Dear Friends,

This Sunday, October 31st, is one in the church year which goes by several names. It is All Saints Day, a date upon which we remember and offer thanksgiving for the gift of saints who have gone before us in the faith. The focus is upon the past, in a sense, upon those who have walked the path of faith in ages past.

Another name applied to this day is Reformation Sunday. In recent decades the Reformation as a theme of concentration has become less important than it once was. I suppose that is because we have tried in Protestant Christianity to draw attention to our unity in Christ rather than to celebrate a schism within the church during the sixteenth century. During the period referred to as the Reformation those who were the great champions of faith such as Luther, Calvin, et.al. were seen as presenting a vision of faith that included a condemnation of Roman Catholicism. I'm personally happy that those days are gone and that the cause of the Christian faith is focused upon what all Christians have in common in Christ rather than upon those things which separate Christians from one another!

Having said that, however, does not mean that we should neglect those great saints of the church who were successful in recalling us to a biblical faith which has had an enormous and graceful impact in the power of faith to transform individuals and societies. In this sense I unabashedly continue to celebrate Reformation Sunday.

The Pilgrims who formed The Church of the Pilgrimage and its congregational form of government were products of Protestant Reformation. Our particular faith posture has as its center the Word of God the application of which we seek to discern through the "consent of the major part." That is, we seek by democratic debate and consensus to find the direction God's church should take in every present in which we find ourselves. We are a people of Covenant, a people who seek the will of God as we live in an ever changing world.

We celebrate those saints, all the faithful, who have walked the path of faith before us. We offer thanksgiving for those in whose lives God's Word has continued to speak in ages past in fresh and renewing ways. They are our models as we seek in our generation to hear God's Word in the context of today's confused and materialistic world. The Protestant Reformation is not to be celebrated as a final chapter in our interpretation of faithful living, but as a guide to our frail and human attempts to find how God is still speaking today.

There is an old bit of wisdom which states, "The path is made by walking." On this date we give thanks for those who have left a path for us to follow. For today the task of walking the path of faith belongs to us. We walk so that the path may not become overgrown by attitudes of godlessness. But, modeled upon the saints, we walk to clear the path for future generations. In essence, we are the saints now so that faith and hope have a future.

Love,

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

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized: Jim Mason is recovering from cardiac catherization at Brigham and Women's and is hoping to be home soon. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Al Saunders had successful surgery last week and is now recovering at home. Any thoughts and prayers would be appreciated.

In Memoriam: On October 25, 2004 Rev. Marks conducted a funeral service for Austin Baker.

THIS WEEK

Sunday,Oct. 31: Morning Worship 10:00 a.m., Rev. Gary L. Marks, preaching; New Member Class in the Pastor's Study in the church building, 11:30am-12:30pm (childcare will be provided); CROPWALK, registration at Zion Lutheran Church at noon, walk begins at 1:00; Cherub Choir Rehearsal after worship.

Monday,Nov. 1: Aerobics, 9:15 a.m., Allerton Hall; Girl Scouts #1128, 3:30 p.m., Church House; Tiger Pack 47, 4:00 p.m., Church House (upstairs); Pilgrim Festival Chorus Rehearsal, 7-10pm, Sanctuary; Women's Fellowship, 6-9:30pm Allerton Hall.

Tuesday,Nov. 2: Rev. Marks will be in the church office, 9:30-11:30 am; Aerobics, 6:30 pm; Christian Education Committee Meeting, 6:30pm, Sarah Bruffee's house.

Wednesday,Nov. 3: Aerobics, 9:15 a.m., Allerton Hall; Staff Meeting-10:00 a.m.; Plymouth Area Interfaith Clergy Association Meeting,noon, Allerton Hall; Brownies #122, 4:00 p.m., Allerton Hall; Pack 47,6-7:30pm, Church House; Troop #47, 7pm, Church House;CCEB meeting, 7:00 p.m.Allerton Hall; Choir Rehearsal 7:30 p.m.,sanctuary.

Thursday, Nov. 4: Aerobics, 6:30 pm Allerton Hall; Pilgrim Festival Choir rehearsal, 6-10pm, sanctuary.

Friday,Nov. 5: Rev. Marks' will be in the church office, 9:30-11:30 am; Aerobics, 9:15 a.m.; Wedding Rehearsal, 6:30pm, sanctuary

Saturday, Nov. 6: Wedding, 4pm, sanctuary.

NOTES:

New Member Classes: It is still not too late to attend these classes. If you are interested, please let Rev. Marks know or call the church office. Childcare will be provided.

Women's Guild: The Women's Guild meets at 1pm on November 12, 2004 followed by guest speaker, Charlotte Beal. Charlotte will give a talk on Wampum and the jewelry she makes from it. Refreshments will be served.

Women's Fellowship: Women's Fellowship will meet November 1, 2004 at 7pm in Allerton Hall. We will be cleaning the sanctuary for the holiday, putting together food baskets for the Salvation Army, and enjoying some tasty autumn treats. If you can, please bring donations of non-perishables for the baskets. All women are welcome. Don't let the dark keep you home; call Marna (781-826-2543) or Jenny (508-747-7168) for a ride. See you there.

Collection for Women's Fellowship November program: Following is a list of specific needs for the baskets we are going to assemble: body creams, small packages of tissues, soap, mints, toothpaste, toothbrushes, note pads and pens, solid white tuna, baked beans, Hamburger Helper, mayonnaise, Hunt's prepared spaghetti sauce in can, Jell-O pudding packs, cheese and crackers, small box cereals. Any contributions that you can make, large or small, will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your help.

Secretary's Office Hours: Our new church secretary, Shellie McCormack, is in the church office Monday-Friday from 10am until 3pm.

Youth Fellowship actitivies for November 7th has changed. Now we are doing a joint Junior High and Senior High activity from 1-3:30 helping Cliff and Laura Sampson get their yard cleaned up for winter. Please be at the church house by 12:30 bring gloves and we will go out for pizza afterwards

The Crib Room is looking for a crib. We would like a newer model in good condition. If anyone has one and would like to donate it we would really appreciate it. Please call Laura Curtin at 508-746-7761. Thank you!

Capital Campaign 2004

Announced at the campaign kick-off dinner was the Matching Gift Challenge made by the Dr. and Mrs. Goodwill M. Stewart. Pledges of $5,000 or more made between October 17 and November 14, 2004 will be matched dollar for dollar, by the Stewarts, up to a maximum of $50,000. This gives you an opportunity to double the value of your pledge! Please ask your visitor for complete details.

For those of you who were not able to attend the campaign's kick-off dinner, a copy of the video presentation is available on DVD or VHS tape in Allerton Hall. Please feel free to borrow a copy and return it when you are able.
Please prayerfully consider participating as a visitor to meet church members and friends in their homes to solicit pledges. Contact Julie Sears or Gail Mason as soon as you are able. We will train you and promise that you will enjoy your visiting experience! Your church needs you!

MISSIONS AND OUTREACH
Food For Church Pantries: During the month of October, we will be collecting peanut butter, pasta and pasta sauce, cereal, macaroni and cheese and canned tuna for the Central Warehouse in Plymouth. Thank you for all who have been contributing generously.

Unicef: The United nations Children's Emergency Fund, created in 1946, began with aid to all children in desperate need after WWII. Now, Unicef provides education, vaccines, and health emergency supplies to children in 158 countries and territories. The orange trick-or-treat boxes for collecting coins on Halloween for Unicef will be available in Allerton Hall this Sunday.

SERRV SALE: The annual SERRV SALE (Sales Exchange for Refugee Rehabilitation Vocations) will take place in Allerton Hall during the coffee hour on November 14th. Hand crafts made by artisans in forty countries will be available for purchasing. Proceeds provide people in developing countries with clothing, housing, and education.

The CROPWALK is this Sunday, October 31st. Even if you haven't signed up please join us in support of fighting hunger both globally and locally. Rain or shine, the walk starts at Zion Lutheran Church, 384 Court Street. Registration is at 12:30pm the walk begins at 1pm. You can choose to walk either loops-a 3-mile and a 6-mile. Also, there is a special prize for each person who walk in costume. If you have any questions, please call the Rev. Dan or Shellie at the church office.

You are cordially invited and urged to attend
Ordination into Christian Ministry
of
CHARLES MAXWELL OLMSTEAD
on
Sunday, November 14, 2004
at
Second Congregational Church
43 Highland Street
Cohasset, Massachusetts
at 3pm
This invitation comes to you from the
Pilgrim Association of the Massachusetts Conference
United Church of Christ
and
Second Congregational Church of Cohasset
Refreshments will be served following the service.

COMING EVENTS

Nov. 7 New Member Class, 11:30am-12:30 pm in the Pastor's Study in the church building.Wedding rehearsal in the sanctuary, 6:30pm

Nov. 11 Rev. Marks will speak to the Lion's Club in West Bridgewater, 7pm

Nov. 13 Wedding in the sanctuary

Clerk - Lois Post; Moderator - Steven Triffletti; Treasurer - David Kegel; Collector - Thomas Mudgett;
Music Director - William B Richter; Organist - Chandler Gregg
Secretary - Shellie McCormack; Sexton - Tony Nightingale; World Mission Emphasis - Heifer Project International;
Church Building Telephone - (508) 747-1341.