Pilgrimage Herald

February 5, 2006

Dear Friends,

After meeting recently with the Stewardship Committee I began to think about why it is so important to give generously to the church. It thought to myself that the church, in all it humanness, is the one place in society where we are known, appreciated and valued for who we are. It is a place where, at our best, we show our love for others in local and world missionary endeavors. We make a difference to each other in deeply spiritual and personal ways, and to others we don't know through our outreach programs to people who need us.

Shortly after that meeting I saw in one of those "preacher-type" magazines a kind of illustration of that special quality which is unique to the church.

Read, if you will, the following e-mail type listing. (There's no need to attempt answers).

Deacon in Charge: Helen Belcher

Greeters: Today's greeters are members of Boy Scout Troop 47 and Cub Scout Pack 47.

Flowers: The pulpit flowers are in loving memory of Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Jenkins and Ruth and Jack Thom. Given by the Thom family.
The left-side flowers are in celebration for life of Mary Jean Maas. Given by the Bingham-Maas family.

Bylaw Review Committee: The Bylaw Review Committee, appointed by the Advisory Board, is soliciting suggestions and recommendations for Bylaw revisions. Copies of the current (2003) Bylaws are available on the Church website at http://www.8townsquare.org/index1.html, or from the Church office. All Church Members, Boards, and Committees, are urged to participate in this process. Comment (in writing) can be given to any of the Committee members: Doug Post, Marna Blomberg, or Paul Scheid, or left at the Church Office.

Nametags: Please wear your nametags every Sunday. It's a welcoming gesture for us to show others our name. It always feels better to be able to say the person's name when greeting them. Nametags increase our hospitality. Thanks form the Membership and Evangelism Committee

THIS WEEK

Sun, Feb. 5: Morning Worship 10am, Rev. Gary L. Marks preaching; Communion Sunday/Scout Sunday; Children's Worship, 10am, Church House; Cherub Choir Rehearsal in the sanctuary following worship. The first in a series of three New Member Classes will be held in the Pastor's Study in the church building. The sessions will be from 11:30am-12:30pm. Childcare will be provided.

Mon, Feb. 6: Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 9am; Monday Meals, 10:30-1pm, Allerton Hall; Brownies, 4-5pm & Girl Scouts, 6-7, Church House, Stewart Room; Women's Fellowship, 6pm, Allerton Hall; Pilgrim Festival Choir Rehearsal, 7-10pm, Sanctuary.

Tue, Feb. 7: Our ministers will attend an all day seminar at the MCUCC Conference Center in Framingham. The theme is multi-staff churches. Aerobics, 6:30pm, Allerton Hall; Stewardship Committee Meeting, 7:00 pm, Church House Conference Room.

Wed, Feb. 8: Staff Meeting, 10:00am; Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 9am; Boy Scouts, 7-9pm, Great Hall; Music Committee Meeting, 6:30, Allerton Hall; Evening Prayer, Sanctuary, 7:00pm; Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary, 7:30pm.

Thurs, Feb. 9: Rev. Marks will be in the church office , 9:30am; Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 6:30pm; Membership Meeting, 7pm, Amy Simpson's home.

Fri., Feb. 10: Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 9am; Rev. Marks will be in the church office, 9:30pm; Guild, 1-3pm, Allerton Hall.

Sat, Feb. 11: The S.E.A. of the Mass. Conference will be holding a training event in Church House, 9:30-noon. There will be a memorial service in the sanctuary for Ed Greene at 11am.

Coming Events:

Feb. 12 New Member Class in the Pastor's Study, 11:30am-12:30pm.
Feb. 14 St. Valentine's Day. Rev. Marks will conduct a worship service at The Newfield House.
Feb.19 New Member Class.
March 25 Time and Talent Auction

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized:
* Jody Saunders, South Shore Hospital
* Recuperating at home after hospitalization, Jenny Healy and Laura Curtin.
* George Carter is at the Mayflower Nursing Home.

Wedding Vow Renewal:
* On January 29, 2006 Rev. Marks conducted a Renewal of Vows service for Arthur and Diana Budge in the sanctuary following morning worship.

Baptism:
* On January 28, 2006 Rev. Marks conducted a private baptism service for Riley James-Francis Pylant in the church sanctuary. Riley is the child of James Matthew and Susanne (Trepanier) Pylant.

Thank You from Kristen Sander: Kristen Sander is home and would like to thank everyone for their cards

From the Advisory Board: We need everyone's participation in helping us to recognize Rev. Gary Marks's 35th anniversary as a pastor with the Church of the Pilgrimage. Rev. Marks was called to our Church as an associate pastor in 1971. He became only the 30th Senior Pastor of the Church of The Pilgrimage in October of 1978 dating all the way back to John Robinson in 1609. Rev. Marks has served as a pastor of our Church longer than any other pastor in our storied history except one, the Rev. Nathaniel Leonard, who served from Aug. 1724 to January 1760. God willing, Rev. Marks will surpass Rev. Leonard in length of service before this year is out! Here is how each of you can help us celebrate this very special milestone:

(1) Write a letter to Rev. Marks this week describing what his ministry has meant to you. Perhaps he held you up in a time of personal tragedy or despair; maybe he rejuvenated your mind and soul when the secular demands of our modern-day existence conspired to blur the spiritual essence of life or maybe he was there to celebrate one of the joyous seasons in your life. Whatever the experience, it is an experience uniquely yours. We would like to present Rev. Gary with a memory book comprised of a collection of your letters. Each one is special and each one will be included in the memory book. Unfortunately, we haven't much time, so we are asking that you bring your letter to Church with you this Sunday, February 5th (there will be a member of the Advisory Board downstairs in Allerton Hall during Coffee Hour to collect your letters) or you may mail them to the Church Office. We would like to have all the letters back to us by February 9th so that we can incorporate them into the memory book.


garymarks@8townsquare.org hmoody@8townsquare.org	February 5, 2006	office@8townsquare.org
Volume LXXVIII		No. 5
Dear Friends, After meeting recently with the Stewardship Committee I began to think about why it is so important to give generously to the church. It thought to myself that the church, in all it humanness, is the one place in society where we are known, appreciated and valued for who we are. It is a place where, at our best, we show our love for others in local and world missionary endeavors. We make a difference to each other in deeply spiritual and personal ways, and to others we don't know through our outreach programs to people who need us. Shortly after that meeting I saw in one of those "preacher-type" magazines a kind of illustration of that special quality which is unique to the church. Read, if you will, the following e-mail type listing. (There's no need to attempt answers). 1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world. 2. Name the last five Heisman Trophy winners. 3. Name the last five Miss America Pageant winners. 4. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners, best actor and actress. 5. Name the last decade's World Series winners. How did you do? I could answer any of the, even when I tried! Here is another list. See how you do with this one. 1. List a few teachers who helped to form you. 2. Name three friends who helped you through a difficult time. 3. Think of a minister or church school teacher who helped you to feel that you are a child of God. 4. Think of where people have reached out to you when you have faced a crisis, lost a loved one, or found support in other times of need. 5. Think of the place where children are given values, where in baptism other covenants to help parents in the spiritual formation, faith and sensitivity of their children. 6. Think of the place where the rites of passage are celebrated. 7. Think of the place where people share in your joys and sorrows. 8. Name a place where love it the focus of its existence, even when it doesn't always attain what love demands. Is this list easier than the other one? The church, people who care, those who help us, those show care for us; these are the ones we remember. They also teach us to be present for others, known and unknown, who need us. The church needs you, your gifts, your joyful and generous financial support. Please remember the church in your wills, too. We are the place, was in our weakness and failures, where God's love rules, where we try to love as the rule of our common life together; we are the body of Christ where we care for each other and for the world. Love, © The Church of the Pilgrimage in Plymouth, MA Inc., all rights reserved.
Deacon in Charge: Helen Belcher Greeters: Today's greeters are members of Boy Scout Troop 47 and Cub Scout Pack 47. Flowers: The pulpit flowers are in loving memory of Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Jenkins and Ruth and Jack Thom. Given by the Thom family. The left-side flowers are in celebration for life of Mary Jean Maas. Given by the Bingham-Maas family. Bylaw Review Committee: The Bylaw Review Committee, appointed by the Advisory Board, is soliciting suggestions and recommendations for Bylaw revisions. Copies of the current (2003) Bylaws are available on the Church website at http://www.8townsquare.org/index1.html, or from the Church office. All Church Members, Boards, and Committees, are urged to participate in this process. Comment (in writing) can be given to any of the Committee members: Doug Post, Marna Blomberg, or Paul Scheid, or left at the Church Office. Nametags: Please wear your nametags every Sunday. It's a welcoming gesture for us to show others our name. It always feels better to be able to say the person's name when greeting them. Nametags increase our hospitality. Thanks form the Membership and Evangelism Committee
THIS WEEK Sun, Feb. 5: Morning Worship 10am, Rev. Gary L. Marks preaching; Communion Sunday/Scout Sunday; Children's Worship, 10am, Church House; Cherub Choir Rehearsal in the sanctuary following worship. The first in a series of three New Member Classes will be held in the Pastor's Study in the church building. The sessions will be from 11:30am-12:30pm. Childcare will be provided. Mon, Feb. 6: Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 9am; Monday Meals, 10:30-1pm, Allerton Hall; Brownies, 4-5pm & Girl Scouts, 6-7, Church House, Stewart Room; Women's Fellowship, 6pm, Allerton Hall; Pilgrim Festival Choir Rehearsal, 7-10pm, Sanctuary. Tue, Feb. 7: Our ministers will attend an all day seminar at the MCUCC Conference Center in Framingham. The theme is multi-staff churches. Aerobics, 6:30pm, Allerton Hall; Stewardship Committee Meeting, 7:00 pm, Church House Conference Room. Wed, Feb. 8: Staff Meeting, 10:00am; Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 9am; Boy Scouts, 7-9pm, Great Hall; Music Committee Meeting, 6:30, Allerton Hall; Evening Prayer, Sanctuary, 7:00pm; Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary, 7:30pm. Thurs, Feb. 9: Rev. Marks will be in the church office , 9:30am; Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 6:30pm; Membership Meeting, 7pm, Amy Simpson's home. Fri., Feb. 10: Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 9am; Rev. Marks will be in the church office, 9:30pm; Guild, 1-3pm, Allerton Hall. Sat, Feb. 11: The S.E.A. of the Mass. Conference will be holding a training event in Church House, 9:30-noon. There will be a memorial service in the sanctuary for Ed Greene at 11am. Coming Events: Feb. 12 New Member Class in the Pastor's Study, 11:30am-12:30pm. Feb. 14 St. Valentine's Day. Rev. Marks will conduct a worship service at The Newfield House. Feb.19 New Member Class. March 25 Time and Talent Auction
CHURCH RECORD Hospitalized: * Jody Saunders, South Shore Hospital * Recuperating at home after hospitalization, Jenny Healy and Laura Curtin. * George Carter is at the Mayflower Nursing Home. Wedding Vow Renewal: * On January 29, 2006 Rev. Marks conducted a Renewal of Vows service for Arthur and Diana Budge in the sanctuary following morning worship. Baptism: * On January 28, 2006 Rev. Marks conducted a private baptism service for Riley James-Francis Pylant in the church sanctuary. Riley is the child of James Matthew and Susanne (Trepanier) Pylant. Thank You from Kristen Sander: Kristen Sander is home and would like to thank everyone for their cards
MISSIONS AND OUTREACH NEWS- THANK YOU! 331 pounds of non-perishables were donated by all those attending the Missions and Outreach dinner on January 7th. The volunteers at the Plymouth Area Food Warehouse say "congratulations!" FEBRUARY IS "Gift of the Heart" month for Missions and Outreach. The Committee will be collecting items, all month, for health and school kits. There are baskets provided behind the Missions table for all contributions. Last fall, the 116 school kits we packaged were sent to Louisiana. Please see below for the items needed. Thank you for participating. Health Kit * 1 hand towel * 1 washcloth * 1 comb (not pocket comb) * 1 metal nail file or nail clipper * 1 bar of soap (bath size) * 1 toothbrush * 1 tube of toothpaste (4-7 oz.) * 6 Band-Aids Seal all items in a one-gallon bag with a zipper closure. School Kit * 1 pair blunt scissors * pads or notebooks of ruled paper 81/2 x 11 containing 150-200 sheets of paper * 1 30cm ruler (12") * 1 pencil sharpener * 6 new pencils with erasers * 1 large eraser * 12 sheets colored construction paper * 1 box of 24 crayons * 1 12" x 14" cloth bag with cloth handles and a closure (Velcro, snap or button) Pack these items in the cloth bag and secure contents with the closure. REMINDER: This Sunday we will resume our first Sunday of the month Children's Worship Service. Parents, please bring your children (pre-school through 8th grade) to the Church House instead of the sanctuary at 10 a.m. The service will include communion served by our Confirmands. Attention parents of senior high youth: Over the next several weeks, Rev. Heather will be setting up appointments for pastoral visits with your sons and daughters. The purpose of these visits is to help her get to know our young people and their needs while also providing them the opportunity to share their ideas and insights. This is the first step towards building a strong and vibrant youth ministry. Time and Talent Auction/Dinner: Saturday, March 25th at 6pm. Signups begin this Sunday for the delicious beef stew dinner, only $8/adult, $4/child, max. $20/family. Also, please sign up for your donation(s) of time and/or talent. Forms will be available in Allerton Hall after church. Let your imagination and generosity run wild-everything from time shares to sharing time, from wills to willing hands, from cookies to cooking up a storm. Call Judy Mitchell at 508-746-3959 with questions. Membership: If you are interested in becoming a member of The Church of the Pilgrimage, please call the church office or speak to Rev. Marks. The next series of membership classes are scheduled for the first three Sunday's in February. You may obtain information about the United Church of Christ and The Church of the Pilgrimage upon request. Evening Prayer: For quite some time now Rev. Marks has been leading Evening Prayer Services in the sanctuary on Wednesday Evenings at 7:00pm. The group is small with an average attendance of ten-twelve people. The service follows a simple Order, usually form the Celtic Daily Prayer resource. The readings from Scripture are the basis of daily guides which are intended to enhance one's prayer and spiritual life. Celtic Daily Prayer is the product of an ecumenical group of Christians associated with the ancient monastic island of Lindisfarne. (it is also known as Holy Island). Please feel free to join the prayer service which is held on most Wednesday evenings. Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship: Do you like learning about new places? Do you dream of traveling the world? Have you been to Italy or ever wanted to go there? Come join us as Darlene Bregoli shares her recent trip to Italy with us. We will be meeting Monday, February 6th at 7:00pm in Allerton Hall for this exciting presentation along with a short business meeting and refreshments. If you would like a ride, please contact Marna at 781-826-2543 or Jenny at 508-747-7168. A Thought from Stewardship: "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing , and your vats will brim over with new wine." Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV Thank You: The ministers wish to thank those who have prepared meals for shut-ins or those facing difficult times in their lives. Jenny Healy has organized this ministry and she can use some help. The ministers often hear words of gratitude form those receiving the meals. Bread Baking for Pastor's Pasta: A huge thank you to all who helped do the bread baking for the Pastor's Pasta. I have so enjoyed the fellowship of baking together and really missed it this time. It was very gratifying to have so many people offer to help and hear it went so well. And it was delicious. Thank you again. Jenny Pastor's Pasta Thank You: Many thanks to all who made the Pilgrimage Fellowship Pastor's Pasta Sale this past Sunday a success. Special thanks to the "bread bakers" on Friday evening and the "pasta sauce cooks" on Saturday morning. I could not have done it without you. WE sold over 70 quarts of sauce and the profit from the sale will be put to good use. Every year since we began our pasta sales we have seen an increase in demand. It makes all of our efforts worthwhile. Special thanks to the support of the congregation who, after all, make the whole thing work. Our thanks, also, to Jeff Campbell who contributed the pasta for our pasta meals. We truly appreciate his generosity. Diana Budge
From the Advisory Board: We need everyone's participation in helping us to recognize Rev. Gary Marks's 35th anniversary as a pastor with the Church of the Pilgrimage. Rev. Marks was called to our Church as an associate pastor in 1971. He became only the 30th Senior Pastor of the Church of The Pilgrimage in October of 1978 dating all the way back to John Robinson in 1609. Rev. Marks has served as a pastor of our Church longer than any other pastor in our storied history except one, the Rev. Nathaniel Leonard, who served from Aug. 1724 to January 1760. God willing, Rev. Marks will surpass Rev. Leonard in length of service before this year is out! Here is how each of you can help us celebrate this very special milestone: (1) Write a letter to Rev. Marks this week describing what his ministry has meant to you. Perhaps he held you up in a time of personal tragedy or despair; maybe he rejuvenated your mind and soul when the secular demands of our modern-day existence conspired to blur the spiritual essence of life or maybe he was there to celebrate one of the joyous seasons in your life. Whatever the experience, it is an experience uniquely yours. We would like to present Rev. Gary with a memory book comprised of a collection of your letters. Each one is special and each one will be included in the memory book. Unfortunately, we haven't much time, so we are asking that you bring your letter to Church with you this Sunday, February 5th (there will be a member of the Advisory Board downstairs in Allerton Hall during Coffee Hour to collect your letters) or you may mail them to the Church Office. We would like to have all the letters back to us by February 9th so that we can incorporate them into the memory book. (2) Help us present Rev. Marks with a new Robe. The Advisory Board is informed by a reliable source that despite his many years of service the last time he had a new robe was when the price of gasoline was less than .70 cents a gallon. A representative of the Advisory Board will be available downstairs in Allerton Hall this Sunday, Feb. 5 during Coffee Hour to accept your donations. You can also mail donations to the Church Office, Attn. Advisory Board. Your donation, however small, will be greatly appreciated. (3) Finally, please plan to join us in worship on Sunday, February 12th. The service will include a brief time of recognition of Rev. Gary's 35 years of service to our congregation. The service will be followed by a special Coffee Hour sponsored by the Advisory Board. Your participation in these events is earnestly desired and will be greatly appreciated


Clerk - Lois Post; Moderator - Steven Triffletti; Treasurer - David Kegel; Collector - Debra Richters Music Director - William B Richter; Secretary - Shellie McCormack; Sexton - Tony Nightingale; World Mission Emphasis - Heifer Project International; Church Building Telephone - (508) 747-1341.