Dear Friends,

As I have been saying in these letters and elsewhere, I have been trying to keep a routine of following the Daily Offices of Prayer found in a book entitled Celtic Daily Prayer. The prayer book was developed by people of faith called The Northumbria Community. In fact, the prayer book is still in the process of development. It is centered in the harsh setting of Lindisfarne on the northern coast of England, not far south of Scotland. Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island, is an island at high tide only. At low tide there is a causeway created over which pilgrims to the holy place have made their journey for generations.

The first abbot (holy person) of Lindisfarne was St. Aidan who arrived from Iona in Scotland to preach the gospel in 635 A.D. I'd like to say more of what we know about Aidan and his successor St. Cuthbert, but that will have to await an occasion other than this letter. For now let it suffice to say that there is a power of faith palpable, almost, as a modern day pilgrim sets foot and spirit in that holy place. I was on Lindisfarne (Holy Island) for only about four hours in the summer of 2001, but its spiritual power echoes daily through the canyons of my soul.

The modern day Northumbria Community follows the spiritual impulse of Holy Island begun by St. Aidan in 635 A.D., but not in the sense of being a part of a monastery as we may think of that word. The "Companions in Community" are scattered far and wide. They come from all church traditions and, in some cases, no church tradition at all. They are people covenanted together, they are journeying alone and together, seeking and exploring a new monasticism. Details of how they seek to accomplish this "new monasticism" will, again, have to await another occasion.

I've been following the Daily Offices during Lent and I shall try to keep to that routine every day. I have, therefore, begun this ancient Christian practice at a very troubled time in human history, a dangerous time which desperately cries out for God's Word of hospitality, service and peace, all hallmarks of ancient and new monasticism. The world needs for us to pray, to be disciplined in spirituality, to focus upon God, Christ and the Holy Spirit in order for people to see the sanctity of life amid our errant and destructive selves. A focus upon God keeps us from focus solely upon our own narrowness. Think upon this prayer in Celtic tradition as a new focus for your life.

God to enfold me, God to surround me,
God in my speaking, God in my thinking,
God in my sleeping, God in my waking,
God in my watching, God in my hoping,
God in my life, God in my lips,
God in my soul, God in my heart,
God in my sufficing, God in my slumber,
God in mine ever-living soul,
God in my eternity. (Carmina Gaedelica).

Love,

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

Sunday, April 6, 2003-Fifth Sunday in Lent

Morning Worship-10:00 A.M. Rev. Gary Marks preaching.

Greeters: Diane and Dave Cowie

Ushers: Bob Brown, David Kegel, Pat and Peter McLeod.

Deacon of the Month: John McNicholas

Youth Worship Service-10:00 A.M. in the Church House. The Children will attend Church School following the service.

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

Nominating Committee will meet following worship in the Pastor's Study.

Confirmation Class will meet in the Mayflower Room at 5:00 P.M. Bring clothes for Yoga.

CHURCH RECORD

Recuperating at home following a recent hospitalization, Barbara Triffletti.

Baptism:
On March 30, 2003, Krystal Louise Tyrie, daughter of Diane (Glowka) and Darryl Tyrie was baptized during the service of worship.

Wedding:
On March 29, 2003, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Jon Anthony Weaver and Kathryn Niemi in the sanctuary.

THIS WEEK

Reminder: On, Saturday, April 5, 2003 The Pilgrim Festival Chorus will be in concert in the sanctuary at 7:30 P.M.

Sunday, Apr 6—Rev. Gary Marks will be preaching. Nominating Committee Meeting in the Pastor's Study following the service.

Monday, Apr 7— Rev. Dan will be out of the office; Aerobics 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M; Girl Scouts-6:00-7:30 P.M. Church House; Evening Bible Study - 7:00 P. M. in the Mayflower Room; Women's Fellowship-7:00 P.M. in Allerton Hall (see notes).

Tuesday, Apr 8-- Rev. Marks' office hours 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Rev. Dan office hours 10:00 A.M.- Noon; Aerobics-6:45-7:45 P.M.; Safe Church Committee Meeting-7:00 P.M. in the Mayflower Room.

Wednesday, Apr 9— Rev. Dan's office hours 1:00 P.M.-3:00 P.M.; Aerobics - 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. Allerton Hall; Staff Meeting-10:00 A.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; Service of Evening Prayer - 7:00 P.M. in the Sanctuary; Missions & Outreach Committee Meeting -7:00 P.M. at the home of Bonnie Peck; Choir Rehearsal - 7:30 P.M.

Thursday, Apr 10— Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.-Noon; Girl Scout Troop 1227-6:00-7:15 Church House; Aerobics-6:45 P.M.-7:45 P.M.; Membership & Evangelism Meeting-7:00 P.M. in the Mayflower Room.

Friday, Apr 11—Rev. Marks' Office Hours, 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Aerobics-9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M.

Saturday, Apr 12-- Overeaters Anonymous- 9:45-11:30 A.M.-Church House.

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.

Reservations for the Palm Sunday Communion Breakfast will be taken during Coffee Hour on April 6th. Reservations may also be made by calling the church office until Wednesday, April 9th. Cost of the tickets are $6.00 per person or $12.00 for a family. The cost should not be a factor for anyone wishing to attend. Let Rev. Marks know. We encourage you to attend and children are quite welcome to attend. The breakfast is at 8:00 A.M. in Allerton Hall on April 13.

The ministers are holding an Evening Prayer Service on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 P.M. in the sanctuary. A Celtic Office of Evening Prayer will be followed. The services are less than a half hour in length. Please feel welcome to attend these services.

One Great Hour of Sharing Fish Boxes may still be returned to church on this coming Sunday or up until Easter. We thank all who have returned the boxes which do so much good.

Membership Classes-Rev. Marks hopes to hold a series of three membership classes following Easter. If you are interested in church membership, please speak to Rev. Marks or call the church office.

May 17, 2003-The Church of the Pilgrimage ANNUAL TIME AND TALENT AUCTION AND DINNER! Sign-ups will begin the first Sunday in April. If you have any questions, particularly if you are new to the congregation please feel free to call me at (508) 746-4514. Diana Budge.

Olan Mills -The final photo session will be April 24th from 3:00 to 9:20 P.M. There are still many time slots available. IF YOU HAVE NOT SIGNED UP YET OR NEED TO RESCHEDULE please call the office. Please submit any photographs you have of college students who cannot make it home for pictures and photos of any church event you have, etc. to The Membership and Evangelism Committee as soon as possible. Thank you.

Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship-program for Monday evening, April 7 at 7:00 P.M. is "Book Report Night". Please dress up in costume to represent a character in the book you selected.

Evening Bible Study-April 7, 2003 at 7:00 P.M. in the Mayflower Room. Focus passage is Mark 14:1-16:8.

Budget Committee -Budget Committee, Monday, April 14th, 7:30 P.M. in the Mayflower Room. All Board and Committees are to have their proposed budgets turned in by Monday, April 14th.

Memorial Lilies-The joyous Easter season is fast approaching. By your loving donation of Easter lilies, we can enhance the beauty of our church on Easter morning. Sign up in the lower vestibule following the service on the next three Sundays, or call the church office. There will be an insert listing the donors and those memorialized in the Easter week Herald. The suggested price for a multi-flowered, replantable lily is $15.00. The flowers may be donated to shut-ins or picked up after the 11:00 A.M. Easter Sunday Service on Sunday, April 20. Volunteers will be welcomed to take flowers to shut-ins following that service.

Summer Sale Reminder - Please keep the Summer Sale in mind when doing your spring cleaning! Watch for more information concerning the Summer Sale in up-coming Heralds.

COMING EVENTS: PLANT SALE JUNE 7 2003 (RAIN OR SHINE). This is a church wide fund raising project, but it is also a pleasant social event (if it doesn't rain). If you have not already done so please look around your yard for plants (ground covers, seedlings from perennials, and other plants you do not need or want). Please pot them up for sale. Mark your calendars to come to Courtyard Place, 124 Long Pond Road on the morning of June 7, from 9:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. even if you only want to see what goes on. You might just find the plant you really want. Call Pat Mudgett if you have any questions or want to help. (508) 224-7206.

Plymouth Special Olympics is sponsoring our very own Rev. Dan Spacek in the 2003 Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21. Please see the enclosed insert for details to help support this cause and plan to eat at Pizzeria Uno in the Independence Mall on Thursday, April 17 from 11:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. GO DAN!

Greeters for Sunday Morning Services are needed! Please call Pam in the church office to learn of an upcoming Sunday which needs greeters. Currently, greeters are needed for the month of May.

Coffee Hour -we still need volunteers to prepare for Sunday morning Coffee Hours. There is a sign-up sheet in Allerton Hall.

Coming Events

Apr. 13: Palm Sunday-Palm Sunday Communion Breakfast, 8:00 A.M. (see notes for details).
Apr. 15: Maundy Thursday rehearsal in the sanctuary, 7:30 P.M.
Apr. 17: Maundy Thursday-Office of Tenebrae- in the sanctuary, 7:30 P.M.
Apr. 18: Good Friday. Service in the sanctuary, 7:00 P.M.
Apr. 20: Easter Sunday. Sunrise Service on Cole's Hill, 6:00 A.M. Two services at The Church of the Pilgrimage, 9:00 and 11:00 A.M.
May 5: Mother-Daughter Dinner.

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.