Pilgrimage Herald

MISSIONS AND OUTREACH
Monday Meals of Hospitality: Meals will continue to be served through the summer. Thank you to all who have volunteered serve.

The Task Force for the Homeless: Volunteers are cordially invited to attend a Breakfast Buffet at Zion Lutheran Church on Saturday, May 7th at 9:30am. Come to celebrate the successful first year of this interfaith project to provide emergency shelter to the homeless men in our community.

Heifer International: During the month of May, our church family will focus on the work of Heifer International, dedicated to helping millions of people in 125 countries, become self-reliant through livestock, educational and sharing and caring programs.

Mother's Day: The Missions and Outreach Committee will have simple carnation corsages available at the church door, beginning at 9:30am on May 8th, to honor mothers. A donation of $5.00 for each one will benefit Heifer International.

A Notice from theCribroom: I would like to thank everyone who has helped in the past year with the cleaning, painting, construction, organizing and contributions made to our cribroom. A lot of hard work, time and financial generosity have gone into making our cribroom shine. The space and equipment in there is designed for use by infants through three years old. Beyond the church service all children are welcome in the room, but to maintain the current condition of the room and its furnishings we ask the following cooperation from children and parents alike.

1. Please keep food and drinks out of the cribroom after church; this is for safety (choking and food allergy concerns) as well as cleanliness reasons.
2. Only quiet paly is allowed; no running, throwing, horseplay etc.
3. Children beyond cribroom age should take extra care with the toys and equipment.

We want the cribroom to be a safe, fun and inviting place for our children. Please help us keep it as such. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely, Laura Curtin and the Cribroom Staff

Confirmation Class Clothing Drive: The following is a list of items needed for the confirmation class's clothing drive for the homeless:
* Travel size toiletries
* Ziploc Bags (quart size)
* Men's Underwear , Briefs (L, XL, 2XL)
* Men's Undershirts (L, XL, 2XL)
* Men's White Tube Socks
* Emergency Ponchos and Blankets
* Sweatshirts
* Backpacks
* Winter Jackets (to be stored until next fall/winter)
Please place all donations in the large blue bins at the bottom of the stairs in the lower vestibule. Also, cash donations are greatly appreciated! Items will be collected until May 15th when they will be delivered. Thank you all for your support.

DATE CHANGE...Pawtucket Red Sox: If you are interested in going on a bus trip to see the Pawtucket Red Sox on Saturday, June 4th please contact Al Hoyt at 508-224-9507.

Youth Fellowship: May 1st 3-5pm "Trash Bash" (teams will compete to see who can pick up the most trash at given locations, bags and gloves provided). Meet in Allerton Hall 3pm.

Capital Campaign Construction: The time draws near when the reconstruction of Church House gets underway! All items must be out of the building by April 30th. Construction begins in May. Remember that it is not too late for you to make financial gifts to this long dreamed project.

New Member Classes: A number of people have spoken to Rev. Marks about their desire to become members of The Church of the Pilgrimage. If you are interested in church membership, please speak to Rev. Marks or call the church office. Because of Rev. Markes schedule, the exact dates for these classes are still indefinite. He will contact those who have expressed an interest in membership when dates and times are established. There will be three classes, 11:30am-12:30pm following Sunday worship.

SAVE THE DATE: The Fifth Annual Church of the Pilgrimage Golf Tournament will be held Saturday morning, June 18, at Squirrel Run Golf Course. Signups for individuals and foursomes, as well as non-golfers who will join us for lunch, will begin at church in a few weeks Meanwhile, we would like you to ask your employers, as well as businesses you frequent, to be hole sponsors. Committee members have letters of authorization and flyers for you to use. Contact Mike Harrington, 508-747-2060, Tony & Susan Cotta, Judy & John Mitchell, or Paul Scheid for forms or more information.

The Annual Plymouth Area Choir Festival will be held Sunday, May 1 at 6Pm at The Church of the Pilgrimage. Choirs from churches from Plymouth, Kingston and Carver will each sing two of their favorite anthems, and then join together for several songs as a combined choir. As always, the Choir Festival is free and everyone is welcome.

Stewardship: A reminder that our annual meeting is coming up soon, and that our budget will be affected by our pledges to the church. These pledges will take effect July 1, 2005. Please return your pledge card to the church office or see a member of the Stewardship Committee on Sunday. Our sincere thanks for your prompt attention to this matter.

Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship: May is here and it is time to join together in fun and fellowship. Come celebrate the arrival of Spring by assembling gifts for some very special people in our midst. Our meeting will be held Monday, May 2nd at 7:00 p.m. in Allerton Hall. All women of the church are welcome. Please call Marna (781-826-2543) or Jenny (508-747-7168) if you need a ride. Thanks, Marna and Jenny

The Tuesday Night Knitting Circle is scheduled for 7:00pm May 10th at Diane Budge's home at 15 Oak Street. The group meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7pm 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.

Penny Sunday: The second Sunday of every month is "Penny Sunday." On this Sunday you will find one of our church school children holding a box near our greeters. Please deposit your pennies in the box. The pennies donated are used for special purchases the church would like to make. Thank you!

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.

YOU ARE INVITED:
GUESS WHO'S COMING TO TEA
The ladies of the congregation are invited to join the Pilgrimage Women's Guild and the Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship sponsored Spring Tea to be held at Allerton Hall on Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 2:00pm.
We plan an ambitious program of music and a unique presentation of floral centerpieces along with typical high tea refreshments. We encourage but do not require that you wear a spring bonnet of your creation to add to the fun.
The admission fee will be $5 per person and the profit form this event will be divided between the two groups to help fund their many good works. We hope that this will become an annual event and that the response will be enthusiastic. Sign-ups will be after Sunday services during the month of May. Please sign up and plan to bring a friend.

Annual Report: The Annual Report is available May 1, 2005. Each family is encouraged to take one and look it over before the Annual Meeting. Please bring it with you to the meeting as the Board of Trustees prints one per family.

Childcare: There will be childcare provided during the annual meeting. The Board is looking for 1-2 adults to manage activities for the children who are not attending the meeting. Also, a light snack will be provided. Please sign-up in Allerton Hall during coffee hour or speak to any Board member.


garymarks@8townsquare.org danspacek@8townsquare.org	May 1 , 2005	office@8townsquare.org
Volume LXXVII		No. 18
Dear Friends, Last Sunday I based my sermon on the suggested Epistle Reading, I Peter 2:1-10. I wish I had remembered as I wrote that sermon the remarkable story of how St. Francis of Assisi began his order while I was writing my sermon. I was reminded of that story on Monday last! Oh well, here is the story of St. Francis and how his ministry began. "Ripara la mia Chiesa." That phrase means, "Repair my church." Francis heard these words coming from the figure of Christ painted on the cross in a nearly ruined chapel. The place was the Chapel of San Damiano where he'd gone to pray. The chapel was a mess and Francis saw it to be indicative of a lack of respect and an insult to the honor of God. So, Francis took the words, "Repair my church," literally. He set himself to the daunting task of rebuilding the chapel. As he worked others joined him. Francis had also adopted for himself a life of poverty, prayer and preaching. The others who came to work with him were welcomed as brothers and adopted his life-style of spiritual discipline. Thus, the Order of Francis of Assisi (The Franciscans) was born in 13th century Italy. The Franciscans came to identify with the least on the social scale and have kept up a dedicated ministry to the poor, the needy and the socially dispossessed. As his brotherhood grew Francis came to understand that Christ's call to rebuild the church was not only about finding the right stones with which to rebuild the Chapel of San Damiano. It was about building a "spiritual house" of "living stones" as the very early Epistle of I Peter used those images in 2:1-10. The spiritual house of God is built of "flesh and blood Stones," as it were. As his brotherhood grew it was composed of people of low and high degree, the educated and uneducated, rich and poor. His "living stones" were of many sizes and shapes, a collection of "stones" which were very different from one another. From this wide variety of "living stones" Francis proceeded to build a "spiritual house" which became a community of reconciliation able to embrace the whole creation. (This account of the birth of the Order of St. Francis appeared on the Episcopal Church Website, August 4, 2003). I Peter is an early Christian writing, dating to the 50's C. E. The early church was possessed by a resurrection vision of faith which expanded faith's vision to include all races, nationalities, etc. of people. It was a radical notion in the first century which had thought in the confining terms of racial, national and other boundaries as the basis of religion. St. Francis by starting to rebuild the San Damiano Chapel reached back to such a vision of the church as described in I Peter as the basis of his order. The message of Christ, "Rebuild my church" still comes to us. Rebuilding has a double meaning. It means the literal building of church facilities, and it means building a "spiritual house" of a wide variety of "living stones" (people). What a redemptive message this is for us to accept as we begin building Church House as a reflection of our "spiritual house" composed of a wide variety of "living stones," Christ being the Cornerstone of both! Love, © The Church of the Pilgrimage in Plymouth, MA Inc., all rights reserved.
Sunday, May 1, 2005 Morning Worship,10:00am: Rev. Gary L. Marks, preaching. Communion Sunday; Choir Festival/Hymn Sing, 6pm, sanctuary; Youth Group "Trash Bash" 3-5pm. Deacon in-charge: Nancy Scheid. Flowers: In memory of Mr. & Mrs. Peter Smith and Miss Gertrude Smith. Given by Gilbert L. Besse. The Board of Trustees TIMELINE: May 1 Report available to congregation. May 15 Annual Meeting. Annual Plant Sale- Saturday, June 4, 2005 from 9am-1pm Plants are staring to rise up in the garden. Now is the time to divide and put in pots. If anyone needs help in digging, please call Tom and I at 508-224-7296. We will be happy to dig up any plants you'd like to donate. Thank you! Pat Mudgett The Next Monday Evening Bible Study and the Tuesday Lunch Bunch will be May 2nd at 7pm and May 3rd at noon. Both groups meet in Allerton Hall. The subject will be the upcoming Sunday's lectionary texts. Readings for these classes are: Acts 1:6-14 and John 17:1-11. All are encouraged to attend. Annual Meeting: Plant to attend the Annual Meeting of The Church of the Pilgrimage on May 15, 2005. The meeting will receive reports and act on the 2005/2006 budget. It will be held in the sanctuary following morning worship. Summer Camp: The Mass Conference, U.C.C. offers a variety of summer camp opportunities for young people and adults. Call the church office for information. CHURCH BLOOPER: "Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands."
CHURCH RECORD Recuperating at home, Al Hoyt, following surgery. Recuperating at the Beverly Manor Nursing Home, Richard Bramhall. Now residing at The Life Care Center, Elizabeth Porter, George Carter. Baptism: During the worship service on April 24, 2005 Rev. Marks baptized Quinn G. Olson, son of Chandra and Spencer Olson. In Memoriam: On April 23, 2005 Rev. Marks conducted a graveside service for former church member Janet Presti. Janet had been living with her daughter for a number of years. On April 29, 2005 Rev. Marks conducted a graveside service at the National Cemetery in Bourne.
THIS WEEK Sunday, May 1: Morning worship10:00am, Rev. Gary L. Marks , preaching; Communion Sunday; Choir Festival/Hymn Sing, 6pm, sanctuary; Trash Bash, 3-5pm. Monday, May 2: Aerobics, 9am, Allerton Hall; Monday Meals of Hospitality, 12-1pm, Allerton Hall; Girl Scouts, 3:30-5, Allerton Hall; Bible Study, 7pm, Allerton Hall. Tuesday, May 3: Rev. Marks will be in the church office, 9:30-11:30am.; Lunch Bunch, noon, Allerton Hall; C.E. Committee Meeting,6:30pm, Charlene Moore's House; Aerobics, 6:30 pm; Allerton Hall; Advisory Board Meeting, 7pm, Church House Wednesday, May 4: Aerobics, 9:15 a.m., Allerton Hall; Staff Meeting, 10am; Choir Rehearsal 7:30 pm, sanctuary; Brownie Troop #122 4-5:30, Allerton Hall; Evening Prayer, 7pm, sanctuary; Yom Ha-Shoah, (Holocaust Memorial Day), 7:30pm, Beth Jacob Community Center. Thursday, May 5: Aerobics, 6:30pm, Allerton Hall; National Day of Prayer Observance, noon, Plymouth Rock. Friday, May 6: Aerobics, 9:15 am, Allerton Hall; Rev. Marks will be in the church office, 9:30-11:30am; Wedding Rehearsal 6:30pm, Sanctuary. Sat. May 7: Wedding in the sanctuary, 5pm.
NOTES: MISSIONS AND OUTREACH Monday Meals of Hospitality: Meals will continue to be served through the summer. Thank you to all who have volunteered serve. The Task Force for the Homeless: Volunteers are cordially invited to attend a Breakfast Buffet at Zion Lutheran Church on Saturday, May 7th at 9:30am. Come to celebrate the successful first year of this interfaith project to provide emergency shelter to the homeless men in our community. Heifer International: During the month of May, our church family will focus on the work of Heifer International, dedicated to helping millions of people in 125 countries, become self-reliant through livestock, educational and sharing and caring programs. Mother's Day: The Missions and Outreach Committee will have simple carnation corsages available at the church door, beginning at 9:30am on May 8th, to honor mothers. A donation of $5.00 for each one will benefit Heifer International. A Notice from theCribroom: I would like to thank everyone who has helped in the past year with the cleaning, painting, construction, organizing and contributions made to our cribroom. A lot of hard work, time and financial generosity have gone into making our cribroom shine. The space and equipment in there is designed for use by infants through three years old. Beyond the church service all children are welcome in the room, but to maintain the current condition of the room and its furnishings we ask the following cooperation from children and parents alike. 1. Please keep food and drinks out of the cribroom after church; this is for safety (choking and food allergy concerns) as well as cleanliness reasons. 2. Only quiet paly is allowed; no running, throwing, horseplay etc. 3. Children beyond cribroom age should take extra care with the toys and equipment. We want the cribroom to be a safe, fun and inviting place for our children. Please help us keep it as such. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Laura Curtin and the Cribroom Staff Confirmation Class Clothing Drive: The following is a list of items needed for the confirmation class's clothing drive for the homeless: * Travel size toiletries * Ziploc Bags (quart size) * Men's Underwear , Briefs (L, XL, 2XL) * Men's Undershirts (L, XL, 2XL) * Men's White Tube Socks * Emergency Ponchos and Blankets * Sweatshirts * Backpacks * Winter Jackets (to be stored until next fall/winter) Please place all donations in the large blue bins at the bottom of the stairs in the lower vestibule. Also, cash donations are greatly appreciated! Items will be collected until May 15th when they will be delivered. Thank you all for your support. DATE CHANGE...Pawtucket Red Sox: If you are interested in going on a bus trip to see the Pawtucket Red Sox on Saturday, June 4th please contact Al Hoyt at 508-224-9507. Youth Fellowship: May 1st 3-5pm "Trash Bash" (teams will compete to see who can pick up the most trash at given locations, bags and gloves provided). Meet in Allerton Hall 3pm. Capital Campaign Construction: The time draws near when the reconstruction of Church House gets underway! All items must be out of the building by April 30th. Construction begins in May. Remember that it is not too late for you to make financial gifts to this long dreamed project. New Member Classes: A number of people have spoken to Rev. Marks about their desire to become members of The Church of the Pilgrimage. If you are interested in church membership, please speak to Rev. Marks or call the church office. Because of Rev. Markes schedule, the exact dates for these classes are still indefinite. He will contact those who have expressed an interest in membership when dates and times are established. There will be three classes, 11:30am-12:30pm following Sunday worship. SAVE THE DATE: The Fifth Annual Church of the Pilgrimage Golf Tournament will be held Saturday morning, June 18, at Squirrel Run Golf Course. Signups for individuals and foursomes, as well as non-golfers who will join us for lunch, will begin at church in a few weeks Meanwhile, we would like you to ask your employers, as well as businesses you frequent, to be hole sponsors. Committee members have letters of authorization and flyers for you to use. Contact Mike Harrington, 508-747-2060, Tony & Susan Cotta, Judy & John Mitchell, or Paul Scheid for forms or more information. The Annual Plymouth Area Choir Festival will be held Sunday, May 1 at 6Pm at The Church of the Pilgrimage. Choirs from churches from Plymouth, Kingston and Carver will each sing two of their favorite anthems, and then join together for several songs as a combined choir. As always, the Choir Festival is free and everyone is welcome. Stewardship: A reminder that our annual meeting is coming up soon, and that our budget will be affected by our pledges to the church. These pledges will take effect July 1, 2005. Please return your pledge card to the church office or see a member of the Stewardship Committee on Sunday. Our sincere thanks for your prompt attention to this matter. Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship: May is here and it is time to join together in fun and fellowship. Come celebrate the arrival of Spring by assembling gifts for some very special people in our midst. Our meeting will be held Monday, May 2nd at 7:00 p.m. in Allerton Hall. All women of the church are welcome. Please call Marna (781-826-2543) or Jenny (508-747-7168) if you need a ride. Thanks, Marna and Jenny The Tuesday Night Knitting Circle is scheduled for 7:00pm May 10th at Diane Budge's home at 15 Oak Street. The group meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7pm 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. Penny Sunday: The second Sunday of every month is "Penny Sunday." On this Sunday you will find one of our church school children holding a box near our greeters. Please deposit your pennies in the box. The pennies donated are used for special purchases the church would like to make. Thank you! 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. YOU ARE INVITED: GUESS WHO'S COMING TO TEA The ladies of the congregation are invited to join the Pilgrimage Women's Guild and the Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship sponsored Spring Tea to be held at Allerton Hall on Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 2:00pm. We plan an ambitious program of music and a unique presentation of floral centerpieces along with typical high tea refreshments. We encourage but do not require that you wear a spring bonnet of your creation to add to the fun. The admission fee will be $5 per person and the profit form this event will be divided between the two groups to help fund their many good works. We hope that this will become an annual event and that the response will be enthusiastic. Sign-ups will be after Sunday services during the month of May. Please sign up and plan to bring a friend. Annual Report: The Annual Report is available May 1, 2005. Each family is encouraged to take one and look it over before the Annual Meeting. Please bring it with you to the meeting as the Board of Trustees prints one per family. Childcare: There will be childcare provided during the annual meeting. The Board is looking for 1-2 adults to manage activities for the children who are not attending the meeting. Also, a light snack will be provided. Please sign-up in Allerton Hall during coffee hour or speak to any Board member.
Coming Events: May 6 Wedding Rehearsal in the sanctuary, 6:30pm May 7 Wedding in the Sanctuary, 5pm May 8 Mother's Day May 11 Membership & Evangelism Meeting, 7:30pm, at the home of Amy Simpson. May 15 The Annual Meeting of The Church of the Pilgrimage in the sanctuary following morning worship. May 16 Work begins in the Church House!
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.