Dear Friends,

The Annual Meeting of The Church of the Pilgrimage was held on May 18, 2003 in the Church's sanctuary. Thus, that meeting was the 383rd such meeting held since 1620 on or near where our church building now stands. We trace our origins, of course, to the "owning of the Covenant" among a group of pious and determined Separatists in Scrooby, England in 1606. That group made its way to Amsterdam, Holland and eventually to Leyden where the Rev. John Robinson was called to be the pastor of the congregation in 1609. When the first annual meeting of the congregation was held in Plymouth, New England in 1620 Robinson was technically still the minister of the church, though he was never able to join his beloved people who made a daring and faithful "errand into the wilderness" on behalf of their firm behalf that God was guiding their ministry and work.

I cast the Annual Meeting, 2003 against this historic backdrop as a means of attesting to the proven vitality of the covenanted and so called "Congregational Way," and in order to make a contemporary statement about the ministry of our congregation here and through its mission programs throughout the world.

During the time of the settlement of Plymouth the world was experiencing enormous challenges and was caught up in a swirl of culturally altering events which were to frame the world's thinking for many generations. I argue that our's is also a time of great cultural upheaval which is every bit as profound as those of 1606, 1609 and 1620. The depth of commitment on our part, therefore, must be just as deep as those who have bequeathed to us such a brave legacy of faith which helped to define no only a single church, but a nation and, indeed, has helped to supply ideals which pertain still in our "global village."

Our annual meeting on May 18th seemed to me to reflect the Pilgrim spirit. Not everyone agreed among the congregation in Leyden in the 1600's about what was to become the famed pilgrimage, but in the majority consensus all agreed to work together to implement the consent of the "major part." We still believe that the best means of ascertaining the will of God is in coming to consensus and working together to achieve the will of the majority, the Lord assisting us.

We, of course, have challenges ahead of us as a congregation, but challenges are also opportunities for ministry. Challenges accepted and realized has defined who we are, just as it's defined our forbears in undertaking what was to become the voyage of the Mayflower and all that modest beginning has meant to the world.

God is able to use small beginnings based upon a reasonable faith to accomplish great things beyond our ability to see all the results of our prayerful decisions. This was the faith of the Pilgrims. It is our faith, too, as we continue the pilgrimage which gives us strength and courage as we seek to give voice to God's eternal and redemption Word.

Love,

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

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

The Pulpit Flowers are in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Richard T. Eldridge given by the family.

The Flowers on the right side are in loving memory of Mrs. Elsie Raymond given by her children, Charlotte Cavicchi and Robert Raymond.

No church school. Children will be dismissed downstairs to Allerton Hall following a Time for Teaching for the remainder of the service. Marikler from Guatemala will show slides and talk to the children about what Heifer is doing in her country.

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

CHURCH RECORD

Recuperating at home after a brief hospital stay, Laura Sampson.
Recuperating at the Beverly Manor after a brief hospital stay, Alice Voght.

Baptism:
On May 18, 2003, Luke Michael Camarao, son of Antonio and Trina (Gilarde) Camarao, was baptized during the morning worship service.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, May 25: Rev. Gary Marks will be preaching. .

Monday, May 26: MEMORIAL DAY-The church office will be closed. Aerobics 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M; Girl Scouts-6:00-7:30 P.M. Church House.

Tuesday, May 27: Rev. Marks' office hours 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.- Noon; Lunch Bunch, Noon in the Mayflower Room; Advisory Board Meeting, 7:00 P.M. in the Mayflower Room.

Wednesday, May 28: Rev. Dan's office hours 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.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; Evening Prayer Service - 7:00 P.M. in the Sanctuary; Choir Rehearsal - 7:30 P.M.

Thursday, May 29: Rev. Dan's office hours Noon-2:00P.M.; Girl Scout Troop 1227-6:00-7:15 Church House; Aerobics-6:45 P.M.-7:45 P.M.

Friday, May 30: Rev. Marks' office hours, 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Aerobics-9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M.; Time/Talent Auction and Dinner-6:30 P.M. in Allerton Hall; Wedding Rehearsal in the Sanctuary at 6:30 P.M.

Saturday, May 31: Overeaters Anonymous- 9:45-11:30 A.M.-Church House; Memorial Service for Dorothy Post in the sanctuary at 11:00 A.M.; Wedding in the Sanctuary at 3:30 P.M.

PLEASE NOTE

Please call the church office if you are aware of someone who is to be hospitalized. This is especially important with the new rules now in place in hospitals regarding patient confidentiality. Please let Rev. Marks know, too, if you are aware of anyone in need of pastoral care of any kind.

Membership Classes-Rev. Marks will soon be contacting those who have expressed an interest in church membership. He ha had difficulty finding a mutually convenient time to hold the meetings. In the meantime, if you would like to become a church member, please let Re. Marks know or call the church office.

The Membership and Evangelism Committee reminds all in Sunday worship to sign and pass the pew pads each Sunday. The pads help us to identify visitors and potential new members as well as giving us information about attendance.

Also, please remember that there is a "Prayer Request Box in the upper vestibule right outside the sanctuary. The attractive box is on a stand and contains cards on which you may write your requests. Prayer requests may be made and addressed to the ministers or, if appropriate, for including in the Pastoral Prayer during the service.

We thank the young people who assisted with Crib Room duties during the Annual Meeting on May 18th.

Due to Memorial Day, Rev. Dan's Evening Bible Study is being moved to Monday, June 2nd at 7:00 P.M. in the Mayflower Room. Lunch Bunch will still meet on Tuesday, May 27th, however. Acts 1-2 will be discussed.

The Annual Time & Talent Auction & Dinner is Friday evening, May 30, 2003 at 6:30 P.M. Time is running out to sign up for the Time & Talent Auction. We need your help with donations of services, items for auction or any other ideas that you may have that you wish to have included in an exciting night of competitive bidding. Sign ups for the dinner and the last date for turning in items for auction will be Sunday, May 25th after service. If you have taken a sign up sheet, please return it by that date of call me at home and I will be glad to fill one out for you. Dinner prices are: $8 per adult, $4 per child, $20 maximum for a family. Menu: Ham and Baked Beans, Cole Slaw and Apple Pie. Don't miss the fun!!!! You will love it. Diana Budge-(508) 746-4514.

Plant Sale June 7 2003, Courtyard Place, 124 Long Pond Road from 9:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. (Rain Or Shine). Please pot all plants from your garden now as they go into shock and need to recuperate before the sale, to look nice. Mark what they are as we don't always know the name of every plant. Anyone wishing to help out selling, marking and helping carry plants are most welcome and be at Steve Triffletti's parking lot on Long Pond Road by 8:00 A.M. Also, anyone who has plants but cannot dig them up call me at (508) 224-7296 and Tom and I will be happy to dig them up and pot them.

Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship: All women of the church are invited to attend the Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship Annual Banquet to be held Monday June 2, 2003 at 6:00 p.m. at Bobby Hackett's Restaurant in North Pembroke. The cost for the dinner is $20.00 per person. The deadline for signing up is Sunday, May 25th. Please call Marna Blomberg, at (781) 826-2543 to make reservations or if you wish to car pool.

The New Hymnal! The Music Committee has appointed William Harting and Louise Brown as a subcommittee to prepare our church's material for the new hymnal supplement, based largely on the results from the hymn favorites questionnaire. We are beginning copyright research and will post progress reports frequently, we hope.

The Church of the Pilgrimage Annual Golf Tournament June 14 @ Squirrel Run Country Club- 1 P.M. shot gun start--cost of $75--includes golf and dinner, choice of chicken/rib combo or fillet of sole. Even if you don't golf, come to dinner at 5 pm and join in the fun. Dinner only is $16. Hole sponsorships are $50 each. If you own a business or wish to sponsor as a family or group please consider this: "Friends and members of the church" hole is only $10. Bring your friends and enter your own foursome or sign up as an individual. Please consider supporting this major fundraiser any way you can. Sign up during coffee hour or call Ed Pawlowski @ 508-746-2819. Thank You For Your Support. (We Still Need Raffle Items!)

Spring clean-up day at the Parsonage is coming. Put June 22nd on your calendar. Show up at the Parsonage at 1:00 P.M. and bring your garden tools. More information to follow. Thank you, Debby Porter.

The Summer Sale will open on Tuesday, July 1, 2003. Donated items will be received beginning Monday, June 16 in the morning between 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. in the Church House. There will be two sorting rooms, one for household goods and toys and one for clothing and linens. Remember that all donations should be in good and clean condition, or new. A team of volunteers will host this indoor sale Monday-Friday morning in July and through the better part of August.

Greeters are needed for the month of June. Please call the church office to volunteer.

HEIFER PROJECT INTERNATIONAL
May 25 is Final Heifer Sunday at Church of the Pilgrimage

If you are staying in town for the holiday weekend, you have a treat in store when you come to church on Sunday. It is the final Heifer International week and there will be animals from Overlook Farm. Other special guests will be Alberto Vallejo, who will be bringing the animals. Alberto is from Columbia and has been at the Church of the Pilgrimage several times. Marikler Giron from Guatemala will also be with us. Marikler worked in Guatemala for eight years as the regional secretary. During that time she worked closely with Heifer project holders. Marikler will wear her cultural dress and will talk to the children during "A Time for Teaching". Then she will be meeting with the church school downstairs in Allerton Hall during the remainder of the service. She will show slides and talk to the children about what Heifer is doing in her country. The Church of the Pilgrimage has contributed to Heifer for more than twenty years. Thanks to all the folks who have contributed to this year's campaign. We have a little over $800.00. We are looking forward to receiving other pledges on Sunday. Look for the Heifer table during coffee hour and sign up to help the hungry through gifts of farm animals and spread peace around the world through Heifer International. PS: If you can't be present on Sunday, send an email to office@8townsquare.org telling the mission committee of what your pledge will be.

Coming Events

June 7: Plant Sale. (See notes).

June 14: Golf Tournament. (See notes).

June 15: Youth Sunday

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.