speak to Rev. Marks or call the church office.

S.E.R.R.V. Sale: This sale has become a major event in the life of The Church of the Pilgrimage now of many years duration. S.E.R.V.V. is a mission agency of The World Council of Churches. The beautiful articles for sale are produced by people in emerging countries and the sale of these items benefit their producers directly. Your Mission Committee has planned the sale each year to coincide with the onset of the Advent/ Christmas season. Your purchases aid poor people and allow you to offer lovely gifts to people on your Christmas shopping lists. See you at the S.E.R.R.V. Sale-November 16!

Thanksgiving: Once again The Church of the Pilgrimage will be hosting an open house on Thanksgiving morning. Anyone wishing to help out that morning or bake for our visitors, please contact Liisa Budge at (508) 746-0593 (days). Thank you.

We thank our delegates to the Mass. Conference U.C.C. for an outstanding presentation/ report last Sunday, November 9th. John and Marna Blomberg and Trace and Julie Sears are our delegates and through their presentation shared with us the work of the Conference and how it is an invaluable aid to local churches. A large number of people remained after worship to learn of the Conference's work and all were impressed not only by the presentation itself, but also with the enthusiasm of our terrific delegates. Thank you, Trace, July, John and Marna!

Stewardship Committee Update: Following May's Annual Meeting, the Stewardship Committee mailed out a 2nd pledge drive letter in an effort to raise funds to balance our 2003/2004 budget. Out of 165 pledging units, we received 69 responses of which 48 units increased their pledges. With their help we raised $11,000. We still have a deficit of close to $17,000. If you haven't done so already, please mail your pledge form to the Church Office, Attention: Collector, or place it in the collection plate as soon as possible.
Yours in Christian Faith and Fellowship, the Stewardship Committee.

The Women's Fellowship and The Board of Trustee's are working together to assist in delivering donations to the Food Pantry at the Christ Episcopal Church. You will see two baskets on either side of the lower vestibule with signs directing you to put your donations of dry goods and personal items in these baskets. The items will be delivered on a weekly to the Christ Episcopal Church. This is an ongoing weekly event. Please donate weekly by depositing your donation in one of the two baskets. Thank You!

The Harvest Fair Special Fund-Raising Offer is still available. Order the 2004 Expanded Edition of "Dine N Save" and receive the 2003 Edition Free. Over $2,000 in potential savings, Two (2) books for only $20.00. If you have any questions please see Dave Cowie.
Hymnal Update: Our new hymnal. Please look for information about dedicating one (or more) of our new hymnals, in the church foyer.

Paul and Rosalee Sinn want to express their thanks for the many cards they have received at the death of Rosalee's Mother, Merl Dubrin, in Tulsa, Oklahoma on October 16, and get-well cards for Paul after his hip replacement surgery on October 31. Paul is well on his way to a good recovery.

Lost Earring! On November 2nd an earring was lost during the service. It is a drop pearl earring. It has been reported that the earring was recovered on Monday evening Nov. 3rd when women's fellowship was cleaning the sanctuary. If anyone knows where the earring has gone would you please contact the office (508) 746-3026. The earring belongs to Arlene Axford and is of sentimental value!

Coffee Hour: Volunteers are needed to sponsor Coffee Hours which follow our Sunday services and which are so important to our church's social life.

COMING EVENTS

Nov. 23: There will be a special Congregation Meeting following the Service of Worship to be held in the sanctuary. The meeting has been duly posted according to the By-Laws of the Church by the Church Clerk.

Nov. 23rd is our traditional Thanksgiving Sunday. The Junior Choir will be singing.

Nov. 25: Rev. Marks will speak to a group of 150 from San Antonio, Texas who are touring various sites of our American beginnings in New England. The Advisory Board will meet, 7:00 P.M. in the Church House.

Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Day

Ecumenical Service at First Parish Unitarian Church, 10:30 A.M.
The Pilgrims Progress will proceed from The Mayflower Society House to Burial Hill beginning at 10:00 A.M.
There will be an Open House at The Church of the Pilgrimage, 10:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M.

Nov. 30: The First Sunday in Advent.

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.