Dear Friends,

As many of you know I have been studying Celtic Christianity and have been using Celtic insights in my own spiritual life. The Office of Evening Prayer Services which I initiated have been based on those Celtic Christians and upon ordinary Christian people today who seek the spiritual life in that great tradition. Much of the Celtic impulse to seek Christ's way is based upon an even more ancient type of spirituality practiced in Egypt by a group known simply as the Desert Fathers and Mothers. One of the insights from those ancient Christians came to mind as I contemplated the role of the church in an increasing secular world. It follows:

The Holy Fathers came together and spoke of what would happen in the last generation. One of them called Squirion said, 'we now desire to fulfill the commandments of God.' Then the Fathers asked him: 'What about those who will come after us?' He replied: 'Perhaps half will desire to keep God's commandments, and will seek the Eternal God.' And the Fathers asked: 'Those who come after these, what shall they do?' He replied and said: 'The men of that generation will not have the desire of God's commandments. At that time wickedness will overflow and the charity of many will grow cold. And there shall come upon them a terrible testing. Those who shall be found worthy in this testing will be better than we are and better than our fathers.
(In Celtic Daily Prayer, p. 431).

As we have celebrated Church School Sunday and Confirmation recently I was thinking about this 4th century observation. I thought of it, too, as I think upon our worship and the conduct of the church's business through our boards, committees, study groups, etc. We as church people exist today in a time of testing, a time when the vast majority of people do not seem to desire the commandments of God. That makes our work all the more important than it has been in our past. It also is work that should fill us with joy as we learn and teach our young to learn to value the eternal things of God.

The values of the eternal things of God must be kept alive for the sake of a world which has drifted dangerously away from those values. The eternal things of God give integrity and hope to a world which will founder upon its own greed and arrogance without those values.

In everything we do we should keep the eternal things of God in mind as we conduct our quite worldly affairs. If we fail to do that, we become just like the world in which eternal things have been neglected or forgotten altogether. Our challenge and our joy is to keep God's commandments alive. Nothing we do is more important than that.

Love,

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

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

Greeters: Judi and Warren Besagai

The Pulpit Flowers are in loving memory of George Randall given by the family.

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

There will be no regular Church School classes until fall. Younger children, 3rd grade and under, are invited to attend a Bible Story/Craft Hour downstairs in Allerton Hall following their dismissal from the worship service. Older children are to remain in worship.

Greeters are needed for all of July and August. Please call the church office to volunteer to greet.

Summer Hours: M-F 9:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M.

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized: William Snyder and Nancy Scheid at the Jordan.

Baptism:
On June 15, 2003, Sophia Christine Karnolt, daughter of Stephen and Christine (Alicandro) Karnolt was baptized during the worship service.

Wedding:
On June 14, 2003, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Adam Philip Porter and Laura Ann Hull in the church sanctuary. Our best wishes and prayers are with Adam and Laura as they begin their married life.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, June 22: Rev. Marks preaching. Chamber Rehearsal in the sanctuary 1:00 P.M.; Parsonage Clean-Up Day at 1:00 P.M. at 20 Newfield St.

Monday, June 23: Rev. Dan's will be taking the Youth Group to Six Flags; Aerobics 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.; Aerobics 6:45 P.M.; Chamber Rehearsal in the sanctuary 7:00 P.M.

Tuesday, June 24: Rev. Marks office hours 9:30-11:30 A.M.; Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M. - Noon; The Advisory Board will meet at 7:00 P.M. in the Mayflower Room; Chamber Concert 8:00 P.M. in the Sanctuary.

Wednesday, June 25 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; Choir Rehearsal - 7:00 P.M.

Thursday, June 26: Rev. Dan's office hours Noon-2:00P.M.; Aerobics-6:45 P.M.-7:45 P.M.

Friday, June 27: Rev. Marks' office hours, 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Aerobics-9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M; Wedding Rehearsals in the sanctuary, 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30 P.M.; Chamber Student Concert 8:30 P.M. in the sanctuary.

Saturday, June 28: Weddings in the sanctuary 12:30, 3:30 and 5:30 P.M.; Chamber Concert in the Sanctuary at 8:00 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. In the meantime, if you would like to become a church member, please let Rev. Marks know or call the church office.

THE DEADLINE FOR HERALD ANNOUNCEMENTS for July is June 23rd. If you have a notice for July, please bring in to the church office by June 23rd.

Remember that there is a Prayer Request Box in the upper vestibule. The box is there for your requests for someone to be remembered during a Sunday service or for inclusion in the prayers of the minister.

Please inform the church office of plans recent graduates have for the future. We want to keep in touch with our graduates and be supportive of them in their future endeavors. The deadline for the July Herald as noted above is June 23rd. Anything received after that date will go in the August Herald.

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. Thank you, Debby Porter.
Gary and Dan thank the Guild for inviting them to the Annual Meeting Luncheon.

We congratulate Rabbi Lawrence Silverman who recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of his ordination. Temple Beth Jacob in Plymouth held a gala celebration in Rabbi Silverman's honor on June 15, 2003.

The Wednesday Office of Evening Prayer services have concluded for the season. The services held great meaning for those who attended. The average attendance was small, between 8 and 10 people, but it was well worth the effort. If there is interest in these prayer services, they will be resumed in the fall.

I would like to thank the congregation and Rev. Marks for allowing me to attend the Church Secretary Conference in Craigville, from June 8-10. It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun and I am once again chairing the committee for next year. Pam McNicholas.

It seems that someone has removed a tape recording from Gary's box in Allerton Hall. It is a tape on Pilgrim history, etc. on which his work receives favorable attention. If anyone removed the tape accidentally, please return it!

The Summer Sale will open on Tuesday, July 1, 2003. Donated items are being received beginning 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.

All Boards and Committees please notify the church office of newly appointed officers to be included in the 2003/2004 Church Directory of Officers, Staff, Board and Committee Members by June 30th.

An Important Note from your Collectors: The new offering envelopes are in and are available for you to pick up in Allerton Hall during Coffee Hour. Thank You!

The Flower Committee announces that there are openings for pulpit flowers on July 13 and July 20. Please call Judy Mitchell at (508) 746-3959 to reserve a date to honor your loved ones with flowers. Also, we are concerned that several checks paid for lilies may have been lost. If you have not received your cancelled check for your lily donation, please call Judy right away. Thank you.

The Music Committee has with regret accepted the resignation of Linda Forbes Brookfield as organist for The Church of the Pilgrimage. Although with us for only a short period, Linda gained many friends and admirers in the congregation, all of whom wish her success as she pursues new challenges. The Music Committee.

Our New Hymnal. Last week we received copyright approvals on two hymns we wish to publish in our supplement, and have received from the printer copies of 16 of the 29 hymns. We have sent the printer the rest of the hymns we intend to publish, and are continuing to pursue copyright permissions. Please ask Louise Brown or Bill Harting for details and updates.

Plant Sale: Thank you all for your help in this year's plant sale. Thanks to everyone's efforts we have the amazing total of $1,500.00. Pat Mudgett

The crib room is looking for volunteers for next year's schedule. In past years we have had enough volunteers so that an individual served every 6 to 8 weeks. There are three adults scheduled to be in there every week so we could really use your help. Also anyone interested in being on a back up list please see me; it would be helpful to have a list of pinch hitters. Sign up is in the crib room. Please visit us there, see me at church or call me at home (508) 747-7168) for more information. Jenny Healy.

Summer Craft and Story Hour sign up will be after church on June 22in Allerton Hall. In keeping with safe church recommendations we are aiming for two volunteers a week. Maintaining programming is an important part of a child's education and fellowship here and an important factor in bringing families to church in the summer. Thank you for your support. See Rev. Dan with questions and for materials.

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

Chamber Music Festival at The Church of The Pilgrimage
The Church has agreed to host the Third Plymouth Chamber Music Festival. Concerts are being held on Saturday, June 21st at 8:00 P.M., Tuesday, June 24th at 8:00 P.M. and Saturday June 28th at 8:00 P.M. Admission is $9.00 per person. On Friday evening, June 27 there will be a student concert at 8:30 P.M. There is no admission for this performance but a free will offering will be accepted. If you hear beautiful music coming from the church on other dates, they are rehearsals. The festival is again, being organized by Dr. James Fiste, cello, who has performed at the church in the past. For more information please refer to their website, http://www.plymouthchambermusicfestival.org.

Congratulations to Austin and Laura Curtin on the recent birth of their daughter, Natalie Ann Curtin.

Rev. Peter Gomes will be preaching at The Church of the Pilgrimage on Sunday, August 24th 2003. Due to a previous commitment he is unavailable to preach on Labor Day Weekend.

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.