Dear Friends,

The new year has begun! Labor Day has come and gone, Peter Gomes has preached in our pulpit, the Patriots have won their first game, the Red Sox are teasing positive expectations, the kids and teachers are back in school - the new year has begun.

The pace of life at The Church of the Pilgrimage also quickens as we enter into September. This new year we begin our capital campaign in earnest. During the summer the Executive Committee has been working with our consultant, Margery Williams, to plan the campaign to remake the interior of Church House. Most everyone agrees that our Church House building has long been in need of a major overhaul. That building, dedicated in 1967, has never really been adequate for our needs and with the passage of time, the inadequacies have become more glaring. We have a large church school, a very busy office, and the building has many other uses, includng a thriving nursery school. It needs work and we all recognize it! As people say, it is time to "bite the bullet" and get the job done at last.

I have been impressed and encouraged by the zeal and enthusiasm among the members of the Executive Committee. It is a balanced group selected from among our general membership. Dr. Fred Northrop and Allan Hoyt chair the committee and are infectiously enthusiastic and dedicated to the project. The work of the committee is heartening and it knows that the time has come to allow our love of God and confidence in our mutual ministry in the future to become visible in our buildings.

The Kick-off Dinner at the Radisson Hotel on October 17 in a very important event in the unfolding of our plans. I encour-age you to make every effort to attend the dinner and to show your support for our project and the confidence we have in the future of ministry at The Church of the Pilgrimage.

I believe that our congregation is uniquely poised to make a powerful statement of our faith in Plymouth and around the world. Our faith and confidence in our Covenant faith is reflected in our buildings. Our buildings occupy space which was once the home of a pilgrim people whose faith and values were realized at enormous sacrifice to themselves. Those people realized, as Governor Bradford put it, that they were but as "stepping stones" for others to complete such a noble undertaking. The "stepping stones" have led to us at The Church of the Pilgrimage in 2004. We continue the pilgrimage as we now are called upon to leave such stones of faith and hope for the present and the future. As I've said, the church is not its buildings, but a church's buildings do act as indicators, as signs, of the depth of our faith. May we with joy accept our "stepping stone" role as we build "temples still undone."

Love,

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

Confirmation Class: There is an informational meeting for this year's Confirmation Class and their parents on September 26, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. If you are intending to be a member of this year's Confirmation Class, please call the church office and stop by to pick up your information packet.

New Members Class: Rev. Marks intends to begin a new members class in the near future. If you are interested in becoming a church member, please speak to Rev. Marks or call the church office.

"Save the Date" Please plan to attend the Capital Campaign Kick-Off Dinner on October 17, 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel.

Capital Campaign Meetings: Meetings having to do with the Capital Campaign will be listed in upcoming issues of the Herald.

Boards and Committees: The Moderator and Nominating Committee are in the process of filling vacancies on boards and committees. If you have any ideas for positions, contact Moderator Steve Triffletti or the Chair of the Nominating Committee, Cliff Sampson.

The Board of Trustees is looking for one more member for its Board. Please see Diana Budge or Debby Porter if you would like more information about this position.

Watch for the date! "Church House and Church Building Clean-up Day" will be some time in September.

Do you know someone who would like to receive the Herald? Please give us their address so that we can add them to our mailing list.

The Women's Fellowship is hosting a housewarming shower for the local Habitat for Humanity family on Habitat Sunday, September 26, in place of coffee hour. The family, Amy and Richard Burton, will join us for a light lunch and gift giving festivities. The Burtons are registered at Target and Home Depot. Please see Jenny or Marna after church to sign up; there is no charge, but we do need a headcount to plan for food. Thank you. If you have any questions, please call Jenny 508-747-7168 or Marna 781-826-2543.

Pledges for Fiscal Year 2005
F/Y 2005 Total Pledge Receipts received to date: $22,551
Needed to date: $28,573
($3,571.71/week)
As of 8/22/04: ($6,022)
Please keep your pledges up to date, so that we can meet our overall operating needs!
Thank you,
Jonathan Porter, Assistant Treasurer

CHURCH RECORD

Weddings:
On September 5, 2004, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Dawn Margaret Turner and Brent Michael Peterson at Independence Harbor, Assonet.
On September 11, 2004, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Patricia Marie White and Robert James Neil in the church sanctuary.

Hospitalized: Phyllis Dunn, Jordan Hospital
Other:
Now at Beverly Manor Nursing Home, Thelma Strassel.
Marjorie Sears is home and doing well.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, Sept 19: Morning Worship 10:00 a.m., Rev. Gary L. Marks preaching; Jr. High Fellowship, 3-5:00 p.m., Allerton Hall for Icebreaker Games; Sr. High Fellowship, 6-8:00 p.m., Allerton Hall for Icebreaker Games
Monday, Sept. 20: Aerobics, 9:15 a.m., Allerton Hall; Girl Scouts #1128, 3:30 p.m., in the Church House; Tiger Pack 47, 4:00 p.m., Church House upstairs
Tuesday, Sept. 21: Rev. Marks will be in the church office late because of an appointment out of town; Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 a.m. - Noon; Bd of Trustees mtg. 7:00 p.m., Church House; Aerobics, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 22: Aerobics, 9:15 a.m., Allerton Hall; Staff Meeting-10:00 a.m.; Brownies #122, 4:00 p.m., Allerton Hall; Pack 47, 7:00 p.m., Church House, CCCEB mtg, 7:00 p.m.; Choir Rehearsal - 7:30 p.m., in the sanctuary
Thursday, Sept. 23: Rev. Dan's office hours Noon-2:00 p.m.; Aerobics, 6:30 p.m., Allerton Hall; Habitat for Humanity, 7:00 p.m., Church House
Friday, Sept. 24: Rev. Marks' office hours, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.; Aerobics, 9:15 a.m., Allerton Hall; Wedding Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary
Saturday, Sept. 24: Conference Office Meeting, 8:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.; Wedding, 3:30 p.m. in the sanctuary; Eagle Scout Ceremony, 5:30 p.m.-10:00, sanctuary and Allerton Hall.

PLEASE NOTE

Please call the church office if you are aware of someone who is to be hospitalized. This is especially important with the new rules now in place in hospitals regarding patient confidentiality. Please let Rev. Marks or Rev. Spacek know, too, if you are aware of anyone in need of pastoral care of any kind.

American Congregational Association: On September 13, 2004, Rev. Marks attended a Board of Directors Meeting of the American Congregational Association. He serves on the Library Committee. The lovely building at 14 Beacon Street, Boston, has a long and enduring connection with Congregationalism and the United Church of Christ. The library is a treasure trove of early American books and documents. It was established in 1853.

Summer Sale: In spite of, or maybe because of, the hot, humid and rainy weather, we had a pretty successful Summer Sale. The work of so many resulted in the sum of $3,650. y heartfelt thanks to you all: Gerry Allen, Diana Budge, Jane Cole, Billie Courtney, alice Dunham, Janet Holmes, Lillian Knowles, Pat Mudgett, Betty O'Connell, Betsy Randall and Marge Sears. Love, Hildegard.

And a Very Special "Thank You" to Hildegard for all of her dedication and hard work in organizing a successful Summer Sale. Love, The Church of the Pilgrimage

Harvest Fair Reminder: Do you have talents in any of the following areas? Keep us in mind.

 

Calico Corner: We are looking for handmade items such as children's clothes, aprons, place mats, runners, hand-decorated towels, etc., or any other item that fits this category. If you have contributions, please call Julie Sears at 508-747-7993, or Julie Macuch at 508-747-5435.
Knitting Nook: Do you knit? If you do, we are looking for sweaters (children or adult sizes), hats, mittens and scarves. Baby sweaters are welcome as well. Call Diana Budge at 508-746-4514 if you would like to contribute your knitting labors.
Country Store: We are blessed with many great canners and look forward to contributions of pickles, relishes, jellies and jams. During fall harvest time, please keep us in mind. Please remember us if you would like to make fudge or other homemade candies. Call Shirley Axon at 508-224-8418 or Jennifer Healey at 508-747-7168 for information about appropriate items for this table.

Please save the date of October 17th and plan to join us for our Capital Campaign's Kick-off Dinner at the Radisson Hotel shortly after worship. All are invited and dinner is on us! Following the meal, there will be a short presentation about the campaign, some entertainment, and activities for the children.

In June, the congregation voted virtually unanimously to proceed with the capital campaign to improve the church house. We estimate that half of the church members will work directly on the campaign in some way. One way for you to partic-pate is as a visitor, meeting church members and friends in their homes to solicit pledges. While this role might seem daunting to some, it is essential. We cannot raise the funds to create the church house we need unless people are willing to do this crucial work. Margery Williams, our campaign consultant, has trained hundreds of fund raising visitors. She reassures us that while people are often nervous at the prospect of visiting other church members to ask for money, as a rule they find doing so a fulfilling way of serving their church and sharing fellowship with others in their church family. If a capital campaign worker asks you to play a part as a visitor, or in another way, please give the matter your fullest consideration. Margery and her associate Jennifer will train you and promise that you'll enjoy your visiting experience! Your church needs you.

Harvest Fair Drawing
This year's Drawing has over 50 prizes, with a total value of over $2,500!!!! Cost for tickets remain at $1 each or 6 for $5. A SPECIAL DRAWING this year will include a chance to win a:

* TWO NIGHT STAY at WILLIAMS INN (Williamstown), with a complete Dinner and Breakfast each morning.
* A QUEEN-SIZE QUILT assembled by Diana Budge. Ticket cost is $10, with a MAXIMUM of 100 tickets to be sold.

AND BOTH WINNERS OF THIS SPECIAL DRAWING WILL RECEIVE AN EXTRA LITTLE SOMETHING AS A SURPRISE!! WONDERFUL PRIZES! . . . . GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE A WINNER!

Tickets will be available during Coffee Hour every Sunday until the Fair!
SUPPORT THE FAIR WITH THIS FABULOUS OPPORTUNITY - SELL TICKETS TO YOUR FRIENDS, CO-WORKERS, NEIGHBORS AND RELATIVES!

Rev. Marks spoke to the opening meeting of the Women's Guild on September 10. The Guild has been meeting for more than one hundred years!

Crop Walk Sign Up: There will be a sign-up for the Crop Walk on September 26 after church.

Habitat for Humanity News: Sunday, September 26 has been designated as Habitat for Humanity Sunday. The offering received will be used toward affordable housing in the area. Please note also that fund raising will take place on November 5-7 at Independence Mall during the Snowflake Festival. Anyone interested in making Christmas tree ornaments with a snowflake design to sell for this fundraiser, should call Meg Bross at (508) 830-9745.

COMING EVENTS

Sept. 19 Jr. High Fellowship, 3-5:00 p.m., Allerton Hall for Icebreaker Games
Sept. 19 Sr. High Fellowship, 6-8:00 p.m., Allerton Hall for Icebreaker Games
Sept. 28 M. L. King, Jr. Breakfast planning meeting at The First Baptist Church in Plymouth
Oct. 17 Kick-Off Dinner for Capital Campaign
Oct. 30 Harvest Fair
Oct. 31 Crop Walk (begins at Zion Lutheran Church at noon)

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.