Dear Friends,

Memorial Day, 2003 has come and gone. Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of the summer season, though our gloomy, rainy and cool weather has provided little to suggest that summer has arrived! As I write this letter the gloom continues and the weather reports are for more of the same for the next several days. As Charlie Brown would say as though speaking for me concerning my attitude toward the weather conditions, "Rats!"

On Memorial Day I spent several hours preparing a funeral service for a friend and on that evening, during the pouring rain, I conducted the funeral service for Alice Voght, a kind of gloomy duty spent on one of many gloomy days. When I returned from the funeral service I watched the news and saw pictures of dampened Memorial Day parades and those weather conditions didn't seem much better in Washington, D.C. where the president made annual pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at The Arlington National Cemetery, there to place the wreath in solemn gratitude. I am always moved by that ceremony and am each time reminded of the sacrifices made by thousands of men and women for the nation. On Memorial Day I always pause to remember the cost which has been paid by so many, mainly young people, whose lives were shortened for their defense of our nation.

Still, the date for this issue of The Pilgrimage Herald is June 1st and I will optimistically assume, based upon thousands of years of precedent, that the weather will one day include sun and warmth. I am looking personally forward to my vacation time in July when I hope to relax and continue my study of Celtic Spirituality. That's nice to think about on a day when the brisk east wind drives the cold of the Atlantic through drizzle well inland.

Actually, there are many reasons to rejoice, no matter the weather conditions. I am pleased that our beloved congregation is alive and vital, ever attracting people who are seeking a spiritual home. I am pleased, too, that in the near future we will be accepting another large class of new members. It is gratifying to observe boards and committees grapple with challenges as opportunities for service to God. It is encouraging to see people of all ages in the congregation growing in their spirituality and working together with cheerfulness and joy to bring Christian values to bear upon the confusions which so characterize our time. I look forward to Church School Day and the Confirmation of some of our outstanding young people. I continue to give thanks for having a collegial and able Dan Spacek with whom to share the pastoral leadership of a terrific congregation. I further hope to have planning time for worship services and study opportunities during the summer.

So, the weather may indeed be gloomy for a spell, but I am buoyed by renewed hopes for our spiritual life as a congregation and I am grateful for the sunshine of faith.

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.

Greeters: Barbara and Ray Quinn

The Pulpit Flowers are in loving memory of Mr. Joseph H. O'Donnell, Mr. & Mrs. Harold W. Baker, Mrs. Mildred O'Donnell and Mrs. Frances Connelly given by the family.

Deacon of the Month: Marylyn Colburn

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.

Brief Nominating Committee Meeting in the sanctuary following the Service.

CHURCH RECORD

Recuperating at home after a brief stay at the Jordan Hospital, Judy Coutts.

Wedding:
On May 24, 2003 Jason P. Hoyt and Natalie Allen were married in the church sanctuary. Rev. Marks was assisted in the service by the bride's uncle, the Rev. Henry Morris, a Lutheran minister from New Haven.

In Memoriam:
On Memorial Day, May 26, 2003, Rev. Marks conducted a funeral service for Alice Voght. Our sympathies are extended to Alice's family and to her many friends.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, June 1: Rev. Gary Marks will be preaching. Communion will be a part of the service. There will be a brief organizational meeting of the Nominating Committee in the sanctuary immediately following the Service.

Monday, June 2: Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.-Noon; Aerobics 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M; Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship Annual Banquet at 6:00 p.m. at Bobby Hackett's Restaurant in North Pembroke; Girl Scouts-6:00-7:30 P.M. Church House; Rev. Dan's Evening Bible Study, 7:00 P.M. in the Mayflower Room, Acts 1:15-2:21 will be discussed.

Tuesday, June 3: Rev. Marks' office hours 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.- Noon.

Wednesday, June 4: 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; Christian Ed and Sunday School Teachers Meeting-7:30 P.M. in the Mayflower Room; Choir Rehearsal - 7:30 P.M.

Thursday, June 5: 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, June 6: Rev. Marks' office hours, 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Aerobics-9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M.;

Saturday, June 7: Graduation Day. Overeaters Anonymous- 9:45-11:30 A.M.-Church House; Plant Sale Courtyard Place, 124 Long Pond Road from 9:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. (Rain Or Shine).

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. In the meantime, if you would like to become a church member, please let Rev. Marks know or call the church office.

The Office of Evening Prayer Services will continue at least until June 11th. If interest continues for such services, they will resume in the fall.

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.

Though May is passed, Heifer Project continues to receive your donations. Checks may be made out to H.P.I. and sent to the church office. Also, on June 28 from 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and June 29, from Noon-5:00 P.M., Heifer International's Overlook Farm in Rutland, MA will host its annual International Fair held rain or shine. There is a $2.00 per person admission charge. Overlook is located at 216 Wachusett St., Rutland, MA. For more information call (508) 888-2221.

End of the year Youth Fellowship Outing to SIX FLAGS will be June 23rd. Chaperones Needed. If interested call Rev. Dan in the church office or e-mail him at Danspacek@yahoo.com.

Confirmands and Sponsors will meet in the sanctuary at noon on June 1st to rehearse for Confirmation Sunday. Then it's off to the Hoyt's for a confirmand/sponsor picnic starting at 1:00 P.M.

The deadline to sign-up for the Guild banquet at Jamie's in Manomet is June 4th. Please call Lillian Knowles if you have not signed up.

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.

Knitting Evening-Second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at 15 Oak St. Come if you are a knitter or if you would like to learn to knit. Join us for knitting and fellowship. Telephone Diana Budge at 508- 746-4514.

HARVEST FAIR
This year the Harvest Fair is planned for the last Saturday in October as usual. Some of the tables being discussed are as follows:

Attic Treasures - This year, because of space constraints, we will be including only glassware and decorative items. Keep this in mind when you are doing your spring and fall cleaning. Gerry Allen is in charge of this table and will be glad to hear from you if you have any of these items that you wish to donate.
Book Nook - As in years past we will be glad to receive your once loved books, both adults and children's books are welcome. Linda Saunders is the contact person for this table.
Bake Table - One of our most popular tables, please start thinking of your contributions and contact Hildegard Schimpf or Diane Cowie if you have any questions or any new ideas for them.
Knitting Table - Sweaters, hats and mittens of all sizes including baby sized are welcome. Come to the knitters evenings if you are interested in learning to knit to contribute to this table. Contact Diana Budge for contributions or questions.
American Girl Doll Table - 18 inch doll clothes and accessories will be available and we are in need of a leader for this table. Laura Sampson has agreed to help anyone who will take on this table. Some clothes have already been made. Call Diana Budge if you would like to volunteer.
Linens and Things - Doilies, runners, tablecloths, napkins and pillow cases or other decorative linens are welcome and we hope that you will keep Gail David in mind when you are cleaning your linen closets this spring.
Bubbles and Bath - New table this year concentrating on soaps, lotions, bath towels, hand towels, etc. headed by Barbara Northrup. Do you have unused bottles of lotions, fancy soaps, etc. taking up space in your cupboards? Remember this table.
Plant Table - Are you good at making wreaths? We would like to add this to our plant table as well as centerpieces suitable for Thanksgiving. Please call Betsy Randall if you can help.
Country Store - Our most successful table last year, we would like to encourage those who make preserves, pickles, jams or jellies to remember us. Breads, candies, etc. and anything else that you think fits this category would be welcome. Contact Shirley Axon for donations or questions.
Calico Corner - All needlework items fit here. Children's cloths, tableware, aprons, scarves, quilts, you name it. Julie Macuch will appreciate your help.
Holiday Table - We need all the crafty people to help Betty and Kristen Sanders with this table. Decorations for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Xmas are needed in large supply. Small items that are homemade or bought are fine and will be appreciated.
Photo Corner - John Blomberg will make available equipment to take pictures of children dressed up in a variety of costumes or grownup clothes. Do you have old hats, gloves, dresses, costumes, jewelry or shoes that would make these special pictures?
These are some of the tables suggested and there may very well be more. I have not added the coffee corner and children's section as well as Liisa Budge's jewelry table. We will have a very busy fair and can use all of your help. Please call any of the table leaders mentioned above if you can help in any way. We need to make this a financial success in order to make up for some of the shortages we are experiencing. I look forward to hearing from many of you in the near future. We will keep you posted as to progress as we go along

Coming Events

June 8: The Confirmation Class will be received.

June 13: Guild Luncheon, Jamie's in Manomet. (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.