Dear Friends,

Last Sunday in my sermon I tried to illustrate the theme of the text on the two greatest commandments by referring to something special which happened to me while I was at the fifth century monastic site called Skellig Michael. Skellig Michael is perched on a jagged rock eight miles off the Kerry Coast in Ireland. I had what I have been calling a "focusing experience." I realized, to simplify a profound insight, that my life and ministry are about the Gospel and not about me alone. Since then I say to myself whenever I am about to lose my focus, "Remember Skellig Michael!" It helps me to recall what is central to life and ministry and what is not.

Perhaps such a "focusing experience" should have been a part of the man's whose story I now relate.

A man was behind a woman at a stoplight. She was going through papers on the seat of her car. When the light changed to green she didn't budge, so preoccupied was she with her papers.

The man was outraged and, with the windows closed, began to scream epithets (he swore a lot) while beating furiously on his steering wheel. His expressions of distress were interrupted by a policeman, gun drawn, tapping on his car window. Against his protestations of "you can't arrest me for hollering in my car," the policeman ordered him into the back seat of his cruiser.

After about two hours in a holding cell at the station the officer came in to say that the man was free to go. The arrested man said, "I knew you couldn't arrest me for yelling in my own car. You haven't heard the last of this."

The policeman replied, "I didn't arrest you for shouting in your car. I was directly behind you at the light. I saw you screaming and beating your steering wheel, and I said to myself, 'what a jerk'! But there is nothing I can do to him for throwing a fit in his own car. Then I noticed the cross hanging from your rearview mirror, the fish on your trunk lid and the 'My boss is a Jewish Carpenter,' and the 'Jesus is Coming Soon' bumper stickers. Then, I thought that you must have stolen your car from a Christian."

Many of the frustrations and distractions in our lives are evidence, I think, of not being focused, not having a "center" for our living. We get so entangled about our immediate wants that we forget all about what is important about life. We often don't act as though there is a center in our lives by which we prioritize everything else. Thus, we begin to become our distractions and frustrations, a deplorable and fractured way of living.

Jesus told the scribe, in Mark 12:28-34, to love god and the neighbor as the self. This is a focus for living, a divine and worshipful focus. We all need that focus.

I say often to myself, "Remember Skellig Michael!" The man in the story would have done well to remember the message he hoped his cross and bumper stickers would proclaim to others. It is no good to have an unlived message.

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 Junior Choir and the Cherub Choir will be singing.

Greeters: Laura and Cliff Sampson

The Pulpit Flowers are in loving memory of Ralph & Helen Gilbert given by their sons, Thomas and Stephen.

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 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.

Youth Fellowship this Sunday. Come join us bowling at Alley Cat in Kingston! Meet at the Church House at 5:30 P.M. to Carpool. $10.00 will cover.

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: The Office will be closed November 11, 2003 for Veterans' Day. M-F 8:45 A.M.-3:45 P.M. Thursday's 8:30 A.M.-3:00 P.M.

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized: Bob Beane, friend of the church, was recently hospitalized at the Jordan Hospital.
Paul Sinn was hospitalized at The New England Baptist Hospital.

Roll Call of New Members Received on November 2, 2003.
Paul Bergendahl from The Medfield, U.C.C., Medfield MA
Lisa Bergendahl from The Medfield, U.C.C., Medfield MA
Mary Elizabeth (Meg) Bross from First Presbyterian Church, Westchester PA
Allen Hanford from First Presbyterian Church, Bridgetown NJ
Eleanor (Ellie) Hanford from First Presbyterian Church, Bridgetown NJ
Sheldon Peavey from St. Paul's Church of the Nazarene, Duxbury MA
Barbara Peavey from St. Paul's Church of the Nazarene, Duxbury MA
James Runey from The Second Congregational Church (U.C.C.), Cohasset MA
Carol Runey from The Second Congregational Church (U.C.C), Cohasset MA
Dr. Goodwill Stewart from the Christ U.C.C., Brockton, MA
Valerie Stewart from the Christ U.C.C., Brockton, MA
Brad Willis from The First Congregational Church, Marshfield MA
Dawn Willis from The First Congregational Church, Marshfield MA

In Memoriam:
On November 5, 2003 Rev. Marks conducted a funeral service for Allan Niemi in the church sanctuary. Our sympathies are extended to his wife, Helen, and to his family and friends.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, Nov. 9: Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Gary Marks will be preaching; Mass. Conference Presentation, in Allerton Hall following the service; Fall Association Meeting of the Pilgrim Association, First Church in Pembroke at 2:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 10: Rev. Dan's will be out of the office attending a meeting; Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in Allerton Hall; Girl Scout Tr. 1128, 6:00 P.M. in Church House.

Tuesday, Nov. 11: VETERANS' DAY-OFFICE CLOSED -Aerobics, 6:30 P.M. in Allerton Hall.

Wednesday, Nov. 12: Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in Allerton Hall; Rev. Dan's office hours 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Rev. Marks will attend a Board of Director's Meeting of The American Congregational Association in Boston; 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. 13: 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 & Evangalism, 7:00 in the Church House.

Friday, Nov. 14: Rev. Marks' office hours, 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Women's Guild, 1:00 P.M.

Saturday, Nov. 15: SERVV Sale set-up. Rev. Marks will be the Compact Day speaker at the meeting of The Mass. Society of Mayflower Descendents in Taunton.

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.

Our Congratulations are in order to Hector (Pat) Patenaude who recently celebrated his 90th birthday!

Rev. Marks attended a Library Committee meeting of The American Congregational Association on November 3rd at Andover/Newton Theological School.

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.

Final Report of the Harvest Fair: The sun shown brightly on Fair Day this year and we were rewarded with a great crowd of shoppers. The day went wonderfully well and we realized a profit of over $7,000.00 when all is said and done. Best of all, the weekend was an opportunity for fun and fellowship. The Halloween Dinner Dance was its' usual great time with a marvelous turkey dinner prepared by Tom Healey and Peter McLeod. Ed Pawlowski did his usual professional job of MC'ing the event and the costumes were amazing. I think that the adults have just as much fun as the kids dressing us. If you missed it this year, mark your calendar for next Halloween season and join the fun. My thanks to all who worked so hard to make the weekend a successful fund-raiser. Special thanks to Deborah Porter who chaired the luncheon, which was a great success and Marna Blomberg and Tom Mudgett who co-chaired the drawing. These events represent a lot of extra work and I am fortunate to have such able help. Of course, thanks are also in order for the table leaders who really got into the swing of things this year. Finally, my thanks to all who donated items, bought items or helped with the fair itself. We could not do it without you. See you next year. Diana Budge.

Thank you to all those who joined us for the Crop Walk last Sunday. It was a great event and a beautiful day and close to $2000.00 was raised in support of worldwide hunger relief programs (25% of which stays right here in Plymouth). Great job everyone!

The Women's Guild will meet on November 14, 2003 at 1:00 P.M. Rosalee Sinn, will be the Guest Speaker and she will be talking about missions.

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.

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.

Hymnal Update: Our new hymnal. Please look for information about dedicating one (or more) of our new hymnals, in the church foyer.

The Nominating Committee will hold a brief meeting in the Pastor's Study immediately following the service on Nov. 16.

COMING EVENTS

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

Nov. 18: Board of Trustees Meeting, 7:00 P.M. in the Church House.

Nov. 25: Rev. Marks will speak to a group of 150 from San Antonio, Texas in the church sanctuary.
The Advisory Board will meet, 7:00 P.M. in the Church House.

Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Day

Ecumenical Service at First parish (U.U.) Church, 10:30 A.M.
Pilgrims Progress, 10:00 A.M.
Open House at The Church of the Pilgrimage, 10:00 A.M.-1:00 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.