PILGRIM’S
PROGRESS
April 2007
Last Lent I went to dinner with long-time friends, Steve and Sandy. Dinner conversation ranged from Easter plans to personal perspectives on the resurrection. Steve said that he did not believe that Christ’s resurrection was literal but that “Jesus rose again in the human heart.” Sandy and I strongly disagreed. We believed that Christ’s resurrection was clearly “an historical event.” We discussed both points of view at length and at the end of dinner agreed to disagree. That was not the first time we had diverse positions on theological issues, and I knew it would not be the last. But, rather than diminishing our relationship as friends, our dialogue on differences actually seemed to deepen it.
This is the kind of dialogue that Mahatma Gandhi had in mind when he intentionally developed friendships with British opponents in the non-violent campaign for Indian independence. It is also reminiscent of Samuel Johnson and his Whig friend who was forever disagreeing with him. The premise is that differences don’t have to divide us. In fact differences can strengthen our relationships and sharpen our perspectives. But you and I both know that this doesn’t happen automatically. Differences can also divide us, pulling us farther apart rather than drawing us closer together. What makes the difference? Are there ways of relating, or communicative virtues that cultivate balance between our opposing points of view? Let me suggest a couple.
The first is respect. That means realizing that each person is created in the image of God and thereby due dignity. Respect expresses itself in genuine listening rather than formulating a response when someone hits our hot buttons. Respect invites us to value persons rather than dismissing them as if they were the same things as their ideas.
Secondly, labeling or stereotyping
people must be avoided. When we hear
‘buzz words’ it becomes easy to automatically package a person into a nice,
neat category. Henri Nouwen
speaks to this point in his book “The Road to Peace.” The
real violence starts in the way we speak about people, make assumptions about
them, and decide that they are not like us.
Third, it’s good to remember that all of us are flawed. Therefore, the lens with which we see our world and the people in it is smudged. The apostle Paul says that “we see through a glass darkly.” This darkness is not spiritual only, it is emotional and intellectual. None of us can see the picture perfectly. None of us interpret the holy scriptures perfectly, therefore how can any of us think that ours is the final word?
Finally, it seems useful to think about a third way in complex issues, rather than seeing everything as ‘either or.’ This allows us to hold on to our convictions, but to do so with an open hand. Martin Buber, esteemed 20th century German philosopher who wrote extensively on community, called this position the “narrow ridge.” Buber believed that people could hold strong convictions while at the same time opening themselves to opposing ideas. In other words, rather than being black and white, truth was a tension between two seemingly opposing truths. To that end, he invited people to deep listening and open hearts rather than calcified opinions.
I think that these are the things
that Sandy, Steve and I did last Lent.
We respected one another as people, we avoided assumptions about what
one another said, we did the best we could to hold our opposing ideas with
humility and to open our hearts to hear what was said. At the end of the day, our opinions on Easter
were unchanged; we agreed to
disagree. But our positions were
challenged, our friendship was deepened and our appreciation for God’s awesome
mystery was moved. Our differences didn’t
divide us, in fact in some strange way they drew us closer. I’d like to believe that we are better people
for having done this. I know we are
better friends.
As iron sharpens iron, so does one person sharpen another. Proverbs 27:17.
Rev. Beverly Weinhold
Holy Week
Worship Schedule
April 1 – Palm Sunday – 10:00 AM
April 5 – Maundy Thursday Service – 7:30 PM
April 7 – Saturday Night 5 Easter Service with
potluck dinner – 5:00 PM
April 8 – Easter
(In case of
rain, service will be cancelled)
Easter Service – 9:00 AM
Easter
Service – 11:00 AM
Fundraising Events this
Month for
Mass to Miss (the
return)
There will be a bake sale to
benefit the Mass to Miss mission trip after church on Sunday, April 1. Purchase
baked goods for your Easter holiday and help out our teens heading to
Cut- A-Thon for Mass to Miss (the return)
Does your hair need a trim, or a new
style? Just in time for Easter, please
help the Pilgrim Church Mission Trip and trim those locks! Snacks provided.
Sunday, April 15th
1-4 PM
First Impressions Hair Salon
Six expert stylists at “First Impressions” in Pembroke are donating
their time for a wash, cut and blow dry.
Any donation will go directly towards the June youth trip down to
Mass to Miss (the return) Fundraising Dinners
Support this year’s mission trip to
The music for Holy Week begins with a joyful
singing of the traditional "The Palms" by all in the church while
children process waving palms. The
Senior Choir will sing a joyful "Hosanna" during the Offertory. This happy celebration always has the ominous
days of Holy Week as an undercurrent. At
the service on Maundy Thursday which includes tenebrae, the choir will sing an anthem changing the
mood of the previous Sunday. "Tears
Slowly Fall" is a lovely and heart wrenching observance of the terrible
events on Good Friday. The "Jesus, Remember Me' that we all sing at the
end will be accompanied by Lorri Hall on the
flute. This service is truly beautiful
and one of the favorites of all who attend.
On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the most
joyous day in our church calendar with all choirs participating with wonderful
music. The Junior Choir and the Pilgrim
Ringers have prepared uplifting music for the 9:00 AM service. The Senior Choir will provide the music at
the 11:00 service with an Alleluia Anthem and a quartet from The Messiah by
Handle sung by Carol, Anne, Steve and Bob.
In recent years, we have not had the traditional trumpet music at our
Easter Services due to budget constraints but; this year, Scott Doughty will
play for us! We are delighted and
excited that he is willing to do this. Many thanks to all who participate in the music program and are
working hard to make it an inspiring week for all who attend. Cathleen
Junior choir news:
A reminder to parents: Please pick up your children at the choir room following Sunday
rehearsals.
Thanks to all junior choir members for the beautiful music you are
making!!
Mrs.
Cybulska
Saturday Night 5
We invite you to join us for a very special service on Saturday April
7th.
For this night, sometimes called Holy Saturday, we will, through music
and drama, try to imagine what it must have been like for those followers of
Christ who had seen him crucified and buried but weren't really sure about what
was going to come next. This promises to
be a very moving service and we hope you will join us. At the end of the service, we will move to
the vestry to come together as a church family and have dinner. As in the times of the early Christians, we
are asking that you bring a dish to share.
Please join us for a night of worship and fellowship.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Share your Easter Joy and help decorate the sanctuary with Easter
lilies for our Easter services on April 8.
(Please check one) IN MEMORY OF _______ IN
HONOR OF________
NAME OF HONOREE:
________________________________________
(Please check one) I Will:
Donate ________ Pick Up*
__________
Given By:
___________________________________________________
(The above names will be listed in the Easter Sunday Bulletin)
*Lilies must be picked up directly
after the 11AM service at church on April 8th. Please send your donation to:
TRAIL CLEARING PROJECT
Members of
Directions: Go
to Bongi's on Route 53. Heading west, take the
first street on the left right after Bongi's, Autumn
Avenue. Go 1/4 mile to parking lot on left, right beside an open pasture.
Bring: Thick
gloves (there is bittersweet with large thorns), thick trousers, loppers, hedge
cutters, hand saw, power saw (optional).
For questions, call Lorrie Hall, 781-934-7321.
Confirmands – check with your mentors about using this for Outreach
hours!
A Message and Request from Your Transition Team
March was a busy month. Our Core Values Event was a great success with forty Pilgrims participating. The vestry resonated with discussion and laughter as five small groups described our church and its values while enjoying the chance to get to know each other a bit better. The Transition Team will cull these ideas to create a smaller list; but the flip charts from the event have been hanging in the vestry and a single sheet reporting the small groups’ descriptions of our church (a fun, ice-breaking exercise) is hanging on the wall across from the offices.
We hosted two educational events to increase our understanding of congregational and UCC history and church governance. We received our survey feedback from US Congregations and started our effort to absorb the results.
And,
we began the process of identifying
Some Hot Potatoes have already been identified:
· We have a broad range of theologies – is this okay? Should we accept theologies other than our own as equally welcome at Pilgrim?
· Do we want a small church (cozy, sanctuary, a place where we know everyone) or a large church (great programs)?
· PCCP (Pilgrim Child Care and Pre-school) is providing financial support to the church and serving our community. But the congregation has space concerns and PCCP is using a great deal of our space. And should PCCP be a Christian Day Care facility?
· Many issues related to sexuality, including open and affirming and same sex marriage.
· Our church decision-making process. When should an issue be a small-group decision and when should it be a congregation decision?
Our Request
Please remember, at this point we are identifying, not resolving, our hot potatoes. Your help would be appreciated. If you haven’t already done so (we are gathering Hot Potato suggestions at our worship services on Sunday, March 25 and Sunday, April 1) please note your thoughts (anonymously) on a piece of paper and either mail them to the church or put them in the Hot Potato Box in the work room.
Thank you,
Your Transition Team
Join in the fun and fellowship of the
new Prayer Shawl ministry at
“Bear one
another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2
This verse found in Paul’s letter to the Galatians is reflected in our mission statement when we strive to reach out to others and welcome all. As a caring congregation seeking to live as Jesus taught we must recognize our ability to offer a listening ear, a helping hand, and prayer; then develop a ministry of referral to those in need. This is done without diminishing the role of ordered ministry in pastoral care but to broaden our ministry. When lay people become formal and informal pastoral care givers to their neighbors, associates and fellow church members, they become truly the church, the body of Christ serving the other in need. What are the pastoral care ministries that are active in our church? How can we begin to evaluate and empower ourselves as caring community? Has the church been there for you when you were in need? What worked? What did not help? I am available on Tuesday and Friday through the church office or by email (pfiles@pilgrimchurchofduxbury.org). I look forward to hearing from you.
Peggy O’Neil Files, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care
Annual Committee “
. . . Time and Talents
Have you ever been complimented for doing a good job at something? It sounds like “you are really good at that,” or “you are the perfect person for that job.” It is even more satisfying when we touch someone’s spirit and receive some positive feedback. That can sound like “you were there just when I needed someone.” Everything we have is a gift from God, and I am a firm believer the above examples are God’s grace in our lives. I have the best job in the church because as your Moderator, I get to work with a group of very talented committee chairpersons. These individuals have taken their God-given gifts and chosen to share them with us to the benefit of all.
There are so many opportunities in this church for you to share your gifts; and the good news is at least once a year, you get that chance! There are open positions just waiting for new or experienced committee volunteers in our congregation. In this newsletter you will see a description of the various church committees together with a handy form for you to volunteer yourself or volunteer someone else. As you can see, a variety of gifts and talents is needed to staff our committees. Certainly one might be the right fit for you. I know our Pastoral staff will join me in asking you to prayerfully consider your spiritual gifts during the annual committee “membership drive.” If you have any questions about the committees or how to get involved, please feel free to contact me.
Rod
Clark,
. .
. The 2007-2008 Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee is now considering candidates for the Boards
and Committees of Pilgrim Church to be elected at the Annual Meeting in May,
and also collecting names for future interest.
If you are interested in serving on any of these committees, please complete
the form printed in this newsletter and drop it in the specially-marked box or
mail or bring it to the church office.
If you have any questions, please call Rod Clark at 781/585-0596 or
email him at rclark46@comcast.net. Thank you for your prayerful consideration
for service to your church.
. .
. Brief Description of Boards and Committees with elected members – normally 3 year terms
Board
of Deacons – spiritual work and
welfare of members; preparation and administration of the sacraments; worship
service; confirmation class; visitation; ushers and greeters.
Board of Trustees – legal
and business agent of the church; budgets; properties; personnel.
Board
of Christian Education – nursery care and church school; vacation bible
school; youth programs; adult education.
Board of Christian Outreach – program of mission education and outreach for the church;
disbursement of outreach funds; organizing “hands on” mission projects.
Board of Music –
music program including music for church services, choirs, and special musical
events.
Pilgrim Child Care and Preschool Board – direction,
supervision and operation of Pilgrim Child Care and Preschool.
Stewardship Committee –
annual financial giving campaign; promotion of member involvement in church’s
mission.
Duxbury
Interfaith Council Representatives – represent church at local Interfaith Council meetings.
Denominational
Affairs Committee –
represents church at association and conference functions.
Memorial
Committee – administers
memorial funds.
Church
Committee, Board Volunteer Form
I would like to serve
on a Church I am submitting
a name Board, Committee below of someone who I feel
would contribute well
Church officer (note which)
(Moderator, treasurer, asst.
treasurer, clerk,
librarian) ________________________ _________________________
Deacons ________________________ _________________________
Trustees ________________________
_________________________
Christian Education ________________________ _________________________
Christian Outreach ________________________ _________________________
Music ________________________ _________________________
PCCP ________________________
_________________________
Stewardship ________________________
_________________________
Flower ________________________
_________________________
Duxbury Interfaith ________________________ _________________________
Denominational Affairs ________________________ _________________________
Memorial Committee ________________________
_________________________
Your Phone# ___________________ Email ______________________
Place
this form in the specially-marked boxes, or leave with the church office
PILGRIM WOMEN’S
FELLOWSHIP
The Pilgrim Women’s Fellowship Lunch Out is scheduled for Tuesday, April 24 at the
Fairview Inn at noon. Please call
Colleen Brayer at 781/934-6474 to make a reservation.
Bookworms
Bookworms will be meeting this month on Tuesday, April 24 at 1:30 PM in
the church library. The book for
discussion will be announced at the March meeting. All are welcome to join us.
Which
of you walks in darkness
And sees no light?
. . . lean
on God.
Isaiah 50:4-10
This Bible passage will be explored at the next meeting of Koinonia on Monday, April 9 at 7:00 PM at the home of Sandy Bondlow. We look forward to welcoming you!
Elaine
Guilfoyle (781/934-9648)
May 10 is the date
for the Pilgrim Women's Fellowship Annual
Meeting and Luncheon. This year's program will be a fashion show featuring
outfits from Duxbury Thrift & Consignment Shop. We are looking for several
"real women" to model--that means all ages, shapes and sizes. Call
Renee Kahl (934-7576), Sarah Beattie (934-2646), or Janet Ritch (934-0660) if
you are interested in modeling or have any questions.
Christian
Education Corner
Church
School*Church School-For Palm Sunday, April 1st, all of the Church
School kids need to be in the vestry by 9:45AM to line up for the palm
processional.
There will be no
Breakfast at the Beach is back! Last year, our class at the beach was a huge
success. On April 15th, we (pre-K-8th
grade) will return this year to learn about when Jesus, after his resurrection,
appeared to his disciples at, you guessed it, the beach! They had breakfast together and so will
we.
Parents, drop your kids off at 9:45 at the
end of the bridge and pick them up after Church and (a very quick) coffee hour.
Kid’s
Klub*Kid’s Klub-The next meeting of Kid’s Klub will be on Sunday
April 29th from 2:30-4PM in the Vestry.
Where else can you learn about God’s love, play crazy games and eat
great snacks? Hope to see you on the
29th.
Bring a friend!
Confirmation-You’re coming
into the home stretch. If you are
meeting with your mentors, keeping track of your inreach and outreach hours,
you are doing exactly the right things.
If you have any questions or concerns about any of these, please let me
know. Remember the Retreat is the 4th
and 5th of May, and your Confirmation Service is Saturday, May 12th at 4PM.
Spring has to be
one of God’s best gifts to us. I am
especially grateful for it this year. In
Revelation 21:5, God says: “Behold I am making all things new.” Spring is a yearly reminder for us of the
work that God is doing and will continue to do until the end of time.
Rejoicing in new life,
Rev. Eloise
SYF
Kicks Off our Spring 2007 Program!
Please join us as Senior Youth
Fellowship restarts this Spring with great food (including desserts), crazy
activities, and a simple message to align your life with your faith.
SYF is intended to be a social and learning time for high school
students to enjoy time together and discover Christ's personal plan for them.
SYF is open to all students and their friends in grades 9 through 12. A typical Friday SYF will include a meal
together, an engaging group activity, and short (10-15 minute) message at the
end.
We welcome and encourage all in 9-12th grades and their friends to come
along! Watch the church bulletins for
events. Call Marc and Sarah Beattie
(781/934-2646) or email sarah_beattie@comcast.net
with any questions.
The Duxbury
Interfaith Council is again
preparing Spring Holiday food baskets to assist 150 area families in need. Donations of canned goods and packaged
dessert mixes will be collected at
As always, donations of time and money are most appreciated. Financial donations (payable to Duxbury
Interfaith Council) can be mailed to:
PARISH POST
Prayers of Healing - Bill Poellmitz - Grace Poellmitz - Kiki Houghton – Priscilla Sangster
Prayers of Joy
For the birth of Theodore William Thomas Sieminski, Pat Garrity’s great-grandson.
Prayers of Comfort and
Solace
For the family and friends Tim Safe, Edie Devnew’s brother.