But as I’m sure you realize if you’ve been following news reports, the needs in that region continue to be enormous. Our Mass. UCC Conference has been in contact with a church in New Orleans, The Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, and it is hoped that many UCC churches in our state will want to partner with them to help out folks down there.

Most of the members of Good Shepherd are unable to inhabit their homes, many have lost their homes, many had to be evacuated. There are continuing questions about housing, jobs, schools, etc. The church itself is one of the least damaged in the area, though their needs are significant. In spite of this Good Shepherd has committed itself to become a base from which they and we can reach out to other churches and individuals as they struggle to rebuild.

Our Mass. Conference UCC is hoping we (and others) will choose to join up as partners. There are already a myriad of possibilities for partnering in ways that we can be supportive of our brothers and sisters in Christ and our neighbors in need. Specifically, here’s a list:

Our Board of Christian Outreach is considering how they/we can help. Maybe it will be furnishing one of the rooms in the church; maybe it will be providing some other kind of support. How can you help? You can contact Bob Williamson, Chair of the Board, or Bev Duncan, who is the staff for the Board, and tell them of your interest. You can write a check to Pilgrim Church and note in the memo "Good Shepherd Partnership Project." You can order a Lenten Meditation or check out the work camp possibility. You could offer your home as a weekend getaway. And of course, we all can pray for the folks down there.

What has happened in the Gulf Coast region is unimaginable for most of us. In many ways, our nation has never experienced a natural disaster this devastating. But we can help. Many of us contributed money for general Hurricane Katrina relief initially, and it was gratefully received. Now we have a specific church family that we can help. I pray that we may be equally generous. Happy New Year and God bless.

Shalom,

Ken

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continued indefinitely, many others perhaps are not as critical now to continue on the list, so in mid January, we will be updating the list and removing most of the names. - If there is a name that you would like to have us keep on the list and keep praying for each Sunday, please call the office or email me at:

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Dec. 12, 2005

Dear Church Family,

Words can never express my gratitude and thanks for the wonderful church service and reception you gave me yesterday! Bill, Carol and I spent several hours reading your beautiful notes, cards and messages and going page to page through that wonderful scrapbook! I carry each one of your faces and names in my heart as I begin my new life in Naples! We have already decided where to hang the Pilgrim Church mirror, so it will remind me of you all everyday. Thank you for sharing so much love with me – it has been a privilege to serve Pilgrim Church!

Love,

Pat

This month, I am taking on the responsibilities of Collector, done expertly for many years by Marge Bishop. Please bear with me as I become familiar with our church systems and your offering gifts. You can help! For those who pledge to our operating expenses and mission work, kindly indicate the appropriate allocation each time you give. This will greatly lessen the many adjustments needed at year’s end. – Thanks so much!

Koinonia is beginning the new year at the home of Winnie D’Amelio on Monday, January 9, at 7PM. We welcome all who are or want to be on the spiritual path. For more information, call Elaine Guilfoyle – 934-9648.

Bookworms will be meeting on the 4th Tuesday of January, in the church library We will be discussing The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hope to see you all then.

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A sincere "Thank You" to all who worked so hard to make the performance of the Messiah so successful. It is impossible for me to name all those who contributed but I wish especially to thank: Steven Karidoyanes, Beth MacLeod, the Music Board, staff of our church, soloists, chorus, musician's, generous sponsors and so many others that we are indebted to for all their help. It is a huge undertaking for a concert that lasts but an hour. However, the joy of the music will live in our minds and hearts for a long time.
May the new year be blessed with continued growth and love in our church. – Cathy Morrison

Thank you dear singers and parents for a beautiful holiday season full of magical music making. As you all now know, we have a very generous gift from the Cheal family of new choir robes. My personal thanks to them for their blessed gift that will allow the choir to look as magnificent as they sound! As always, new members are welcome at any time of the year. Come join us after church each Sunday for rehearsals as we prepare more gorgeous music for the year ahead. Interested parents and singers can see me at any time for more information. Thank you again to the Cheal family, and a very Happy New Year to all!

This month, the only Saturday Night Service will be on January 21^st, at 5PM. Our Saturday Night Services offer a more casual worship experience. Please mark your calendars, we hope to see you there! Call Eloise Parks if you have any questions.

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The Duxbury Interfaith Council needs a volunteer to search for grants for Kamperships and other service projects. If you have experience in this field and would like to help, please contact Reverend Landall.

Registration for all Summer 06 and Fall 06 programs begins in January. Applications are considered on a first come, first serve basis. The programs are individually unique, maintain national accreditation, and provide quality education and care for early childhood development. Part time and Full time Infant, Toddler, Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and full day Kindergarten programs are available. Tours are available at any time. The childcare is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. with half day programs available at 8 a.m. until 12 noon meeting from 2 – 5 days per week, Monday through Friday. Please contact the Director, Michelle Manganaro, with any questions your family may have: 934-8145, extension 1#.

The staff at PCCP want to extend a large thank you to Pat Weidner, who has modeled a superb and professional role and who will be remembered as a diligent and loving associate to all of us at PCCP!

Pat, we all hope you enjoy your family and leisure time and have plenty of "fun in the sun"!!!

Best Wishes for a Happy New Year to the entire Congregation; may peace and happiness be part of each day.

Sincerely,

Michelle L. Manganaro, M.Ed., Director PCCP
PO Box 121
Duxbury, MA 02331

for a fun winter afternoon. We'll have warm cookies, hot drinks, fun games and we might even learn something in the process!!
JYF*JYF*JYF- 7th and 8th graders. Keep an eye out for those postcards that tell you what your next activity is. As always, bring a friend anytime!

Speaking of the Mission Trip, a number of folks have asked me for details about the trip. Pilgrim Church, along with other churches from the South Shore will be going to Jackson Mississippi on June 24th to July 1st. We have 25 Pilgrim Church 9th-12th graders signed up to go on this trip. We will be doing hurricane relief-cleaning up places, sorting through things, etc. Those that are over 16 will be able to work with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat is building pre-fab houses for Jackson and other places hit by Katrina. The ones that don't stay in Jackson will be shipped to other cities after they have been put together. We will also be involved in urban ministries in Jackson, working where we are needed. Calvary Baptist Church in Jackson is hosting us and we will be staying in dorm rooms at Mississippi College. This will be an exciting opportunity for each of these young people and the adults going on the trip. We appreciate your interest and especially appreciate your prayers as we prepare for this trip. I will keep you updated as the year progresses.
Peace and Grace,
Rev. Eloise