PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

June 2008

Dear Church Family,

I have been thinking a lot about the purpose of the Church lately. Christ has built his church, given his people gifts and leadership, and he has given us work to do. So what are the purposes of the church?

A major purpose of the church is worship. God has called us that we “may declare the praises of him” who called us “out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). God seeks people who will worship him (John 4:23), and who will love him above everything else (Matthew 4:10). Everything we do, whether as individuals or as a congregation, should be for his glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). We are called to “continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15).

We are commanded, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19). When we gather, we sing praises to God, we pray to him and we listen to his word. These are forms of worship. So is the Lord’s Supper, so is baptism and so is obedience.

Teaching is another purpose of the church. It is at the heart of the Great Commission: “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). Church leaders should teach, and members should teach one another (Colossians 3:16). We should encourage one another (1 Corinthians 14:31; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 10:25). Small groups provide an excellent setting for this mutual ministry.

If we want to be spiritual, Paul says, we should want to “build up the church” (1 Corinthians 14:12). The goal is to edify, strengthen, encourage and comfort (verse 3). The entire meeting should “be done for the strengthening of the church” (verse 26). We are to be disciples; that is, people who learn and apply the word of God. The early church was praised because they “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).

Ministry is a third major purpose of the church. Paul writes, “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10). Our first duty is to our family, and then to the church and then to the world around us. The second-greatest commandment is to love our neighbors (Matthew 22:39).

This world has many physical needs, and we should not ignore them. But the greatest need is the gospel, and we should not ignore that, either. As part of our ministry to the world, the church is to preach the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. No other organization will do this work—it is the mission of the church. Every worker is needed—some on the front lines, and some in support. Some will plant, some will nurture and some will harvest, and as we work together, Christ will cause the church to grow (Ephesians 4:16).

Please read the articles from the Search Committee, Outreach Board and Christian Education Board to see what is coming up in June. Grace Akallo will be preaching on June 8^th, and it promises to be a very powerful service. We are especially excited about the coming of our candidate who will preach on Church School Sunday (June 15). We will commission 42 people for our Mission Trip that same Sunday. Stay afterwards for some food and fellowship and a chance to meet Todd and Sarah. On June 29^th, we will have the Mission Trip Report. There is a lot going on. We are a dynamic and busy Church. Let us continue with the work at hand. Let us be the Church!

Peace and Grace to you,

Rev. Eloise Parks

While there are no scheduled meetings for Bookworms over the summer, the reading doesn’t stop! Our summer read is “Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follett. Set up your beach chair and umbrella, and dive into “Pillars,” then join us in the fall for a wonderful discussion. Give Marion Paulson a call if you have any questions (781-582-3738).

This year Koinonia is having its annual beach party in June because of the tides. It will be on Monday, June 9, 7:00 PM at the end of Josselyn. Please bring your joys and/or concern plus some refreshment to share. For more information, call Elaine Guilfoyle, 781-934-9648.

JUNE 8th!!!!!  YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS IT!!!!!

In keeping with last month's theme of Uganda, we are privileged to highlight a ministry called World Vision AND to have as our guest speaker Grace Akallo, an escaped child slave and member of the Rebel army. 

At age 15, Grace was abducted by Ugandan rebels and made to be a child slave and soldier.  Come hear her story of how she escaped after years of torture and abuse and made her way to a refugee camp.  She has told her remarkable story on shows like Oprah and the Today Show, and has been featured in the Washington Post and the Boston Globe.   Her testimony points to God's amazing power and grace, so we hope you will come and bring your friends. 

World Vision is an amazing ministry which is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.  Motivated by their faith in Jesus Christ, they serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God's unconditional love for all people. 

The Outreach Board hopes you will join our excitement as we hear how we as a church and you individually can get involved by sponsoring a child in Northern Uganda.   There are over 50 children who are available to be sponsored so come hear what that entails.  You will be blessed!

June 8th is going to be a Sunday you DO NOT WANT TO MISS!

There will be jars placed around the Church every Sunday until we leave on the Mission Trip to collect loose change to buy shoes for the kids in Mississippi.  Check your pockets, your drawers, under the seat cushions, in your cars and anywhere else you might find some change and bring it in.  The more we collect the more shoes we can

buy.  Bills are also accepted!  Help us make a change in Mississippi! Also, don’t forget to bring your returnable bottles, cans and plastic beverage containers to the collection bins in the back of the church parking lot. This “perpetual” fundraiser has already raised $182.00

for this year’s mission trip!

Christian Education Corner

Church School*Church School ** Church School Sunday is June 15^th. The theme for this service is Joseph. There is much that we can learn from his life. This will be a wonderful service of worship and celebration. Kids-please meet in the vestry at 9:15. Our candidate for Settled Pastor, Rev. Todd Vetter will be preaching that Sunday. After the worship service and special congregational meeting, we’ll enjoy a “Sandwich Social” on the church lawn. Sandwiches, chips and beverages will be provided. Desserts may be purchased from our mission trip youth at their bake sale table. And for our youngest members, a Moonwalk! This will be a good opportunity to meet Rev.Todd and his wife Sarah and enjoy fellowship with each other. Be sure to put this on your calendars.

Teachers*Teachers** Now is the time to sign up to teach Church School. We need teachers for the One Room Schoolhouse this summer. The first session is June 22^nd. Please sign up in the vestry. We have curriculum available. Please call me if you have any questions.

We also need teachers for the Church School Year. We have teacher training and provide curriculum. We have a wonderful group of kids, and this is a real opportunity for ministry. Please sign up in the vestry. If you have any questions please call me at the church office (extension 103).

Kid’s Klub*Kid’s Klub** Kid’s Klub will break for the summer. I will see you in the fall!

Mission Trip*Mission Trip** Our final fundraiser is on the 15^th. We will have a bake sale. The 15^th is also the date that we will be commissioned at the end of the service. Please be at the Church at 9:45. We leave for Mississippi on the morning of the 21^st and return the afternoon of the 28^th. We will give the Mission Trip report on the 29^th at the morning service.

On May 11^th, 11 of our 9^th graders were confirmed and welcomed into Church membership. I would like to say that it was a real joy for me to get to know you better and to be a part of your confirmation process. It is my prayer for each you that you will continue to grow in your faith and in your knowledge of Scripture as you follow in Christ’s steps.

Peace and Grace,

Rev. Eloise

Campership Program Desperately NEEDS Your Support

The Duxbury Interfaith Council is planning for it annual Kid's Campership program.  It is our intent to send 40 Duxbury children with limited financial resources to a summer camp.  The success of the program depends on the generosity of the community.  Most of the children who receive funds from the Council have attended camps such as the Rec Department, YMCA camps, Camp Wing and medical related camps to help children learn how live with their specific disease.  Without the financial support of the Campership Program, these children would not be able to enjoy a summer camp experience.  Since many of the families we serve are single-parent households, summer camp can often be as

important for the parents as it is for the children.

We need to raise $20,000 to send these 40 children to summer camp, $500 per camper.  This does not often pay the entire bill for camp and parents are required to pay the balance.  If you are willing to sponsor one of our campers this year it would be appreciated.  We are appreciative of any donation that you can make.  100% of the money raised by the Interfaith Council goes back to our community.   This is a great way to use

your Tax Rebate money from the Federal Government.

If you attended summer camp as a child, we invite you to recall how valuable and enriching an experience at camp can be.  Please help us send these wonderful children to camp this summer.  You can contact the Council at 781-934-8388.   Donations can be sent

to: The Duxbury Interfaith Council
PO Box 1161
Duxbury, MA 02331

The Fourth of July Activities committee has extended an invitation to any interested group within the church to enter a float in this year’s Fourth of July parade. The theme this year is “Hats Off to Our American Heroes.” For a float application, criteria for floats, etc. please visit the website: www.duxbury4thofjuly.com. There is also a flyer and application on the bulletin board outside the church offices. Call Janet Ritch (781-934-0660) or Linda Robinson (781-789-6140) with any questions.

Search Committee Report

If not by now, soon you will be receiving a letter that introduces the search team’s recommendation for our new Settled Pastor. He is The Reverend Todd Clarke Vetter. Be sure to come to church on June 15^th to hear our candidate preach during the Church School Sunday service. At the end of the service, we will have a meeting to officially vote for our new Pastor.

It is very appropriate for Reverend Todd to preach on Church School Sunday for several reasons. First, Todd is able to relate to all age groups in the congregation, and he has a special interest in our young people. Second, the service will have the energy of youth fitting for an occasion such as this. Third, it is a time of celebration and new beginnings which will make our “Sandwich Social” after the service even more festive.

Though Reverend Vetter made a good first impression, the more we met with him, the more we liked him. He has a strong faith foundation, is committed to creating greater community at Pilgrim Church, and wishes to help us grow in love and service to Jesus Christ. He leads by example and inclusion, and we stand to benefit greatly from his leadership.

This is going to be an exciting year for us at Pilgrim Church. We have a bright future. So that you are aware of the sequence of events, here is a brief outline:

1. The Church Council and the Deacons will receive a presentation from the search committee regarding Reverend Vetter. At this writing the date is yet to be established.

2. The Council and Deacons will meet Rev. Todd on June 14^th at the home of Lilly and Mark Cleveland.

3. June 15^th is his sermon and introduction to the congregation, with the special meeting to follow to officially vote for him as Pastor.

4. Assuming all goes well, he, his wife Sarah, son Matthew and dog Millie will move to the parsonage hopefully by August 1^st.

5. He will assume his duties as soon as he is settled. (He has a lot of energy and is eager to get started, so I think it will be very early August.)

6. A new chapter in Pilgrim Church begins!

The Search Committee greatly appreciates all the support and prayers that have been offered by the congregation. Each of us has felt the hand of the Holy Spirit guiding us. It is the reason we persevered and bring to you a candidate that will be a blessing to our church family, our community and our world!

Adieu - Roger

Food Donations for Plymouth Coalition for the Homeless

Your donations of non-perishable food for this local outreach effort are so appreciated. However, PLEASE do not drop off dented cans, foods beyond their expiration date, or any open items. WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT!

On May 11^th, we welcomed the following new members into our fellowship by Confirmation of Faith. In addition to attending classes, attending worship on a regular basis, and an overnight retreat, each of our Confirmands completed 15 hours of church projects and 15 hours of community projects outside the church. We thank the mentors (listed below), Deacon Bill MacLennan who attended the retreat, and Jane and Jim Garrett for use of their beautiful home in Chatham for the retreat. Special appreciation is extended to Rev. Eloise Parks who coordinated the entire program, guiding each Confirmand in their journey to membership in Pilgrim Church.

Confirmand Mentor

Devan Bahr Karen Barry

Kasey Mutchler Burr April Doughty-Kerle

Cameron Draper Jim Anello

Hanna Dwinell Evelena Tufankjian

Emma Farquharson Lori Mahmud

William Jewell Fred Lizza

Riley Kerle John MacLaren

Jonathan McKinley Janet Ritch

Kristina Walsh Joan Edgar

Anne White Debby Jewell

Jessica Williams Angelique Kania

Youth Mission Trip

Jackson, Mississippi

June 21st-June 28th 2008

The High School Youth of Pilgrim Church will be returning to Jackson, Mississippi this summer for our 3^rd annual Mission Trip. We will again work with Calvary Baptist Church. Calvary is a church in the heart of Jackson that does mission work around the city. We will be helping with their ongoing ministries with the urban poor. We will once again help run their annual Vacation Bible School for the children in the neighborhood. We are also arranging to work with Habitat for Humanity to build houses along the Gulf coast. We will be scraping, painting, sweeping, raking, cleaning, building and serving in any way that we can. By purchasing “stock” in this trip, you will help reap the benefits of this week of focused faith, cooperation and ministry.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

YES! I wish to be a stockholder in the Pilgrim Church Youth Mission Trip.

Name____________________________________________________________________

Address__________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Phone #__________________________________________________________________

Please check the amount you are contributing:

___$10 ___$25 ___$50 ___$100 ___other

Participant you wish to honor: _______________________________________

Please make your check payable to “Pilgrim Church Mission Trip”

Mail this form and your check to:

Rev. Eloise Parks

Pilgrim Church of Duxbury

PO Box 186

Duxbury, MA 02331

Thanks for helping make our mission trip possible!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Parsonage Help Needed! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Parsonage is in need of sprucing up before a new settled pastor is ready to move in. There is a sign up sheet in the vestry, listing the areas needing attention in order of priority. Please take a look at where you might be willing to help, and add your name. Mara Maddock (834-6275) and Linda VonIderstein (934-5725) are coordinating the effort; please feel free to contact them with any questions, or to let them know how you can help. Thank you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On Saturday, June 14 from 9AM – 2PM the Jett Foundation along with The Community Recycling Electronics Waste (CREW) will hold a fundraising event in the parking lot of Duxbury High School. The community is invited to bring electronics in need of disposal (computers, TV’s, etc.) where volunteers will load them onto CREW trucks for proper recycling and/or disposal. Half of the proceeds will benefit the Jett Foundation. Volunteers are needed! If you are interested, call the Jett Foundation at 781-826-9088.

The next meeting of the Prayer Shawl Ministry will be Tuesday, June 17, from 1:15-3:15 in the parlor.  Come join our group of knitters who create beautiful prayer shawls which we donate to those who need to be wrapped in a "prayer around the shoulders.”  The pattern is easy, the camaraderie is great, and there's always tea and a cookie or two.  Questions?  Call Maddie Merrifield at 781-837-8545.

Congratulations to the Senior Class of 2008

The members and friends of Pilgrim Church join in congratulating all of our graduating Seniors:

Nick Beattie Haley Bicknell Peter Bobseine

Melinda Collins Jackie Enniss Kati Farquharson

Julie Hendren Sarah Horton Sara Jannetty

Ian Mahmud Abbe Schnibbe Celia Walsh

Nick Zabilski

We wish you all the best!

PARISH POST

Prayers of Healing - Priscilla Sangster - Vi Stuart

Prayers of Joy

For our 11 new young members, confirmed into the church on May 11, 2008.

For the baptism of Lauren Tuyen Berkley, daughter of Emily and Charles Berkley and granddaughter of George and Freja Wagner.

For the Baptism of Reagan Louise Widdop, daughter of Jill and Eric Widdop.

Quarterly contribution statements are mailed to those who pledge, and they summarize your contributions to date relative to your pledge (year end statements are sent out for all contributions). Please note, however, that statements for the quarter ended June 30 will not be mailed out due to postage costs. If you would like a 2^nd quarter statement, please call Terri Clark in the church office (781-934-6591 ext. 100) and an individual statement will be mailed to you. Also, a gentle reminder that the church operates during the summer months, so all efforts to keep your pledge current are most appreciated.

DON’T FORGET!!! Starting on Sunday, June 22, worship services will begin at 9:00 AM for the balance of the summer. Rev. Peggy O’Neil Files will be preaching that day.

JYF PAINTBALL WAR

The Pilgrim JYF is planning a trip to the Paintball Fields in Kingston. Combatants form teams and move through various fields of play. The cost is $30.00 for all equipment and field time; or bring your own equipment, and it costs just $10.00 (ammunition is extra). This event is scheduled for Wednesday, June 11^th, 2008, from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. And remember, all are welcome, so bring your friends! For more information call Gwynne Zisko at (781) 581-1875.