Dear Friends,

I had a wonderful vacation! I traveled to Ireland for thirteen days during July with my oldest son, Jonathan, and we had a fabulous time. As you know, I have been studying Celtic spirituality for about five years. My interest in Celtic spirituality actually began in 1996 with a seminar at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey in Switzerland, the study/retreat center of the World Council of Churches. My study of Celtic spirituality was prompted by a seminar at Trinity College, Dublin and another a year later at Durham University in Northumbria. I now am at the point of wanting to write on a Celtic and Pilgrim theme.

I planned to go to Ireland with Kathy, but for a number of reasons she was unable to go. It was great to have Jon agree to go with me. He was the driver! I wondered, of course, whether he would share my enthusiasm for visiting early Celtic monastic sites, but I was fairly confident that the location of those sites would have interest for him because of their beauty, charm and history. Of course, we visited places other than religious ones!

The highlight of our trip to Ireland was a pilgrimage to the sixth century monastic site at a remote location eight miles off the Kerry coast. I have mentioned my experience there in sermons since my return. My feelings there were deeply spiritual ones, deeply spiritual, and that journey has changed me in that my own pilgrimage with the Word of God has taken on a remarkable new focus.

This summer was also a time of transition for us. Robbie, our youngest son, is now a freshman at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. It seems unbelievable that he could be old enough to be in college! J.D., our middle son, is, we all hope, finishing up his work at Heidleberg College in Tiffin, Ohio. It has been a transitional time for us all and we are all adjusting to radical changes as a family.

I am excited, too, about the church and my ministry within it. In the midst of transition, study and experience I have been feeling a remarkable sense of renewal. That sense of renewal carries over into ministry and the incredible spiritual promise I see, indeed feel, emerging the The Church of the Pilgrimage. Our ancient congregation is renewing itself and I am energized to shepherd it toward realizing its great potential for the glory of God.

God bless us all. We have joyful work to do!

Love,

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

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

Greeters: Linda and David Kegel

The Pulpit Flowers are in loving memory of Winnifred and Karl Chaskes given by Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Chaskes.

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

Bible Story/Craft Hour downstairs in Allerton Hall for grades 3 and under following their dismissal from the worship service. Older children are to remain in worship.

Greeters are needed for September 7, 21 and 28 and all of October. Please call the church office to volunteer to greet or look for the sign-up sheet on the coffee hour counter.

Coffee Hour: Please sign up for coffee hour for the month of September. In order to maintain this tradition, volunteers are needed!

Rev. Dan has a new cell phone # (781) 413-6794.

Church School Registration Sunday, September 14, 2003.

Summer Hours: M-F 9:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. Regular office hours will resume on Monday, September 8, 2003.

CHURCH RECORD

Baptisms:
On August 10, 2003, Sophia Margaret Ottino, daughter of Warren, Jr. and Karen (DeCoursey) Ottino was baptized during the service of worship.
On August 17, 2003, Christopher Russell Thomas, son of Robert and Sharon (Werner) Thomas was baptized in a private ceremony following the service of worship.
On August 17, 2003, Bailey Lyn Brown, daughter of Robert and Jennifer (Wickson) Brown was baptized during the service of worship.
On August 17, 2003, Janinia Marjorie Kay, daughter of Robert and Karen (Snyder) Kay was baptized during the service of worship.
On August 22, 2003, Ainsley Hill Cronin, daughter of Phillip S., II and Heather (AlChokhachy) Cronin, by the Rev. Dr. Gomes.
On August 22, 2003, William Nangle Cronin, son of Christopher N. and Jane (Nagle) Cronin, by the Rev. Dr. Gomes.

Weddings:
On August 9, 2003, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Susan Gedutis and Stephen Lindsay in the Church Sanctuary.
On August 9, 2003, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Laura Squillante and William Madden in the Church Sanctuary.
On August 23, 2003, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Diane Kivlin and Eric Silva in the Church Sanctuary.

Funerals/Memorial Services
On August 16, 2003, Rev. Marks conducted a memorial service, for Richard N, Shoemaker August 16, 2003.
On August 3, 2003, Rev. Marks conducted a Memorial Service for Leonard Sealey, in the sanctuary.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, Aug. 31: Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Marks preaching.

Monday, Sept. 1: LABOR DAY-OFFICE CLOSED

Tuesday, Sept. 2: Rev. Marks' office hours 9:30-11:30 A.M.; Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M. - Noon.

Wednesday, Sept. 3: The Interfaith Clergy Council will meet for a breakfast meeting at The Church of the Pilgrimage at 8:30 A.M. (The location will be posted on the church door). Rev. Dan's office hours 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Staff Meeting-10:00 A.M; Teacher Orientation - 7:00 P.M. Allerton Hall; Missions Meeting- 7:00 P.M. in the Mayflower Room; Choir Rehearsal - 7:00 P.M.

Thursday, Sept. 4: Rev. Dan's office hours Noon-2:00P.M.;

Friday, Sept. 5: Rev. Marks' office hours, 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Wedding Rehearsals in the sanctuary, 5:30.

Saturday, Sept. 6: Wedding 4:00 P.M. in the sanctuary.

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 be offering three membership classes beginning on September 21st. The classes will be held for one hour following Sunday worship (11:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M.) Rev. Marks will be in touch with those who have already indicated an interest in church membership. If you are interested in membership, please call the church office or speak with Rev. Marks.

Rev. Marks was the preacher at South Pond Chapel on August 17th.

Rev. Marks gave the Invocation at the special Town Meeting on August 18th.

We thank Peter Gomes for being our preacher on August 24th. Peter usually preaches on Labor Day Weekend, but because of other obligations was able to be with us a week earlier than usual. It was great to see and hear him.

Rev. Marks was the Elder Brewster in the Pilgrim's Progress on August 22nd.

The Flower Committee announces that there is an opening for pulpit flowers on September 21, 2003. Please call Judy Mitchell at (508) 746-3959 to reserve a date to honor your loved ones with flowers. Thank you.

Summer Sale: In spite of, or maybe because of, the hot, humid and rainy weather, we had a pretty successful Summer Sale. The work of so many resulted in the sum of $4,040. My heartfelt thanks to you all, Gerry Allen, Diana Budge, Jane Cole, Billie Courtney, Diane Cowie, Alice Dunham, Janet Holmes, Lillian Knowles, Pat Mudgett, Betty O'Connell, Debbie Porter, Betsy Randall and Marge Sears.
Love Hildegard.

And a very special thank you to Hildegard for all of her dedication and hard work in organizing a successful Summer Sale. Love, The Church of the Pilgrimage.

Special thanks to Greeters for the month of August.

The Tuesday Night Knitting Group will resume at my home at 15 Oak St. on the second Tuesday of September (September 9, 2003) at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome. If you would like to learn or are a proficient knitter and would like to share the evening with those of like interest, please join us. It is an opportunity for fellowship and a chance to develop new friendships.

The first meeting of the Guild is September 12, 2003 at noon. It will be a potluck luncheon.
The Women's Fellowship will kick off the year with an Italian potluck dinner on Monday, September 8 at 6:30 P.M. (Note the time change). Please bring a dish according to the first letter of your last name: appetizers or salads A-H, main dishes I-R, desserts S-Z. Along with a business meeting we will be welcoming Alba Thompson as a guest speaking on ethnic groups in Plymouth. Women's Fellowship would like to extend an invitation to new and reticent members to join our group for a monthly meeting of spirituality, service and socializing. We meet on the first Monday of every month. If you would like to know more about what we do or who we are, feel free to call Marna (781-826-2543) or Jenny (508-747-7168) or find us at coffee hour. Thank you.

The Sanctuary Choir will begin rehearsing on Wednesday, September 3rd at 7:30 in the Sanctuary. Please consider joining us! Singing God's praises is what we are all meant to do, and new members are always welcome. Equally the Choir is great fun and the fellowship is wonderful. If you are interested in joining, please come a few minutes early to chat with Bill and to get a good seat.

Come Visit the Amistad Freedom Schooner on October 25, 2003. If you are interested in learning more about this ship or signing up to go as a group please sign-up at Coffee Hour during the month of September! Due to the demand for tickets, the MACUCC Amistad Celebration Day has changed pavilions and tour times. The celebration will be held at Fleet Boston Pavillion. We will be requesting group tickets for the last tour of the day, which departs at 3:30 p.m. We will leave our Church that day around 1:45 P.m. Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children ages 12 and under. Don't miss this great opportunity to celebrate our history with this ship!

The Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra will present a concert by OperaFest on Sunday evening, September 7, 7:00 P.M. at The Church of the Pilgrimage. OperaFest, directed by Donna Roll, is a summer touring program for students preparing for careers in opera. Ms. Roll brings several "stars" from her program to present this concert of art songs, opera selections and music from the Broadway stage. Tickets are $20.00-call (508) 746-8008. All proceeds benefit the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra's 2003-2004 concert season.

Habitat for Humanity: This is an invitation to join Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth in constructing our first home in Plymouth. A meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 10 at the Church of the Pilgrimage at 7;00 p.m. to begin the process. We need to establish local volunteers to undertake a significant part of the project. We encourage anyone interested in helping to attend this meeting. Some of the volunteer opportunities are on the following committees: Building and construction, fund raising, volunteer coordination, and publicity. We anticipate getting the project underway this Fall, and if all goes well, the work of the local committees would be completed by next Spring or Summer. Join us and learn more about the organization and how it helps local families who need affordable homes, and perhaps become a volunteer. Nancy Morse.

Harvest Fair Notice-Please read the back of the monthly calendar for an update on the Harvest Fair and Halloween Dinner Dance!

Monthly Calendar will be inserted in the first Herald of each month. This outlines the regular monthly events, and any special events known at the time of print. The weekly schedule will continue to be printed in the Herald, along with the ministers' hours.

Coming Events

Sept. 7 Plymouth Philharmonic Concert in the sanctuary at 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 8 Women's Fellowship Dinner, 6:30 P.M. (see notes).
Sept. 9 The Advisory Board and the Board of Trustees will meet jointly at 7:00 P.M. in the Mayflower Room.
Sept. 12 The Guild will meet at noon in Allerton Hall. Rev. Marks will be the speaker.

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.