Pilgrimage Herald

MLK Jr. Breakfast: In spite of the snow and cold there was a very good attendance at the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast on January 17th. The featured speaker, Liz Walker, gave a dynamic and inspiring speech concerning the legacy of Rev. King. A good representation from The Church of the Pilgrimage was present. It was a wonderful event!
Evening Prayer will continue to be held on most Wednesday evenings at 7pm in the sanctuary. If there is no meeting, ample time will be allowed to inform you of any cancellation. Watch the Herald for information or call the church office if you have questions.

We congratulate Erik Shea on earning his Eagle Scout Award on January 15, 2005. Rev. Marks took part in the ceremony.

Rev. Marks and Kathy have thanked the church for its generous Christmas gift earlier, but they wish to express their appreciation again.

MISSIONS AND OUTREACH
Overnights of Hospitality: The interfaith program to provide emergency housing to the homeless men in Plymouth is now in its fifth successful week. People from The Church of the Pilgrimage provide a laundry service and many will be volunteering for overnights as needed. Lunches are no longer needed, but volunteers for overnights are, as well as teams for cooking and serving the hot meals provided every evening. The next training session for volunteers will be held at First Parish in the lower level of the yellow building on Sunday, January 23rd at 7:30pm. Please call Meg Bross at 508-830-9745 or Janet Holmes at 508-746-7148 or sign up at the Missions table during the coffee hour if you can help.

TSUNAMI RELIEF: You may wish to make a donation to victims of the horrific Tsunami in Southeast Asia through the Wider Church Ministries of The United Church of Christ. The United Church has already made use of One Great Hour of Sharing gifts to aid victims of the monumental disaster. You may wish to channel your donations through the U.C.C. which has always been a leader in times of human suffering and need.

Donations may be made to the national U.C.C. office at: Wider Church Ministries, United Church of Christ, 700 East Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, or online at www.ucc.org/disaster.

Food Pantries: Volunteers from the Food Warehouse thank the members of The Church of the Pilgrimage for over 500 pounds of donations this past year. Currently, the warehouse needs jam, jelly, mayonnaise, peanut butter and cereal.

Thank you to the children of The Church of the Pilgrimage who collected a total of $177.78 for UNICEF during the Halloween Drive. Great going! Unicef programs enable the survival and safety of the world's children.

Welcome: The Missions and Outreach Committee would welcome new people to be part of the many projects now underway or to help create new ones. Please call Janet Holmes 508-746-7148 or Meg Bross 508-830-9745 if you would like to be involved.

Pastor's Pasta Reminder: Our third annual Pasta sale will be held on Sunday, January 30, 2005. As we did last year, it will include a quart of pasta sauce, a pound of spaghetti, a loaf of Jenny's bread and cookies for dessert for a bargain price of $15. Mark you calendar and we will be taking orders during the month of January.

BAKERS NEEDED, NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: I'm looking for a few people to make bread dough Friday, January 28th from 6:30-8:30. We'll be making the dough for the bread for the Pastor's Pasta sale on Sunday, January 30. If you're interested please call Jenny 508-747-7168.

Do you need a ride to church? In the rack opposite the Church Family bulletin board (in Allerton Hall) there are updated lists of volunteer drivers. Please take a list and contact one of the volunteers whenever you need a ride.

Heifer Announces Tsunami Rebuilding Effort: As relief and aid organizations work to meet the immediate basic human needs of tsunami victims in South and Southeast Asia, Heifer International is preparing programs that will help victims rebuild their lives over the long term. Heifer has committed $1 million for programs to provide training, livestock and related help to victims on the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra and elsewhere in the region to rebuild lives and farms over the next few years. Heifer International's Asia field staff is completing an initial assessment of conditions in areas devastated by the tsunami and has recommended that Heifer expand existing sustainable development programs in Northern Sumatra, one of the areas hardest hit in the disaster. The epicenter of the earthquake that spurred the tsunami was just off the Sumatra's northwest coast. Heifer has helped small farmers on the Indonesian island for more than a decade. The existing Heifer projects are inland and not directly affected by the quake and its aftermath. Coastal communities, however, are in dire need of resources. Heifer will reach out to those communities and support families in their efforts to rebuild. Heifer Indonesia staffers and partner organizations already on the ground will work together over the next few years to rebuild agricultural production, increase family incomes and support housing, education and public health efforts. Thank you for your support, Jo Luck, President and CEO


garymarks@8townsquare.org danspacek@8townsquare.org	January 23 , 2005	office@8townsquare.org
Volume LXXVII		No. 4
Dear Friends, Despite the significant snowstorm, the Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast was a well attended and marvelous event. Not everyone who had planned to attend the event was able to be there, but far more people came than I expected when I first looked out my window and 5:30am on last Monday morning! Of course, I now drive a Jeep, so I was eager to put it to its first real test since I've had it. Television news personality, Liz Walker, was there on time and she was a very inspiring and eloquent speaker. She also had to leave as soon as her speech was over because she was participating in a special MLK event at Boston University later in that day. I think that gathering marked the fiftieth anniversary of King's graduation from B.U. A part of our annual breakfast honoring Rev. King is the reading of student essays. I myself read seventeen of them. The one paper selected for reading at the breakfast was by a seventh grader in the Plymouth Public Schools. It was a deeply moving essay offered by a young woman who is a victim of childhood diabetes. What struck me the most about her paper was that the work of Rev. King served her as a role model not only in facing her own disease, but in acting courageously in changing regulations regarding testing her glucose levels at school and elsewhere. Details are not necessary to repeat. The impressive achievement of the young woman was that Rev. King's struggle provided her with an inspiration to change regulation which were discrimatory against her in public places. She is a very brave person and I'm fortunate to have heard her story. The lasting legacy of M.L. King, I think, is that in his heroic battle against discrimination on the basis of race, he was able to sensitize the nation and the world to all issues of discriminatory practices in many areas of life. He drew his inspiration from the prophets of the Bible, and especially from the life and teachings of Jesus. He also drew inspiration from Ghandi's non-violent philosophy and practices in India where Ghandi played a central role in liberating his own people. When I turned on the news on Tuesday morning I was chagrined to see a story about vandalism at a public school in New Hampshire which included the painting of swastikas on the walls of the building. (The story of Prince Harry in England and his stupid selection of a party costume was also still being reported)! On that same news report there appeared a story about Ku Klux Clan materials being circulated in a Boston suburb. The contrast between the M.L. King Breakfast and its lofty message and those stories was stunning to me! That contrast caused anger in me, but it also drove me to prayer. I prayed, among other things, that God would continue to use the King legacy to inspire people, especially the young, never to give up on a vision of a just society in which all forms of discrimination are disarmed and eradicated. I won't use names because I have not sought permission to do so, but a mother in our church brought her young grade school daughter to me at the coffee hour last Sunday to tell me a story which filled me with pride and courage. The little girl said that she was given courage to act when others were being mistreated because of learning about Rosa Parks. That little girl is one of my heroes! I didn't openly weep in front of my hero, but I did cry tears of thanksgiving for the presence of God's love and justice finding expression in a child of our church. In the stories of two young people I was blessed with a renewed vision of hope which dwarfed the stories of hate in the news. In it all, including the legacy of Rev. King, I could hear the words of Jesus; "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all they soul, and with all they mind, and with all they strength; and thy neighbor as thyself." Love, © The Church of the Pilgrimage in Plymouth, MA Inc., all rights reserved.
Sunday, January 23, 2005 Morning Worship, 10:00 am , Rev. Gary L. Marks, preaching. Deacon of the Month: Dave Moreland. Altar Flowers: In loving memory of Gerda and Wadsworth G. Savery. Given by the Savery family. Membership Classes: The first class will be held for one hour following the Sunday Service on January 30th. There will be three classes during which the history and mission of the local church and the United Church of Christ will be discussed. The classes will also afford an opportunity to meet leaders of the church. Rev Marks is the primary teacher. If you are interested in church membership, please call the church office or speak with Rev. Marks. From the Membership & Evangelism Committee: On January 23rd after church, the M & E Committee will have a Chicken Soup for the Soul luncheon in honor of the new members. We will be making the soup and beverages, but we are asking A-M people to bring a plate of sandwiches to serve 8 and N-Z to bring desserts. The New Member Lunch will be held in Allerton Hall following the worship service. Everyone is welcome to attend and meet recent new members. Pledges for Fiscal Year 2005 Needed to date: $100,007.92 ($3,571.71/week) F/Y 2005 Total Pledge Receipts received to date: $80,434.49 As of 1/9/05 -$19,573.43 Please keep your pledges up to date, so that we can meet our overall operating needs! Thank you, Jonathan Porter, Assistant Treasurer
CHURCH RECORD Baptism: On January 16, 2005 Carlie I'Esha McKinnon and Connor Izayah McKinnon were baptized during the morning worship service. In Memoriam: On January 14, 2005 Rev. Marks conducted a graveside service for Frances Kaiser.
THIS WEEK Sunday,Jan. 23.: Morning Worship 10:00 a.m., Rev. Marks, preaching: New Member Lunch, following worship, Allerton Hall; Cherub Choir Rehearsal, following worship. Monday, Jan 24.: Aerobics, 9:15 a.m., Allerton Hall; Tiger Pack 47, 4-5:30, Church House; Girl Scouts, 3:30-5, Church House; Pilgrim Festival Choir Rehearsal, 7-10pm, Sanctuary (and PFC Board Meeting @6:30 Pastor's Study). Tuesday, Jan. 25: Rev. Marks will in the church office, 9:30-11:30am; Aerobics, 6:30 pm; Allerton Hall; Advisory Board Meeting, 7pm, Church House. Wednesday, Jan. 26:: Aerobics, 9:15 a.m., Allerton Hall; Staff Meeting, 10:00 am; Brownie Troop #122, 4-5:30pm, Allerton Hall; Troop 47/Den 4, 6-7:30, Church House (up);Troop #47, 7pm, Church House; Evening Prayer, 7pm, sanctuary; Choir Rehearsal 7:30 pm, sanctuary Thursday, Jan.27: Aerobics, 6:30pm, Allerton Hall. Friday, Jan. 28: Aerobics, 9:15 am, Allerton Hall; Rev. Marks will be in the church office, 9:30-11:30am.
NOTES: MLK Jr. Breakfast: In spite of the snow and cold there was a very good attendance at the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast on January 17th. The featured speaker, Liz Walker, gave a dynamic and inspiring speech concerning the legacy of Rev. King. A good representation from The Church of the Pilgrimage was present. It was a wonderful event! Evening Prayer will continue to be held on most Wednesday evenings at 7pm in the sanctuary. If there is no meeting, ample time will be allowed to inform you of any cancellation. Watch the Herald for information or call the church office if you have questions. We congratulate Erik Shea on earning his Eagle Scout Award on January 15, 2005. Rev. Marks took part in the ceremony. Rev. Marks and Kathy have thanked the church for its generous Christmas gift earlier, but they wish to express their appreciation again. MISSIONS AND OUTREACH Overnights of Hospitality: The interfaith program to provide emergency housing to the homeless men in Plymouth is now in its fifth successful week. People from The Church of the Pilgrimage provide a laundry service and many will be volunteering for overnights as needed. Lunches are no longer needed, but volunteers for overnights are, as well as teams for cooking and serving the hot meals provided every evening. The next training session for volunteers will be held at First Parish in the lower level of the yellow building on Sunday, January 23rd at 7:30pm. Please call Meg Bross at 508-830-9745 or Janet Holmes at 508-746-7148 or sign up at the Missions table during the coffee hour if you can help. TSUNAMI RELIEF: You may wish to make a donation to victims of the horrific Tsunami in Southeast Asia through the Wider Church Ministries of The United Church of Christ. The United Church has already made use of One Great Hour of Sharing gifts to aid victims of the monumental disaster. You may wish to channel your donations through the U.C.C. which has always been a leader in times of human suffering and need. Donations may be made to the national U.C.C. office at: Wider Church Ministries, United Church of Christ, 700 East Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, or online at www.ucc.org/disaster. Food Pantries: Volunteers from the Food Warehouse thank the members of The Church of the Pilgrimage for over 500 pounds of donations this past year. Currently, the warehouse needs jam, jelly, mayonnaise, peanut butter and cereal. Thank you to the children of The Church of the Pilgrimage who collected a total of $177.78 for UNICEF during the Halloween Drive. Great going! Unicef programs enable the survival and safety of the world's children. Welcome: The Missions and Outreach Committee would welcome new people to be part of the many projects now underway or to help create new ones. Please call Janet Holmes 508-746-7148 or Meg Bross 508-830-9745 if you would like to be involved. Pastor's Pasta Reminder: Our third annual Pasta sale will be held on Sunday, January 30, 2005. As we did last year, it will include a quart of pasta sauce, a pound of spaghetti, a loaf of Jenny's bread and cookies for dessert for a bargain price of $15. Mark you calendar and we will be taking orders during the month of January. BAKERS NEEDED, NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: I'm looking for a few people to make bread dough Friday, January 28th from 6:30-8:30. We'll be making the dough for the bread for the Pastor's Pasta sale on Sunday, January 30. If you're interested please call Jenny 508-747-7168. Do you need a ride to church? In the rack opposite the Church Family bulletin board (in Allerton Hall) there are updated lists of volunteer drivers. Please take a list and contact one of the volunteers whenever you need a ride. Heifer Announces Tsunami Rebuilding Effort: As relief and aid organizations work to meet the immediate basic human needs of tsunami victims in South and Southeast Asia, Heifer International is preparing programs that will help victims rebuild their lives over the long term. Heifer has committed $1 million for programs to provide training, livestock and related help to victims on the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra and elsewhere in the region to rebuild lives and farms over the next few years. Heifer International's Asia field staff is completing an initial assessment of conditions in areas devastated by the tsunami and has recommended that Heifer expand existing sustainable development programs in Northern Sumatra, one of the areas hardest hit in the disaster. The epicenter of the earthquake that spurred the tsunami was just off the Sumatra's northwest coast. Heifer has helped small farmers on the Indonesian island for more than a decade. The existing Heifer projects are inland and not directly affected by the quake and its aftermath. Coastal communities, however, are in dire need of resources. Heifer will reach out to those communities and support families in their efforts to rebuild. Heifer Indonesia staffers and partner organizations already on the ground will work together over the next few years to rebuild agricultural production, increase family incomes and support housing, education and public health efforts. Thank you for your support, Jo Luck, President and CEO
Coming Events: Jan. 30 Pastors Pasta Sale following worship in Allerton Hall (see "Notes"); Membership Class, 11:30-12:30
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.