Pilgrim Church of Duxbury,
Massachusetts, USA
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PILGRIM’S
PROGRESS
March
2008
Dear Friends,
Lent is a time of reflection. We look outward to our Lord, Christ and we look inward at our own hearts. Our own journey is a microcosm of Jesus’ journey to the cross, through suffering into the joy of the resurrection. That is why the color of the pastor’s stole and church vestments are purple during the Lenten Season. It is reflective of the dusk before the dawn, the darkness before light, Christ’s death before resurrection.
In order to become reflective in
such a busy world, the season signals us to slow down. One of the ways Jesus models a way for us to
do this is through prayer. Despite his
busy ministry He manages to slow down.
Mark’s gospel tells us that In the morning long before dawn, he got
up and left the house and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Interestingly, this small, serene
sentence is inserted in the middle of a scene loaded with action. Jesus was busy about his ministry; He was
teaching in the synagogue, casting out demons and healing the sick. Still, in the center of the swirl of his life
he intentionally chose to slow down, connect to the center of his life and
listen to God. Henri Nouwen sees this
practice of prayer as the secret of successful ministry: The more I read
this nearly silent sentence locked in-between the loud words of action, the
more I have the sense that the secret of Jesus’ ministry is hidden in that
lonely place where he went to pray, early in the morning long before dawn.
Jesus’ practice of prayer and
Nouwen’s reflection presents us all with a personal question in Lent: “What about our ministry/work in the
world?” The scriptures teach that we all
have ‘ministries’ by virtue of being members of the Body of Christ. Perhaps you teach Sunday School, serve coffee
during the hospitality hour, teach a Bible study, serve on a committee or are a
staff person at Pilgrim Church of Duxbury.
All of these places of service in Christ’s name are considered
‘ministries.’ Even in our workplace we
are ministers bringing God’s love in the name of Jesus Christ. It is during this season of Lent that we remember
who we are and that we are called to be Christ’s ministers in the world. And moving toward Christ’s model, you and I
are called to let go, slow down and listen to God’s still small voice. One sage has said that it is in this
solitude that we discover that being is more important than having and that we
are worth more than the result of our doing.
Therefore, in this special season of Lent, let us follow Jesus
toward
God’s Shalom in this Sacred Season,
Reverend Beverly Weinhold
I’ll bet you don’t know how much PCH does!
The Plymouth Area Coalition for
the Homeless (PCH) provides a surprisingly wide array of vital services to
people in need in the
So how can you help? PCH
can always use donations of clothing and food, household goods and volunteers.
For a list of most-needed foods visit www.pacfth.com/donate.html.
To best help with clothing, think seasonally—when you’re looking for winter
hats and gloves, that's when PCH wants them too. When you’re shopping for
shorts and bathing suits, that’s when PCH needs them. Whatever
you're purchasing, get a second one to donate! Gently used clothing
is welcome. Clothing donations can be placed in the armoire in
One
final request with respect to food donations:
kindly check the expiration dates to be sure all items are current; and
please, no donations that have been opened. Thanks for thinking of others in
need locally—even a small donation can make a big difference to the person who
receives the assistance!
The Board of Christian Outreach
Given some recent changes, here’s an updated email list for your convenience:
Rev. Beverly Weinhold bev@churchmail.com
Rev. Eloise Parks eloiseparks@hotmail.com
Rev. Peggy O’Neil Files pfiles@pilgrimchurchofduxbury.org
Cathy Doughty cdoughty@pilgrimchurchofduxbury.org
Terri Clark tlclark@pilgrimchurchofduxbury.org
Cathleen Morrison cathleenmorrison@hotmail.com
Linda Shropshire shropstop@aol.com
Also, please note
that the Church Office is now open until 6:00 PM on Thursdays.
-and-
The Church is seeking individuals who can volunteer a few hours, on a monthly or a weekly basis to help in the office. If you feel you can offer some time, we would love to hear from you. Please call Cathy Doughty, at 934-6591, ext. 101, to discuss the different ways in which you might be able to help.
The Stewardship
Committee would like to thank everyone who pledged for 2008. The pledge drive was a great success. You all answered the call to support
Mark
Cleveland, Stewardship Committee Chairperson
Saturday
Night 5!
Our
service this month will be on the 22nd. This service promises to be a special time of
contemplation and reflection as we observe Holy Saturday.
The next meeting of Koinonia will be Monday, March 10 at the home of
Helen Barrow. For directions, please
call her at 781-585-9845.
The March meeting for Bookworms is Tuesday, March 25. This month’s book selection is “My Antonia”
by Willa Catha. Join us at 1:30 PM for a
lively book discussion in the church library.
Everyone is welcome!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Share your
Easter Joy and help decorate the sanctuary with Easter lilies for our Easter
services on March 23.
(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 March 23rd. Please send your donation to:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DON’T FORGET!!
Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 9! Remember to turn your clocks AHEAD one hour
Saturday night, March 8.
Cranberry Hospice which provides support for people with a
life-limiting illness is looking for volunteers. Hospice volunteers may support patients and
their families with companionship, by running errands, or with vigil visits at
time of death. Others may assist the
office with clerical tasks and fundraising activities. An 8-week training session for volunteers
starts Monday, March 24 from 6:00-8:30 PM at Cranberry Hospice,
Save the Date ** CHURCH CLEAN UP AND COOK OUT ** Save the Date
Come join your church friends for a church
clean up and cook out on Saturday, April 5 starting at 9:00 AM. We’ll tackle inside and outside chores
(weather permitting) and give our church home a much-needed spring
cleaning. All ages are welcome, and no
special skills are required. The project
is being organized by Colleen Brayer (934-6474) and Shirley Dunphy (837-5655),
certified Queens of Clean. Come join us
for a fun and fruitful day (notice how happy our worker is??).
EASTER PIES & DESSERTS
TO RAISE MONEY FOR
Key Lime Pie, Chocolate Pie with Whipped
Cream, Peach Cobbler … doesn’t that just make you mouth water!!! Our mission trip group will be offering these
delicious desserts which can be pre-ordered for your Easter Day
Celebration. You may have already seen
the poster at church with the pre-order forms which can be filled out and
deposited in the white lock box located outside the church’s administrative offices
along with your check ($10.00 per dessert) made payable to the Pilgrim Church
Mission Trip. We will also have
volunteers taking pre-orders after worship on March 2, 9, and 16. Desserts will be ready for pick-up at the
church on March 22 between 12:00 Noon and 2:00 PM, or you may choose to have
the desserts delivered to your home. If
you have any questions, please contact Monica Porter (585-0966), Heidi Kalil
(934-6213) or Robin Violandi (934-2835).
Please help support our group for this very important trip by purchasing
a yummy pie or cobbler.
Another benefit for the 2008 Mission Trip is
a Cut-a-thon scheduled for Sunday, April 13 at First Impressions
Hair Salon. First Impressions is located
at
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law
of Christ”
Think
about your life and the lives of the people around you. Are you going through a time of crisis or
challenge? Do you know someone who is
suffering from grief or loneliness? Is
one of your friends struggling to find meaning in life after he or she has
retired or after all the children have gone?
Could you or someone you know benefit from the care of a Stephen
Minister?
Stephen
Ministers are not counselors; they are trained lay caregivers. Their role is to listen and care – not to
give advice or counsel. They work with
care receivers to help them receive the level of care they really need,
anywhere from a month to possibly a year or more. Stephen Ministers are also trained to
recognize when a care receiver’s needs exceed what they can provide and they
will then make referrals to others.
Current
and active Stephen Ministers are Helen Barrow, Ginny Hunt, Heidi Hadley, Amy
Rose, Barry Brodil and Bob Mustard.
If you
have questions about the work of our Stephen Ministers in
Annual Committee “
Time and Talents
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. Below is a description of the various church committees. As you can see, a variety of gifts and talents are needed to staff our committees. The Committees take on new members in May at our Annual meeting. 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. In April, you will have chance to volunteer yourself or suggest a friend to join a committee through a formal sign up process. If you have any questions about the committees or how to get involved, please feel free to contact me.
Rod
Clark,
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.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet in the parlor on Tuesday, March 18,
from 1:15-3:15. Our group knits lovely shawls which we donate to those
who could use a warm, comforting hug around their shoulders. The pattern
is easy, the camaraderie of our group is energizing and there's always a cup of
tea and a cookie to enjoy! Join us! For more information, call
Maddie Merrifield at 781-837-8545.
Christian Education Corner
In Church
School this month, beginning March 2nd, our Rotation unit will
be “Noah’s
On Palm
Sunday, March 16th, all
There
will be no
The
last Sunday of the Rotation will be on March 30th. After Church that day, the adults are invited
to a special program to see what the
Kid’s
Klub*Kid’s Klub – (4th-6th
grade) We will meet in the vestry from 2:30-4pm on March 16th. We’ll have a surprise activity and some fun
snacks. Bring a friend and join us!
Confirmation –
Our classes are March 2nd and 16th after church. Continue to meet with your mentors and
continue to keep track of your hours.
Good job to all of you who brought in food for the Souper Bowl. Thanks also to those of you who helped with
the sorting, counting, boxing up, loading of cars and delivering of food. Good work!
Mission
Trip – The last down payment of $125 is
due on March 16th. Please make any
checks out to “Pilgrim Church Mission Trip.”
I am
very happy to report that our Church family donated $578.31 for the Plymouth
Coalition for the Homeless and brought in 451 food items during our Souper Bowl
of Caring weekend. It is through these
and other activities that we are the hands and feet of Christ. Thank you to all that participated!
Peace
and Grace,
Rev.
Eloise
Search Committee
Update –
We are making progress. We have reviewed about 50 profiles, and listened to a half dozen sermons. Had first interviews with three candidates and a second interview with two. Multitasking has been our work mode for the past month or so. Some seem great on paper, a few seem great from the pulpit and some come across well in the interview process. Finding one who does all those things well is our challenge. Sometimes we think we are close, and other times we think we’ve been doing this forever. The one thing we know is that with each day that goes by, we are one day closer to finding the pastor that God has chosen for us.
We on the team
have the advantage and disadvantage of the excitement of the possibility and
disappointment when a candidate does not match our expectations. As a church member you have the impatience of
why this is taking so long and also the awareness that the candidate needs to
bring a lot to the table. It is
difficult and all of us are a bit on edge over it. It is a test of faith. Please keep us in your prayers and know that
we are encouraged and hopeful. We are as
impatient as we know you are, but we must live by God’s schedule and not
ours. So as
PARISH POST
Prayers of Healing
Grace
Poellmitz - Priscilla Sangster – Marge
Trout – Ann DeKlerk –
Bill Stuart – Ruth Reckman
Prayers of Comfort and Solace
For the family and
friends of Malcolm Gavin, Bonnie Jones’ father.
For the family and
friends of Marilyn Sugden Sturgis, Kate Mustard’s mother and Cameron Burnham’s
grandmother.
For the family and
friends of Bill Thompson, formerly of
Prayers of Joy
For the arrival of
Xander DeHart, new grandson of Lynn and Don DeHart.
For the baptism of Grace Elizabeth LuNa Blackington, daughter of Deborah Blackington and granddaughter of Frank and Rosella Blackington.
Note: Cards and
Notes are most welcome to:
Grace Poellmitz, St. Patrick’s Manor,
Marge Trout, Wingate at Silver Lake, 17 Chipman Way #115A, Kingston, MA 02364
Ruth Reckman, Radius Rehab,
Holy Week Worship Schedule
March 16 – Palm Sunday – 10:00 AM Worship
March 20 – Maundy Thursday Service – 7:30 PM
March 22 – Saturday Night 5! Easter Service – 5:00 PM
March 23 – Easter
Easter
Service – 9:00 AM
Easter
Service – 11:00 AM
Pilgrim Church of
Duxbury, Massachusetts, USA
United Church of Christ, Congregational
Page Last Updated 01-Mar-2008