PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

December 2007

 

 

Dear Friends,

 

            Our Chairman of Stewardship, Mark Cleveland, recently returned from Israel speaking the word Shalom.  He greeted our congregation with this lovely word on Stewardship Sunday.  Most often when we hear “shalom” we think of peace.  “Peace be with you” is our free form translation.  But this little word meant much more to the Hebrew culture of the Old Testament and to the Jews of Jesus’ day.  It referred to a multi-layered sense of serenity, harmony and well-being.  The Greek transliteration was “telios” or wholeness.  Essentially, shalom meant a sense of well-being or wholeness of body, mind, heart and soul.  One of the greatest gifts of Christmas is the culmination of God’s shalom in Jesus Christ.  Paul put it this way in Ephesians:  “Those who were once far off have been brought near…He is our peace who has broken down every wall.”  Jesus Christ has brought reconciliation to disparate parts, to divisive relationships and to dividing walls.  In Him, we find our at-one-ment.  In Christ we are unified and harmonized by a love that is greater than all our differences. 

            Christ’s shalom gives us peace within.  St. Augustine put it this way:  Our souls are restless till they find their rest in Thee.  Kevin, the little boy in the hit movie “Home Alone” found that out when he was accidentally left behind at Christmas while his family leaves for a European holiday.  On Christmas Eve, Kevin felt lost and lonely so he went to church.  There, an older man comforted the child with these words:  “You’re in church now…and this is the place to come when you feel alone.”  We, too, find company in God’s church when we feel lost and alone.  Christ’s shalom not only gives us peace within, but peace with others.  Christ’s coming to reconcile humankind to God’s self gives us renewed hope that we can be reconciled to one another.  In Jesus Christ, we find the compassion to forgive our hurts and surmount differences that divide and distance us from one another. And finally, Christ’s shalom gives us peace with God.  Christmas is a dramatic reminder that God sent God’s son to build a bridge between a holy God and a wayward people.  In Jesus, we receive forgiveness for sin, adoption into God’s family and life with God forever in eternity.

            This is exactly what George Frederic Handel, composer, experienced.  He was frustrated with himself, cut off from people and at odds with God.  He was physically ill, financially bereft, and he felt utterly lost and alone.  But God’s shalom found him, and Christ was born anew in his heart. Christ’s shalom transformed Handel into a new person.  Though he was then a composer, he had renewed creativity.  He grabbed his pen and paper and composed one of the most beloved pieces of music ever written…the Messiah.

            Another hymn writer spoke of Christ’s shalom in this way: 

                                    Hark the herald angels sing

                                    Glory to the newborn King

                                    Peace on earth and mercy mild

                                    God and sinner reconciled…

                                    Born to raise us above the storms of earth

                                    Born to give us second birth

            Friends, may God give you shalom within, with others and with God in this Christmas season.

                                                                                    Shalom,

                                                                                    Bev Weinhold

 

 

Each month the various committees and boards of the church submit minutes of their meetings to the church office.  It is these monthly minutes, or “packets” that are made available to each member of Council at the monthly Council Meetings, on the third Tuesday of almost every month of the year.  

These minutes are meant to report to the rest of the church what each individual committee is doing, and are given at Council to disseminate that information by way of the chairs of each committee that helps to run and enrich Pilgrim Church.  The minutes from these committees have been, and continue to be available for inspection by any member of the church who wishes to do so, in the Church work (copy) room.        

However, from time to time, a wish has been expressed to have at least the most current committee reports available in a more trafficked area.  For this reason, we would like to let you know that starting this month, there will be a “Council Notebook” with a copy of the most recently submitted committee minutes available in the back hallway, on top of the Children’s Library shelf. (near the elevator).

It is hoped that this will prove helpful to some of you who may have been interested in checking into the activities of the church, but have not known or cared to “dig” for them in the offices.  Please feel free to call the office (781-934-6591) with any questions or concerns.

 

Don’t forget!  The annual church Progressive Dinner starts at 5:30 PM Sunday, December 16.  Sign up is in the vestry on Sundays after church, or call Colleen Brayer (934-6474) or Greg Hunter (934-2245).  Everyone is welcome!

 

 PCCP: Did You Know?

 

PCCP has a formal philosophy statement that we would like to share with you because it tells you a lot about what we believe and how we implement those beliefs.

 

The PCCP is a place…

  1. Where children can explore, try out, and become acquainted with their own interests and skills and develop a beginning understanding and respect of their own self worth and that of other people and their world.
  2. Where children meet challenges and learn at their own pace through the use of a variety of age-appropriate equipment, supplies, and activities.
  3. Where children are guided by qualified and sensitive staff who encourage children to be eager to learn but do not force them into areas for which they are not ready.
  4. Where children are helped to meet and work through areas that are difficult for them in a healthy, safe, relaxed atmosphere of patience, laughter, fun, and encouragement.
  5. Where parents, staff, and children work together, share concerns, accept change, and help develop a program that enriches the life of the total child.
  6. Where the staff utilize the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment.

 

Christmas blessings to our Pilgrim Church family from the PCCP Board.

                                    Helen Barrow               Dawn Kerivan

                                    Marlene Biffar              Michelle Manganaro

                                    Lee Bishop                   Angela Sinnott

                                    Dottie Collins                Lee Tenney

                                    Wes Horton                 Linda VonIderstein

 

 

 

From the Arc of Greater Plymouth~

            Make a difference in the life of a developmentally disabled individual by providing Respite Care or becoming a Personal Care Attendant (PCA).  We are growing and currently have a wide variety of part time and full time positions available – many with flexible schedules.  Hourly rates range from $8.65-$10.86.  This is an ideal opportunity for retired healthcare personnel, Stay-at-Home Moms and Nursing students.  No experience necessary – will train.  For more information contact Malissa Kenney at (508) 732-9292, ext. 29 or via email at Malissak@thearcofgp.com

 

 



                 Outreach Announces 2007 Christmas Fund

In your church bulletin on Christmas Eve, you will find an envelope for the 2007 Christmas Fund. An important one of the UCC's four annual Special Offerings, the Christmas Fund (formerly known as Veterans of the Cross), is the primary revenue stream for the UCC's Ministerial Assistance Programs. These programs, which include Annuity Supplementation, Emergency Grants, and Christmas “thank-you” checks for low-income retirees, benefit both retired clergy and lay employees in financial need.

            Our church has been chosen to participate in the Magi Project, a three year emphasis on increasing the amount of money available for this greatly-needed Ministerial Assistance. Please watch for the envelope and give generously!

 

Outreach Deficit Decreases

            Thanks to your generous donations, the shortfall of Mission funds is now only about $2,900—down from a high of over $4,000, but we still need your 2007 Mission pledges to be fulfilled in order to close this gap. Please don't forget that every individual check or donation should be marked as to the amount you want going to “Missions.”  This will assure that your contribution wishes are honored and the funds pledged to missions are properly allocated.

 

Casa Myrna Wish List Drive Continues

            Thank you for the wonderfully generous response to the Wish List Drive we began in October.  Casa Myrna Vasquez is a Boston-based organization whose mission is to end domestic violence. The items donated during this past month will provide needed support to individuals and families striving to deal with the many issues they face.  Your generosity will continue to make a difference as this project goes forward.  Items will still be collected in the hutch (top shelf) outside the office where a “wish list” of needed supplies is posted.

Christmas Gift Drive to Begin

            With the Christmas season upon us, many people are looking for a chance to share their blessings and to assist families going through difficult times. The Duxbury Interfaith Council will be providing Christmas gift requests for local families in need. Individual requests will be made available so that members of the congregation can select a specific item, purchase it, and return it unwrapped (with the original request tag taped on) to church. Please watch the weekly bulletin for pick up and drop off information and plan to let those who need our help know we are thinking of them at this time of joyful celebration.

                                   Music News

We now have four wonderful choirs at Pilgrim church:  the Pilgrim Ringers, the Junior Choir, the Teen Choir and the Senior Choir.  We also have a fine group of musicians under the name of SN5 Worship Team plus a number of excellent soloists in the senior choir.  All are preparing appropriate and inspiring music for the season of Advent.  A high point in the life of these musicians, of course, is the preparation of music for Christmas.  There is a much larger repertoire of music for this season than for any of the others in the church calendar including Easter.  Choosing from that large library is exciting and fun but challenging.  We in the music program strive to present a varied selection of music for the church year in order to appeal and inspire the many different tastes of the congregation.  You will hear some of this variety on December 9th which is traditionally called Bell Sunday here at Pilgrim church.  On that date the Pilgrim Ringers, the Junior Choir and the SN5 Worship Team will provide the music for the Worship Service. I am sure it will be very inspiring.  Be sure to bring your bell!           

            Again, we have a call for singers to join us for the Christmas Services.  Rehearsals for these services are held on Thursdays at 7:30 PM and we will begin with seasonal music for those who do not wish to participate in the regular Sunday services but would enjoy singing for Christmas. The Senior Choir will be singing at the 9:00 AM service on Christmas Sunday, December 23rd and at the 8:00 PM service on Christmas Eve with the prelude beginning at 7:30.  During this prelude we will present solos, duets and choral Christmas music.  Be sure to plan to come early to hear all of it.

                                                                        Cathleen Morrison, Music Director

 

“Village Ring and Sing Along”

The Pilgrim Ringers Bell Choir has again been asked to share holiday music and fellowship at the Village of Duxbury on Wednesday December 12th at 7:00.  We will perform a short concert followed by a spirited sing along of holiday favorites and carols.  Hope to see you there~

                                                                        Sue Homan, Director

 

 

Christmas Services at Pilgrim Church

December 23rd – Christmas Sunday

Worship Service at 9:00 AM and Christmas Pageant at 11:00 AM

December 24th – Christmas Eve

8:00 PM – Service of Lessons and Carols (Prelude begins at 7:30 PM)

 10:30 PM – Communion Service

In 1872, the Rev. A. Parke Burgess developed a Plan of Church Work for this church.  At that time, we were gathering as the Wesleyan Congregational Church.  This Plan of Church Work outlined five distinctive ministries, the first one being the Committee on Visitation.  That section reads:  “This Committee will divide their work, and proceed as follows; Visit the aged and sick of the Parish once each month, each member of the Church once in three months, and all the members of the Society, strangers and non-attendants, at least twice in the year.  The object shall be to comfort the afflicted, promote Christian fellowship and spirituality, increase the attendance at meetings, and awaken a general interest.” 

            While some of the language may be dated, the vision is appropriate to inform our current call to shared ministry.  Our Lay Visitation Team has completed the initial training sessions and will be commissioned on December 16th during worship.  Each of our care visitors has been distinctively called:  Jane Arkema, Sandy Bondlow, Leah Cotton, Edie Devnew, James Draper, Valerie Gresh, John Knoll, Bob Merrifield, Barbara Moore, Marion Paulson and Janet Zabilski will be encouraged to grow personally and spiritually as we develop a more caring faith community.  They have already begun to visit some of the members of Pilgrim Church.  I ask each of you to pray for these partners in ministry as they continue to discover their gifts and respond to God’s call to more fully serve.    During this most holy season may each of you be especially blessed by the simple gifts of God’s presence and the peace of Christ. 

                                                                                    Blessings~

                                                                                    Rev. Peggy

Koinonia’s Christmas Party will be on Monday, December 10 at 7:00 PM.  Sandy Bondlow will be our hostess, but each of us will bring some refreshment to share.  Don’t forget to come with your joys and concerns plus a Yankee Swap gift (used but still useful).  For more information call Elaine Guilfoyle, 781-934-9648.

 

            Bookworms will not be meeting in December with the busy holiday season for all.  We’ll resume on Tuesday, January 22 at 1:30 PM in the church library to discuss the book “Wish You Well” by David Baldacci.

             For those A+ readers who work ahead, the February meeting will review “The Boleyn Inheritence” by Philippa Gregory and in March we’ll discuss Willa Catha’s “My Antonia.”  As always, Bookworms meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 1:30 PM. 

 

Blue ChristmasService   ***  December 15 – 3:00 PM

The holiday season can be especially difficult for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones, have difficult family relationships or feel deep pain for those in our world who are suffering.  Our Stephen Ministers invite you to gather in our sanctuary as we remember that it was into such a world as this that God’s love took on the flesh in Jesus, our Redeemer.

 

TO ALL MEMBERS OF PILGRIM CHURCH:

In accordance with Article IV, Sec. 6 of the By-Laws of Pilgrim Church, the Annual Budget Meeting will be held Sunday, December 9 immediately following the service in the Sanctuary.  This meeting is open to all members for the purpose of approving the budget.

                                                                        Lilly Cleveland, Clerk

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HOLIDAY GIFT BASKETS

 

The Duxbury Interfaith Council is again preparing for their Winter Basket Drive that benefits 150 of our neighboring families in need of assistance.    Your donations of food, gifts, and/or time in making this such a success are gratefully appreciated.  You may donate:

Food:  canned goods – yellow and green vegetables, cranberry sauce, canned gravy; juice – 64 oz. in plastic bottles; packaged dessert mixes – quick bread, muffin, brownie, cake & frosting; home-baked goods – cookies, brownies, cupcakes, quick breads, pies;

turkeys – can be donated by calling 934-8388.  Place all non-perishable food donations in the marked baskets at the side entrance of Pilgrim Church for delivery to Holy Family by Fri., Dec. 15.  Baked goods should be delivered to Holy Family Church on Wed., Dec. 19 no later than 5:00 PM.

Money:  send a check payable to the Duxbury Interfaith Council, PO Box 1161, Duxbury, MA 02331.

Gifts:  Watch the Duxbury Clipper or call 934-8388 for information on picking up gift tags.  Return each unwrapped gift with its tag to Holy Family Church by 12/16.  Donations of wrapping paper and tape may also be made.  Gift ideas:  Infant-4 years:  stuffed animals, blocks, dolls, trucks, books.  5-10 years:  arts and crafts, puzzles, books, board games.  11 years-teen:  sport logo items, XL t-shirts and sweatshirts, gift certificates.  Adults and Seniors:  personal toiletry items, gloves, hats, scarves, slippers, small gift baskets, stationary, gift certificates.

            Volunteers are needed to sort and pack food and wrap gifts.  Any amount of time is very much appreciated.  The schedule is as follows:  sort and pack baskets and wrap gifts Dec. 17-19 from 9-2 PM and Dec. 20th from 9-3; pack turkeys and baked goods Dec. 21st from 9-noon; and load into cars from noon-5 that day – all at Holy Family.  Limited deliveries will begin at 2:00 PM on the 21st.  Any and all assistance you are able to give is so very much appreciated.                                               –Thank you!

            Christian Education Corner

 

          Christmas greetings to you all!  On a personal note, I will be going to Texas for my niece, Katy’s, college graduation.  I will stay in Texas for Christmas where my family will be gathering from all over the world at my parent’s house.  I am especially excited about this because it has been over 20 years since my siblings, my parents and I have been together at Christmas.  The last time we were together at Christmas, one sister-in-law and 4 nieces and nephews were not yet a part of the family!  I am grateful to Gwynne Zisko for directing the Pageant and all the other members of my wonderful CE Board who are stepping in to make sure that things go smoothly during my absence.  I will be back in the office on January 2nd.

          I have been made aware of some issues surrounding the movie, “The Golden Compass” that is coming out this month.  It is being advertised as a kid’s movie and is based on one of the books from a series, His Dark Materials, by the author, Philip Pullman. Pullman is an avowed atheist and has been known to make a number of anti-God, anti-Christian statements.  The movie has evidently been “toned down” but the books are not.  You may google “The Golden Compass” and here is a website to check out:    http://snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp.  It is important that we stay aware of what our children are watching and reading.

 

Kid’s Klub*Kid’s Klub- We will take a break this month-so I’ll see you in January.

 

JYF*JYF*JYF- Reserve the 14th and 28th!!  On the 14th, we’ll meet in the vestry for a fun December evening.  One the 28th, we’ll be going in to Boston for a meal and a movie.  Save these dates!

 

SYF*SYF*SYF-Your classes will meet on the 9th and 16th in the Parlor.

 

Confirmation- Our only meeting in December is on the 2nd.  Be sure to continue working on your hours and keep track of them.  Keep an eye out for emails concerning various activities.

The Christmas Pageant

Hear ye, Hear ye!  The Christmas Pageant this year will be at the 11AM worship service on Sunday morning the 23rd.  Rehearsals for the Pageant will be during the Sunday School times on December 2nd, 9th and 16th.  Try-outs for speaking parts will be held after Church on the 2nd.  Costumes will be handed out on the 16th after the 10am service.  All participants are to be at the Church on Sunday the 23rd at 10:00AM.

 

We are searching for Jr. Directors, Stage Managers, and Costume Mistresses/Masters for the Pageant.  If you are in High School and can help with the Pageant, please let the Pageant Director, Mrs. Zisko know.  Her phone # is 781-582-1875.

 

ADULT CE- Our adult CE classes will meet on the 5th and the 12th.  On the 5th, the class will be about the Incarnation – God  becoming man to live among us and speak our language.  In Luke 4:19, Jesus stated that one of the reasons he had come was to “proclaim release to the captives.” On the 12th, we will learn about slavery in our world and what we can do about it.  In honor of our abolitionist history and as followers of Christ who came to free us all, it is important that we know about this very important and shocking issue.  (We will not have a class on the 19th as originally stated in the pamphlets.)   

 

          Grace and Peace to all of you during this time when we prepare for the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I pray that Christmas will be a true Holy Day and not merely a holiday.

 

                                      In the true Spirit of Christmas,

                                      Rev. Eloise

     

FOR SALE - Lovely Pilgrim Church Christmas ornaments will be available for sale after church on December 2, 9 and 16.  Cost is $7 each of 2 for $10.  Proceeds benefit the 2008 Mission Trip

PARISH POST

Prayers of Healing  - Grace Poellmitz -   Priscilla Sangster – Olive MacQuarrie

 

Prayers of Comfort and Solace

For the family and friends of  Louise Whitehead.

 

Prayers of Joy

For the birth of Garret DeHart, Lynn and Don DeHart’s new grandson.

For the birth of Charles Frederick Ritch III, new grandson of Janet and Roger Ritch.

For the baptism of Carleigh Janyce Burns, daughter of Amy (Williamson) Burns and Robert Burns.

For the baptism of Cole Ronald Montgomery, son of Susan and Glen Montgomery and godson of Peggy Thurber and Jerry Montgomery.

 

 

 

“Please send in your pledge . . . every penny counts.”

 

 

 

 

                           HOLIDAY POINSETTIAS

Share your Christmas Spirit and help decorate the sanctuary with a poinsettia for the Christmas Sunday services.  If you wish to give a poinsettia to a shut-in or in memory/honor of a loved one, or plan to take the plant home after the service, please use the form below to indicate your preference:

_____IN MEMORY OF        ______IN HONOR OF                   (Please check one!)

 

NAME OF HONOREE _____________________________________________________

           

 I WILL:     _______ DONATE          _______ PICK UP*   (Please check one!)                         

 

GIVEN BY   ______________________________________________________________

(The above names will be in the Christmas Sunday Bulletin)

*Poinsettias must be picked up directly after the 9 AM service at church on the 23rd.   Please send your donation to Pilgrim Church, P.O. Box 186, Duxbury, MA 02331.