Dear Friends,

Reactions of those entering our renovated Church House were almost universally positive. At the eleventh hour, or nearly that, the Harvest Fair's organizers learned that a temporary building occupancy permit had been granted by the Town of Plymouth. Almost without hesitation the Fair Committee opted to hold the annual event on the second floor in the "great hall" and adjoining side rooms.

The Fair itself was wonderful event, once again featuring the crafts and skills there are in our congregation and a willingness to share all of them for the benefit of the church. Many contributed to the Fair's success, but I thank them all in praising the devotion and hard work of Laura Curtin and Diana Budge.

Upon entering the "new" building many of our own congregation who had familiarity with it were almost stunned. They didn't recognize where they were! I have that same sense still when I go into entry doors. I marvel at the utilization of the wasted space which had characterized the building since 1967.

I think it was I who originally suggested that the building receive a new name. It deserves a new name for a number of reasons, but primarily because it is a new, state-of-the art educational and administrative facility.

Soon we will have a grand dedication of the "new" Church House. The building is a testimony to our willingness and dedication to invest in the future of the Christian education of our young people to the glory of God. It is now a pleasing place from which to conduct our many-layered ministry, and from which to conduct the routine business of the church, as well.

There are many people who have toiled mightily on our behalf to make the renovation of Church House a significant marker in the long history of a venerable congregation. They shall be noted in due time and in heaven, of course!

This is an exciting time for The Church of the Pilgrimage in many ways. The Rev. Heather Moody will join us in full-time ministry on November 13th. That is a blessing to us, of course, and it is my hope that we will be a blessing to a wonderful young minister.

We shall also be receiving new members into the life of our congregation this week. I thank the Membership and Evangelism Committee for its heartfelt efforts to show our church to be a welcoming and friendly place in which to pursue our spiritual pilgrimage.

May God grant that we continue faith's pilgrimage in ministry and mission. God is still speaking and we can be God's voice of love, peace and justice!

Love,

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

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized: Ruth Thom, George Carter - Jordan Hospital. Billie Ganem is recuperating at home following a hospital stay. Kay Budd is now recuperating at The Beverly Manor on Obery Street in Plymouth. Pat Harper is a patient at The Newton/Wellsley Hospital. Harold and Mary Clark have been home-bound for a considerable length of time. We are sure they would appreciate hearing from church friends (13 Mt. Pleasant St, Plymouth, MA 02360).

Baptism: On October 30, 2005 Abigale Andrade Ames, daughter of David and Shyla (Allen) Ames, was baptized during the Service of Worship.

Sympathies: Our sympathies and prayers are extended to Chuck Harper whose mother died in Kansas City last week.

Confirmation Announcement: The first meeting for the confirmation class will be on Sunday, November 13th from 11:30am to 1:00 pm in the new Church House. Please watch for further details.

Parking Reminder: Please note that the lot located behind the First Parish Church House is a private lot and should not be used by anyone other than First Parish members. Members of First Parish have been asked not to park in the circle.

Church Office: A reminder that the church office has been completely moved out of the First Parish Church House and is now located in the new church house building.

Shellie's office hours are Monday and Tuesday from Noon until 5pm and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8am-1pm.

THIS WEEK

Mon. Nov. 7: Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 9am; Women's Fellowship, Allerton Hall, 6pm; Pilgrim Festival Chorus Rehearsal, Sanctuary, 7-10pm.

Tue. Nov. 8: Rev. Marks will be in the church office, 9:30-11:30am; Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 6:30pm.

Wed, Nov. 9: Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 9am; Girl Scouts and Daisy Troops, Allerton Hall, 3:30-6pm; Music Committee Meeting, Allerton Hall, 6:30; Evening Prayer, Sanctuary 7-7:30pm; Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary, 7:30pm.

Thurs,Nov. 10: Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 6:30pm; Membership & Evangelism Committee, Simpson Home, 7pm.

Fri., Nov. 11: Veteran's Day, The Church Office will be closed; Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 9am; Guild, Allerton Hall, 1-3pm.

MISSIONS AND OUTREACH NEWS--
Monday Meals of Hospitality: The Monday Meals of Hospitality Program, serving people in need in our community, will begin again on November 7th. To serve on a team some Mondays between 12:00-1:00pm, please call coordinator, Diane Flood (508-209-0266).
The Greater Plymouth Food Warehouse: Please contribute cereal and fruit this week.
Crop Walk: Congratulations to all who walked, sponsored, served as safety marshals and at water tables, or supported the Crop Walk in some way again this year. Seventy-five or more people brought in $6500 and we are still counting. THANK YOU TO ALL.

Nice to see! : It was good to see Jean Patenaude and Nancy Scheid in worship last Sunday!

Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship: Please plan to come to HOBBY NIGHT to be held Monday, November 7th at 7pm in Allerton Hall. If you are able, please bring along a sample item that either you have made or someone you know has made for a show and tell. If your hobby, new or old, is one that you would like to teach to those in attendance, that would be great. If you are in need of a ride, please call Marna at 781-826-2543 or feel free to call with any questions you may have. We hope to see you there.

Membership Classes: If you are interested in church membership, please speak to Rev. Marks or phone the church office. Rev. Marks is happy to speak with anyone interested in The Church of the Pilgrimage and The United Church of Christ. Please feel free to inquire.

The Reverend Heather Moody: Our newly called and recently ordained Associate Minister will join the church staff beginning November 13th. It will be wonderful to greet The Rev. Heather Moody and share in her gifts for ministry!

Wednesday Evening Prayer: Rev. Marks is resuming the Wednesday Evening Prayer gatherings from 7:00 to 7:30pm. The services usually follow simple contemporary Celtic Order for Evening Prayer. Though contemporary, these services reflect ancient Christian practices. Those attending may pray/reflect in silence or recall persons before God publicly. Those who have regularly attended these services have found them very helpful in their spiritual pilgrimages. Please feel free to join these prayer sessions.

The Membership & Evangelism wants to welcome Heather by filling her kitchen shelves with basic food staples. If you would like to bring canned goods, baking products, mixes, teas, crackers, cereal etc. we will have a basket for your contributions on Sunday, November 6th. If you would rather us shop for you, leave a small donation in the envelope in the basket.

PAC TV:
The airing of The Church of the Pilgrimage Services on PAC TV has been an important part of our ministry and outreach to the community. This is the opinion of your Membership and Evangelism Committee and we hope it is your opinion as well. We now have the Sunday 8am and 10pm time lots on PAC. But we need someone, maybe you, to help tape or edit these Church Services.

Tom Healy needs help! He can't do it himself. Do you want to learn a new skill? PAC will train you. You could tape, edit or both. We need help! If you can spare 2-3 hours on a weekday to edit or 11/2 hours to tape Sunday Services, please see Kathy Marks, chair of Membership and Evangelism. You wouldn't need to do both and probably only 1 or 2 times a month. Thanks for considering this form of ministry to our town.

Gift of a Hymnal: The gift of a hymnal dedication is a unique honor to give and to receive. A number of our new hymnals do not yet have dedicatory bookplates. A dedication in honor of, or in memory of, a loved one is available for the cost of a $25 gift to the church. In addition, there is a small supply of uncirculated hymnals available for purchase, also $25. See Bill Harting or Louise Brown for more information.

Harvest Fair News:
I would like to thank everyone for all their help last Saturday at The Harvest Fair. It was such a wonderful day and a successful one financially for the church. We raised over $8000.00.( I will update you further on the exact numbers when all receipts, etc. have been turned in.)

It was wonderful to use our new church building. What a beautiful place it is. I want to thank Larry Foster, Fred Northrop and Al Hoyt, for all their time and effort to make that building happen. It is going to be such an asset to our church.

I would also like to thank Deb Porter and her kitchen crew for their hard work. They did a great job with the luncheon, everything was delicious as usual! Thank you to Dave Cowie who did such a wonderful job with the raffle. I don't know what I will do without you next year, you and Diane will be missed by many. Marna , thank you also, for making the drawing as usual, fun and exciting.

To all the table workers who work so hard for six months or so out of the year, thank you all. Your time and many talents are what make our fair shine. Diana Budge, thank you!! You are wonderful! I couldn't of done it without you. Thank you! For everyone that helped set up and clean up, thank you! For all the fair goers thank you! Suzanne Anderson, for not only working on the holiday table with me, but for being my shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen. Thank you!

Thank you to Cliff Sampson and Lillian Knowles for collecting the money and counting it. Thank you to Gary for the opening prayer and setting the day with spirited love.

I do not want to forget anyone, because this Fair would not happen without all of us. It is truly a wonderful event and I felt a very special feeling on Saturday. That of a Congregation working together to make this Fair happen and not only happen but be something truly wonderful. I hope you felt it too. Thank you everyone for the words of wisdom, the helping hands , the donations, the pats on the back. It all made a difference and our church benefited from it. What greater gift is there?

From the bottom of my heart, Thank you!
Sincerely, Laura Curtin

SERRV Sale: The SERRVice Mission Mart returns for its 14th year at The Church of the Pilgrimage! Handmade crafts form 30-40 developing areas around the world will be on sale in Allerton Hall on Sunday, November 13, immediately following the church service.

Proceeds from the sale help artisans in many ways. Children of crafters can go to school; medicine and health care are made possible; good food in sufficient quantity is enabled; housing and clothing become available; small but measurable gains against poverty are realized. As a bonus, indigenous crafting skills are kept alive
.
The gift you give gives twice! Your purchase gives the artisan income, dignity and hope while it gifts the recipient with a unique handcraft.

Please be advised that cash and checks are accepted, but that credit cards cannot be processed by the Mission Mart.

Elizabeth and John Minott, Managers, SMM

Clerk - Lois Post; Moderator - Steven Triffletti; Treasurer - David Kegel; Collector - Debra Richters
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.