Dear Friends,

I have much on my mind as I write this letter. First of all, I wish all to whom it applies a happy Mother's Day. It is appropriate always to remember the sublime gift of parenting on a special day set apart for that purpose. I personally have been reminded of that gift as my own mother recuperates in a rehabilitation center from a broken hip. I am aware of her special gifts of love to me from before the moment I was born.

Secondly, I'm sorry that I won't be at the Annual Meeting on May 16th. Several months ago I announced that I would be away on that date to attend our son's graduation from Hieldlberg College. It was decided to proceed with the meeting because of By-Laws directives and the availability of other participants important to the conduct of the church's business. I cannot miss this important milestone in the life of our family! As it turns out I will be able to see my mother during my visit to Ohio and help her make arrangements for her future.

The third thing on my mind is the ongoing debate concerning same-sex marriage. As we are all aware, marriage licenses will be granted to same-sex couples beginning on May 17, 2004. Every church in the Commonwealth will have to decide whether or not such licenses will be honored in religious services in its church. The debate and feelings regarding this issue are surely not unique to The Church of the Pilgrimage! The fact that same-sex marriages will be legal in Massachusetts requires every church to examine itself with regard to who is or is not afforded the benefits of the church's sacraments and rites. None of us can have our attention diverted from issues of sexuality and religion, subjects which violates many of our conventional prohibitions. Put simply, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that same-sex couples have the same civil rights as heterosexual couples. Churches are now obliged to decide whether or not same-sex couples are to be accorded equality with heterosexual couples with regard to their sacraments and rites.

Passions and emotions are extreme on this issue as they have been on other issues, such as the Civil Rights Movement and the rights of women. Passions and emotions by themselves, however, are never satisfactory foundations for the setting of policy publicly or religiously. Rapid reactions are rarely informed by reason nor are they reflective of prayerful faithfulness to the gospel of Christ. I pray that matters of the heart may be tempered by matters of the head and, above, all, by faith in the love of God for all of us.

In addition to a Bible Study on texts in the Bible regarding homosexuality, Dan and I have long been planning a course on human sexuality in general to be offered in the fall of 2004. We expect many of you to attend these sessions the contexts of which will be civility, hospitality and mutual respect. We owe that to each other!

I have much on my mind, but the few mentioned here will suffice for this one pastoral letter.

Love,

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

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

Greeters: Samantha, Nancy and Jessie Pickett

The Pulpit Flowers are in loving honor of our mothers.

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.

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.

George Carter is now at a rehabilitation facility after a stay at the Jordan Hospital

THIS WEEK

Sunday, May 9 - MOTHERS DAY--Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Gary L. Marks, preaching.

Monday, May 10: 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 11: Rev. Marks office hours 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M; Rev. Dan's office hours Noon-2:00 P.M.; Aerobics, 6:30 P.M. in Allerton Hall; Knitting at Diana Budge's House, 7:00 P.M.

Wednesday, May 12: Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in AH; Staff Meeting, 10:00 A.M.; 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, May 13: 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.; Wedding Rehearsal, 5:30 P.M. in the Sanctuary; Membership & Evangelism, 7:00 P.M. in the Church House.

Friday, May 14: Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in AH; Women's Guild, 1:00 P.M. in AH.

Saturday, May15: Creative Memories Workshop at 10:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M. in Allerton Hall; Wedding, 5:00 P.M. 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. Hospital listings prepared for clergy at the Jordan Hospital, too, have been irregular in availability. Thank you for your help.

Gary and Kathy Marks will be away on May 16th to attend their son's graduation from Hieldlberg College in Ohio. Halleluia!

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

At the request of the Advisory Board the ministers of the church have agreed to offer a short-term Bible Study on passages in the Bible most often cited about homosexuality. The first meeting will be on May 24th at 7:00 P.M. The place will be announced, as will dates for other meetings. We hope that all who are interested in the current debate will attend.

Gary's mother broke a hip and he plans to visit her to help her to make decisions about her future while he is in Ohio for his son's graduation. He thanks all who have expressed their concern and remember her in their prayers.

We congratulate Mark Alan Rogers who received his Eagle Scout Award in a ceremony at The Church of the Pilgrimage on May 1, 2004. Rev. Marks participated in the ceremony.

If there are any children in 3rd grade or higher who have yet to receive a Bible, please contact the church office so one can be ordered for you.

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.

Bread Bakers Wanted! No experience required. If you're interested in learning some basics (and helping Women's Fellowship with their Pastor's Pasta Sale), sign up. The lesson will be in 2 parts, Friday, May 14 6:30-8:30 P.M. and Saturday, May 15 9:00-11:00 A.M. Call Jenny, 508-746-7168.

The Women's Guild will meet on Friday, May 14, 2004. The program "Hand Dipped Chocolates" features Ron Fedeles, Chocolatier. It should be a tasty event. All women of the church are invited. Also, please remember to bring to the May meeting your $16.00 for the luncheon banquet in June, along with your menu choice and your $3.00 dues. Thank you!

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. More information to follow in the coming weeks.

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.

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: Beautiful Mother's Day Flowers with card will be on sale at the Heifer table in Allerton Hall for a $10 donation. Proceeds will help to "Fill the Ark" full of animals for Heifer International.

Also, A lamb and baby goat will participate in the children's sermon on May 9. Children will also be able to "visit" the animals during church School. These animals come from Heifer International's Overlook Farm. Goats, lambs as well as many other types of animals such as chickens, water buffalo, honey bees, yaks, llamas and water buffalo, etc. are provided through our donations to Heifer International to provide ongoing sources of food and income to families in need all over the world. Stop by the Heifer table in Allerton Hall during Coffee Hour to find out how your gift to Heifer keeps on giving.

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!

Our prayers and sympathies are extended to Helen, Ruth and Marjorie Belcher and Elizabeth Rogers on the passing of their brother Edward Loring Belcher of Rochester, NY on May 3, 2004.

COMING EVENTS

May 16: The Annual Meeting of The Church of the Pilgrimage
following the worship service.
May 24: Bible Study, 7:00 P.M. (See Notes).

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.