After more than two years in the preparation stages, Stephen Ministry is now a complete reality at Pilgrim Church. The process began in the Board of Deacons at least two years ago, as an idea that we thought we should explore. Many months later, four of us traveled down to Corpus Christi last winter, coming back after a week of intensive training as "Stephen Leaders." We had a most successful fund raiser, and then began recruiting our potential Stephen Ministers.

This past fall, our Stephen Leaders (Janice Brodil, Lee Tenney, and Roger White, not including yours truly), began training our eight recruits. Fifty hours of training later, we commissioned these eight this past Sunday (2/20) at a festive service packed with wonderful music and a huge crowd (the largest February Sunday on record). Our eight new Stephen Ministers are: Helen Barrow, Ellen Bobseine, Barry Brodil, Chris Gill, Sue Horton, Heidi MacLaren, Lansing Reed, and Linda VonIderstein.

There are five different kinds of needs that Stephen Ministers can provide care for. Crisis care might include hospitalization, a terminal illness, death of a loved one, unemployment, divorce, etc. Follow-up care could include situations where folks are recovering from a major life crisis. Chronic care includes disabilities, aging, in nursing homes, etc. Preventive care might be helpful for someone facing retirement, or planning to go off to college or into the military, or a woman expecting her first child. Supportive care is helping those who are helping others, for example: a spouse caring for the other spouse; adult children with elderly parents; a parent supporting a child through a difficult time.

As we begin our Stephen Ministry here, I have several hopes. I hope that all of us will pray for our Stephen Ministers and their care receivers. I hope some of us might at some point consider becoming a Stephen Minister. I hope that some of us will accept being a care receiver. I hope that some of us might be sources of referral, suggesting a Stephen Minister?s care to another. I hope that becoming a Stephen Ministry church will infuse a new sense of spirituality and excitement into our congregation.

As we anticipate Easter and the new life that it brings to us, I hope that each of you will be refreshed and renewed to greater service in Christ?s name.

Shalom,

Ken

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If you have been, then read on and please mark your calendar. The next New Member Orientation class will be held on Saturday morning, March 19^th from 9:00 to 12:30. There will be coffee/tea and goodies and then a yummy light lunch at noon (put on by our Board of Deacons and the previous new member class). In between will be the "serious" stuff, including getting to know one another, a brief history of Pilgrim Church, and reports from a number of church leaders on what goes on in our busy congregation. New members will join the church the next morning, March 20^th which happens to be Palm Sunday! If you want more information or would like to save your spot in the class (there is always room for everyone who would care to join us), please call Ken Landall at 934-6591.

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Did you know that it costs $14,000 to paint the steeple of Pilgrim Church?

Did you know that the staff of Pilgrim Church directly minister to more than 1,200 men, women and children of the church?

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Among the Isles of Shoals and nine miles off the coast of New Hampshire, conferences on Star Island ?

Inspire all ages to creatively explore new ideas.

Motivate religious educators to teach imaginatively.

Stimulate the mind and heart with workshops of all kinds.

Nourish the soul with a warm community of "Shoalers."

Refresh the senses with an historic and picturesque island environment.

See poster on upstairs bulletin board or speak to Ken for more information.

As was true in the very earliest Christian churches, Pilgrim Church needs us all to contribute our talents for it to live up to its challenging mission and successfully support us as we seek to live as Jesus taught. One of the ways we can contribute to our church?s success is to serve on a committee that coordinates and/or performs our church?s worship, administrative, fellowship and service functions. Please prayerfully consider whether serving on a committee might be an appropriate way for you to contribute your enthusiasm and talent to Pilgrim Church. If so, please be sure we know how you would like to participate. A 2-sided tear out form is included for your convenience. Please send it to the church office, or put it in the offering plate. If you have any questions, please send me an email or call (contact information is on the form). In the 2004-2005 church year, 126 Pilgrims served on at least one church committee and at least 322 Pilgrims participated in church activities over and beyond attending worship services or Sunday School!

Faithfully,

Lynne Devnew Wolfe

PCCP continues to accept applications for the summer Preschool Programs as well as all Fall programs (infant, toddler, and preschool). For a tour and more information please contact us at 781. 934.8145 extension 1#

It was my privilege to attend the biennial convention of the American Choral Directors Association in Los Angeles, California during the first week of February. Those of you who have attended conventions know that they are exhilarating as well as tiring. I returned with many new ideas and some exciting new music. I hope the choirs and the congregation enjoy them as much as I have. All four choirs are busy preparing for Easter Sunday, which is rather early this year (March 27^th!)

Easter is, to my mind, the most important of our Holy Days and we will prepare for this wonderful day by participating in the beautiful Maundy Thursday Service. It is our hope that many of you will attend. It is one of the most moving of all our church services.

Cathy

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Inspire your soul, awaken your senses and fill your heart.

The atmosphere is casual, but the worship is serious

We are pleased to share with all of our Pilgrim Church family, especially our young adults that our Souperbowl was very successful this year! Thanks to all who participated in all the various ways! We donated $181 worth of canned goods to The Pilgrim Coalition for the Homeless, located in Kingston and presented a check for $700 to the Duxbury Interfaith Council, to be used for Stop and Shop gift certificates, for a grand total this year of $881. Well-done, true and faithful servants, may this go a long way to help our neighbors in need.

March *5 ? Fair Trade ? A Cup of Justice

March 19 ? I Love to Tell the Story

April *2, 16 and *30

May 14 Confirmation

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MANY THANKS to all our members and friends for your wonderful generosity in giving to the Christmas Fund Offering (for retired pastors and spouses in need) and for tsunami relief. We sent through the UCC, $2,200 to the Christmas Fund, and a whopping $6,500 for tsunami relief! Jesus said, "Just as you did it to one of the least of these ? you did it to me." Praise God for your compassion to those in need.