Dear Friends,

As you know, I've been away for a few days. It was a whirlwind trip! I had planned to be away for months during a part of the time I was gone because I knew that May 16th was the date of Heidelberg College's graduation ceremonies. What I did not plan, of course, was that my mother would break a hip. My trip, therefore was one which contained elements of the bitter and the sweet.

Many have asked about my mom, so I though I'd include some information in this letter about her condition. My sister, Linda, and I had to make some arrangements for mom, the kind that many of you have had to make. By the time I got to Zanesville, mom was in a rehab center. She is doing well, I think, insofar as the recovery from the surgery goes, but she has to face adjusting to a new set of limiting life circumstances. That is not easy! Her activities will be limited for some time as she returns home on what now appears to be May 21st. My sister will be with her for a while and that is good. Otherwise a return to her own home would be very difficult, indeed.

Our son, J.D., did, in fact, graduate. It took a while, but he now has a degree with all the "rights and privileges thereof." When his name was called to receive his degree from the president of the college I experienced one of the happiest moments of my life. I am very proud of J.D.!

The drive home to Plymouth was a very long and tiring one. I drove the whole way by myself from North Western Ohio in one day! That is a long trip, but I needed to get back here to resume my ministerial duties.

Before the commencement ceremonies at Heidelberg, Kathy and I attended worship at one of the U.C.C. churches in Tiffin where the college is located. It was a good service and I had an opportunity to speak with the minister and a retired minister who is a member of the congregation. One of them is a close friend of our area minister, Dale Hempen. (Heidelberg was founded by U.C.C. people). Ministers always "talk shop." I learned that issues are the same, with regional variations taken into account, for all so-called mainline churches. We agreed, however, that we should all pray together and for one another. We also agreed that the churches, especially U.C.C. churches, are able to deal with social challenges as opportunities for growth in the faith. We concurred, though not in so many words, that unity in diversity is our greatest strength.

It was a very long week away from Plymouth! I am proud of J. D. and my mom. I am glad to be home and also glad that the length of my next drive will be no longer than from The Church of the Pilgrimage to the Jordan Hospital.

Love,

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

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

Greeters: Sam, Karin, Analisa and Sabrina Cruz-Bianchi

The Pulpit Flowers are in loving memory of Mr. & Mrs. Richard T. Eldridge given by the family.

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 30th, June 13 & 27. 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.

ATTENTION: Mark your Calendars! Sunday, June 20th, Rain or Shine our Church Family Picnic will be held at Pinewood Lodge Campground beginning at noon. Everyone is invited to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy a wonderful afternoon of fellowship together! Swimming, volleyball, and horseshoes are some of the activities. Canoe and boat rentals are available. This even is sponsored by the Christian Education and the Membership and Evangelism Committees. Sign up during coffee your beginning May 23rd or call Pam Pawlowski at (508) 746-2819. What a great way to continue our celebration of Church School Day!

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 5/19/04.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, May 23 -Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Gary Marks, preaching.

Monday, May 24: Rev. Dan's office hours Noon-2:00 P.M.; Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in AH; Girl Scout Tr. 1128, 6:30 P.M. in Church House; Bible Study, 7:00 P.M., AH.

Tuesday, May 25: Rev. Marks' office hours, 9:30-11:30 A.M.; Rev. Dan's office hours Noon-2:00 P.M.; Aerobics, 6:30 P.M. in AH; Advisory Board Meeting, 7:00 P.M. in the Church House.

Wednesday, May 26: Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in AH; Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.-Noon; Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 P.M. in the Sanctuary; Troop 47, 7:00 P.M. in the Church House; Christian Ed/Teachers Meeting, 7:00 P.M. in AH.

Thursday, May 27: 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 28: Rev. Marks office hours, 9:30-11:30 A.M.; Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in AH; New Jersey UCC Fellowship Group arrives today and departs on Monday morning, May 31 in the CH.

Saturday, May 29: Wedding at Noon in the Sanctuary.

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.

Belated thank you: Many thanks to all who helped with the Time and Talent evening this month. My special thanks to Ed Pawlowski, who had to work very hard for our money this year due to the smaller crowd. As usual, everyone who attended was more than generous. It would not have been a success were it not for those who offered their time and talents for our bidding. We are grateful. The evening began with a great pork roast dinner prepared by Peter McLeod and Tom Healy whose efforts were awarded by empty plates. Many others helped in a variety of ways from setting up in the afternoon-Alice Heckman to cleaning up after the dinner-Tom Mudgett and all of the kitchen helpers which are too many to name but nonetheless appreciated. The total income after expenses was $2550.00. Last year we netted approximately $3800.00. We need to boost that number next year to meet the line item in the annual budget. Please begin to consider what you can contribute and make plans to attend next year. We will try to have the affair in February or March next year.

Pastor's Pasta Sunday: It was a roaring success. Much credit goes to the Friday and Saturday cooks who made it possible. Jen Healy's team of bread bakers did yeoman service for us and made over 50 loaves of bread under her supervision. Meg Boss, Debbie Porter and Marna Blomberg were in the group that took "bread lessons" and we all reap the reward. My thanks to those who made cookies and helped to bag and sell on Sunday. It was pretty hectic because of the Annual Meeting but we got through it and grossed over $700. Pretty amazing. The profit after expenses will be divided between the Women's Fellowship treasury and the Pastor's Discretionary fund. Thanks to all.

Tuesday Knitting Group: The last Tuesday Knitting Group will be held in June, I am going to rest up for the summer. After all Harvest Fair will be here before you know it. In a few weeks, you will find, in your Herald a list of tables that will be offered at the fair. Please post this list in a prominent place as you consider your contributions for the fair. If you ware aware of the areas of special interest to you, perhaps it will help to remind you to put away certain things or to start projects related to those items. Thank you, Diana Budge.

A heartfelt thank you to Kayla and Kyle McNicholas, Emily Harrington, Barbara Quinn, Corey Brown and Suzanne Anderson for providing childcare during the Annual Meeting. Their time was greatly appreciated.

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.

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). 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. Call Pat Mudgett if you have any questions or want to help. (508) 224-7206.

It's Spring clean-up time again... and we have just the place for all those knick-knacks and bric-a-brac the 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.

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

The Board of Trustees is 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. Thank you. Deborah Porter, Chair.

The Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship will be having it's annual banquet on Monday, June 7th at 6:00 p.m. at Bobby Hackett's in Pembroke. All women of the church are welcome to attend. Reservations must be made no later than Sunday, May 30th by contacting either Marna Blomberg at (781) 826-2543 or Jenny Healy at (508) 747-7168. Please indicate your choice of entree when you call: Prime London Broil, Scrod or Chicken Parmigiana. The cost is $20 per person, which includes gratuity. If this cost is prohibitive for you , please sign up anyway and your meal will be covered. Also, if you need a ride please call Marna or Jenny and we will arrange a ride for you. Thank you, Marna & Jenny.

A thank you from Jane Burns to all of my church family who helped me celebrate my 90th birthday, thank you! Jane Burns.

COMING EVENTS

June 6: Special Meeting following Worship.

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.