Parson to Persons: Make a Spiritual New Year’s Resolution

If you’re like me, you probably make a number of new year’s resolutions – lose weight, exercise more, get more organized, be more patient (these are some of mine – I’m sure you can come up with your own list). But how about a spiritual resolution for the coming year? How about resolving to pray more? Many Christians wish they could find time to pray on a regular basis, but how many of us actually do this? Sometimes it’s hard just knowing how to begin, so this becomes our excuse for putting off what we know in our hearts would be a really good spiritual discipline.

Well, I’ve got a suggestion for you – actually I can’t take any credit for this, because it was our own Frank LeBart who discovered this great resource. He put me onto a book that you can get from Pilgrim Press (the publishing house of the U.C.C.), one that he has been using for awhile himself. It is called "The Book of Daily Prayer," morning and evening devotionals based on the Revised Common Lectionary (that I use almost every Sunday), and the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (the version we read from in worship). You don’t have to have this version of the Bible, though, to use this.

The format lends itself to disciplined times of brief meditation, Bible reading, and prayer for both morning and evening. Even if you are not interested in this resource, think about making daily prayer and Bible reading one of your new year’s resolutions.

I have ordered this devotional for myself, and would be happy to give you the information you need to order one. Copies of an order form will be available in the church office, or you may call the toll free number which is (800) 537-3394. Mention promotion code UCN1101. The cost is $13.00 (plus $4.00 shipping) whether you order by mail or by phone.

With the world perhaps on the brink of more fighting and bloodshed, with the economy still not back to "normal," with many of our lives disrupted by the usual or not so usual occurrences of daily living, anything we can do to center ourselves with the Source of our being is helpful for us to maintain some sense of equilibrium. Let us pray…

Blessings to you and yours for a healthy and happy New Year.

Shalom,

Ken

The postponed (because of my eye surgery) new members’ class from November has been re-scheduled for Saturday morning, January 25^th at 9:00 until 12:30 noon. We will be having a large class and it should be a lot of fun. New members will join the church the next morning (1/26) at the regular 10:00 service. Invitation letters will be sent out by mid-month, but if you do not get one by then and would like to join with us, please give the office a call. Joining our vital, alive, and growing church is another good new year’s resolution! Any questions, please feel to call Ken (934-6591).

There will be a meeting of The Memorial Committee on

Thursday, January 9^th @ 4 PM in the library.

The Board of Christian Outreach would like to thank Mary Marconi for her hard work this past year as donated clothing coordinator for our church. Mary regularly comes to the church, sorts, bags, and labels all the clothes that are dropped off for their final destinations. We would also like to thank Haley Bobseine and Dan Hall for helping to deliver the clothes to different charities throughout the year. Their hard word is much appreciated!

The Flower Committee would like to thank the many members of the congregation who so generously donated the flowers in the sanctuary and narthex throughout the year. The flower calendar for the new church year is posted outside the vestry on the bulletin board. If you would like to donate flowers, please feel free to sign up or contact a member of the flower committee if you have any questions. Thank you, Shirley Dunphy (781)837-5655.

We in the music program at Pilgrim Church pray that you all have a happy and healthy New Year filled with good things. Your support of our efforts in the past year is gratefully appreciated and we look forward to another year of endeavoring to bring inspiration to all and praise to our dear Lord Jesus Christ through our music.

The enrollment continues to be consistent this year with full enrollment in each of the seven PCCP classrooms. The Fall season started off with a bang with special songs and activities about family and the harvesting. The preschool classes enjoyed field trips to Apple Tree Farm, a Pumpkin Patch, singing at the Duxbury Senior Center, and exploring a cranberry bog. These community events add to the youngsters learning and understanding of the big world around us. In December, the annual PCCP family holiday party was held in the Vestry giving each child decorations to create and a photo visit with Santa himself.

The National Accreditation for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) validators will be coming for our first, three year, re-assessment of the PCCP quality and safety. The classrooms are filled with winter decorations made personally by the children; the center is sure to pass with high marks.

After a benefits comparison with other comparable child care centers, it was determined that the PCCP offers an average hourly wage and 50% health insurance benefits to full time professionals. With the ever-growing need for superior education, PCCP strives to hire the best educators for the community’s smallest children. The PCCP Board continues to work collectively to investigate a retirement plan and ways to attract and maintain professionals to join PCCP each year. Simultaneously, the PCCP Board works to assess and establish improvement needs within the physical space that the child care classrooms, hallways, and playground.

Many thanks to the generous representatives from the Christian Education Committee and the Trustees, who continue to build consensus with the PCCP Board through open discussion. Over the years, the CE Committee and the Trustees have been supportive and communicative with all coinciding interests.

For information regarding Summer or Fall 2003 programs at the PCCP, or to have a tour of the PCCP classroom, please contact the Director, Michelle L. Manganaro at any time at 781-934-8145 (ext.1#). Best wishes for a peaceful and healthy New Year!

All are welcome! Please join us @ 9:15 AM on Thursday, January 9^th for coffee, goodies and fellowship. Board members, if you can’t attend, please call Deb Bowen at (781) 934-9489. We will be discussing our plans and programs for the new year, so mark your calendars for this important meeting!

Bookworms will meet January 28th at 1:30 PM in the Pilgrim Church library. The book for January is The Captain’s Wife by Douglas Kelley. Newcomers are welcome to attend!

On February 13th there will be a luncheon program. Please watch for more details in the February newsletter and mark your calendars now to join us!

Heartfelt thanks to all who helped make our 3^rd Annual Youth Banquet a success. Special thanks to Diane Bosworth for helping me coordinate this event and emcee the Yankee Swap that would never end!

Sunday, January 5th meet at Alley Kat Lanes from 4-5:30. Bring $10 for bowling, shoes & snack. See you then, bring a friend!

Sunday January 12^th meet at Alley Kat Lanes from 4-5:30. Bring $10 for bowling, shoes & snack. See you then, bring a friend! On Sunday, January 26^th we will have a Make Your Own Pizza Party in the vestry from 4-5:30.

On Sunday, January 12^th Confirmands and Mentors will get a chance to meet each other and share pizza and soda in the vestry from 6-7pm. Confirmands – get off on a good start - bring along $5 to treat your mentor to dinner! SYF will meet immediately after at 7pm. Stick around to see what Big Bill has to share!

Sunday, January 12^th at 11:20am in the upper classroom Read chapters 14-16.

Sunday, January 26^th same bat time, same bat station Read chapters 17-19.

And while we are on the subject we need to begin to prepare for the TWO worship services your Confirmation class will be planning for February 8^th & 9^th.

More to come…

How about joining with our conference on a Mission Trip? Mr. McClure has his bags packed! There are opportunities over spring break, April 19-26^th or this summer June 25- July 5^th. Trips to Washington DC, North Carolina or Maine cost around $425 and projects include partnering with Habitat for Humanity, Youth Service Opportunities Projects, working as painters, on building projects, etc. A BRIEF INFORMATIONAL MEETING AND DISCUSSION will take place on Saturday January 11^th, immediately following the 5PM Service. See you then!