Though summer doesn’t officially start until June 21, once the calendar page turns to June many of us start mentally getting in the summer mode. There are lots of things related to Pilgrim Church happening over the summer, and this will give you a glimpse of some of them.

On June 3rd at 7:30 PM the Interfaith Council is again sponsoring the High School Baccalaureate (this year held at First Parish). With the efforts of Beth Pierce and others, there is a conscientious attempt this year to make the event feel even more like the worship experience it is supposed to be. The public is cordially invited to attend, and you will be in for a treat if you do – the youth of our community have diverse and impressive talents.

On June 6th we will be introducing our Stephen Ministers during worship, and after worship the Trustees and Stewardship folks will be giving us an opportunity to ask questions about the budget and church finances. June 11th and 12th is the Mass UCC Conference’s Annual meeting held at Mt. Holyoke College. This year five of us will be going, representing our congregation and learning more about the wider church. On Sunday, June 13th we will be celebrating Church School Sunday (always a special treat), followed by an all-church picnic on the front lawn. The following week, June 20th will be our first summer schedule 9:00 AM service (at which our new deacons will be commissioned).

Starting June 21st , I will be attending Princeton Seminary for two weeks for my annual continuing education sojourn. I always look forward to this time away for study, worship, and reflection. This will lead into my vacation time which will be spent mostly at our home on Cape Cod and concluding with a week on Star Island. I will be back in the pulpit on August 8th. See elsewhere in this issue for the list of fine preachers we will be having during my absence.

Other happenings during the summer include Vacation Bible School (July 12-16), One Room Schoolhouse each Sunday for our children, continuing programs and activities for our youth throughout the summer, guest organists and soloists providing special music during worship, and, lest we forget – AIR CONDITIONING in the sanctuary!!

I trust that the summer months will be good for all of us as we enjoy God’s bountiful gifts, and as we recreate, rest, and renew ourselves in this season of warmth and sunshine. Blessings to all for a safe, healthy, and happy summer.

Shalom,

Ken

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FROM THE STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE:

Thanks go out to all the Pilgrim Stewards who have contributed with tithes, time and talents. Our church is a busy place in May thanks to your support. Our confirmands have become very involved in helping out with the Saturday and Sunday services as well as participating in important service projects (Camp Wing clean up). Our Vestry hosted the youth "coffee house" talent event. Over 75 attended and many displayed their vocal and instrumental talents. Brian Jones showed us how versatile our new organ is with the excellent concert and reception this month. As we approach the summer season, the church will continue to need Stewards to help support the weekly spiritual opportunities. Please consider your financial support of our wonderful church over the next few months. This could range from just getting current with monthly pledge obligations to considering pledging for the first time. So many things are possible when we all support the financial needs of our congregation. Look out for a special mid year budget review sponsored by our Trustees and Stewardship on June 6^th. May God help you become the best Steward you can be!

The Endowment Committee's investment seminar "Financial Goals and Estate Planning" was a success thanks to the speakers, Charles Zisko of Zisko and Associates, a financial planner; Gywnne Zisko of Gywnne Gorton Zisko, Attorney at Law, a lawyer specializing in financial and estate planning; Sandy Kennedy of Kennedy and Kennedy Certified Public Accountants, an accountant and tax advisor; and Jim Pye of the Law Offices of James Taylor Pye, an attorney specializing in estate planning. These talented professionals shared their expertise with those who attended. If you missed the seminar and would like to see a copy of the video or receive one of the handouts, please contact the Church Office at 781-934-6591.

The Endowment Committee welcomes your suggestions on topics that would interest you for future seminars - please let any member of the Committee know.

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· Health promotion focuses on healthy human development rather than response to specific health problems.

· Prevention highlights the lowering of risk factors and reduction of the incidence of illness, including preventing the premature occurrence of chronic illness.

· Response is the action taken to address actual problems that can affect health and healing.

The next meeting of Koinonia will be at 7 PM on Monday, June 14^th, at the home of Dot Baker, 1548 Tremont St., Duxbury. If you need directions, or have any questions, call Dot at 781/934-2302.

The garden will have a stone terrace surrounded by plantings that will provide interest in all seasons of the year. We are part way to our fund raising goal. If you would like to make a donation or a pledge to the Memorial Garden, please fill out the form and return it to the Church. Checks may be made payable to: Pilgrim Church Memorial Garden. All donations will be recorded in our Memorial Garden Book.

• Chinese Proverb

(Please check one) _____ IN MEMORY OF _____ IN HONOR OF

The items may be left off at the church office, or if you need items picked up call Connie Masinda @ 934-6661. We are hoping to make this a huge success. Remember: One person's trash is another's treasure!! Thank you for your help.

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Pilgrim Women's Fellowship is creating some new Circles for the fall: Ladies Golf, Lunch Bunch, Games (other than Bridge), Beginners Bridge Class, Arts & Crafts. Sewing, Knitting & Getting Together, etc. Anyone interested should see the sign-up sheets on the bulletin board outside the Vestry. Anyone interested in forming a group other than the aforementioned, we would welcome your ideas. Contact Connie Masinda
@934-6661

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The resignation of Ruth Reed as Junior Choir Director has been received with regret. Ruth is an excellent musician and excellent teacher. The church and the choir have benefited from her talent and experience there past five years. Thankfully, the music program will not lose such a valued member since Ruth has agreed to serve on the music board.
On a happier note, the inaugural recital given by Brian Jones on Sunday, May 9th was an outstanding success. Brian presented a varied program with selections that appealed to all. His comments about each piece made them interesting for all and he included music that was both serious and humorous. The audience was very receptive and appreciative. Brian gave us a humorous insight to his background here in Duxbury and at Pilgrim Church. Thank you, Brian for a wonderful afternoon.
The music board provided a delicious reception and deserves applause as well for all the hard work.
The Senior choir will sing for the final time this season on the first Sunday in June. As in the past, the music for worship will be provided by soloists (duets, etc.) by choir and congregation participants. There are still some openings for vocal and instrumental music. If you wish to participate, please let me know.
Cathleen Morrison, Music Director

BEV’S BYTES: Mission Partnership Summer Event

In July 2004, a choir of ten youth from Chile will travel to Massachusetts to join with a choir of MACUCC youth for a week of shared faith, music and community building. The focus of the trip will be two concerts, one on Saturday, July 10^th 7: 00 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Reading, Ma. and the other at the South Congregational Church in Springfield, Ma. on Tuesday, July 13^th at 7: 00 p.m. Please plan on attending one of these exciting events! All are invited.

In July 2005, the same ten-member youth choir from MACUCC will travel to Chile where a similar week of musical and cultural exchange will be experienced.

Two CDs will be produced from the concerts in Chile and in Massachusetts, which you may pre-order for $15 each from Dick Crotts at rcrotts@msn.com. The proceeds will assist in defraying the cost of the trip for the youth and will also support the Centro Shalom in Chile, a UCC sponsored center for peace, justice and environmental education overseen by the Pentecostal Church of Chile.

In faith and partnership,

Bev Duncan

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ACCESSAIL, a program that offers people with disabilities an opportunity to enjoy the experience of sailing in Duxbury Bay, is looking for volunteers to help meet it’s outstanding demand.

PILGRIM CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOL

Pilgrim Child Care & Preschool (PCCP) has openings for the Toddler and Pre-K summer programs. Morning program is 8-12; additional hours are available after 12 as well. Duxbury Kindergartners-to-be will benefit greatly from the social and academic opportunities the Pre-K program has to offer for this transitional summer. Nature exploration, cooking, gym class, and special guests are added components of the nine week summer program. The Fall programs is scheduled to be full however it is not too late to be waitlisted for any of the programs: infants, toddlers, preschool, or Pre-K. The PCCP will have the annual Family Picnic and Graduation on Friday, June 3rd for the Pre-K graduating class of 2004 including fifteen Duxubury children, one Marshfield, one Pembroke, two Plymouth, and three Kingston students. This is an opportunity for the Staff and all PCCP families to join together for an afternoon of fun. Have a great summer!!

Michelle Manganaro, M.Ed.
Director
Pilgrim Child Care & Preschool 
781-934-8145, ext. 1#
mlmanganaro@earthlink.net

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Just a note about the summer** It is my plan to have activities during the summer for the kids and the youth. Keep an eye out for announcements and postcards. If any adults in the church are interested in helping with this, please let me know. Some folks have already volunteered and the CE Board will be helping with this as well. If it takes a village to raise a child, surely it takes a good committee to keep a group of kids involved in meaningful activities during the summer. I look forward to hearing from you!

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 July/August newsletter is Tuesday, June 15th. Call (781-934-6591) if you have any questions.

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