Pilgrimage Herald

Sunday School
Sunday School Registration will be held in the Church House starting at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 12. Safe Church Policy requires 2 adults in each classroom. In order to hold our Sunday School Classes regularly, we need parents to sit in as an observer a couple of times per year. All parents, and any other interested volunteers, please bring your calendars with you to registration on Sunday the 12th.
Thank you! The CE Committee.

Special thanks to Greeters and Ushers for the month of August!

Coffee Hour will resume this Sunday. Volunteers are needed desperately! The list is on the counter. Please sign up.

Penny Sunday: Please bring your pennies (loose change is good! - paper even better!) on the first Sunday of each month.

The Sanctuary Choir will begin rehearsing on Wednesday, September 8, at 7:30 pm. in the Sanctuary, with first full choir music on Sunday, September 12. Please consider joining us! We hope everyone had a good summer.

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

Our new hymnals: Over the summer we have received several gifts of hymnal bookplates, and the hymnals will be dedicated in coming weeks. We have reserved a number of new hymnals for dedication, for a gift of $25. Also over the summer we have sold a number of new hymnals and old hymnals for personal use. Old hymnals will continue to be available during the fall for $5, and there are still a few new hymnals available for purchase for $25. See Bill Harting, Louise Brown or be in touch with the church office.

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


garymarks@8townsquare.org danspacek@8townsquare.org	September 5 , 2004	office@8townsquare.org
Volume LXXVI		No. 38
Dear Friends, I have always been grateful to our forebears who gave our congregation the name, The Church of the Pilgrimage. The word "pilgrimage" is an active word which suggests that the work of the church is not yet, and never will be, complete until the end of time. The word is brilliant, too, in that it relates our work to the Pilgrims of Plimoth, but as a "stepping stone" to even greater deeds in an ever opening future. This is the image applied to the Pilgrim achievement and vision given to them by Governor Bradford in Of Plimoth Plantation. The pilgrimage goes on! God is still speaking! God is not finished with us! I am fully aware of the ongoing pilgrimage as we come to Labor Day, 2004. This has been the most active August I can remember in my long pastorate at The Church of the Pilgrimage. Plans for the capital campaign are very much being made and acted upon. There have been several meetings over the summer and initial plans have been implemented. I have been both impressed and moved by the enthusiasm, dedication and joy among our executive committee as our fellow members own the task of making much needed, frequently delayed, improvements to our inadequate facilities. It is heartening and inspiring to behold the work of people who have rediscovered the power resident in the word "pilgrimage"! As the fall begins, The Church of the Pilgrimage promises to be active and engaged in pilgrimage on many fronts. Among many other activities and learning opportunities, Dan and I plan to offer a course on human sexuality, from the perspective of faith. The course will be based upon excellent work done on the subject by The United Church of Christ. We hope that many of you will participate in the spiritual/educational opportunity so relevant to our time, to church and society. Addressing the world, as troubling and challenging as it is at times, is also a part of our covenant to be on the divine pilgrimage trusting, as we always have, that the Spirit of the living God will guide us to God's intended goal for the creation. We have been a vital and basically optimistic congregation of latter day pilgrims. We are engaged by word and deed in the great work set before us in prophet's vision and set before us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They were the pioneers of the divine pilgrimage and we follow their road toward God's holy will. There are times when the road is difficult, 'twas ever thus, but we are guided by vision and faith, not halted and rendered helpless by difficulties! I often give thanks to God for the pilgrimage of faith. It is the stay and comfort of my own spiritual life. I also often give thanks to God to be on the holy journey with people like you who are also on the "sacred errand" into the modern wilderness with us. We are contemporary pilgrims who have opportunities to walk on toward hope hand in hand with our living God! Love, © The Church of the Pilgrimage in Plymouth, MA Inc., all rights reserved.
PLEASE NOTE Sunday School Sunday School Registration will be held in the Church House starting at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 12. Safe Church Policy requires 2 adults in each classroom. In order to hold our Sunday School Classes regularly, we need parents to sit in as an observer a couple of times per year. All parents, and any other interested volunteers, please bring your calendars with you to registration on Sunday the 12th. Thank you! The CE Committee. Special thanks to Greeters and Ushers for the month of August! Coffee Hour will resume this Sunday. Volunteers are needed desperately! The list is on the counter. Please sign up. Penny Sunday: Please bring your pennies (loose change is good! - paper even better!) on the first Sunday of each month. The Sanctuary Choir will begin rehearsing on Wednesday, September 8, at 7:30 pm. in the Sanctuary, with first full choir music on Sunday, September 12. Please consider joining us! We hope everyone had a good summer. Watch for the date! "Church House and Church Building Clean-up Day" will be some time in September. Our new hymnals: Over the summer we have received several gifts of hymnal bookplates, and the hymnals will be dedicated in coming weeks. We have reserved a number of new hymnals for dedication, for a gift of $25. Also over the summer we have sold a number of new hymnals and old hymnals for personal use. Old hymnals will continue to be available during the fall for $5, and there are still a few new hymnals available for purchase for $25. See Bill Harting, Louise Brown or be in touch with the church office. 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 Baptisms: On June 6, 2004, Seth Bennett William Holmes, son of Wendy (Young) and Bennett Holmes, was baptized following the Sunday morning service. On June 27, 2004, Timothy Matthew Richardson, son of Elizabeth (Foster) and Timothy Richardson, was baptized during the Sunday morning service. On June 27, 2004, Aubrey Anna Corbett, daughter of Patricia (Mellman) and Randall Corbett, was baptized during the Sunday morning service. On July 4, 2004, Abraham Thomas Chiocca, son of Maimuna (Umar) and Adam Chiocca, was baptized following the Sunday morning service. On July 18, 2004, Lily Paige Ulvila, daughter of Linda (Lambert) and Eric Ulvila, was baptized during the Sunday morning service. On July 25, Megan Elizabeth Bannzi, daughter of Donna (Whitaker) and Donald Banzi, was baptized during the Sunday morning service. On August 1, 2004, Carlie Marion Jackson, daughter of Kathryn Ann (Snell) and Ernest Snelling Jackson IV, was baptized during the Sunday morning service. On.August 8, 2004, Eliza Constance Mayo, daughter of Joanne Holmes Mayo and Anthony Mayo, was baptized following the Sunday morning service. On August 22, 2004, Hannah Lynn Flockton, daughter of Romy (Ferazzi) and Jeffrey Flocton, was baptized following the Sunday morning service. On August 22, 2004, Sadie Grace Maw, daughter of Kristine (Fallon) and Geoff Maw, was baptized during the Sunday morning service. Weddings: On June 5, 2004, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Sarah Christine Tissot and Jon Adam Bilodeau in the church sanctuary. On June 26, 2004, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Kelly Marie Lavelle and Kevin Joseph Dunn in the church sanctuary On June 26, 2004, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Kimberly Edwards and Neil Yarletts in the church sanctuary. On August 7, 2004, Rev. Johnson conducted a wedding service for Kate Jean Bergeron and Noah Borgondy in the church sanctuary. On August 7, 2004, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Christie Fry and David MacElhiney at the bride's family home. On August 20, 2004, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Catherine Kerwick Bogart and James Ronald Bones in the church sanctuary. On August 21, 2004, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Karen Trefry and Michael Wickson in the church sanctuary. On August 21, 2004, Rev. Marks conducted a wedding service for Erin Lloyd and Ben Bosanquet at Plimoth Plantation. Funerals/Memorial Services On August 9, 2004, Rev. Marks conducted a graveside service for Florence Raye. On August 10, 2004, Rev. Marks conducted a graveside service for Fred Nickerson. On August 20, 2004, Rev. Marks conducted a funeral service for Bud Drake in Braintree. Our sympathies are to Mellicent and Bud's family. Hospitalized: Phyllis Dunn, Jordan Hospital; Marge Sears, Jordan Hospital Recuperating at home following surgery at The Jordan Hospital: Hector Patenaude We're sorry that we don't have a complete list of those hospitalized in August.
THIS WEEK Sunday, Sept 5: Morning Worship 10:00 a.m., Guest Preacher will be Rev. Dr. Peter Gomes Monday, Sept. 6: LABOR DAY-OFFICE CLOSED Tuesday, Sept. 7: Rev. Marks' office hours 9:30-11:30 a.m.; Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 a.m. - Noon. Wednesday, Sept. 8: Staff Meeting-10:00 a.m.; Missions & Outreach Meeting- 7:00 p.m. in Allerton Hall; Choir Rehearsal - 7:30 P.M. Thursday, Sept. 9: Rev. Dan's office hours Noon-2:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10: Rev. Marks' office hours, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.; Women's Guild, 12:00 noon in Allerton Hall; Wedding Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary Saturday, Sept. 11: Wedding, 3:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.
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. "Calling All Adults" The Junior and Senior High Youth Groups need your support to help make the Youth Fellowship Program great! In Allerton Hall there is a list of dates and times for all Fellowship events for the coming year. Please sign up as you are able. (You will be assisting Rev. Dan, not required to lead.) Thank you! Rev. Marks was the preacher at South Pond Chapel on August 22. The Tuesday Night Knitting Group will resume at Diane Budge's home at 15 Oak Street on the second Tuesday of September (September 14, 2004) at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome. If you would like to learn or are a proficient knitter and would like to share the evening with those of like interest, please join us. It is an opportunity for fellowship and a chance to develop new friendships. Ours is a church of many faces: grandparents, friends, children, sisters and brothers, parents, role models, mentors, and leaders. All of these faces are part of many relationships, and those relationships need places. Places to grow, to learn, to share, to meet, to counsel, to care, to embrace, to shout out with joy! God is still building these relationships among us, and we need to help build facilities to nurture these relationships. We need help to build these Places for Faces. This is the theme of our upcoming Capital Campaign to renovate the Church House. The 'face' punctuation graphics and sub-theme "God is Still Building," are derived from the national advertising campaign that the United Church of Christ will be airing on television this coming Advent. The theme of the UCC initiative is "God is Still Speaking," which was originally inspired by the Gracie Allen quote, "Never place a period where God has placed a comma." By tying in with the Still Speaking Initiative, we hope to build brand recognition for our own capital campaign as well as the UCC campaign. (See www.stillspeaking.com) Please keep an eye out for news about our capital campaign and for ways that you may be able to help! The Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship will begin meeting once again on Monday, September 13, at 6:30 p.m. in Allerton Hall, for a potluck dinner followed by a business meeting. We welcome all women of the church to this event and hope that you will be able to join us. We would like to have each of you bring a favorite dish from your childhood to share. We would ask that those women whose last names begin with the initials A-D bring a side dish; F-O a main dish, and P-Z a dessert. If you have any questions or if you need transportation to the meeting, please call Marna Bloomberg at (781) 826-2543 or Jenny Healy at (508) 747-7168. Thank you. The Women's Fellowship is hosting a housewarming shower for the local Habitat for Humanity family on Habitat Sunday, September 26, immediately following church. The family, Amy and Richard Burton, will join us for a light lunch and gift giving festivities. We have asked the Burtons to register at Target and Home Depot. Thank you for helping fill their home with God's presence and love. If have any questions, please call Jenny (508) 747-7168 or Marna (781) 826-2543. 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. IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN - Harvest Fair 2004 - Saturday, October 30 As we prepare for this major fund-raiser, I would like to encourage everyone to participate in some way. We can use help with contributions to any of the theme tables or help on the day of the fair manning those tables. On Friday, October 29, I will need some able-bodied men to help us set up the tables and do some of the heavier work. If you can help in any of these areas, please call Diana Budge at (508) 746-4514. Please keep in mind that the fair is a line item in our annual budget, and it is very important that it be a financial success. This will require the participation by everyone in the congregation. If you have particular talents, share them. If you can volunteer your labors, it would be appreciated. Hopefully, we will all make purchases on that day. There will be wonderful items for sale. Reminders: Attic Treasures and Linens and Things: As you do your fall cleaning, please keep these tables in mind. We can use antique or novelty linen items such as tablecloths, runners, doilies, etc. To contribute these items, please call Gail David at (508) 746-9182. Attic Treasure items should be confined to small decorative items such as fancy glassware, pictures and knickknacks. To contribute these items, please call Meg Bross at (508) 830-9745. The Holiday Table will be having a few more craft nights before the big event! If you're feeling crafty, we would love your help. Our next two craft nights will be Thursday, September 9, at 7:00 p.m. at Laura Curtin's home, and October 7 at 7:00 p.m. at Suzanne Anderson's home. Call for directions is needed - Laura (508) 746-7761; Suzanne (508) 747-6460. Hope to hear from you! Thank you, Laura and Suzanne The first meeting of the Guild is Friday, September 10, 2004 at noon in Allerton Hall. Rev. Marks will be the speaker. Table Leader's Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 8, at 7:00 p.m. at 15 Oak Street. Tree Planting Ceremony: On August 9, 2004, Rev. Marks participated in a tree planting ceremony to honor our sister-city in Japan. The ceremony took place in Brewster Garden. "Thank You" To The Church of the Pilgrimage Dear Friends: We want to acknowledge with deepest appreciation your gift of $1,096 on May 11, 2004, to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth. We understand that this gift is for the building of the house in Plymouth. I regret the delay in sending this acknowledgement; however, I do want to express my appreciation to the Church of the Pilgrimage in becoming one of our strongest supporters. We are most grateful and we are thankful that you consider us in your charitable work. We are presently in the process of completing the home in Plymouth, and recently selected a family for our next build in Kingston. The volunteers are working hard to complete the Plymouth home in time for school opening in September. These opportunities and missions would not be possible without the efforts of people whose focus is on those who struggle to discover a meaningful life experience. Thank you for your continued expressions of encourage-ment as we join together in attempting to provide decent housing and a future of hope to deserving families. Their spirit of gratitude is also an important portion of this letter. Peace and Love, Rev. Bob Merritt Chairman, Church Relations HFH of Greater Plymouth 13th Summer concert Series a Success Thanks to everyone who helped make this summer's concert series a success. Ten different concerts, on 9 Tuesdays and one Thursday featured two chamber music concerts, the Pilgrimage Men's choir, the Highland Light Scottish Pipe Band, organ recitals, vocalists, and jigs and reels. The Music Committee is grateful to the musicians, to everyone who helped through the summer, including the front office programs, and to everyone who attended. Plymouth Community Blood Drive Wednesday, September 8 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at St. Peter's Parish Center Memorial Drive, Plymouth The Flower Committee reports that there is an opening for pulpit flowers on September 19, 2004. Please call Judy Mitchell at (508) 746-3959 to reserve a date to honor your loved ones with flowers. Thank you.
COMING EVENTS Sept. 8 First Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8 Missions and Outreach Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Allerton Hall Sept. 8 Table Leader's Meeting, 7:00 p.m., 15 Oak Street Sept. 10 The Guild, 12:00 noon in Allerton Hall. Sept. 12 Fall Church Schedule resumes, Rev. Marks preaching Sept. 13 Rev. Marks will attend a board meeting of the American Congregational Association (Congregational Library) at 14 Beacon Street in Boston Sept. 13 Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship Potluck Dinner, 6:30 p.m., Allerton Hall Sept. 14 Tuesday Night Knitting Group, 7:00 p.m., 15 Oak Street Sept. 14 Rev. Marks will conduct a worship service at the Newfield House at 10:30 a.m. He will be in the church office following the service. Sept. 26 Housewarming Shower and light lunch for Habitat for Humanity family, immediately after church on September 26 Oct. 30 Harvest Fair
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.