Dear Friends,

This Sunday has long been scheduled to be designated Celebration Sunday. The Capital Campaign has worked as hard as any group with which I have ever been a part. Back in August the schedule was set in motion and every event and activity was carefully planned and placed upon a time line. The campaign executive committee has been unusually dedicated in its efforts to enhance our Church House facility and I am extremely proud that I am part of a group which exudes great love for the ministry and mission of The Church of the Pilgrimage.

The church's activities in general have been greatly accelerated during this fall. I have been meeting with a fine group of people who will be joining our congregation as member in the very near future. During the first meeting of the New Member Class I asked, as I always do, for each candidate for membership to share with us a part of his/her faith journey. The class was unusually forthcoming in speaking of the role which faith had either played in their lives or the role they want it to play. Together it was clear among those people that growth in Christian spirituality and ministry is at the center of their quest to find a church home. There is sincerity and depth in those who want to become a part of the ongoing pilgrimage which has been bequeathed to us from previous generations. Members of the class come from several Christian traditions and they are of varying ages. Together they are seeking the founding of their lives on the ways of Christ and the Bible. For some that has been a long journey and process already, while for others the major part of the spiritual quest is ahead of them. In each instance these people are about to share the pilgrimage with us, a specific congregation which has the faith journey as a part of our name, The Church of the Pilgrimage.

One of the beautiful things about our particular faith tradition is that its basic foundation rests upon a Covenant, freely "owned," between God and ourselves and one another. The Covenant of any congregation follows the ancient practices found in the Bible. For The Church of the Pilgrimage that "covenantal" tradition was expressed first in 1606 in an obscure and quaint place, Scrooby, England. A paraphrase of that Covenant appears in Of Plimoth Plantation by William Bradford. A part of that Covenant is as follows:

"...the Lord's free people joined themselves by a covenant of the Lord into a church estate, in the fellowship of the gospel, to walk in all his ways made known, or to be made known unto them, according to their best endeavors, whatsoever it should cost them, the Lord assisting them." (Hymns of Truth and Light, after page 590).

This idea of Covenant still defines our pilgrimage. We are still "on the way" during life's phase of the eternal journey toward God's realm. As individuals and as a congregation we are, though differing from one another, on a common journey ordained of God. Our Covenant allows us the space to be who we each are while we move steadfastly toward the heavenly kingdom. The Covenant expression of faith is wonderfully sacred and binds us to God as we each seek our own redemption within the context of the larger church fellowship.

Soon Thanksgiving will be upon us. Of course, Thanksgiving as a holiday is a special significance to us here in Plymouth, but in America as well. The essence of Thanksgiving is, however, often overlooked. It was fr more than a harvest celebration, though that was a part of the reason it is a national holiday. Thanksgiving was itself based upon the foundational principle of the "Lord's free people." It was, and should be, a recognition that in concert with a people's "best endeavors" the blessing of God was honored. Thanksgiving is an offering of praise to God for God's assistance in the pilgrim way, for our preservation in body, mind and spirit.

Our Capital Campaign, our new members, our long-standing membership are all a part of the Covenant of faith expressing itself while we live in this "earthly city." In all things we owe it in Covenant to offer our best endeavors, and thereby to expect God's
assistance. Thanks be to God!

Love,

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

CHURCH RECORD

Baptism: Ava Victoria Drollett, daughter of Sarah Walton and William Drollett was baptized following the worship service on November7, 2004.

Wedding: On November 6, 2004 Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Aaron Benjamin Yung and Karen Lynn Hennessy in the sanctuary.

THIS WEEK

Sunday,November 14: Cherub Choir Rehearsal, 9:45am, Allerton Hall; Morning Worship 10:00 a.m., Rev. Gary L. Marks, preaching; New Member Class, Pastor's Study, 11:30am-12:30pm (childcare provided); SERRV Sale, Allerton Hall, following the worship service.

Monday,Nov. 15: 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).

Tuesday,Nov. 16: Rev. Marks will be in the church office, 9:30-11:30 am; Aerobics, 6:30 pm; Board of Trustees Meeting, 7:30pm, Church House.

Wednesday,Nov. 17: Aerobics, 9:15 a.m., Allerton Hall; Staff Meeting-10:00 a.m.; Rev. Marks will be part of an ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at the Newfield House at 2pm; Brownies #122, 4:00 p.m., Allerton Hall; Pack 47,6-7:30pm, Church House; Troop #47, 7pm, Church House; Missions & Outreach Meeting, 7pm, Office Conference Room;Choir Rehearsal 7:30 p.m.,sanctuary.

Thursday, Nov. 18: Rev. Marks will speak at the Kiwanas Club , 6:30pm; Aerobics, 6:30 pm Allerton Hall.

Friday,Nov. 19: Rev. Marks' will be in the church office, 9:30-11:30 am; Aerobics, 9:15 a.m.

Saturday, Nov. 20:

NOTES:

An Informal Prayer Group will meet in the sanctuary, 6:30-7pm. We hope that many of you will want to be a part of this opportunity to enrich the spiritual life.

Secretary's Office Hours: Our church office Monday-Friday from 10am until 3pm

Who was at church? It was wonderful to see Mary Harris at worship on November 7th. Her son, Grandon, answered her 92nd birthday request to be at worship in her "home" church. Happy Birthday, Mary!

Advent Study/Spirituality Group: Rev. Marks and Rev. Spacek will co-lead this group which will begin on November 29th. Please make this growth in spirituality opportunity a part of your Advent preparation.

Women's Fellowship: The Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship will be hosting a cleaning of the sanctuary on Monday, November 15th at 6pm. We would like to open this up to everyone in the church with the idea in mind that "many hands make light work." The advent season is approaching and we want the sanctuary to sparkle; with our help that will be possible. Thank you and if you have any questions, please contact Marna Blomberg at 781-826-2543.

From the Church Secretary: If you would like something to be included in The Pilgrimage Herald, please submit it in writing to the office no later than Tuesday of that week. Anything submitted after the deadline will be included in the next edition of the Herald. Thank you in advance for you cooperation.

Youth Fellowship on Thanksgiving Sunday November 21st we will be taking the cards and gifts made during Church School and deliver them to area Senior Care Facilities (like Newfield House, Plymouth Crossings, and Beverly Manor). All youth are encouraged to attend this fun and meaningful event. Please note that the time has changed! We will now leave from the Church House at 1PM (rather than 3PM as written in the Fellowship calendar).

MISSIONS AND OUTREACH
Food For Church Pantries: During the month of November, 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.

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.

Missions Dinner: Please save the date of December 12th for the Missions Dinner and Program, Allerton Hall 5pm.

Hymnals: We have a large number of old hymnals still available for sale at $5 each for those who would like to have one. Deborah Richter has catalogued them to reflect the names of the individual dedications of each one alphabetically. Please see Deborah if you are interested as she has the master list. The hymnals are stored in the church house and the office secretary will be glad to help. We have noted an interest in members wanting to have the particular hymnal dedicated to a family member and hope this will make it easier to find them. There is a list in the office that you can scan to find the one you are looking for.

Concert: Schola Cantorum of Falmouth presents a concert of sacred Renaissance music at St. Patrick's Church, Main Street, Falmouth on Sunday, November 21st at 4pm. Freewill donation. More information at www.scholafalmouth.com.

Pilgrim Festival Chorus: We thank the Pilgrim Festival Chorus for a deeply moving concert held in our sanctuary on November 7th. Our Music Director, Bill Richter, is also the director of the chorus. The Pilgrim Festival Chorus is a Plymouth cultural treasure.

Thanksgiving Day Open House: We will be asking for your help with the Thanksgiving Day Open House at The Church of the Pilgrimage. More information about how you can help will appear in the next issue of The Pilgrimage Herald.

Christmas on North Street: The 14th annual Christmas on North Street celebration will take place on Friday, December 3rd from 6-8:30 pm. This year's event features a double tree lighting. The DPW will set up a small Christmas tree at the traditional location at Shirley Square and a grand tree with decorations by the Plymouth Garden Club at Town Square. Violinist Laura Sylvia will present a program of holiday music here at The Church of the Pilgrimage, 7-8pm and hot chocolate will be available downstairs in Allerton Hall. The evening will be filled with activities up and down North Street, at Shirley Square, Town Square and the Jenney Grist Mill. It will be the last year that the Plymouth Antiquarian Society will coordinate the community celebration, and the last opportunity for people to vist the Plymouth National Wax Museum, which closes permanently after the event.

COMING EVENTS

Nov. 23 The Advisory Board will meet in the Church House at 7pm.

Nov. 25 Thanksgiving Open House at The Church of the Pilgrimage.: Thanksgiving Day Union Service at First Parish UU Church, 10:30am; Pilgrim's Progress.

Nov. 28 The First Sunday in Advent

Nov. 29 Advent Study Group in the Pastor's Study at 7pm

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.