I am looking forward to spending the summer finishing up my sabbatical that I began last year, and enjoying some vacation time as well. As you know, I took one week of sabbatical in Atlanta for a preaching convention. Other activities will be the UCC Mass. Conference’s Annual Meeting at Mt. Holyoke College, a week at Princeton Seminary for their Summer Institute of Theology, a week on Star Island at the family conference there, visiting various churches on the Cape to find out how they "do church," doing a lot of "catch-up" reading, and preparing for our Fall Bible studies on Exodus. I also look forward to spending a fair chunk of family time, spiritual renewal, rest and relaxation, and biking. In the event of an emergency, please call Pat in the Office; she will know how to get hold of me if necessary.

In my absence you will be blessed with a variety of folks who will be filling the pulpit, including church members and visiting clergy. I know you will enjoy their fresh approaches to preaching. We will also have a "new look" in our sanctuary at some point early in the summer – plastic sheeting that will cover a large portion of the chancel area (not including the pulpit, lectern, or communion table). We will be beginning work on the installation of our new organ (the organ itself won’t be arriving until January or so). A large chamber has to be built (behind the existing organ), a portion of back wall removed, and the existing organ (that we will be using again in the Fall) needs to be wrapped up to prevent dust from getting into it. Please bear with us during this time of temporary inconvenience – the end results will be worth it, I’m sure.

To back up to the beginning of summer, on June 1^st we will be saying goodbye to the Rev. Winifred Jones, whose wonderful ministry to our elders and shut-ins will be concluding. Please come to worship on that day to join in letting Winifred know how much she will be missed. Our new Pastoral Associate, the Rev. Beverly Duncan, will be formally accepted at our church’s annual meeting (5/27), and introduced to the congregation at the June 1^st service. Bev comes to us from Abington, where her husband Stan is the pastor of the UCC church there. Bev has served churches in South Hadley, Taunton, and Plympton, and will be a welcome addition to our staff, serving in the same capacity as Winifred has. Please introduce yourself to her when you see her.

As you may know by now, there are new nationally mandated federal regulations regarding patient confidentiality and privacy at hospitals, doctors’ offices, and other places. If you become a patient at Jordan, South Shore, or any hospital, at the time of registration you must indicate if you wish to be listed on the religious census. This will enable our clergy to visit you easily. Please call the Church Office and let us know as well.

The same regulations now prohibit us in the churches from speaking out the name of someone for our prayer list or printing their name in our bulletin without that person’s permission. While this may seem like an intrusion into the separation of church and state, the intent is well-founded, if not a bit awkward. Confidentiality in this day and age is more important than ever. Thus, if you have a name for the prayer list and have received the person’s permission, please call it into the Office or speak to Pat or me on Sunday morning before worship. Be assured, we will continue to pray for all who are in need, whether their names are verbalized or not.

Finally, save the date of October 25^th on your calendars for a gala event in Boston, the coming of the replica of the Freedom Schooner Amistad. The Congregational roots of the UCC have a close tie in with the thrilling story of the Amistad, and many activities are planned, including touring the ship, and activities in the Moakley Courthouse such as storytellers, musicians, and reenactments. The Amistad serves as a living monument to the millions of lives that were shattered or lost as a result of the North American and Caribbean slave trade. It also celebrates the resistance by courageous Africans and abolitionists, including our UCC forebears, to the institution of slavery. Pilgrim Church has a connection with the abolitionist movement in its origins as you may remember. More details will be coming later in the summer, but I wanted to at least alert you to this exciting event coming up.

Prayers and blessings upon the Pilgrim Church family as we are absent one from the other – and have a great summer!

Shalom,

Ken

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Kiki Houghton has retired as an active member of our committee after 36 years of service. Her arrangements have been admired and her devotion to the Committee are to be commended.

The Committee is pleased to welcome Nancy Dougenik as a new member.

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Women in Stitches will have their final meeting on Monday, June 23^rd @ 7:30 PM in the parlor. Please join us!

The next meeting of Koinonia will be Monday, June 9^th at 7 PM at the home of Gretchen Knoll in Plymouth. For directions and/or car pooling, call Elaine Guilfoyle, 781-934-9648. We especially invite those of you in Plymouth to join us. You may be encouraged to form a group of your own.

Bookworms will be on summer vacation until their next meeting on Tuesday, September 23^rd @ 1:30 PM. Look for more information in the September Newsletter.

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PCCP has had a very busy Winter and is excited about the emerging Spring and Summer seasons. The Staff has many activities and field trips planned for the growing little ones. Enrollment for this Fall is full but the application process is ongoing. Although the programs are scheduled to be full, changes do occur every year, so it’s always a good idea to fill out an application if you are interested.

The PCCP Board members have been very helpful through the years. In particular, Leland Bishop and Helen Barrow, who began on the Day Care Committee in 1996, have just ended their current terms on the Board. I would like to thank them for their generosity, support, and wisdom which have touched the PCCP’s past, present, and future. Your efforts will carry forth for many families and employees to come!!

Very truly yours,

Michelle L. Manganaro, Director

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Over the years of running the SYF program (Senior Youth Fellowship), I heard one constant request: couldn’t there be something like this for the parents? The answer, beginning this Fall, is "Yes!" Lynne Wolfe, our new volunteer Coordinator, is helping me research the need and come up with something that embodies the best of SYF (energy, purpose and fun) and aims it at the needs of parents in our church. We are looking for your input in its creation.

SYF was a free flowing discussion on a variety of subjects, some faith-based and others simply topical and relevant to the high school kids. Our vision is to create a Parents’Christian Fellowship group where every meeting challenges, encourages, and invites the participants to share a voice and lend an ear.

Bill Farquharson

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Church School Sunday was wonderful! Thank-you to all of the children and young people that participated. It was a time of real worship. Church School, under the leadership of Peggy Files, has been participating in and learning about worship on the first Sunday of each month. The students and their teachers have been working on their parts for this special service all year long. The service was the result of hard work, very talented young folks, prayer and God’s blessing. I felt, as did many that attended the service, that it was a very special time of worship. A special thanks to each of you who participated in the service. I must especially commend Davey Whitney and Lindsay McClure. Not only have they been faithful teachers of the fourth grade class, they were here for the service the morning after the Prom! Now that’s dedication!

One Room Schoolhouse starts on June 15^th. We will have a multi-grade class during the summer months. Please sign up if you can help teach. Curriculum and support will be provided. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at the church office.

Church School teachers are still needed for the 2003-2004 school year. There is a sign-up sheet in the vestry. Curriculum and support will be provided. We will have special teacher training before Rally Sunday. As always, feel free to call me at the church office if you have any questions.

A special thanks to Nancy Martin who is rotating off of the Christian Education Board. She has served as the Chairperson for the last two years. She provided strong leadership during a time of much change. She encouraged teachers and members of the CE Board to be good stewards of their gifts and talents. Her leadership enabled the CE Board to make some important decisions that assure an exciting future for Christian Education in our church.

Thanks also to Joan Barrington and Ruth Whitcomb for their service on the CE Board. They and their special gifts will be missed.

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