Of the amount that we pledge to Missions/Outreach, 70% is sent on to the wider church, and 30% is retained for local outreach. Of the money sent on, 40% of all that is received from local churches is retained by the Massachusetts Conference to fund the many ministries we do here (e.g., evangelism and renewal, leadership development, educational ministries, stewardship/ mission interpretation, etc.). The other 60% is forwarded to the national church to fund such ministries as global missions, parish leadership, justice and peace, youth and young adults, worship resources, etc.

I believe that we are being faithful to the covenant relationships we have with the wider church in our giving beyond the local area (we are indeed one of the largest churches in the Conference) and that the monies we send on (the 70% we send on to and through the Conference) is a fair percentage. It?s amazing what our Board of Christian Outreach does with the money we retain locally (the 30%). We support (I?m guessing) over 20 local mission projects, e.g., the Plymouth Coalition for the Homeless, Carolina Hill in Marshfield, the Duxbury Interfaith Council, and the Pastor?s Discretionary Fund (which I administer on a confidential basis).

All of this would come under the category "indirect" mission giving. We pledge to mission/outreach, and our pledge along with others is used to do wonderful things on our behalf. Please remember to designate on your offering envelope each week the amount you want allocated to missions (based on your pledge).

There?s another category of giving that many folks feel is even more rewarding. In addition to dollar-giving, some people participate in "hands-on" giving. A number of us, for example, have been going to the Pine St. Inn and serving a dinner meal to the guests of that facility. It is an incredibly satisfying experience. We?re taking a hiatus over the summer, but will be starting up again in the fall. Henry Bostder has been coordinating this effort. There?ll be a Habitat for Humanity date for our church sometime over the summer (see below). Some folks help with the Interfaith Council food baskets for the needy three times a year. Maybe you have an idea where some of our folks could participate in a local "hands-on" outreach project. Let Bev or Bob Williamson or me know about your idea.

Jesus? words in Matthew 25 are particularly appropriate as we consider all the forms of outreach that we participate in. He said, "for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. ? Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." This is what "church" is all about.

Shalom,

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The next new members? class will be on Saturday morning August 27th from 9:00 to 12:30 noon. If you are interested in being in this new members? group that will join the church the next day, mark this date on your calendar and give the office a call and let us know. Invitation letters will be going out later in the summer.

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"Push Out Into the Deep Water" was the theme of the 206th Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ held the first weekend of June at Mt. Holyoke College in So. Hadley, MA. Representing Pilgrim Church this year were our pastors, Ken Landall and Bev Duncan, and lay delegates Connie and Ron Masinda and Bob and Maddie Merrifield. The weather was perfect and the campus was a great setting for the nearly 775 attendees from the 412 UCC churches in the state.

The weekend consisted of workshops, plenary sessions to conduct hearings and business, and worship services with inspiring music and sermons. On Friday evening, the well-filled chapel was swaying with the music of the Boston Community Choir. The Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, pastor of 8,000 member Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago (the largest UCC church), gave a rousing sermon, and deacons lined the aisles for prayer with individuals. It was an inspiring service!

By large majorities, delegates approved resolutions affirming and encouraging stewardship, supporting "jubilee congregations" (to support debt cancellation in impoverished countries), sending a call for environmental education and action to General Synod, promoting peace for all in Sudan and calling on the Conference to defend the cause of the poor in the federal budgetary process.

Delegates also approved an "emergency resolution" proposed by Old First Church of Springfield which encourages church members to contact their state legislators in protest of the state Control Board in Springfield, where in the past 3 years budget cuts have forced the elimination of 300 teachers and more than 200 other positions.

Other resolutions were approved to encourage church members to contribute their "time, talent and treasure" in the local churches; establishing clergy compensation guidelines; and that pastors should take at least two days off per week, instead of 1.5 days. Delegates also voted to raise Fellowship Dues (the per member contribution given by each church for the work of the MA Conference) to $15.00 per member.

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The deadline for the September newsletter is one week earlier than usual, on Monday, 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: pilgrimchurchsecretary@pilgrimchurchofduxbury.org. Call 781-934-6591 if you have any questions. Thanks, and have a wonderful summer! - Cathy Doughty, Pilgrim Church Secretary

Coffee Fellowship

The school items for the Gift-of-the Heart School Kits I will be helping to assemble at General Synod in Atlanta have come cascading in, and Church World Service and I thank you! I have already sent two medium-size boxes ahead, and I will be sending three more large boxes in a few days?all of it what YOU have contributed. In a very few instances when things like glue sticks have been donated?which aren?t listed as one of the things that will go in the school kits?I have given them to Rev. Eloise to use in our own Christian education program, and she is grateful! When I return from General Synod, I?ll write up my Synod service-project experience and pass it along to you in our September newsletter. Again, thanks for supporting God?s work for our needy world.

--Reverend Bev

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

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From the Music Director?.

As many of you know, we will be doing Church School in a whole new way starting in September. It is the Rotation Model of Sunday School. The kids will rotate to a different station each week as they study the Bible Story for that unit. In order to get ready for this, we will be fixing up some of the rooms. Please let me know if you are willing to paint or decorate. I don't have a date yet to begin the work but it will be after Vacation Bible School is over on July 15th. Please call the Church office and let us know if you are willing to help. We will keep a list and then when we start
working, we will let you know.

Wish List for the Fall:

VOLUNTEERS WANTED AT THE SENIOR CENTER

The Senior Center can use your time and talent! If you have a few hours a week to donate, we can still use your help. Volunteers, and student volunteers, are needed in the areas of :

• Driving people to medical appointments (both locally and beyond)
• Home Delivered Meal Drivers
• Receptionist/Greeters (subs needed for 1-4 p.m. at the Center)
• Meal Host/Hostess needed for the Sr. Lunch
• Do you like to do scrap booking? The Center would love to hear from you.
• There is also a need for organizers and leaders to facilitate a variety of outdoor games such as horseshoes, volleyball, and other activities.

If you would like an information packet sent to you, please call the Center at 934-5774. If you have never been to the Senior Center, please stop by and take a tour and become familiar with the activities that we have to offer you.

-Are you receiving our newsletter? If not, please call at 781-934-5774 and ask that your name be added to our newsletter list.

Prayers of Healing - : Larry Anderson - Connie Milligan ? Helen DeWolf ? Marston Piercy ? Juanita Costello ? Henry Bostder ? Steve Turrell ? Nick Bates

For the family and friends Virginia Washburn, Steve Washburn?s mother.

For the baptism of Aidan O?Shea, son of Jillian O?Shea Smith and Ian Smith, and godchild of Michelle Almeida and Robert O?Shea.