Pride is one of the seven "deadly" sins, I know, but I hope God will forgive me a little prideful indulgence, because I am feeling so proud of Pilgrim Church and also proud of the wider UCC church. I’ll tell you why.

Feeling of pride Number One. I attended a meeting for parents and concerned community members last week at Duxbury High School. The purpose of the meeting was to brainstorm and strategize about how we as a community might respond to the recent reports of at-risk behaviors in which our youth are engaging, specifically in the areas of alcohol and drug use and sexual activities. I would guess there were about 100 people present, a good

turnout. I had to leave after the first hour to attend an important meeting at church, but I was able to sit in on for awhile a small group discussion that brainstormed possible solutions. There were many excellent suggestions offered, and I have feelings of hope. But I was particularly impressed and proud of the large number of Pilgrim people present, representing at least a quarter of all those present. I am proud of all of you who took the time and interest to participate in such a vital community event. Hopefully more of us will get involved in the future.

Feeling of pride Number Two came the next day when I was attending the 205^th annual meeting of the MA Conference, UCC at Mt. Holyoke College (along with over 800 other delegates, including five from our congregation). One of the hand-outs was a report of the Conference’s 2005 Mission Budget. A section near the back listed per member contributions to Our Church’s Wider Mission Basic Support and Fellowship Dues for each church in each Association for the previous year. In recent years, Pilgrim Church has been the top giver in our Pilgrim Association and we were again. But what really caught my attention was a list on the very back page entitled, "Leaders in Total Contributions." We are now the fifth largest contributor to OCWM and Fellowship Dues in the entire Conference of over 400 churches. I am proud that our members give so generously to the missions of the wider church as well as to the operating expenses of our local church.

Feeling of pride Number Three is directed to our Conference and the wider church. You will read elsewhere in this issue a report from Bob and Maddie Merrifield who were our lay delegates to the annual meeting, so I won’t reiterate all that they report. Suffice to say I am proud to be part of a church that grapples with difficult social issues (even if there is often lengthy debates before resolution), a church that deals with conflicting opinions respectfully, and a national church that is trying to creatively bring in new members for its local member churches through an exciting new ad campaign – "God is still speaking."

Finally, feeling of pride Number Four was experienced this past Sunday, also known as Church School Sunday. The children and youth, well prepped by their teachers and leaders, did an outstanding job sharing their faith and what they have learned this church school year. I sat there feeling like a "proud papa." The junior choir’s recitation of the books of the Bible to a rap beat, the beautiful music of the increasingly professional teen choir, and the instrumental music of three of our young adults were terrific. Each of the classes contributed to parts of the rest of the service in ways that opened up our faith in new and exciting ways. Thanks to all, especially Rev. Eloise, for a truly fine morning (topped off with a great all-church picnic on the front lawn, complete with "moon walk" – no, I didn’t try it out!).

Forgive my pride, but you Pilgrim folks are, as Billy Crystal used to say, MAHVELLOUS! I am so proud to serve among you. God bless you all over the next few weeks as we are absent one from the other, and may your summer be refreshing and renewing.

Shalom,

Ken

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….. UCC NEWS

As Pilgrim Church lay delegates to the 205th MACUCC annual meeting June 11-12, Bob and I want to share with you some of the highlights of the conference titled "Declare It Boldly." First, the Mt. Holyoke College campus in So. Hadley is beautiful and with perfect weather, the setting was wonderful. Then to be gathered with 850 other UCC clergy and delegates from 425 other UCC churches across Massachusetts, sharing ideas, music and worship, was so uplifting and rewarding that we feel privileged to have participated.

The theme for the conference was "God is Still Speaking," based on a quote from Gracie Allen: "Never place a period where God has placed a comma." This theme, "God is Still Speaking," is the focus of a 30-second tv commercial created as part of a national identity campaign by the UCC. Response to the testing of this commercial has been "overwhelmingly fabulous," we were told. We viewed this commercial as well as another which will hopefully be aired during the advent season as part of the Stillspeaking Initiative. Check out www.stillspeaking.com for more information.

During the three plenary sessions, we discussed and voted on a number of proposals. One was a budget goal for OCWM (Our Church’s Wider Mission) of $2,230,200 for 2005. We were so proud to read in the budget report that our very own Pilgrim Church was the 5th highest contributor to the OCWM in 2003 at $50,502. There were a number of interesting proposals voted on affirmatively including clergy compensation guidelines, seafarer rights, purchasing fair trade coffee, and to oppose sensory deprivation techniques in prisons.

Two other proposals brought more debate than the foregoing. One, a resolution to encourage respect for marriages, calls upon churches to value and respect without prejudice or discrimination marriages and families and to provide a broad range of resources on marriage to parishioners.

The final proposal brought the most debate but was voted on affirmatively by a large majority. The resolution to support the MA Supreme Judicial Court’s Decision Affirming the Right of Same Gender Couples to Marry calls upon churches to "celebrate and affirm the ... court’s decision..." and to promote discussion, prayer and biblical study on the matter.

Bob and I also attended a workshop titled "What Does it Mean to be a Just Peace Church in Light of the War on Terror?" The focus of a Just Peace Church (which the national UCC synod passed in 1985) is to work for peace in our churches and in our daily lives. One idea we particularly liked is to light a "peace candle" on the altar each Sunday. We’re also going to keep one candle in our window to remind us and those passing by to pray for peace. Won’t you put a candle in your window, too?

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

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The last Sunday of the season for our Senior Choir was June 6th and I will miss them during the summer. The choir will return in September on Rally Sunday. Our next rehearsal will be Thursday, September 9th at 7:30. This will be our only opportunity to prepare for our return to providing music for Sunday worship so I hope all will be able to attend.
Although the Senior Choir is taking a well-deserved break, summer Worship I will be enhanced by many volunteers providing excellent music each Sunday. A sincere thank you to Claudia Landall and Ruth Reed for playing the

organ while I am away.
Plans are already in progress for the Messiah Sing on November 21st. Although that seems so far in the future, I encourage all who plan to participate to mark their calendars now. Anyone who wishes to sing in the chorus is welcome. You need not be a member of the choir or Pilgrim Church, as we would like this to be a community event. If you have any questions, please do call me.

The new organ is a joy to play and a pleasure to hear. I want to thank all those who stay for a few moments after worship to listen to the Postlude. I do spend considerable time preparing this music so it is very encouraging to know the effort is appreciated. Again, many thanks!

The Pilgrim Ringers and Junior Choir are also resting for the summer after a year of wonderful music.

We look forward to the return of the bell choir and thank Sue Homan, director, and the ringers for their dedication and fine music. Unfortunately, we are searching for a new junior choir director and after five years of excellent direction by Ruth Reed, we will be hard pressed to find a like replacement. We have had some leads that we are currently pursuing and would be happy to hear from anyone who may know someone suitable who

may be interested.
Have a fine summer! Cathy Morrison

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Bring your chair, lunch, and family, to Pilgrim Church’s front lawn to watch the 4^th of July Parade!

The Men’s Group has had a series of very successful meetings. We met in April at Wildflowers Café to plan our May event. Breakfast was wonderful, and we solved Duxbury issues that confronted several in the group. Large breakfasts aside, we planned our activity.

Our May activity was a bike ride through Standish Shores under the leadership of long-time resident Bob Mustard. We rode to the Standish Monument and explored the area. We were surprised to find the entertainment area and arbor. Although the arbor is in need of repair, the area makes a wonderful destination and location for a summer family picnic. Our next stop was the shore property of DRHS, where we walked along the edge of Kingston Bay and discussed hunting, clamming and the Duxbury $10 million Yard Sale, all with wonderful views of exquisite estates and Duxbury Ledge Light. Our ride continued to the historic home site of Miles Standish, and then around the north side of Standish Shores. We were back at the church parking lot with plenty of time for Saturday activities at home. Many thanks to Bob, Les, Ken, Bob, Mike and Jim, for a great morning ride and activity. Our June planning session was again held at Wildflowers Café. All are looking forward to July 31^st for our next activity.

The Men’s Group is open to all men at Pilgrim Church. We meet the last Saturday of each month for planning or an activity. Our meetings usually are an hour for planning or two hours for activities. If you would like to attend any meeting or would like to be included on the e-mail notification list, please contact Mark Cleveland, Jim Kerkam or the church office.

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These days, many people are searching to understand what God wants them to do with their lives. Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life, is a best seller. Researchers have identified Emotional Quotient, or EQ, as more important to success in both business and personal lives than Intelligence Quotient, or IQ. And, as more and more people change careers throughout life we seem to more frequently hear the question, "What am I going to do when I grow up?" uttered by adults as well as youth.

At Pilgrim Church, we have been using an adult program this year, developed by the same folks who developed the Stephen Ministry program, called Discovering God’s Vision for Your Life: You and Your Spiritual Gifts, which helps with this search. One frequent comment of participants in the program has been, "how much easier my life would have been if I’d discovered my gifts years ago." Another has been "I wish [name of son or daughter] could go through this program." Perhaps our enthusiasm has been because when we learn what our gifts are we seem amazed to find these gifts are so related not only to what we do best, but also to what we like most to do! And perhaps its because we see that our gifts are all different, and that the gifts of each of us are needed for our church, our family, or any group we are a part of to function well. We become more appreciative of our gifts, and of the gifts of others. Surprisingly, one of the biggest benefits of discovering our gifts appears to be learning what our gifts are NOT and feeling okay about that discovery, sometimes even relieved.

Partially in response to our own experiences and to these comments, we are developing a plan to bring the benefits of our adult program to our post-confirmation teens. We are using what we believe are the best aspects of the Spiritual Gifts program (particularly some wonderful self-discovery activities) and replacing aspects we think would be less valuable. We’re adding ideas from other related programs and we’re creating a unique opportunity for self-discovery, one we believe our youth will find both valuable and enjoyable. The intent of the program is to help our high school students discover and develop the gifts from God that make them unique.

The program is planned for Sunday School time most church school Sundays, beginning in September. We do not plan to schedule classes on the first Sunday of each month to allow our young church members the opportunity to still be able to occasionally attend church and to regularly take communion. If you have any questions or would like to be involved in the development of this program, please call Reverend Eloise, Terri Clark, Debby Jewell, Deb Bowen, or Lynne Devnew Wolfe.

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Kid’s Klub*Kid’s Klub* Kid’s Klub (rising 4^th, 5^th and 6^th graders) will meet on July 18^th and August 22^nd from 2-4 in the vestry. This is a fun time where we gather to learn Bible stories and truths through games and activities. We also have snacks and some time to just play and get to know each other better. Come join us this summer and keep on coming throughout the year.

Teachers are still needed for the 2004-2005 schoolyear. PLEASE let me know if you can teach or teamteach or substitute next year. Thanks.

The deadline for the September newsletter is one week earlier than usual, on Sunday, August 8^th. As this is typically one of the largest newsletters of the year, we ask that you try to keep the articles brief! The easiest way to submit items is by sending them as email attachments to: secretaryofpilgrimchurch@hotmail.com. Call 781-934-6591 if you have any questions. Thanks, and have a wonderful summer! - Cathy Doughty, Pilgrim Church Secretary