Dear Friends,

I never cease to be amazed at the energy and resilience of the congregation of The Church of the Pilgrimage! Recently I have heard a number of people express their love for the church and who are experiencing a special "family" feeling within it not found elsewhere in our growingly impersonal society.

There are many things going on in the church at all times. The activity within the congregation has accelerated in recent years and I find it increasingly difficult to keep up with all the many expectations there are of the church's senior minister. Having said that, I also have been finding the last four or five years to be the most satisfying and rewarding years of my long ministry.

In addition to the general quickening of pace in the life of the congregation we are in the process of considering our space needs for the present and the future of the church's ministry. As we consider those needs, and they are real and growing, our priorities must always be gathered under the heading of ministry. We exist for service to God as shown to us in the living Christ and all things, including space needs, are to be considered in the theological and faithful context. In the delightful movie, Field of Dreams, the character dreaming of building a baseball field in Iowa cornfields is told, "Build it and they will come."

In our congregation the reverse of that advice is in play. "They have come and we must build." That is the best reason to build or rebuild! I hope and pray that you will support raising a large sum of money for the sake of service to God and ministry in the name of the living and dynamic Christ.

Also the church has been involved in an energetic discussion regarding same-sex marriage. Overwhelmingly the discussion has been respectful and most people on either side of a highly charged issue have shown a willingness to learn and to grow as a community of Christians. Last Monday evening more than sixty people attended a meeting to consider what the Bible says, and doesn't say, about homosexuality. Opinions differed, of course, and that is O.K. Dan and I tried to answer a request to address what the Bible says in the few most often cited passages of the Bible which have homosexuality as their subject. At the next meeting on June 1st the discussion of texts will be related to the specific issues regarding same-sex marriage. We hope you'll attend whether you attended the first meeting or not.

I find it to be gratifying that The Church of the Pilgrimage is a congregation of people who care deeply about their faith journey on a personal level and who are also willing to discuss issues of faith in addressing the world in which faith also lives. I thank you for your faith, your respectful ways and intelligence as together we move forward in love and peace.

May God bless us all!

Love,

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

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

Greeters: Bill and Diane Harting

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

The Flowers on the Right Side are in loving memory of Mrs. Elsie Raymond given by her children, Charlotte Cavicchi and Robert Raymond.

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.

Greeters are needed for 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 event is sponsored by the Christian Education and the Membership and Evangelism Committees. Sign up during coffee our beginning May 23rd or call Pam Pawlowski at (508) 746-2819. What a great way to continue our celebration of Church School Day!

Bobbie Preston will be the new temporary church secretary beginning June. 1. Please note the new office hours listed below.

Office Hours: M-F, 9:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M.

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized: Thelma Strassel, Esta Buttner & Gladys Prenctice, Jordan Hospital.

Weddings:
On June 22, 2004 Larry James Hatinen and Heide Elizabeth Adams were married in the sanctuary by Rev. Marks
One June 22, 2004 Daniel J. Steward and Cassandra Kelley were married in the sanctuary by Rev. Marks.

Baptisms:
On May 23, 2004, Ella Catherine Grey, the daughter of Catherine (Cerrato) and Kurtis Grey, was baptized during the worship service
On May 23, 2004, Alexandra Isabella Coffey the daughter of Kimberly Coffey, was baptized during a private ceremony following the worship service.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, May 30-Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Gary Marks, preaching.

Monday, May 31: Memorial Day-Office Closed

Tuesday, June 1: 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.; Bible Study, 7:00 P.M. in the CH.

Wednesday, June 2: Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in AH; Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.-Noon; The Plymouth Area Interfaith Clergy Association will meet at noon; Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 P.M. in the Sanctuary; Troop 47, 7:00 P.M. in the Church House; Missions Meeting,7:00 P.M. in Allerton Hall.

Thursday, June 3: 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, June 4: Rev. Marks office hours, 9:30-11:30 A.M.; Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in AH; Wedding Rehearsal, 6:00 P.M. in the Sanctuary.

Saturday, June 5: Plant Sale, 9:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M., 124 Long Pond Rd; Wedding in the Sanctuary, 2:00 P.M.; Wedding Shower in AH, 4:00-8:00 P.M

NEXT WEEK

Sunday, June 6-Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Gary Marks, preaching; Confirmation Sunday, Communion Sunday, Special Meeting of the Congregation.

Monday, June 7: 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.

Tuesday, June 8: 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; Bd. of Trustees Joint Meeting, 7:00 P.M. in the CH.

Wednesday, June 9: 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.

Thursday, June 10: Girl Scout Troop 1227, 4:00 P.M. in the CH; Aerobics, 6:30 P.M. in AH.; Pilgrim Festival Chorus rehearsal, 7-10:00 P.M.

Friday, June 11: Rev. Marks office hours, 9:30-11:30 A.M.; Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in AH.

Saturday, June 12: Pilgrimage Golf Tournament, Squirrel Run Country Club, 8:00 A.M. starting time; Pilgrim Festival Chorus Concert presents Songs of Love & Loss in the Sanctuary, 7:30 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.

Rev. Marks will attend the Annual Meeting of the American Congregational Association on June 8th in Boston. The Rev. Dr. Harold Worthley is retiring as the Director of the Congregational Library on that date and a recognition party will be held that same evening at the Boston Athenaeum which adjoins 14 Beacon Street.

Attention: There will be no Herald printed for the week of June 6.

We thank Fred Northrop and all who helped him, who organized last weekends interviews for our Capital Campaign program.

We hope that many will attend the second Bible Study which will deal with the most often cited texts regarding what the Bible says about homosexuality. The class will be Tuesday, June 1 at 7:00 P.M. in the Church House.

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.

The Summer Sale: Donations will be accepted beginning June 21st in the Church House for the Summer Sale. There will be two sorting rooms - one for household goods and toys, one for clothing and linens. Remember that all donations should be in good condition or new. Our indoor sale will start on July 1, and take place Monday-Friday mornings from 10:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. in July and through the better part of August.

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 entrŽe 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.

The Women's Guild Luncheon will be held on June 11, 2004 at Bobby Hackett's in Pembroke at Noon. If you need a ride please contact Billie Courtney or Hildegard Schimpf.

We are pleased to announce that Bobbie Preston has agreed to serve the church as interim secretary during the summer months. Please be as helpful as you can be in helping Bobbie.

The Board of Trustees will hold a joint meeting with the Advisory Board and Margery Williams on June 8, 2004 at 7:00 P.M. in the CH.

COMING EVENTS

June 6: Special Meeting following Worship.

June 11: Guild Annual Meeting, Bobby Hackett's Restaurant,
Noon.
June 12: Pilgrimage Golf Tournament, Squirrel Run Country Club, 8:00 A.M. starting time.
June 13: 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.