As you can see, I can now "see," and I have resumed speed, and am back to work full time. My first Sunday was October 13^th, and it is indeed very good to be back! My eye is healing very well from the retinal surgery I had on September 5^th, and though at this writing I still have a small gas bubble at the bottom of my line of vision, it is expected to continue to decrease and be gone very soon.

Everyone pitched in during my absence, and I came back to what appears to be a very healthy church. My special thanks to Pat Wiedner, our church administrator, for her help in keeping things going, as well as to the rest of our very capable staff. Again, I thank you one and all for your support and prayers during the last two months.

Besides my return after an absence of 4 ½ months, there is another staff change that I need to report to you. After a most successful ministry here as Church School Superintendent for the past six years, Geri Holden is stepping down from that position on October 31^st. Geri’s deep love and care for our children and her incredible creativity have been the hallmarks of her ministry among us, and she will be greatly missed. As you will see elsewhere in this issue, the Board of Christian Education has quickly picked

up the ball, and our fine Church School program continues as strong as ever. But, any help you can give to Nancy Martin and her Board will be greatly appreciated. The Strategic Planning Committee is looking at our staffing needs and will be making a recommendation to the Church Council soon.

The Genesis Bible study groups (Wednesday mornings and evenings) have begun, with some new participants, and much enthusiasm. If you have an interest, give me a call, or just show up on Wednesday. You will be warmly welcomed.

I was excited to hear that we have had many new folks visiting us this Fall, and some have already expressed an interest in joining the church. I am trying to get around to visit as many as possible. Our next New Members Class will be this month on Saturday, Nov. 16^th from 9:00am to about 12:30 noon. I will be sending out letters of invitation, but if you do not receive one and are interested, please do call me.

Once again we are off to an incredibly busy Fall in our personal lives and here at Pilgrim Church. Resuming speed is not always positive; sometimes it can be very stressful. In addition, events in our country and in places around the globe trouble many of us. Our post-9/11 world continues to be very complex. Worship on Sunday mornings and on alternate Saturday evenings offer opportunities for reflection, celebration, and spiritual healing. Please join us.

Shalom,

The Women’s Fellowship Fall Harvest Tea will be held on Friday, November 8^th from 1-3 PM in the church vestry. Please invite friends and family and join us for an afternoon of fellowship, tea, coffee, and many delicious goodies. All are welcome. Babysitting available by reservation, call Melinda Rooney @ 934-7919 to reserve a space!

All are welcome! Please join us @ 9:15 AM on Thursday, November 7^th for coffee, goodies and fellowship. Board members, if you can’t attend, please call Deb Bowen.

Helping Hands is available to assist Church members in emergency situations (i.e.–transportation to medical app’ts. or meals delivered to your home). Call Ruth Whitcomb (837-3735) or Jean Battis (508-747-4701).

The Pilgrim Women’s Fellowship group is trying to put together a Ladies Golfing Circle. Wouldn’t it be fun to play 9 (or 18) holes of golf with your church friends? Call Susan Walker (781-934-7966) if you’re interested!

Women in Stitches will be meeting Monday night, November 25^th @ 7:30 PM in the parlor. Those of you who have joined us for our first two gatherings know what a fun, diverse, productive (and chatty!) group this is. Needlework of all kinds is welcomed – we have rug hookers, knitters, needlepointers, menders, even rug braiders! Beginner or Expert – All are welcome! Take some time out for yourself before the Thanksgiving cooking marathon begins and join us for a fun evening of conversation and creativity. You’ll be glad you did. Refreshments are served too! Please call Tracy Drew at 834-2242 for more information – Hope to see you there!

The next meeting of Bookworms will be Tuesday, November 26^th @ 1:30 PM in the Library. We will read Bell Canto by Ann Patchett. Hope you can join us – newcomers welcome!

The Women’s Fellowship anticipates the arrival of this year’s crop of pecans fresh off the tree by early November. We will again be offering bags of mammoth halves for $7.50 and medium sized pieces for $6.50. If you’d like to reserve your pecans in advance please call Sharon McKinley @ (781) 934-8944. The pecans will be sold in the Vestry after services once they are available.

The Women’s Fellowship is selling beautiful Christmas cards of the sanctuary in the Vestry during coffee hour every Sunday. These make beautiful hostess gifts and are perfect for thank-you notes! Please stop by and take a look!.

There will be three Saturday Evening Services in November! We will gather for worship at 5pm on November 2nd to Honor Our Saints with a service that will be filled with jazz! Come hear some favorite standards and maybe even a little improvisation. Invite a neighbor or friend to join you! We will have refreshments following this service in the vestry. We also will gather on November 16th and 30th.

The JAM* (Jesus And Me) club has started meeting again! JAM combines church school curriculum with lots of fun for children in grades K-6. To learn more contact Joan Barrington @ 934-8914. The JAM* Meeting Dates for the 2002-2003 year are currently as follows: October 3, 10, & 17; Nov. 7,14, & 21; Dec. 5 & 12; Jan. 9, 16,23, & 30; Feb. 6, 13, & 27; March 6,13,20,& 27; April 3& 10. Hope to see you there!

Faithfully yours,

Geri Holden

Luke classes meet on November 3^rd (chapters 1-4) and November 17^th (chapters 5-7) at 11:20 AM. Also call Mrs. Cederberg or look in the Clipper for outreach opportunites with the Duxbury Interfaith Council’s Thanksgiving Baskets. Keep up the good work!

Kids Klub for 5^th & 6^th graders and JYF for 7^th and 8^th graders will once again be participating in our now famous "canned good scavenger hunt" We plan routes and need parents to drive while the youth "scavenge" for canned and boxed food items. (NO glass please!) We count up the total items and donate them to the Interfaith Council Gift Baskets. Prizes are definitely awarded to the winners! See you on November 3^rd from 4-5:30pm. Sign up in the vestry now.

JYF will also meet Sunday, November 17 from 4-5:30 for a Bake-off. Please bring something to bake, all the ingredients and a pan or whatever utensils you will need. These goodies will be placed into the Thanksgiving baskets also.

On a personal note, on Nov. 18^th I will be participating in Andover Newton’s requirement of a mid-program review. Having completed over half of the 90 credits for a Masters of Divinity, I will be meeting with my Andover Newton advisor, Pilgrim Assoc. advisor, student peer and an appointed chairperson to review my progress and plan for the balance of my class work, including Field Education and Clinical Pastoral Education placements. Although this is a positive and encouraging process, you might imagine that there is some anxiety surrounding preparing for this review. I would appreciate being held in your thoughts and prayers especially at this time. As always I am fortunate to be blessed by such a supportive and caring church family. Thank you! Peggy

That time of year when we join together to provide holiday baskets for over 150 of our neighbors who are in need is quickly approaching. Pilgrim Church is hosting the packing, sorting and delivery of baskets this Thanksgiving, so any help we can provide would be most appreciated. Children are welcome to help with the work as well!

Sorting and packing of baskets will take place in the Vestry on Sunday, November 24^th from 2– 4:30 PM, Monday, November 25^th from 9 AM – 2 PM, and Tuesday, November 26^th from 9AM – 12 PM. Limited deliveries begin on Tuesday the 26^th beginning at 2 PM. The following is a list of food items needed which may be dropped off in the Vestry anytime beginning on Friday November 22^nd:

Packaged Mixes: Cake, Frosting, dessert, stuffing mixes, pie crust mix,etc.

Home Baked Goods can be dropped off on Monday from 9 –noon or Tuesday before 10 AM.

Whole Baskets: If you would like to prepare & donate a whole basket for a family, call Eric @ 934-2207.

$$ Donations: Checks made payable to the Duxbury Interfaith Council may be sent to P.O. Box 1161, Duxbury, 02331.