Pilgrimage Herald

garymarks@8townsquare.org
hmoody@8townsquare.org

March 12, 2006

Volume LXXVIII

No. 10

Dear Friends,

The season of Lent, as I repeat every year, is a penitential season. It is not just for you that I write that each Lenten season. I need to remind myself of that fact as well!

It is no novelty to report also that our lives are very complex and our involvements in the world seem to increase with each passing year. We do seem to be constantly "on the go," and if we are not, we feel guilty about it. Often people ask how I am doing and I almost always offer up a litany of things, which reveal how busy I am. I have come to resent my having a need to express myself in such a way as to indicate my worth by recounting how busy I am. It seems that unconsciously we have been forced by the hectic world in which we live to attempt to justify our existence by relating how burdened we are with all that we do, or think we have to do. It is almost as though we think that our value and meaning as persons is to boast of being in constant motion.

Lent is a season in which we are encouraged to "let up" on the "busy" justification of our lives and to think on things of the spirit. Such times of contemplation are not a concession to idleness, but are necessary in order to make sense of all that we think we are doing to justify who we are.

I think the question I'm about to ask comes out of the Quaker tradition. Often when members of that community would meet they'd ask: "How is it with thy soul?" I find that a refreshing question and concern in a world in which we think everyone is asking, "How busy are you?" It is important for all of us to think of others and ourselves as being of value beyond the sum total of our jobs, our chores, our appointments, etc.

Surely, none of this is to suggest that in taking up matters of the spirit there is a plea for idleness. It is rather an entreaty for us to occupy ourselves with reflections once in a while in order to find meaning in all our doing. If things aren't "well with our souls," we run the risk of being "only busy" while wondering about the purpose of it all.

I am writing this letter just one week into Lent-in a hurry. I have things to do, people to see, sermons to write, a car in the shop, tuition to pay, worries of all kinds, pressured to be my best for you whether I feel at my best or not. You get the point, I hope. I need to focus on things of the spirit, to keep in touch with the center of my living and not to mistake "burgness" for all that I am.

I ask you: "How is it with thy soul?" Ask me the same question. Lent is a good time for us to ponder the value of each other's spirits. It isn't a waste of time. It is making sure we don't waste our time.

Love,

Deacon In Charge: Janice Lee

Today is Girl Scout Sunday!

Flowers: In honor of our parents. Given by Laura and Cliff Sampson.

Daffodil Sunday: Daffodil Sunday will be on March 26th. Those who ordered bunches of daffodils may pick them up (on the honor system) after the church service. Thank you for supporting the American Cancer Society!

Gather 'round the table: Are you hungry for good food and delightful fellowship? Are you looking for a way to sustain your journey of faith this season of Lent? Then come to our Wednesday evening Soup Supper and Vespers series. The soup will be served at 6:00p.m. followed by worship at 6:45p.m. Childcare will be provided. We hope to see you there!

Mark the date: Rev. Heather Moody's Service of Installation will be Sunday afternoon, May 21st, at 3:00p.m.at The Church of the Pilgrimage. Prior to the Installation Service, the Pilgrim Association of the Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ, will hold an Ecclesiastical Council for Rev. Heather at 2:00p.m.

Lent: Lenten devotional booklets are available in the upper vestibule of the church building. A donation of $1.00 will help defray the cost of the booklets. Lenten daily readings from the Bible are also available for your Lenten preparation.

THIS WEEK

Sun, Mar. 12: Morning Worship 10am, Rev. Heather Moody, preaching; A Witnessing Steward will speak at the morning service; This is Girls Scout Sunday; Daniel Spacek's Ordination will take place at The First Church, U.C.C. in Nashua, New Hampshire at 4:00pm.

Mon, Mar. 13: Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 9am; Monday Meals, 10:30-1pm, Allerton Hall; Brownies, 4-5pm & Girl Scouts, 6-7, Church House, Stewart Room; Nominating Committee Meeting, 7pm, Church House Conference Room; Pilgrim Festival Choir Rehearsal, 7-10pm, Sanctuary.

Tue, Mar. 14: Pilgrim District Women's Board Meeting, 9-1, Allerton Hall; Rev. Marks will be in the office at 9:30 am; Aerobics, 6:30pm, Allerton Hall;

Wed, Mar. 15: Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 9am; Rev. Moody will be in Weymouth attending MACUCC New Clergy Group in the afternoon; Boy Scouts, 7-9pm, Great Hall; Music Committee Meeting, 6:30pm, Allerton Hall; Choir Rehearsal, 7:30, Sanctuary; Lenten Soup Supper, 6pm in Allerton Hall; Vespers Service in the sanctuary, 6:45-7:30pm (see notes).

Thurs, Mar. 16: Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 6:30pm

Fri., Mar. 17- St. Patrick's Day: Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 9am; Rev. Marks will be in the church office, 9:30pm.

Coming Events:

March 25: Time and Talent Auction/Dinner, 6:00pm in Allerton Hall.
March 26: One Great Hour of Sharing Offering / Daffodil Sunday.

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized:
* Marion Whiting, Jordan Hospital
In Memoriam:
* On March 11, 1006 Rev. Marks conducted a funeral service for Joshua Rehm in the sanctuary.

Stewardship Campaign: Please remember to give prayerful consideration to your pledge to The Church of the Pilgrimage for 2006-2007. The Stewardship Campaign will get underway on March 5th. The church needs your generous support. One of the predominant themes of our campaign this year is that stewardship is very much an expression of our faith. The Stewardship Committee has not only been hard at work, it has itself been on a spiritual journey and has shown a growing faith experience and confidence in the mission of The Church of the Pilgrimage and the wider church.

Nominating Committee Meeting: There will be a meeting of the Nominating Committee on Monday, March 13th at 7pm in the Church House Conference Room.

Time & Talent Auction/Dinner-Sat, March 25th 6pm
Only 3 weeks left to sign up for the delicious beef stew dinner ($8/adult, $4/child, max. $20/family). We've begun to get some great time and talent donations: cookies, dinner, tutoring, weekend getaway, chimney cleaning, wedding singer, tortellini. Share your talent. Fill out a donation form in Allerton Hall after church, and plan to come for the bargains, the food, and the fun on the 25th. See you there! -Judy Mitchell 508-746-3959.

Volunteers Needed!
*We need volunteers to provide for Sunday coffee Hours. It is a simple set-up for this important social activity of our church. Sign-up sheet in Allerton Hall or call the church office for information.
*We also need volunteers to provide childcare during our Sunday worship services. There is a sign-up sheet in the cribroom. You may also call the church office for information.

MISSIONS AND OUTREACH NEWS-
The Food Warehouse: For our weekly collection of non-perishables, we need: canned ham, tuna or chicken, cereal, pasta, canned fruit, peanut butter, jelly, jam, mayonnaise and ketchup. THANK YOU!
The Plymouth Taskforce for the Homeless, an interfaith non-profit organization sheltering the homeless in church homes and at the Next Step House on Court Street seeks a new representative from The Church of the Pilgrimage. Volunteers to the Overnights of Hospitality Program serving as chaperones and meal providers have been the lifeblood of this successful outreach. If you would like to be the link between our church and this vital program, please see a member of the Missions Committee.
March 26th: One Great Hour of Sharing special offering.

Calling All Golfers! And anyone else who loves a good time! The Golf Tournament is up and running, but we need your help! Please contact Jon Porter, 746-4109, if you are interested in working on the Golf Tournament Committee. All ages are welcome!

Church Membership: If you are interested in church membership, please let Rev. Marks know. You may also phone the church office for information regarding membership.

Thank You: We thank Paul Sinn for providing photo information about our new members on Sunday, March 5th.

Tea Thank You: The Membership & Evangelism Committee wishes to thank those who donated goodies to the Church Tea. The Tea honored those new members who joined in November and February. We combined the two due to calendar conflicts.

Overlook Farm: We were saddened to learn that a barn at Heifer Projects' Overlook Farm in Rutland, MA was destroyed by fire last week. We'll provide further information when it is available.

At the request of UCC Congregational Church of Norwell, the Pilgrim Association will gather for ECCLESIASTICAL COUNCIL
On Sunday, April 2, 2006 at 2:00pm at
UCC Congregational Church of Norwell
460 Main Street, Norwell, Massachusetts 02061-0501
to meet and review the credentials of and hear the ordination paper of Jim Conley.

Give your kids the best gift they can get-parents with a great marriage! And all you have to do is attend a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend! Marriage Encounter is 44 hours where husbands and wives can get away from jobs, kids, chores, and phones-and focus only on each other. If you'd like greater depth, growth, and enrichment in your relationship, you'll like the difference a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend can make! The next UCC Marriage Encounter weekend is April 28-30, 2006 at Christian Conference Center in Alton Bay, NH.
For more information or to register, contact Bruce & Lynne Hildreth, 15 Ironwood Street, Billerica, MA 01821-1303 or email at HILDRETH4@comcast.net.
Endorsed by the Commission For Leadership Development of the Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ. Nurturing local church vitality and the covenant among our churches.
This resource is made possible by your contributions to Our Church's Wider Mission and Fellowship Dues.

Church Bulletin Blooper: Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.

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.


garymarks@8townsquare.org hmoody@8townsquare.org	March 12, 2006	office@8townsquare.org
Volume LXXVIII		No. 10
Dear Friends, The season of Lent, as I repeat every year, is a penitential season. It is not just for you that I write that each Lenten season. I need to remind myself of that fact as well! It is no novelty to report also that our lives are very complex and our involvements in the world seem to increase with each passing year. We do seem to be constantly "on the go," and if we are not, we feel guilty about it. Often people ask how I am doing and I almost always offer up a litany of things, which reveal how busy I am. I have come to resent my having a need to express myself in such a way as to indicate my worth by recounting how busy I am. It seems that unconsciously we have been forced by the hectic world in which we live to attempt to justify our existence by relating how burdened we are with all that we do, or think we have to do. It is almost as though we think that our value and meaning as persons is to boast of being in constant motion. Lent is a season in which we are encouraged to "let up" on the "busy" justification of our lives and to think on things of the spirit. Such times of contemplation are not a concession to idleness, but are necessary in order to make sense of all that we think we are doing to justify who we are. I think the question I'm about to ask comes out of the Quaker tradition. Often when members of that community would meet they'd ask: "How is it with thy soul?" I find that a refreshing question and concern in a world in which we think everyone is asking, "How busy are you?" It is important for all of us to think of others and ourselves as being of value beyond the sum total of our jobs, our chores, our appointments, etc. Surely, none of this is to suggest that in taking up matters of the spirit there is a plea for idleness. It is rather an entreaty for us to occupy ourselves with reflections once in a while in order to find meaning in all our doing. If things aren't "well with our souls," we run the risk of being "only busy" while wondering about the purpose of it all. I am writing this letter just one week into Lent-in a hurry. I have things to do, people to see, sermons to write, a car in the shop, tuition to pay, worries of all kinds, pressured to be my best for you whether I feel at my best or not. You get the point, I hope. I need to focus on things of the spirit, to keep in touch with the center of my living and not to mistake "burgness" for all that I am. I ask you: "How is it with thy soul?" Ask me the same question. Lent is a good time for us to ponder the value of each other's spirits. It isn't a waste of time. It is making sure we don't waste our time. Love, © The Church of the Pilgrimage in Plymouth, MA Inc., all rights reserved.
Deacon In Charge: Janice Lee Today is Girl Scout Sunday! Flowers: In honor of our parents. Given by Laura and Cliff Sampson. Daffodil Sunday: Daffodil Sunday will be on March 26th. Those who ordered bunches of daffodils may pick them up (on the honor system) after the church service. Thank you for supporting the American Cancer Society! Gather 'round the table: Are you hungry for good food and delightful fellowship? Are you looking for a way to sustain your journey of faith this season of Lent? Then come to our Wednesday evening Soup Supper and Vespers series. The soup will be served at 6:00p.m. followed by worship at 6:45p.m. Childcare will be provided. We hope to see you there! Mark the date: Rev. Heather Moody's Service of Installation will be Sunday afternoon, May 21st, at 3:00p.m.at The Church of the Pilgrimage. Prior to the Installation Service, the Pilgrim Association of the Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ, will hold an Ecclesiastical Council for Rev. Heather at 2:00p.m. Lent: Lenten devotional booklets are available in the upper vestibule of the church building. A donation of $1.00 will help defray the cost of the booklets. Lenten daily readings from the Bible are also available for your Lenten preparation.
THIS WEEK Sun, Mar. 12: Morning Worship 10am, Rev. Heather Moody, preaching; A Witnessing Steward will speak at the morning service; This is Girls Scout Sunday; Daniel Spacek's Ordination will take place at The First Church, U.C.C. in Nashua, New Hampshire at 4:00pm. Mon, Mar. 13: Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 9am; Monday Meals, 10:30-1pm, Allerton Hall; Brownies, 4-5pm & Girl Scouts, 6-7, Church House, Stewart Room; Nominating Committee Meeting, 7pm, Church House Conference Room; Pilgrim Festival Choir Rehearsal, 7-10pm, Sanctuary. Tue, Mar. 14: Pilgrim District Women's Board Meeting, 9-1, Allerton Hall; Rev. Marks will be in the office at 9:30 am; Aerobics, 6:30pm, Allerton Hall; Wed, Mar. 15: Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 9am; Rev. Moody will be in Weymouth attending MACUCC New Clergy Group in the afternoon; Boy Scouts, 7-9pm, Great Hall; Music Committee Meeting, 6:30pm, Allerton Hall; Choir Rehearsal, 7:30, Sanctuary; Lenten Soup Supper, 6pm in Allerton Hall; Vespers Service in the sanctuary, 6:45-7:30pm (see notes). Thurs, Mar. 16: Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 6:30pm Fri., Mar. 17- St. Patrick's Day: Aerobics, Allerton Hall, 9am; Rev. Marks will be in the church office, 9:30pm. Coming Events: March 25: Time and Talent Auction/Dinner, 6:00pm in Allerton Hall. March 26: One Great Hour of Sharing Offering / Daffodil Sunday.
CHURCH RECORD Hospitalized: * Marion Whiting, Jordan Hospital In Memoriam: * On March 11, 1006 Rev. Marks conducted a funeral service for Joshua Rehm in the sanctuary.
Stewardship Campaign: Please remember to give prayerful consideration to your pledge to The Church of the Pilgrimage for 2006-2007. The Stewardship Campaign will get underway on March 5th. The church needs your generous support. One of the predominant themes of our campaign this year is that stewardship is very much an expression of our faith. The Stewardship Committee has not only been hard at work, it has itself been on a spiritual journey and has shown a growing faith experience and confidence in the mission of The Church of the Pilgrimage and the wider church. Nominating Committee Meeting: There will be a meeting of the Nominating Committee on Monday, March 13th at 7pm in the Church House Conference Room. Time & Talent Auction/Dinner-Sat, March 25th 6pm Only 3 weeks left to sign up for the delicious beef stew dinner ($8/adult, $4/child, max. $20/family). We've begun to get some great time and talent donations: cookies, dinner, tutoring, weekend getaway, chimney cleaning, wedding singer, tortellini. Share your talent. Fill out a donation form in Allerton Hall after church, and plan to come for the bargains, the food, and the fun on the 25th. See you there! -Judy Mitchell 508-746-3959. Volunteers Needed! We need volunteers to provide for Sunday coffee Hours. It is a simple set-up for this important social activity of our church. Sign-up sheet in Allerton Hall or call the church office for information. We also need volunteers to provide childcare during our Sunday worship services. There is a sign-up sheet in the cribroom. You may also call the church office for information. MISSIONS AND OUTREACH NEWS- The Food Warehouse: For our weekly collection of non-perishables, we need: canned ham, tuna or chicken, cereal, pasta, canned fruit, peanut butter, jelly, jam, mayonnaise and ketchup. THANK YOU! The Plymouth Taskforce for the Homeless, an interfaith non-profit organization sheltering the homeless in church homes and at the Next Step House on Court Street seeks a new representative from The Church of the Pilgrimage. Volunteers to the Overnights of Hospitality Program serving as chaperones and meal providers have been the lifeblood of this successful outreach. If you would like to be the link between our church and this vital program, please see a member of the Missions Committee. March 26th: One Great Hour of Sharing special offering. Calling All Golfers! And anyone else who loves a good time! The Golf Tournament is up and running, but we need your help! Please contact Jon Porter, 746-4109, if you are interested in working on the Golf Tournament Committee. All ages are welcome! Church Membership: If you are interested in church membership, please let Rev. Marks know. You may also phone the church office for information regarding membership. Thank You: We thank Paul Sinn for providing photo information about our new members on Sunday, March 5th. Tea Thank You: The Membership & Evangelism Committee wishes to thank those who donated goodies to the Church Tea. The Tea honored those new members who joined in November and February. We combined the two due to calendar conflicts. Overlook Farm: We were saddened to learn that a barn at Heifer Projects' Overlook Farm in Rutland, MA was destroyed by fire last week. We'll provide further information when it is available. At the request of UCC Congregational Church of Norwell, the Pilgrim Association will gather for ECCLESIASTICAL COUNCIL On Sunday, April 2, 2006 at 2:00pm at UCC Congregational Church of Norwell 460 Main Street, Norwell, Massachusetts 02061-0501 to meet and review the credentials of and hear the ordination paper of Jim Conley. Give your kids the best gift they can get-parents with a great marriage! And all you have to do is attend a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend! Marriage Encounter is 44 hours where husbands and wives can get away from jobs, kids, chores, and phones-and focus only on each other. If you'd like greater depth, growth, and enrichment in your relationship, you'll like the difference a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend can make! The next UCC Marriage Encounter weekend is April 28-30, 2006 at Christian Conference Center in Alton Bay, NH. For more information or to register, contact Bruce & Lynne Hildreth, 15 Ironwood Street, Billerica, MA 01821-1303 or email at HILDRETH4@comcast.net. Endorsed by the Commission For Leadership Development of the Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ. Nurturing local church vitality and the covenant among our churches. This resource is made possible by your contributions to Our Church's Wider Mission and Fellowship Dues. Church Bulletin Blooper: Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.



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.