Dear Friends,

I have long maintained that the boards and committees of our churches have a spiritual obligation to try to discern the will of God for the church in their work. This was surely the position of the founders of our type of church government who were considered by their critics as violating the Sabbath in holding "business" meetings after worship on Sundays. In defense of a church based upon a covenant John Robinson said the following regarding the business of the church:

The whole proceeding we make, and use ordinarily on the Lord's day, as being properly the Lord's work, a work of religion, directly respecting the soul, and conscience: and of spiritual nature, as being an administration of Christ's kingdom which is not of this world. (John Robinson, Works III, p. 137).

This founding principle of our form of governing the church came to mind when I read a similar idea in an article which, I am sure, was unaware of John Robinson and the "popular" government of the church. The article said, "At church meetings, we often expect the pastor to pray bookend prayers-one at the beginning and one at the end-but then it's business as usual." The author adds, "Spiritual discernment is essential to the church, but it has been buried for years." (Leadership Journal, Fall, 2001, p. 44).

A study, funded by the Lily Foundation, was recently conducted on the ways congregations make decisions. Noticeably absent in a control group was a concentration on spirituality and discernment. Most leaders in the church assume that God is guiding what they do. But, the study showed, with the influence of business models on church planning and administration, the plans God has for a congregation are sometimes by-passed for the sake of efficiency.

It is true that often we forget that all the activities of the church are to reflect our belief and trust in God. We are to seek the "mind of God" in whatever we do. We are to be guided by our confidence that the church has a special role to play in the world and that its deliberations and decisions are to be made always with an eye toward our spiritual call and obligations. Our work as boards, committees and as a congregation is a matter of spiritual discipline, it is a part of what we call spirituality being extended into our "business." In other words, we are to bring the vision of the so-called "heavenly city" to bear upon our conduct of our worldly affairs.

Seeking the "mind of God" in the conduct of our business means that our business is never an end in itself, but a means by which we attempt to bring honor to God. All our business is to be spiritual and, therefore, even in otherwise quite mundane matters, we are the means God uses to express God's grace and love. That makes our work business as "unusual."
May we seek always to discern what plans God has for our congregation. That is our work, our spiritual duty.

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. Reception of New Members.

Youth Worship Service-10:00 A.M. in the Church House.

The Pulpit Flowers are in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Jenkins and Jack Thom given by Ruth Thom and Family.

Greeters: Boy Scouts.

The Children will attend Church School following the Youth Worship Service.

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

Confirmands and parents will meet from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in Allerton Hall.

Youth Group: Movie night with popcorn and discussion, 7:00-8:30 p.m. in Allerton Hall.

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized: Ruth Lowry, Don Tracy-Jordan Hospital.

Recuperating after a stay at Mass. General: Ruth Thom.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, Feb 2—Rev. Marks will be preaching. Communion will be a part of this service. New Members will be received into the church. Youth worship service in the Church House at 10:00 A.M. Nominating Committee will meet at 11:30 a.m. in the Mayflower Room.

Monday, Feb 3— Aerobics 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.; Girl Scouts 6:00-7:30 P.M. Church House. Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship (see notes)-6:30 p.m. in Allerton Hall.

Tuesday, Feb 4-- Rev. Marks office hours, 9:30-11:30 A.M.; Dan's office hours 1:00-3:00P.M; Stewardship Committee Meeting-7:00 in the Mayflower Room.

Wednesday, Feb 5— 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, Feb 6— 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.; Church Council Meeting-7:30 P.M. in the Mayflower Room.

Friday, Feb 7—Rev. Mark's Office Hours, 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Aerobics-9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M.

Saturday, Feb. 8-- Overeaters Anonymous- 9:30-11:30 A.M.-Church House; Organ Workshop in the sanctuary from 9:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M.; Cub Scout Blue & Gold Dinner in Allerton Hall - set up 12:30-3:30 P.M., Dinner 4:00 P.M.-6:30 P.M.

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. Please call, too, if you are aware of any situations for which pastoral attention would be helpful.

Gary and Kathy Marks had a wonderful time last weekend (January 24-26) in Philadelphia. It was a welcome and elegant get-away, and a special scholarship award presented to Gary, but it was also a time which brought attention to The Church of the Pilgrimage through its pastor. The church played a special role in the Pilgrim Story and it continues to do so in its contemporary ministry. Gary and Kathy also paid a visit to life-long church member Jessie Miskelley who lives near the Philadelphia Country Club where the luncheon/award ceremony was held. You'll hear more about the special weekend as time goes by.

Even as new members are being received into the congregation on February 2nd, Rev. Marks is looking forward to the next class. If you are interested in church membership, please speak to Rev. Marks or call the church office.

A word about office hours: The ministers list office hours so that you'll know of times when they generally are in the office. You can most often find them on days listed in the Herald and may visit them or call them on those days and times. Of course, they are in the office at other times and an appointment can always be made with either minister at a mutually convenience time. The ministers are available to you and hope to hear from you.

Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship Movie and Valentine Craft Night, Feb. 3, 2003 in Allerton Hall at 6:30 P.M. Please bring scissors, glue and small decorations for a Valentine Craft project to be delivered to the nursing homes. I would like to thank all who participated in the Pie and Cookie Sale two weeks ago. It was a rousing success and generated a substantial profit to be used for various needs of the church. Particularly I would like to express my appreciation to those who took time to bake pies with me on the Saturday preceding the sale. We had a good time and only wish that more had been able to join us.

Knitting News-Those interested in learning how to knit or would just like to join me for an evening of fellowship, help finishing projects or sharing their expertise are invited to my home on the second Tuesday of February-2/11/03 at 7:00 P.M. at 15 Oak Street. If you need information or directions, please feel free to call me at 508-746-4514. We had a great time last month and hope to make this a monthly affair.

Help! Hold these dates, March 15-16. The choir is looking for host families to house college students from the University of Connecticut for one overnight stay here in Plymouth. These students, including Jonathan Richter, are members of Concert Choir at the university. They will be participating in our morning worship service and presenting a concert on Sunday afternoon. If you would like to host one or more students please see me in church or contact me at home. Thanks. Linda Kegel

The Church of the Pilgrimage is very fortunate to have many Senior Members who work throughout the year on the Church's behalf. Many of them work behind the scenes and do not receive the proper credit for all that they do. Accordingly, The Board of Trustees is celebrating our Seniors with a Valentine's Day Luncheon on Friday, February 14, in Allerton Hall at 1:00 P.M. All Church Seniors are invited and we look forward to seeing you all. To make reservations please contact the Church Office, Diana Budge or Dave Cowie!!! Or, sign-up on Sunday during Coffee Hour!

SAVE THE DATES: The Board of Trustees is planning several fundraiser dinners this winter with lots of fun for everyone:

March 28, 2003 (snow date March 29)-The Church of the Pilgrimage ANNUAL TALENT SHOW and DINNER!! Sign up begins in February. This has always been a fun event with a delicious dinner. We can't have a Talent Show without talent-if you can sing, recite poetry, dance, play an instrument, etc., let us know. Acts will include single and/or group performances. Dave Cowie will be directing this year's Show. There will be minimal rehearsal time involved; there are no age restrictions. If you have any questions, please see Davie Cowie or call him at (508) 759-4499. WE NEED YOU!!!

May 17, 2003-The Church of the Pilgrimage ANNUAL TIME AND TALENT AUCTION AND DINNER! You'll have a chance to donate your services, talents, etc. and also have a chance to bid on some of the items being offered. Sign up begins in April but we wanted to give you notice in case you wanted to donate a long-time project, such as a quilt. There are always lots of items to bid on including week-ends, dinners, bakery goods, baby sitting, yard work-let your imagination help you decide what time of talent you can provide.
The Church Council will meet on Thursday, February 6, 2003 at 7:30 P.M. Reminder for all boards and committees to send their representative.

The Women's Guild program for February 14 is being replaced by the Senior Members Valentine's Day Luncheon (see prior note concerning the luncheon). The Guild will hold a brief business meeting on Friday, February 14, 2003 at 12:45 P.M. before the luncheon.
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

Feb. 12: Rev. Marks will attend a meeting at The Mass. Conference Center in Framingham.

Feb. 14: Valentine's Day. Seniors' Dinner (see notes).

Feb. 18: The Board of Trustees will meet, 7:00 P.M., Mayflower Room.

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.