Dear Friends,

This is going to be a brief letter for two reasons. First, my sermon of May 9, 2004 is being included in this issue of The Pilgrimage Herald. This unusual inclusion of a sermon is at the request of many people who asked for a copy of it. Second, as soon as I finish this letter I am going to pack the car and head out on my 750 mile trek to visit my mother who is in a rehabilitation center in Zanesville, Ohio recovering from a broken hip. I will also attend my son's graduation ceremony from Heildleberg College in Tiffin Ohio on May 16th.

The sermon included herein was based upon a text in Acts 11:118. That text was one of the suggested readings in the Common Lectionary for May 9, 2004. It was, indeed, ironic, perhaps providential, that it spoke so clearly to issues which are currently the preoccupation of Christians in Massachusetts and the nation. In a sense, I did not select last Sunday's Scripture Lesson; it selected me!

I hope that many of you will attend the Bible Study to be held on May 24th. Dan and I have long been planning a course on human sexuality for the fall of 2004. We hope that you will wish to attend that series of classes.

I shall see you on May 23rd, if not before. May God bless us all as we continue the pilgrimage of faith together!

Love,

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

Morning Worship 10:00 A.M. Rev. Dan Spacek preaching.

The Annual Meeting of the Church of the Pilgrimage will be held following morning worship in the sanctuary.

Greeters: Julie and Gabrielle Sears.

The Pulpit Flowers are in loving memory of William Stearns, Jr., James and Nina Bolger and other loved ones given by the Stearns Family.

The Flowers on the right side are in loving memory of Beatrice M. Quartz given by her dear friend, Joyce Blakeslee.

The Children will attend church school following the Time for Teaching.

All are invited to join us for Coffee Hour downstairs in Allerton Hall following the worship service. Volunteers are needed for coffee hour. Please look for the sign-up sheet on the coffee hour counter. In order for us to continue having coffee hour volunteers are needed. There is always someone from the House Committee to work with you in making the coffee, etc. Please volunteer for coffee hour to continue this time of fellowship!

Greeters are needed for May 23 and 30th and the month of June. Please call the church office to volunteer to greet or look for the sign-up sheet, which is located on the Membership and Evangelism Bulletin Board.

Camp Scholarships: Please contact the church office if you are interested in attending a church camp. Camp opportunities are available for young people, but adult camps are also available. Please speak to Dan, Gary or call the church office for information. Camper-ships are available.

Membership & Evangelism is looking for some suggestions to help enhance our website. Megan and Pedro Verdugo have volunteered to take over maintaining the website from Doug Post (whose time and efforts have been valued, especially by Pam!). If you have some ideas of what you would like to see on the website, ideas to make it easy to read and follow (especially for those of us who are somewhat computer illiterate) please put your suggestions in the Membership & Evangelism mailbox in Allerton Hall. We would like to receive all suggestions by Sunday, May 9th. Thank you for your valued input.

CHILDCARE NEEDED: We are looking for a few (hopefully 3) adults to supervise lunch and play for members' children during the Annual Meeting, Sunday, May 16th after church. Please contact Rev. Dan or Jenny Healy (508) 747-7168 if you can help. Thank You.

CHURCH MEMBERS WITH CHILDREN: Please pack a lunch for your child if you are planning on attending the Annual Meeting on Sunday, May 16th. Make sure to include a beverage and to clearly label the lunch. If you have any questions, please call Jenny Healy 508) 747-7168. Thank you for your help.

Office Hours: M-F 8:45 A.M.-3:45 P.M. Thursday's 8:30 A.M.-3:00 P.M.

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized: No one as of 4/30/04.

Baptisms:
On May 9, 2004, Kathleen Reilly Garrahan and John Francis Garrahan, the daughter and son of Amy (Oehl) Garrahan, were baptized during a private ceremony following the worship service.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, May 16-Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Daniel Spacek, preaching. The Annual Meeting of The Church of the Pilgrimage will be held following morning worship in the sanctuary.

Monday, May 17: Rev. Dan's office hours Noon-2:00 P.M.; Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in Allerton Hall; Girl Scout Tr. 1128, 6:30 P.M. in Church House.

Tuesday, May 18: Rev. Dan's office hours Noon-2:00 P.M.; Aerobics, 6:30 P.M. in Allerton Hall; Board of Trustees Meeting, 7:00 P.M. in the Church House.

Wednesday, May 19: Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in AH; Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.-Noon; Music Committee Meeting, 6:30 P.M. in AH; Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 P.M. in the Sanctuary; Troop 47, 7:00 P.M. in the Church House.

Thursday, May 20: Rev. Dan's office hours 11:00 A.M-Noon and 1:00 P.M.-2:00 P.M.; Girl Scout Troop 1227, 4:00 P.M. in the CH; Aerobics, 6:30 P.M. in AH.

Friday, May 21: Rev. Marks office hours, 9:30-11:30 A.M.; Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in AH; Wedding Rehearsals in the sanctuary, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 22: Weddings in the Sanctuary, 11:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.

PLEASE NOTE

Please call the church office if you are aware of persons hospitalized or in need of pastoral care. It is especially important to let the ministers know about out-of-town hospitals. Thank you for your help.

If you are interested in becoming a member of The Church of the Pilgrimage please speak to Rev. Marks or phone the church office.

We hope that many will attend a Bible Study which will deal with the most often cited texts regarding what the Bible says about homosexuality. The first class will be held on May 24th at 7:00 P.M. Another class is planned and, perhaps, more than that if interest remains high. There are very few verses in the Bible regarding the subject, so it can be dealt with in only a few class sessions. The Advisory Board asked of the ministers that educational opportunities be offered on the subject. This Bible study is the first of those opportunities. Please make every attempt to attend this class. The ministers of the church will be the teachers.

Gary and Kathy are away this week attending their son's graduation from Heildelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio. Rev. Marks will be back in the pulpit on May 23rd.

Congratulations to Jane Burns on her 90th birthday! A grand party was held for her on May 8th at Manomet Point. Jane was also recognized during the worship service on May 9th. Jane has been a part of the Pilgrimage family since she was born. We love you, Jane!

Pastor's Pasta Sunday: The Women's Fellowship is sponsoring a Pasta Sunday offering of a take-home meal consisting of home-made pasta sauce, spaghetti, home made bread and cookies for the price of $15.00. These will be available for sale on Sunday, May 16th after service and before the annual meeting. You can reserve your Take-Home meal by calling Diana Budge at (508) 746-4514 or signing up on any Sunday after service.

The Fourth Annual Church of the Pilgrimage Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, June 12 at Squirrel Run Country Club. 8:00 A.M. start time with lunch on the Pavilion to follow. See Ed Pawlowski during coffee hour for sign up information.

Coming Events: Plant Sale June 5, 2004 (Rain Or Shine). This is a church wide fund raising project, but it is also a pleasant social event (if it doesn't rain). If you have not already done so please look around your yard for plants (ground covers, seedlings from perennials, and other plants you do not need or want). Please pot them up for sale. Mark your calendars to come to Courtyard Place, 124 Long Pond Road on the morning of June 5, from 9:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. even if you only want to see what goes on. You might just find the plant you really want. Call Pat Mudgett if you have any questions or want to help. (508) 224-7206.

A special thanks to everyone who helped in anyway to make the Women's Fellowship Mother/Daughter Reception such a success. Everyone who attended had a great time. Pam Pawlowski and Diane Cowie.

It's Spring clean-up time again... and we have just the place for all those knick-knacks and bric-a-brac. We have a home for all hose household items that need a home...but maybe not yours. If you are updating your wardrobe, cleaning your garage, have extra linens or jewelry, please save those items for our upcoming Summer Sale in July and August. More details will follow in future copies of The Pilgrimage Herald.

Heifer Announcement: Heifer International helps others help themselves and help others. Find out how Heifer International helps children, teaches families to farm, develops community and cares for the environment. Stop by the Heifer table sponsored by the Missions and Outreach Committee in Allerton Hall during coffee hour.

Hymnal dedications may still be made. Many have asked if it is still possible to make hymnal dedications and the answer is "yes". As long as there are hymnals without bookplates, and there are more than one hundred, we encourage those wishing to do so to make a dedication. Contact the church office, Bill Harting or Louise Brown of the hymnal subcommittee, or any member of the music committee for help.

The Area Food Pantries are running low according to a note in this past Sunday's Globe. Every small contribution is important. This little gesture can make a big difference to someone in need. Let's fill those baskets!

A note from Pam McNicholas- This is to inform the Congregation that I am resigning from my position as Church Secretary for the Church of the Pilgrimage. I have enjoyed working with Gary, Dan and the Congregation as a whole and this has been a very tough decision for me to make. The decision is based on the financial needs of my family. This decision is not in any way based on the issues that our church faces right now. My family and I are still committed to The Church of the Pilgrimage and plan on remaining members and serving on the committees to which we are currently elected. I am giving three weeks notice and plan on my last day being May 28, 2004. I am willing to come in a couple of evenings to publish the Herald (I would do a bi-monthly Herald for June, and monthly newsletter for July and August) and Sunday Bulletins until a replacement is hired.

Herald Deadlines: Please have all notices to Pam by May 24th for the first two weeks of June. As noted above I will produce a bi-weekly Herald for June (as this is a busy month). An updated weekly calendar will be included in the Bulletin.

The Board of Trustees regretfully accepts Pam McNicholas' resignation as Church Secretary, with her last day being May 28, 2004. We will be looking for an interim, part-time secretary to get us through the summer months. If there are any Congregation members who might be interested in working part time, 20 hours a week, no benefits, from May until September, please write a letter of interest to Deborah Porter, Chair, Board of Trustees, and submit it to the Church office. Volunteers will continue to be welcome to assist in the office. The Board will meet after the annual meeting to discuss with the Pastor the posting of a permanent position. Thank you. Deborah Porter, Chair.

COMING EVENTS

May 24: Bible Study, 7:00 P.M. Place to be announced.

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.