Dear Friends,

I've not been able to find just when the Chest of Joash became part of the annual Stewardship Campaign at The Church of the Pilgrimage. It's been a long time! The story of the Chest to which I usually refer may be found in II Chronicles 24:4-14.

The temple, the house of the Lord, was in need of repair and monies to do the Lord's work were in short supply. King Joash had a chest made and set it at the gate of the house of the Lord to collect what was then a tax which had been introduced to Israel through Moses during its wilderness wanderings. The campaign was a success. "And all the princes and all the people rejoiced and brought their tax and dropped it into the chest until they had finished." (II Chronicles 24:10). Indeed, it was a success and money was collected in abundance. (24:11)!

The Church of the Pilgrimage doesn't have within its power to levy a tax on its members, of course, as Moses did. That's a good thing. We have enough taxes! We depend upon pledges to support the work of the church's ministry and mission. The emphasis is upon our capacity for generosity. We are asked to give freely and liberally to keep the house of the Lord in good repair and to fund our ministries adequately. The Chest of Joash, and our pledge campaign in general, is best thought of in terms of thanksgiving for the work God has given us to do. Our gifts should be generous and we should rejoice in our gifts, as the people of Israel rejoiced.

The Stewardship Committee has been on a spiritual journey, as I've mentioned before. The church needs money, and pledges have not been adequate to support all the work and upkeep which is expected of our congregation, and which we ourselves have come to expect. The Stewardship Committee urges all of us to think of our pledges as a "faith commitment." And that's what a pledge should be.

There aren't many people on the Stewardship Committee and they are all deeply dedicated to the mission of the church in the world. They are aware of our very real financial needs and have educated themselves regarding the meaning of stewardship. They also have learned that The Church of the Pilgrimage doesn't do all that well in terms of pledging percentages given by its members. In fact, we don't come close to paying our way through pledges alone, sadly. Yet, these spiritually guided and inspired people want to keep our focus upon pledging in abundance as an action of faith commitment.

Please keep the members of your Stewardship Committee in your prayers as they keep reminding us of our covenantal obligations and of the joy there ought to be in our giving.

Our church is founded upon its Covenant. We enter into that covenant freely, but that doesn't mean that it is free of cost. Indeed, "owning" the Covenant involves a certain amount of sacrifice, and that includes financial sacrifice.

One of the most frequently cited biblical texts of our early churches is Psalm 50:5 which is this: "Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

Remember these words as you make your pledge to The Church of the Pilgrimage for 2006-2007. Our pledges are one indication of our faith. They are also a means of expressing our joy and thanksgiving in being God's free and freely ordered people.
Thanks be to God!

Flowers: In memory of Marion Walker given by Marion's children and her husband Mahlon.

Guild Change: Due to Guild falling on Good Friday, our program will be switched with the May 12th program. We will have a music program appropriate for Good Friday. The "Big Birthday Bash" for all members will be held on May 12th. All are welcome, come join us!

The Mailboxes are Moving! The mailboxes located in Allerton Hall will be moved over the church house after this Sunday. They will be located to the left of the staircase on the ground floor of the church house. Anyone who is unable to make their way over to the church house may give their mail to the deacon in charge. Thank you.

Last chance to gather 'round the table: Come enjoy good food, delightful fellowship, and powerful worship. This Wednesday evening, April 5th, we will be having our last 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!

Attention parents and Sunday School teachers: This Sunday, April 2nd, children in pre-K through 8th grade will need to go directly to their Sunday School classrooms. After 30-45 minutes of class time, they will join the worship service in the sanctuary for the Chest of Joash celebration and communion.

SAVE THE DATE The SECOND ANNUAL PAWSOX TRIP, Sunday, July 16th. Details forthcoming.

Rev. Mark's 35th Anniversary Celebration: Please mark you calendars and plan to attend the worship service on April 30th at which time we will honor Rev. Marks for his 35 years with us at The Church of the Pilgrimage. There will be a celebration luncheon following the service.

Palm Sunday Communion Breakfast Sign-Up: There will be a sign-up for the Palm Sunday Communion Breakfast during the Coffee Hour on Sunday, March 26th. Someone form the Advisory Board will be on the stage in Allerton Hall to receive your reservations. You may also make a reservation by calling the church office. Please reserve a place early for this popular event sponsored by the Advisory Board.

From the Board of Trustees
*All committee and board chairs need to pass in their proposed budget to the Treasurer by Tuesday.
*All chairs need to pass in their committee's narrative report to the secretary by April 25th.
* The keyless entry system will be up and running shortly on the church building. Debby Porter will meet with all individuals needing their FOB, or training after church next week to finalize any concerns. Also, all FOB users should submit to the office a detailed schedule of which building and whey they expect to be suing the building so that your FOB will be activated for your meetings/building use. Please call Debby at home (508-746-4109). It is important that a detailed list of your times and dates be submitted so that your FOB can be activated.

Church Membership: If you are interested in church membership, please see Rev. Marks or call the church office.

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!

Memorial Lilies: The joyous Easter season is fast approaching. By your loving donation of Easter lilies, we can enhance the beauty of our church on Easter morning. Sign up in the lower vestibule following the service on the next three Sundays, or call the church office. There will be an insert listing the donors and those memorialized in the Herald. The suggested price for a multi-flowered, replantable lily is $15. The flowers may be donated to shut-ins or picked up after the 11 o'clock Easter Sunday service on Sunday, April 16. Volunteers will be welcomed to take flowers to shut-ins following the service.

Thank you Sara Balboni: We thank Sara Balboni for her lovely testimony last Sunday concerning what The Church of the Pilgrimage means to her. All in worship were touched by her youthful and inspiring witness.

Thanks to the Memorial Fund Committee: The church is grateful to The Memorial Fund committee which was able to purchase lovely furniture for the Conference Room and for Church School Rooms. The furniture in our new rooms is a wonderful way to use funds left in memory of loved ones. There will be a dedication service at a later date.

Newer members of the church may be unaware that we have a Memorial Fund. Often monies are given to the church in memory of loved ones, sometimes in lieu of flowers. When need arises lasting gifts for the church's ministry are purchased. Those memorialized names, along with donors are inscribed in a Memorial Book which is in the back of the sanctuary. Maybe you'd like to have a loved one remember in this very special "book of saints."

THANK YOU to everyone who helped raise over $4400 toward church expenses in our recent Time and Talent Auction and Dinner. Jenny Healy handled the kitchen duties, ably assisted by our confirmands Jessica Saunders, Patrick Simpson and Courtney Willis (and her brother, Ian). Tom Healy had done the preparatory work, with help from Kathy Marks and Trace Sears. Our Flower Committee provided the centerpieces: the sunny daffodils that people had ordered to support the American Cancer Society. Trace was a masterful auctioneer, drawing out the best bids and keeping up a pace that got us out at a reasonable hour. We had wonderful and varied donations from our congregation, and the attendees were inspired to bid their hearts out. It was a wonderful evening of good fun, and even spouses who bid against each other left in good spirits.

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 Ecclesiastical Council for Rev. Heather at 2:00p.m.

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!

PILGRIM ASSOCIATION
MASSACHUSETTS CONFERENCE
United Church of Christ
ANNUAL SPRING MEETING
You are hereby invited and requested to attend the Annual Spring Meeting of The Pilgrim Association of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ at First Congregational Church, UCC
Stoughton, Massachusetts
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Registration begins at 6:00-Tickets $7.50 per person to be donated to the God is Still Speaking Campaign.