Dear Friends,

A church member said to me at the Luncheon during our Harvest Fair Day that the events of the weekend were so much fun and that there was a very good feeling among members. I thought about that observation and both concurred and agreed with it. The Halloween Dinner Dance was great fun and all ages were present enjoying one another's company. The costumes were clever and the kids were having a very good and wholesome time being a part of their church family.

The Harvest Fair itself reminded me again of the wide array of talent there is among us, talent lavishly shared for the well being of the church's ministry and mission. I was impressed, too, by the large number of our church of all ages sacrificing a large portion of a busy weekend for the sake of the greater good of the congregation.

The Luncheon in Allerton Hall was marvelous and, once again, I greatly admired the dedication of those who prepared it. I also add, without exaggeration, that I enjoyed the best lobster role I've ever had!

I should mention also that the dinner at the Halloween Dinner Dance was outstanding.

It was, indeed, a weekend reflecting good feelings and positive attitudes. What impressed me the most about all the events was that its primary focus was the well being of our beloved church family. Of course, we hoped to make money to augment the church's budget and we did that. But, I think that the whole Harvest Fair Weekend was such a success, including financially, because of the attitude which prevailed among us. We were working together toward the goal of serving the church. We were enjoying one another's talents, dedications and company and in doing that we also made money to support to work and ministry of The Church of the Pilgrimage. With church fairs, as in so many areas of life, attitude can make the difference between success and failure, joy or sadness.

I was, to speak personally, very tired by Sunday night. Kathy and I had been through much during the past couple of weeks, I had a wedding to attend, a funeral service to prepare, a sermon to finish, there was baptism and the Sunday Service. There was more, too, but being tired had a very good feeling about it. I am a part of a church which is moving toward a refined sense of its mission and ministry, Kathy and I felt your love and support, I had been a part of life's endings, beginnings, and much of what happens in between them, and solemnly and joyously was able to appreciate them all within the context of God's everlasting Word and grace.

When we have joy and feel support in the church's true-and-only, calling there is no end to what we will be able to accomplish. Priorities and attitudes govern us!

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. Communion will be a part of the service as well as the Reception of New Members.
The Junior Choir will be singing.

Greeters: Helen & Hugh Thuerk

The Pulpit Flowers are in loving memory of Linda Prentice Cadorette given by her family.
Children's Worship Service in the Church House at 10:00 A.M.

The Cherub Choir will not be singing this morning. They will be singing on November 9. However they will have a rehearsal this morning after worship.

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.

Greeters are needed for November 30 and 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.

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.

Confirmation Class potluck supper in Allerton Hall from 5:00-7:00 P.M.

Crop Walk, today (November 2) beginning at Zion Lutheran Church. Registration is at 12:30 P.M. walk begins at 1:00 P.M. Rain or Shine. Even if you have not registered, come and walk for this important event to support local hunger agencies.

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

CHURCH RECORD

Wedding:
On October 25, 2003 Gregory Edward Coutts and Courtney Elaine Bunker were married at Saint Anthony's Parish in Cohasset. Rev. Marks spoke to the couple and their guests during the reception which followed the wedding.

Baptism:
On October 26, 2003, Matthew David Clark, son of David and Amy (Reilly) Clark was baptized during the morning service.

In Memoriam:
On October 25, 2003 Rev. Marks conducted a funeral service for James Corrigan. Our sympathies are extended to his wife Helen and his son James, Jr.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, Nov. 2: Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Gary Marks will be preaching; Communion Service; Reception of New Members during the service; Crop Walk.

Monday, Nov. 3: Rev. Dan's office hours, 10:00-Noon; Rev. Marks will attend a meeting of The American Congregational Association at Andover Newton Theological School; Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in Allerton Hall; Girl Scout Tr. 1128, 6:00 P.M. in Church House; Adult Evening Bible Study 7:00 P.M. in the Church House; Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship 7:00 P.M. in Allerton Hall.

Tuesday, Nov. 4: Rev. Marks' office hours 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M. - Noon; Lunch Bunch Bible Study, Noon in the Church House; Aerobics, 6:30 P.M. in Allerton Hall.

Wednesday, Nov. 5: Plymouth Area Interfaith Clergy Council, 8:30 A.M., Christ Episcopal Church; 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, Nov. 6: 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. 7: Rev. Marks' office hours, 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.

Saturday, Nov. 8.

 

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.
Kathy Marks has been greatly comforted by your expressions of sympathy and support following the death of her father. Your love is sustaining and nourishing. God bless you!

Adult Bible Study (7:00 P.M., 11/3) and Lunch Bunch (Noon, 11/4) will meet in Allerton Hall. Please read Part II of your Resource Book and be sure to bring a Bible.

Your four delegates to the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ - Marna and John Blomberg and Trace and Julie Sears will be giving a brief 30-minute presentation during coffee hour on Sunday, November 9th in Allerton Hall. They will be updating you on the 204th Annual Meeting. This will be an exciting opportunity to learn about what is going on in our conference and to hear about small groups that could be formed in our church using resources from the Annual Meeting workshops. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend! Childcare will be provided.

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!

Harvest Fair Drawing - I would like to thank the following people who helped to make the Drawing at our Harvest Fair a success once again: Diana Budge, Tom Mudgett (my Co-Chair), Liisa Budge, Judy Mitchell, Pam McNicholas, Alice Heckman, Betty Sander, Kristen Sander, Diane Cowie and Trace Sears. It would not have been possible for me to organize a Drawing without the efforts of this group. I would also like to thank those who donated prizes and to all of you who took tickets to sell and buy. Congratulations to the winners! Thank you again, Marna Blomberg

Gayle David would like to thank all the great folks who donated, bought, gave to the Linen & Things table. It was a beautiful table this year all because of you. Thank you, Gayle.
The next meeting of the Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship will be held Monday, November 3rd at 7:00 p.m. in Allerton Hall. We will be creating booklets of Thanksgiving graces for Guild baskets, sharing family stories, and having an optional cleaning of the sanctuary. Those who plan to help clean, please remember to dress in cleaning attire. Don't forget your canned goods!

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. See the insert in your Herald for more information. If you have any questions please see Dave Cowie. They make great Christmas Gifts!

A number of people have registered a concern about amplification inadequacies during Sunday service. The Board of Trustees is looking into ways by which our sound system may be improved.

On November 9, 2003 at 2:30 P.M. the Fall Association meeting of the Pilgrim Association will be held at the First Church in Pembroke prior to the Ecclesiastical Council and Installation of Richard Giragosian as Pastor of the First Church in Pembroke. Also on November 19th at 7:30 P.M. there will be an Ecclesiastical Council meeting at the First Church in Weymouth.

Hymnal Update:
Give the gift of a dedicated hymnal. Our new hymnals are expected from the printer in the spring. For a donation of $25 (or more) a bookplate with your name and the name of a loved one may be placed inside the front cover, as was done with the Pilgrim Hymnal. (See sample below). Details are on the bulletin board in Allerton Hall, and members of the hymnal committee or music committee will always be available for questions.
-- Bill Harting and Louise Brown, Hymnal Committee

COMING EVENTS

Nov. 9: Mass. Conference Presentation during the Coffee Hour (see notes).

Nov. 14: Women's Guild at 1:00 P.M. Rosalee Sinn, Guest Speaker.

Nov. 15: Rev. Marks will speak on Compact Day to The Society of Mayflower Descendents in Taunton.

Nov. 16: S.E.R.R.V. Sale

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.