I collect stuff ? if you?ve ever been in my office, you know the truth of this statement. I collect stuff and have a hard time throwing anything away. My own new year?s resolution should be to at least clean up my desk!

Occasionally something I?ve hung onto turns out to have value. One of the things I came across recently was a list of "eight gifts that don?t cost a cent." I have no idea where I got the list, but as I perused it, I thought it might be a good basis for a column on new year?s resolutions ? from a faith perspective. These are all "gifts" we can give to friends or loved ones ? and in the giving, we will surely get much back ourselves.

1. The Gift of Listening. This is very important, but we have to really listen ? no interrupting, no daydreaming, no thinking about what we?re going to say next. Just listen. It?s hard to do, but so very beneficial to the other.
2. The Gift of Affection. Let?s be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back, and handshakes. The gift of touch is a precious one for demonstrating our love and care, not only to close family members but to others we care about as well.
3. The Gift of Laughter. It?s okay for us to send to others funny emails (I get a lot of them). It?s great to give others their "chuckle for the day." Share articles and funny stories. Clip cartoons, and comic strips. One of you gives me a constant supply of cartoons that I appreciate. Our gift will say, "I love to laugh with you." Our world needs more laughter!
4. The Gift of a Written Note. It can be a simple "thanks for your help" note or a full blown essay. Actually, a brief handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change someone?s life. I will never toss out the collection of notes I?ve received and saved ? they are precious. While perhaps not quite as effective, but great because of it?s immediacy, an email note is also a quick way for us to stay in contact.
5. The Gift of a Compliment. A simple and sincere "Thanks for all your help," "You look great today," "You did a super job," or "That was a wonderful meal," etc., etc. ? can make someone?s day. I heard one of you say to a soldier once, "Thanks for all you do for us," and I was touched by his thoughtfulness. The soldier?s reply was also touching: "Thank you for giving us a reason to do what we do." Classy!
6. The Gift of a Favor. Every day, if possible, let?s go out of our way to do something kind for someone we love or care about ? or even someone we meet in our daily travels. "Practice random acts of kindness," is not just a catchy slogan. A favor for another may really make a difference.
7. The Gift of Solitude. There are times when we want nothing more than to be left alone. Let?s communicate this to others if we ourselves need it, but more important, let?s be sensitive to those times when they may need this, and give the gift of solitude to them.
8. The Gift of a Cheerful Disposition. One of the ways we feel good is by spreading good cheer and a kind word to another. It?s really not that hard to say "Hello," or "Thank you." It?s really not that hard to put a smile on our face. For sure, at times we don?t feel like smiling or being cheerful, and I?m not advocating phoniness. But for most of us, most of the time, the world is not so bleak that we can?t exert a little effort to share some sunshine with others. Usually when we do, we feel better ourselves.

So there you go, the list of eight gifts that don?t cost us a single penny. Wouldn?t they make dandy new year?s resolutions? And isn?t this the way we Christians are supposed to act anyway? I?m going to try to follow these as best I can, and I encourage you to do the same. And may our good Lord continue to help us live up to the calling God calls us to as we embark upon a new year. Health and happiness to you all in 2005!

Shalom,

Ken

Grateful thanks and sincere appreciation to all for the concern, many prayers, and well wishes received during my recent illness, especially to our pastor, Ken, for his kindness, and to Carol Cybulska, Diane Conley, and to the Senior Choir, as well, for so ably covering for me on Christmas Sunday. My prayers for all to enjoy a happy, healthy New Year.

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The Parish Nurse Committee will hold a Valentine?s Dinner and Dance on the evening of Saturday, February 16^th, 2005, in the Church Vestry. Dinner will be catered by some of Pilgrim Church?s great chefs and live music will be supplied by the Saturday Night Five Band, as well as featured guest artists. Tickets will be $20 each and will be sold after the Holidays. There will be a Silent Auction, featuring outstanding contributed items such as weekends on the Cape, ski weekends, catered dinners for six at home, park and fly packages from the Logan Hilton, and quality art, furniture, and craft items from area professionals. With great food, friends, live music and entertainment, super auction items, and a chance to enjoy the spirit of Valentine?s Day, this promises to be an enjoyable evening for all. All funds raised and contributed will be used to fund the activities and services of the Pilgrim Church?s Parish Nurse.

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Wish List for Parish Nurse

The following is a list of some of the items needed by Lisa Williams to help her provide services as the Parish Nurse. If any parishioners have these items and would be willing to donate them to the Parish Nurse Program, it would be deeply appreciated. Contact Lisa Williams, RN, through the Parish Office. Thank you in advance. Yours in Faith, Chris Blake, Chairperson Parish Nurse Committee.

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Have you heard the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra recently? Many of us think they are very special. Whether you have season tickets already, have never been to a "Phil" concert, or are somewhere in between, you are welcome to join us on Saturday, February 5^th for:

• Supper at 5:30 PM in the East Bay Grille, Plymouth (we?ll sit together, order from the menu, and have separate checks),
• The maestro?s lecture, an overview of the evening?s concert, at 7 PM in Memorial Hall, Plymouth (optional, no charge, and open seating for those with tickets), and
• The concert at 8 PM in Memorial Hall. (You may sign-up to purchase tickets for either $42 or $30 each; or you may use the tickets you already have.)

Sign-up for the dinner and purchase tickets in the vestry after church on January 2^nd, 9^th, or 16^th. We?ll also be asking you to indicate if you would like a ride to the event or be willing to provide a ride to others. Contact Lynne Devnew Wolfe, 781/934-0901 or lynne.devnew@verizon.net if you have any questions.

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Koinonia will meet Monday, January 10^th at the home of Winnie D?Amelio. In the event of inclement weather, there is a large parking lot that is always cleared. For information or directions, please call Elaine Guilfoyle at 781-934-9648.

The next meeting of the Bookworms will be January 25th in the church library at 1:30 p.m. The book we will be discussing is "The Other Boyeln Girl" by Philippa Gregory. The paperback book can be purchased at any book store. Hope to see you.

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

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Inspire your soul, awaken your senses and fill your heart.The atmosphere is casual, but the worship is serious

We will be beginning this year with a service of Poets and Prophets, those from scripture and others who have made a difference in our postmodern era, like Martin Luther King. Come join us as we center our worship on God?s desire of freedom and justice for all people. And then, on January 22 we will have our annual Souperbowl service! Each year we gather to raise awareness about hunger as part of a national effort. We respond by collecting canned goods and funds to support our own local food pantries. Following our worship service we will have a "tailgaiting" supper. Please plan to join us and stay for fellowship.

January 8 Poets and Prophets

Calling all musicians! Starting in the New Year we are going to be planning our own music and inviting members of our congregation to participate. The band we had been using will no longer be playing for us on Saturday evenings. If you are interested in playing at one? or more of the Saturday Night Five services, please contact Peggy Files at 781-934-6591.

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Lynne Devnew Wolfe 781-934-0901/lynne.devnew@verizon.net

The Senior Center can use your time and talent as Home Delivered Meals Volunteer Drivers. You, as a volunteer, would be responsible for one route one-day a week or as an alternate. These volunteers use their own vehicle.

For further information, please contact Karen Grisdale, Home Delivered Meals Coordinator at 781-934-5774, ext. 16.

Becky Ford

Volunteer Coordinator

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Happy New Year! Here we go into another year. I pray that this year we will all grow together in our knowledge of who Jesus Christ is and how we are to live as His followers.

First of all, let me thank everyone for the many gifts that were brought in for the patients at the Pembroke Hospital. They were very appreciative. I also want to thank all of you in JYF and the Teen Class and your families for the gifts you brought in for the families that we adopted through the Plymouth Coalition for the Homeless. Your generosity provided all of the gifts requested by three families. All of these gifts helped make Christmas a little easier for a number of folks who are going through a tough time. Thanks again.

Kid's Klub*Kid's Klub*-For 4th, 5th and 6th graders. We will meet on January 23rd from 2-4Pm in the vestry. It will be a fun winter afternoon with special treats to help keep us warm. Come join us.