PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

July/August 2007

Dear Friends,

What a wild ride! It’s been a full year as we’ve partnered together in the tasks of my Intentional Interim Ministry among you. Annual Meeting was the acme as the Transition Team put it all together in a Power Point that summarized Pilgrim Church of Duxbury’s demographics, history, self-study, core values and hot potatoes (this report is available to all of you in the church office). Finally, I concluded the report with 5 challenges to the church that would segue us from good to great. These recommendations will be reviewed and prioritized by the Church Council in the fall.

All of the work completed by the Transition Team and me over the past 10 months will inform the church’s profile currently being worked on by your newly formed Search Committee for a Settled Pastor. You, too, will contribute to this profile as you complete a questionnaire that you will receive from the Search Committee. The search process for a new Senior Pastor usually takes between 12 to 18 months, which means that by God’s great grace you may have a new Pastor by the fall of 2008. Dale Hempen, Area Conference Minister of the Pilgrim Association for the MA Conference United Church of Christ, has been extremely helpful and resourceful to our Search Committee and to me as your Intentional Interim Minister. And we are ever grateful for our connection to the wider church, the United Church of Christ. That became particularly apparent at Peggy O’Neil File’s ordination on June 17. Peggy was prepared by a United Church of Christ Seminary (Andover Newton) and ordained by the Pilgrim Association of the United Church of Christ.

Though we’ve been journeying through the twists and turns of transition, the truth is we have not been standing still. We received 11 New Members in June, and commissioned 31 teens and adults for our mission trip to Jacksonville, Mississippi leaving June 23. Add to that our downstairs offices and the vestry have a new coat of paint, staff has an updated phone system allowing voice mail and a personnel policy handbook is in the making. Finally, as a result of congregational feedback, the Christian Education Committee will be focusing with me on adult Christian education offerings for the fall and spring seasons.

In the first leg of our journey together we focused on the outer-structures of the church, on this final leg we will focus on infrastructure. Instead of looking at content, we will look at process. Rather than considering our identity, we will consider our polity. Polity concerns itself with how we govern ourselves. It asks questions like: How are decisions made? Who has the power to make what decisions? Who is accountable to whom? How do committees and boards relate and communicate? How do boards and committees communicate to the church? How do we avoid making unilateral decisions and insure that congregational process is respected? How does the Senior Pastor fit into this as spiritual leader and head of staff? These are important questions as we prepare to bring aboard a new Settled Pastor for a long and lasting relationship.

I don’t know about you but I’m grateful for a breather. In the summer months our life together will slow down and allow us to catch our breath as God begins again to refresh us and renew us for the fall. Traveling mercies to you as you vacation and blessings as you reconnect with friends and family during July and August. And when at home, I’m looking forward to seeing you on Sundays at 9:00.

Blessings,

Reverend Beverly Weinhold

Koinonia is coming to The Village at Duxbury on Monday, July 9 at 7:00 PM. Grace Poellmitz and Ruth Reckman will be our hostesses.

Koinonia’s annual beach party will be held at the end of Josselyn Avenue on Monday, August 13 at 7:00 PM. Please bring your joys and/or concerns and a snack to share. For your comfort, don’t forget insect repellant and a chair. For further questions, call Elaine Guilfoyle, 781-934-9648.

Bookworms will meet in the library on the 4th Tuesday of each month starting Tuesday, September 25, where we will discuss the following books chosen for summer reading. "The Power of One," Author, Bryce Courtenay and "Team of Rivals," Author, Doris Kearns Goodwin.

The last three dates to have pictures taken for the Pilgrim Directory are coming up soon: July 12, 13, and 14.  There are spaces left, but they are filling fast. Don't be someone who can't be found in a booklet of members and friends of Pilgrim Church! Times for the first two dates are 3:00-9:30 PM and on Saturday, 10:00-2:00 PM. Please allow one hour for your sitting and selection of pictures. Families receive a free directory and a free 8X 10. If the above dates don't work for your schedule, call Suzanne Blanchard (934-5669) for several other ways to be included in the popular pictorial directory.

-IMPORTANT-

The Settled Pastor Search Team is seeking your input.  A questionnaire has been mailed to each household, to be completed and returned to the church office by Monday, July 23rd.  If more than one member is filling out the form, use initials or different colored ink to make sure we count each answer.  Please call if you have any questions, and thanks in advance for your help. 

Roger White, Search Team Chair

Dear Pilgrim Church Family,

We are so grateful for the pouring out of your support for the orphanage where our two grandbabies now live and for the other sister orphanages. We are taking with us when we go to Vietnam (dear God, let it be soon!) foot and wrist and hand held rattles, teething rings, darling baby clothes, medicines, small toys, blankets and generous checks which will be used to buy formula and diapers and other items too bulky for us to carry.

One day soon you will see us coming toward you in church with pictures of happy children in Vietnam, of workers who care for them, and especially pictures of our son and daughter-in-law and their new babies.

Thank you for your concern and prayers.

Love,

Lynn and Don DeHart

Christian Education Corner

What a wonderful day Church School Sunday was! Our worship time was so special. Each and every child did such a good job. All of the studying and preparation that went into this service was obvious on that Sunday. Thank you to all of the students and the teachers of this year’s Church School. I also want to thank the Junior Choir and their leader, Carol Cybulska (with her special assistant Diana!). The Youth Ensemble’s participation was a special treat. A special thanks to Colin Edgar, who came after being up all night for Grad Night and then played his wonderful original composition for our postlude.

Thanks again to all of you who taught this year: Marianne Almeida,

Jim Anello, Dawn Backlund, Doug Backlund, Joan Barrington, Maggie Brewer,

Kate Brewer, David Cheever, Nancy Cobb, Dottie Collins, Ann Marie DeWolf, Joan Edgar, Cynthia Farquharson, Judy Gibbs, Claire Hickey, Betsey Hunter, Mimi Jannetty, Angelique Kania, Brian Lies, Laurel Lies, John MacLaren,

Tim Powell, Cathy Rogerson and Gwynne Zisko.

Thanks also to all of the Confirmands who helped this year. A special thank you to Lizz Brewer, Vivie Doughty and Sam Draper who helped with Church School almost every week this year.

The One Room Schoolhouse will meet every Sunday this summer except July 1st, July 29th (which is VBS Sunday) and Labor Day weekend. Children will go straight to the Rainbow classroom on Sundays. This is the classroom next to the choir room. Nursery and preschool-aged children will continue to have a regular class over the summer.

Vacation Bible School is July 16-20 from 9 AM-noon. Please be at St. John’s (next door to Pilgrim) ready to go at 9 AM. Remember to bring a light colored t-shirt the first day. If you have any questions, please call me at the church office.

As I write this, we are preparing to leave for Jackson, MS for our mission trip. Our 25 young people and 6 adults will be returning about the time you receive this. We will be giving our report during the service on July 1st.

Thanks for all of the support you have given us. We appreciate your love, encouragement, money and prayers. A special thanks to the Clarks, Hunters and Beatties for hosting fundraiser dinners in their homes, to Nancy Cobb for coordinating a Cut-A-Thon at her Beauty Salon and all of you who bought baked goods at our sales. We could not have done it without each of you.

Peace and Grace,

Rev. Eloise

Going on our Mission Trip. . .

Adults - Marc Beattie, Rod Clark, Cathy Doughty, Betsey Hunter, Rev. Eloise Parks, and Dana Rader

Youth - Sam Beattie, Courtney Boddie, Natalie Bowen, Hadley Burnham, Kaitlin Clark, Sarah Colangelo, Marissa Demos, Monica Devereaux, Vivie Doughty, Kati Farquharson, Anna Farrelly, Nathan Files, Kim Gregg, Matt Hickey, Wells Hunter, Samantha Kalil, Kerri MacLennan, Kristin Nutter, Katie Porter, Robin Rader, Katharine Schneider,

Julia Swem, Cory Tucker, Sam Vandewater and Ali Violandi

P.S. A very special thank you to all the “stockholders” who invested in us. Week after week I was amazed at the outpouring of support from the congregation and the extended church family. You are truly a blessing which we’ll carry to Mississippi in our hearts and in the work of our hands.

Rev. Eloise

Welcome to all of you who joined our special church community on Father's Day, June 17.  What a joy to have you among us.  We look forward to getting to know each of you more personally and to benefiting from the spiritual gifts that God has given to you.  May God grow you deeper in faith and closer together in community in our family of faith.  God's blessing upon you.  Reverend Beverly Weinhold

Mindy Brueggemann and Mike Fritz * Virginia (“Gigi”) and Robert (“Bud”) Dunbar

Jeffrey Fiedler * Valerie Gresh * Janna and Patrick Guinen * Susan Montgomery

Dorothie Wright * Janet Zabilski

Summer hours for the church office are:

9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Tuesday through Friday until Labor Day

The deadline for the September newsletter is one week earlier than usual, on Wednesday, August 8. Often one of the largest newsletters of the year, we appreciate your effort to keep articles brief. The easiest way to submit items is by sending them as email attachments to: tlclark@pilgrimchurchofduxbury.org. Every effort is made to acknowledge email receipt, so if you don’t hear back or have any questions, call the church office at 781/934-6591 ext. 100. Thanks, and enjoy a safe and wonderful summer!

* * * * * * * * * * *

“This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24.

On the morning of my ordination, this verse was being sung by the Holy Spirit in that moment between being fully asleep and fully awake. And truly it was a good day. I offer my deepest gratitude to all who have walked with me on my path to ordination. Thank you for your witness and laying on of hands. Special thanks to everyone who contributed their gifts of music, hospitality, and participation. What a wonderful celebration!

Peace be with you,

Rev. Peggy !

As the church calendar approaches the rest and renewal of summer, we in the church office offer our special thanks to the wonderful volunteers who come stuff, fold, label, sort, count and prepare the many bulletins, newsletters and mailings that help us communicate with the congregation. The weekly offering gets counted and balanced with the help of two sharp ladies, the bulletin board is maintained by other volunteers, and the sanctuary is straightened after worship each Sunday. Still others come in from time to time to clean out a closet or two! There is so much done by those willing to give of their time, and our deepest thanks for all you do. Enjoy a blessed and restful summer!

--Cathy and Terri

The 4^th of July is almost here! Pilgrim Church welcomes you and your family to join us on the lawn on the 4^th for an excellent view of the parade. Bring a chair and refreshments and come enjoy the parade with us!

From the Board of Trustees . . . The personnel “arm” of the Board of Trustees is looking for someone with a Human Resource background who would be willing to lend their time and talent toward putting a Personnel Policies and Employment Manual for the Church in place.  A lot of work has already been done, but now a team is being put together to adapt a final version to fit the needs of Pilgrim Church.  If you would be willing to contribute your time and knowledge to this project, or have any questions, please contact Ron Schultz, Trustees Chair, at 781-934-0683.

As some of you have already noticed, a new telephone system has been installed at the Church. Our old system was very antiquated, and becoming less and less effective. The newer system will provide both the staff and the congregation more effective communication capabilities than were previously possible. Callers will now be able to reach the staff person they want to talk to directly; or, leave a message with that person, rather than relying on paper trails, and messages being passed on. Callers can now get directions, church events info, and emergency information, by simply calling in to our main line.

Having said that, it is a new system, and so will take some getting used to - on all our parts. The Church staff very much appreciates your patience while we all familiarize ourselves with this new communication system, ironing out the kinks that are bound to happen.

For your convenience, these are the new extensions at the church; please make note of the numbers for people you call most frequently! For those who have not called the office under the new system, you do not need to listen to the entire introductory message, but can dial your party’s extension at any time.

For general information: 781-934-6591

Then, to reach a particular person:

Terri Clark, Church Secretary and Collector ext. 100

Cathy Doughty, Administrator ext. 101

Rev. Beverly Weinhold, Interim Senior Pastor ext. 102

Rev. Eloise Parks, Assoc. Pastor-Christian Ed. ext. 103

Cathleen Morrison, Director of Music ext. 104

Rev. Peggy O’Neil Files, Assoc. Pastor-Cong’l Care ext. 110

And for all other calls 0

PARISH POST

Prayers of Healing - Bill Poellmitz - Grace Poellmitz - Priscilla Sangster

Prayers of Comfort and Solace

For the family and friends of Vicki Taylor, Elise Gardner’s sister.

For the family and friends of John Merry, Stan Merry’s brother.

For the family and friends of William Glidden.

For the family and friends of Matthew Bean.

Prayers of Thanksgiving

For the twenty-five high school youths and the six chaperones who went on this year’s Mission Trip to Mississippi.

Prayers of Joy

For the birth of Jacob David Hodgdon, Pat Garrity’s new great-grandson.