Are you ready for prime time? Well, it may not be quite prime time, but our church, or rather, our denomination, the United Church of Christ, will be launching a television advertising campaign in Advent (Dec. 1-26), the purpose of which is to tell people nationwide about our UCC churches – who we are, what we believe, and where to find us.

The ad campaign is an exciting evangelism initiative designed primarily to strengthen the local churches. The theme, widely used and test-marketed since 2001, comes originally from the late humorist, Gracie Allen, who said: "Never place a period where God has placed a comma," the implication being that "God is still speaking." This is similar to the quote attributed to John Robinson, the "Pilgrim" who had to stay behind in Holland when our forebears left on the Mayflower. (See Hymn 259 in the Pilgrim Hymnal) Robinson said in his farewell address to them, "The Lord hath yet more light and truth to break forth from his Word" – God is still speaking!

The Still Speaking Initiative uses television and print advertising to communicate our church’s historical commitment to inclusivity and hospitality, says the Rev. John H. Thomas, UCC general minister and president. In addition to reaching out to potential members, the campaign hopes to promote increased enthusiasm and commitment among our members, especially as the UCC looks

toward its 50^th anniversary in 2007.
"This is an opportunity for the UCC to renew its distinctive voice as a people of welcome, justice and passion for the Gospel," says Thomas. "The Still Speaking Initiative will help us fall in love again with the United Church of Christ, be generous in financial support, and turn our attention toward a world that needs to experience the presence, embrace and encouragement of Jesus."

There will be an opportunity to get training on how to attract and welcome newcomers at a workshop in Wellesley on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 7^th. If you are interested, call or see Lynne Wolfe for details.

Another piece of news I wanted to share is probably known by most of you by now. The Rev. Dr. Nancy Taylor, our Conference Minister and President for the past three years has resigned her position effective the first of January to become Senior Pastor of Old South Church in Boston. Nancy came to the Conference shortly before 911 and her pastoral presence during that difficult time was a source of much comfort and support for pastors and local churches. She was also instrumental in bringing the Amistad and its exciting story to our area. And hers has been a clear and gentle voice helping all of us explore and discuss the difficult subject of same gender marriage over the last few months. Nancy preached here at Pilgrim Church last Fall and was well received by our congregation.

Nancy’s many gifts of ministry will be greatly missed by our wider church family. Our loss is Old South’s gain. The Board of Directors will be choosing an interim minister soon. Please keep Nancy and the Conference in your prayers in this time of transition and change.

Finally, I wanted to tell you about an event sponsored by the Duxbury Interfaith Council, a Ramadan Dinner, with our friends in the Muslim community on Saturday, November 6^th at 4:35 PM at the Senior Center on Mayflower St. This is a breaking of the fast, celebrating the end of the holy period of Ramadam. We will have tickets available in the Office (adults $10 and children $5 – proceeds to benefit orphans in Afghanistan).

May God continue to bless us, and grant us wisdom and courage for the living of these days.

Shalom and Salaam,

We have signed up to serve a meal at Pine Street Inn on Monday, Nov. 29^th, and Thursday, Dec. 30^th. We will need 8 volunteers for each date. If you missed the sign-up opportunity at POOF, and would like to be a part of this "hands-on" event, please call Pat Wiedner at the church (781)-934-6591.

Save the date! Saturday November 13, 2004 from 9-2 Pilgrim Church and Preschool Bazaar. This year the preschool is partnering with the church to host their Annual Holiday Shopping Bazaar. The vendors hosted by PCCP will include: Scholastic books, Discovery toys, Nancy King’s Candles, Silpada jewelry, a snack bar, bake sale, silent auction, and a classroom wishing tree. All PCCP vendors will be donating a portion of their proceeds to the preschool as part of our fall fundraising efforts.

We hope you can join us!

We are thankful for the inspiring message that Stan and Kay Parks brought us at World Communion service. Sharing the meaning of communion and how that is especially meaningful in areas they have visited throughout the world and as they served as missionaries in Indonesia. Our service was complete with Rev. Eloise Parks sharing communion with the congregation.

This month we are having two more very special services. On Nov. 6^th we will be "Honoring Our Saints" both past and present with our traditional jazz service. On Nov. 20^th we will be raising our hearts and voices in gratitude to all that is ours at this time of Thanksgiving and Harvest. Following this service we will have a supper. The meal will include, chili, cornbread, beverages and dessert. We look forward to having you join us.

November 20 Thanksgiving Harvest

*December 4 Advent

The Pilgrim Women’s Fellowship Board would like to thank Pat Wiedner and Marge Bishop for their generous donations to our silver tea services. If you were able to attend our annual Fall Tea (Oct. 15^th) you were witness to their beauty.

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Come support our church and find some terrific items at the Pilgrim Church Bazaar! Many hours have gone into the organization of this event and it should be fabulous. We are still looking for donations of small household items (no furniture, books, or clothes please). How many of us have an extra set of perfectly good mixing bowls? Or maybe a clock you won at a sporting event and you just don’t need anymore. Who needs SPRING cleaning? Clean out the house before Christmas!

Due to limited space, we’re asking that donated items be dropped off at the church on Friday, Nov. 12^th, from 4-6PM. If this is not convenient, please call Connie Masinda @ 585-5250 to make other arrangements. Either way, come and join us for a fabulous Fall Bazaar!

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Add December 12^th to your calendar. Christmas Brunch in the vestry! All friends and family members are welcome to join us. Look for signs in the hallway as the date gets closer. We hope that this year will be as much fun and successful as in years past! Children will be able to have a bite to eat before their Pageant rehearsal and parents will be able to sit down for a few minutes for some wonderful food and fellowship at the same time.

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Koinonia usually meets on the second Monday of the month. The next meeting will be on Mon., November 8 at 7:00 PM, at Lynn DeHart’s home.

Share your Christmas Spirit and help decorate the sanctuary with a poinsettia for the December 19^th Sunday service. If you wish to give a poinsettia to a shut-in or in memory/honor of a loved one, or plan to take the plant home after the service, please use the form below to indicate your preference:

_____IN MEMORY OF ______IN HONOR OF (Please check one!)

NAME OF HONOREE _____________________________________________________

I WILL: _______ DONATE _______ PICK UP* (Please check one!)

GIVEN BY ______________________________________________________________

(The above names will be in the Sunday Bulletin)

*Poinsettias must be picked up directly after the 11 AM service at church on the 19^th. Please send your donation to Pilgrim Church, P.O. Box 186, Duxbury, Ma. 02331.

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The ways to donate are:

Food: canned goods – yellow and green vegetables, cranberry sauce, juice, non frozen juice concentrate, packaged dessert mixes,

Home-baked goods: quick breads, batches of cookies, brownies, squares, cupcakes

Turkeys: can be donated by calling Gladys Covino @ 837-3010.

Whole Baskets can be donated by calling Eric Swanson @ 934-2207, or donations of money can be made by sending a check payable to the Duxbury Interfaith Council, to PO Box 1161, Duxbury, MA 02331.

All canned and prepackaged food items that have been donated will be delivered to Holy Family Church on Thurs., Nov. 18^th, and baked goods can be delivered on Fri., Nov. 19^th from 9AM-5PM. The baskets will be assembled at Holy Family from 9-3 on Friday, Nov. 19^th, and turkeys and baked goods packed Sat., Nov. 20^th, from 9AM-noon. The baskets will be picked up from noon-5PM on Saturday, with limited deliveries beginning at 2:00 that afternoon.

Volunteers are needed to sort and pack that Friday and Saturday, and help with loading the baskets into cars, as well as making the few necessary deliveries, is particularly appreciated. Extra hands are always needed, for any amount of time you can give, and parents are welcome to bring children (more hands-more help!).

October 17th was the first Sunday that our Junior Choir sang. It was a huge success with seventeen children singing with great confidence and skill. The sound was beautiful. The children and The Bell Choir provided lovely music for the Sunday service and the Teen choir sang at the stewardship brunch. Of course our Senior choir sang an inspiring anthem at the Offertory. Although I could not attend the brunch due to the need to accompany the Junior Choir at their rehearsal, I heard wonderful comments from many of those I saw later. Kudos to all the choir directors at our church. They are hard working, dedicated and skilled. We are most fortunate.

Rehearsals for the Messiah concert are going quite well and I am pleased with the progress and the sound. It is not too late to join this group if you have sung The Messiah previously. We are in need of basses in particular. If you can fill this need, please do come forward. This is an important "out-reach" program for our church and an appropriate way to begin the Christmas Season. Questions? Call Cathy Morrison at the church or home (781-834-4856). If you cannot sing with us, please do plan to attend. The concert is scheduled for November 21st at 4:00 P.M.

The Sr. Center can use your time and talent! If you have a few hours a week to donate, we can use your help.

Volunteers are needed in the areas of:

• Driving people to medical appointments
• Meals on Wheels Drivers
• Friendly Visitor to a shut in
• Being a server at the Sr. Lunch
• Receptionist
• Gardening
• Your Special Skill

If you would like an information packet sent to you, please give a telephone

call to the Center at 781-934-5774. If you have never been to the Sr. Center, please stop by and take a tour and become familiar with the activities that we have to offer you.

Becky Ford

Thank you - Cathy Doughty, Pilgrim Church Secretary

As we enter November, the month of Thanksgiving, I pray that we all remember to be thankful every day for the very many ways that God has blessed us and shown his great love for us. First Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to "always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." May it be so for each of us.

JUICED UP to Fight Poverty!! For the month of November, we will be collecting juice concentrate. The Church School will be heading up this juice drive. We need the cans that can be stored at room temperature. They will be used for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets that we put together.

Kid’s Klub-4^th, 5^th and 6^th graders-will meet on Sunday November 14^th in the vestry from 2-4PM. Come join us and bring a friend!

JYF-7^th and 8^th graders-will meet on Friday November 5^th in the vestry from 7-9PM. Dinner will be made up of the 3 "C’s" of nutrition-Chinese food and Chocolate Cake! We’ll also have a game and a lesson. Come on and bring a friend.

The JYF outing will be on Friday November 26^th from 6-11:30PM.

JYF will attend the Celtics/Cavaliers Game. There are a limited number of tickets. Sign up to attend the game will be on the 5^th. The cost for the ticket is $10 and you should also bring $10 for food. Any questions? Call Marc or Sarah Beattie @ 781.934.2646.

Our classes for this month will be the 7^th and the 21st after church. Please contact me about your inreach and outreach hours. This month, you can help put together the Thanksgiving Baskets to help families who have had some tough times and you can get outreach credit on top of doing something good!

As this is the month of Thanksgiving, I would like to express my deepest and sincerest gratitude for all of the folks that give of their time and talents to teach in our Church School. When you see one of these teachers, join me in expressing your gratitude to them for the work that they do with our young people.

Nursery Mariane Almeida, Claire Hickey

Pre-K Doug Backlund, Ann Roberge

K/1 Ann Marie DeWolf, Debbie Drinkwater

2/3 Colleen Brayer, David Cheever, Angelique Kania

4^th Joan Edgar, Judy Gibbs

5^th Joan Barrington, Linda Shropshire, Gwynne Zisko

6^th Julia Lizza, John MacLaren

7^th Deb Bowen, Betsy Hunter

8^th Heidi Hadley

Teen Class: Terri Clark, Debby Jewell

With gratitude to God,

Rev. Eloise