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For those of us who call ourselves people of faith, Thanksgiving Day is every day. Each day that we are given is a day to return thanks. This is so because when we’re conscious of it, we realize that all that we have comes from God, even the very breaths we take. Scripture teaches us to thank God in all times and in all circumstances, but sometimes this is easier said than done. When the dark clouds hang heavily and life is not going our way, it is an effort to give thanks even for God’s presence. This requires a strong faith.

A good example of such faith is the Rev. Martin Rinckart, German pastor during the darkness of the Thirty Years’ War, who in the year 1636, is said to have buried five thousand of his parishioners, an average of fifteen a day. His parish was ravaged by war, death, disease, and unbelievable hardship. In the heart of that darkness, with the cries of fear outside his window, he sat down and wrote this table grace for his children: "Now thank we all our God / With heart and hands and voices; / Who wondrous things hath done, / In whom his world rejoices. / Who, from our mother's arms, / Hath led us on our way / With countless gifts of love / And still is ours today." We now know this as one of our favorite hymns of thanksgiving, "Now Thank We All Our God." Pastor Rinckart was someone who knew that thanksgiving comes from love of God, and not from outward circumstances.

Sometimes when we have what we call "good fortune," we too easily say in effect, "I deserve what comes to me! Others are here to serve me and make me happy." Thankfulness is the opposite of selfishness, and a recognition that all the blessings of life come only from God’s bountiful hand. If our spiritual life is impoverished and a bit stunted, perhaps its because we give so little place to gratitude. Actually, it is more important to thank God for blessings received that to pray for them beforehand. Asking prayers, as important as they are, are still self-centered, whereas prayers of thanksgiving are quite selfless. The bottom line is that our thanks and love to God is a response to God’s love to us. We love, because God first loved us.

As we look forward to what many call their "favorite" holiday later this month, let’s remember that as important as Thanksgiving Day is in helping us to focus on the many blessings we have, an attitude of gratitude every day is the way for people who believe.

Let me close with a quote from David Livingstone, the great missionary to Africa, who once observed that failure to give thanks on a daily basis is "the capital crime of the Lord’s people." He then went on to say that "A line of praise is worth a page of prayer, and an hour of true thanksgiving is better than a day spent in fasting and mourning." Let us give thanks.

Shalom,

Ken

People have been asking me what I’d like to be called. Most recently it was a parent who wanted to know how to introduce me to her children. I hadn’t given it any thought, so I kind of stumbled around for a bit, wondering whether or not to suggest that the children call me what I’ve been known as in the churches I’ve served--"Pastor Bev." This has always seemed comfortable for the children, so if you’re all right with that, so am I. As for the adults, calling me "Bev" is just fine.

My schedule (some have wondered about that, too): Generally I visit parishioners Tuesdays and Thursdays, having made appointments to do so ahead of time. I check into church in the morning and at lunchtime on those days, so any messages can be gotten to me through Pat in the office. From time to time I have a scheduling conflict, so in those weeks my two days might be slightly different. (For instance, I serve on the Pilgrim Association Women’s Fellowship board, and their meetings are on Tuesdays.) In any case, I always let Ken and Pat know what my plans are for the week upcoming. My total hours are 12-15 per week.

It’s still a pleasure and privilege to be among you!

Bev Duncan

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Pilgrim Church’s annual holiday progressive dinner has been scheduled for Saturday evening, December 6. If you have been before, you know this is a great adult fellowship event. If you haven’t been before, you really should come! We begin the evening gathering in one or two homes for delicious hors d’oeuvres. We then break into small, pre-assigned groups of 8-10 for dinner at church members’ homes. The evening ends with a dessert gathering at a single home, where one of the highlights is the group singing of the 12 Days of Christmas – very silly and lots of fun. All attending contribute to the evening’s success by helping with either hosting a course or preparing hors d’oeuvres, salad and main course, or dessert.

Save the date! Sign-up sheets will be posted on the bulletin board and available in the vestry after church beginning November 9^th! If you aren’t familiar with Pilgrim’s annual progressive dinner, pick up a flyer at the sign-up desk after church or call Suzanne Blanchard (781/934-5669) for more information.

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Our U.C.C. Mass. Conference Minister and President, Nancy Taylor, will be preaching at our usual 10:00 service on Sunday, November 9^th. This is a worship service you will not want to miss. Besides being an engaging leader of worship, Nancy has been an articulate spokesperson for our wider church and for the rights of all persons, especially those marginalized by society, in the two years that she been in our Conference. For example, she has had a pivotal role in getting the Amistad to come to Boston, among many other projects. One of the things that she has emphasized in her public pronouncements is that the United Church of Christ is the largest Protestant denomination in Massachusetts. She brings an important prophetic voice to the issues in our Commonwealth.

Nancy (and possibly her husband, the Rev. Peter Southwell-Sander) will be with us the whole morning on the 9^th, including our fellowship time following worship (where she will be happy to engage in conversations with members of our congregation), and also staying for a light lunch with our church leaders (members of the Church Council), following fellowship time.

There’s another reason why 11/9 will be a big Sunday at our Church – we will be welcoming our latest group of new members on that day during worship. Please come and celebrate with us.

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On Sunday, October 19^th, Reverend Eloise Parks’ used a puzzle in her children’s sermon to demonstrate how our talents or spiritual gifts fit together to make a beautiful whole; a church ready, willing and able to do God’s work.

The Stewardship Committee would like to thank everyone who participated in Stewardship Weekend this year. If you have not yet turned in your pledge card, please send it to our Church as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please see a member of the Stewardship Committee or contact the Church office. Please remember, our theme this year is "What Shall We Bring Before God?"

The easiest way to get your items for the bulletin and newsletter in is by submitting them by e-mail to the church office @ secretaryofpilgrimchurch@hotmail.com. The deadline for the December newsletter is Saturday, November 15^th.

Thank you, Cathy Doughty, Pilgrim Church Secretary

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This renowned Boston-area chorus of sixty all male singers will be performing a wonderful selection of spirituals, folk songs, show tunes, and more, on Sunday, 11/2 at 4:00 PM at Duxbury High School.

Tickets are $20/person, and benefit the Duxbury Bay Maritime School. You can contact DBMS, or call 781-934-7555, to purchase tickets for the event.

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HOLIDAY POINSETTIAS

Christmas Boston Pops

Friday, December 26th, 7:30 PM

A new event brought to you by the Adult Fellowship Committee. There are only nine tickets left! Enjoying the Pops is a great way to relax after the hustle and bustle leading up to Christmas. Come join us the day after Christmas for a relaxing evening. The concert starts at 7:30 PM, a gathering of some sort will be organized to bring the group together before the concert and carpooling can be arranged. Sign up for this great evening on the Adult Fellowship board outside the vestry, or call Colleen Brayer at 934-6474

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The Senior Choir

The choir has been rehearsing the Christmas portion of The Messiah by Handel each Thursday from 7:00 to 8:00. We have been pleased to have many from the community join us for this exciting event. After rehearsing for the concert, we work to perfect the music sung at our Worship Services. HOWEVER, these rehearsals were shortened on two occasions to allow avid Red Sox fans to get home to their TV's!! After the last game (boo-hoo), we resumed our regular routine. We enthusiastically welcomed our newest member, Savannah Snyder to the alto section. Savannah is a senior at Duxbury High School and it is great to have her with us.
Please note the item regarding the Messiah concert below.
Cathy Morrison

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On November 23, 2003 at 4:00 P.M., our senior choir will give a performance of the Christmas portion of The Messiah by Handel. The choir will be augmented by singers from the community and a small orchestra. Roy Kelly, organist at St John's church next door, will be our organist for the concert. The soloists are all from our own choir and are: Carol Cybulska and Debby Jewell, sopranos; Anne Briggs, alto; Steve Johnson, tenor; Bob Engel, bass. The concert will end with the singing of the Hallelujah chorus and the audience will be invited to join in.

This is a fitting start to the Holiday season and we hope you all will plan to attend. There is no charge but a free will offering will be taken with proceeds to go to the organ fund.

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The Teen Choir will resume rehearsals on Sunday, November 2, right after church, in the Choir Room. All Junior High and High School Students are invited. Please come with your ideas and music suggestions. Any questions call Debby Jewell 781-934-9696.