“God will rejoice over you with happy song…God will dance with shouts of joy for you as on a day of festival.”   Zephaniah 3:18

      

This verse is from Zephaniah, one of the prophetic writings that is included in the Aprocrypha, the early Christian books from the 2^nd century that were not accepted by the church into the original canon of Scripture.  The Aprocrypha has since been added to many Bibles between the Old and New Testaments, and also includes the books of Tobit, Judith, Sirach, Baruch, and Maccabees to name a few.   Zephaniah began his ministry about 627 BC and prophesied during the reign of King Josiah.  During a time of turmoil, rebellion and injustice it is made clear by Zephaniah that God will judge the wayward nations, but the faithful will rise up and continue to serve as His Covenantal People in the world…and God will rejoice and God will dance!

      

While the last two years have not been quite as difficult as those endured by the people in Zephaniah’s writing, this interim period of search and call for a settled pastor has been filled with the anxiety of self-examination and the uncertainty of relying on God’s timeline and not ours.  Through the guided and intentional process of the United Church of Christ, on Sunday, June 15^th, Rev. Todd Vetter was called into covenant to serve as the Senior Pastor at Pilgrim Church in Duxbury.  The sanctuary was overflowing and the spirit of God rejoiced among the people!  Rev. Vetter will begin his shared ministry with us on August 4^th and will be leading worship on August 10^th.  In case you have not received a copy of his profile highlights please contact the church office. 

      

While we offer our deepest gratitude to God for guiding this process, we also lift up with thanksgiving Roger White and the Search Committee who faithfully served throughout this time of discernment. And now summertime is here, and we have been known to relax a little.  Some folks even take a Sunday off here or there.  However, we’d like to offer a little pastoral advice… rest up because we have a lot of challenges ahead of us.  God has great things in mind for Pilgrim Church.  Let’s rejoice by singing and dancing with God as we step out in mission and ministry.

 

                                May the peace of Christ be with you,

                                Rev. Eloise and Rev. Peggy

  

The Senior Choir sang its last Sunday service before the summer break. We’ll be back in the choir loft in early September.  We have had good attendance this year and have sung a wide variety of music.  We are saddened to learn that Bob Engel will be relocating to Seattle, but are happy for him as well and wish him well in his new adventure.  Bob has been a steadfast and talented member of the choir for twenty years!  He has inspired many of the wonderful special programs sung by the augmented Senior Choir.  Bob, we thank you and appreciate your loyalty and talent!  You have contributed much to all of us in the music program, and especially to the congregation each Sunday.

 

 Thank you also to Sue Franzosa and Lorrie Hall for staying after church nearly every Sunday to file choir music.  Dan Hall also helps out when he can.  Lorrie and Dan emptied the choir of music not needed over the summer.  A BIG job!  Again, many thanks!  

 

We are still in need of some music for a few of the summer Sundays.  If you like to sing either with another person(s) or as a soloist, we would love to hear from you.  Instrumentalists are very welcome as well.   There are open Sundays in July and August so come early and get your pick.  I will be on vacation during July and the first week in August but will be happy to assist you in any way.

                                                   Have a restful and safe summer.

                                                   Cathy Morrison, Music Director

 

 

Koinonia will meet Monday, July 14, at 7:00 PM at the home of Suzanne Blanchard.  For information about the August 11 meeting, check the church bulletin or call Elaine Guilfoyle at 781-934-9648.

 

 

Bookworms has added another book to its summer reading list.  In addition to “Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follett, they will also be reading “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson.  Both books will be the topic of conversation when we reconvene in the fall.  The next meeting of Bookworms will be Tuesday, September 23 at 1:30 PM in the church library.  Plan to join us!  Call Marion Paulson (781/582-3738) if you have any questions.

 

The Prayer Shawl knitters will not meet in July or August.  See you in September – but keep knitting!!  Questions?  Call Maddie Merrifield at 837-8545.

 

 

      

       We look forward to Reverend Todd Clarke Vetter becoming our Senior Pastor in early August.  After the service on June 15 at the special congregational meeting, we elected Reverend Vetter unanimously.  Attendance was great, so many of us experienced a wonderful church service and witnessed the culmination of a year’s work by the search committee. The search team began its work with a reading from John 15:16:

 

       “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit –       fruit that will last.  Then the father will give you whatever you ask in my name.     This        is my command:  Love each other.”

 

       Sunday’s service confirmed this.  We felt the hand of Providence in our search process believing that God would choose the right pastor for us.  I believe he did.  Having Todd elected after a service led by the youth of our church reinforced that the new Senior Pastor would bear “fruit that will last.”  The effect that Reverend Vetter will have on the young people of our church will last for generations.  Having the commissioning of the Mass to Miss mission trip during the service also speaks to Christ’s words from John.  Our mission trip fulfills Christ’s commandment “to go and bear fruit.” 

       Now we can look to the future and Christ will give us the kind of church that we ask of Him.  We cannot ask for anything, however; just what we “ask in His name.”  It will allow us to serve Christ in a way that will bear fruit; and that will make this coming year one of hope and joy for us.  If you read the poster about our vision 20/10 and reflect on our church since that was developed, we have moved in the direction of that vision.  We are more rooted in the scriptures, we are more involved with inreach and especially more involved with outreach.  We have a great foundation and we are an active church which helped attract Reverend Vetter to us.

       Seeing the attendance so high and the vote being unanimous demonstrated what Paul said in Romans, “So in Christ we who are many form one body.”  I believe it was a strong statement by our congregation that we are one body and one that desires to bear “fruit that will last.”  Todd’s sermon spoke to the power of community, which will be a key for our future at Pilgrim Church.  It will help us to live out Christ’s commandment, “Love each other.” 

       There is power in Christ’s love.  As Lucy said to Charlie Brown, showing him her hand, “Charlie, individually these fingers are nothing, but together (as she made a fist) they are a force to be reckoned with.”  I believe that for us at Pilgrim Church, we can be a force that Christ can use to bear fruit in our world and fruit that will last!

                                                                     

                                                                          Godspeed, Roger

As the church’s activity slows with the rest and renewal of summer, the church office staff wishes to thank the many volunteers who help out in so many ways throughout the year.  Whether it’s a church bulletin, newsletter, or special mailing; the weekly offering or the cleaning up after a Sunday service, they are very special people we have come to depend upon as partners in serving the congregation.  We extend our deepest thanks to you and our wish that you enjoy a peaceful, blessed and restful summer. 

                                                                                  --Cathy and Terri

 

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The 4^th of July is just around the corner!  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!

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 Last fall, our Church School collected school supplies for Operation Iraqi         Children.  OIC is a special program which sends school supplies, sports equipment and stuffed animals to our soldiers fighting in Iraq so that they can help the children in Iraq.  The group, co- founded by Laura Hillenbrand and Gary Sinise, works in conjunction with People to People International in this effort.  In March we received lovely thank you acknowledgements from both People to People International and OIC.  Some excerpts from their letters:

 

       “You will be interested to know that, to date, more than 80 shipments containing   hundreds of thousands of school supplies, sports equipment and stuffed animals   have        been delivered to Iraq.  This program has been well received by the Iraqi children    and their parents – they are very appreciative.  I would invite you to take a few     moments to visit the website to view some of the heart-warming photos and     read about      some of the wonderful stories at www.operationiraqichildren.com.” 

                                                                          -People to People International

 

       “We want to personally thank you for your generous gift.  Not only for the tangible       value that the children will realize, but also for the part of yourself that you give in      your care and concern.  The children are the ones that are caught in the cross fire.”   

                                                                         -Operation Iraqi Children  

 

Thank you to all who participated in this drive.  Special appreciation goes to Sara Jannetty who brought this ministry to Pilgrim Church and coordinated the church school response. 

                     Christian Education Corner

 

What an exciting day Church School Sunday was!  Our worship time was so special.  Each and every child did such a good job.    All of the practice, 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 Teen Choir for their participation – it was a special treat.  Thanks again to all of you who taught this year: 

 

Marianne Almeida, Dawn Backlund, Doug Backlund, Joan Barrington, Karen Barry, Colleen Brayer, Kaitlin Clark, Nancy Cobb, Dottie Collins, Diana Cybulska, Vivie Doughty, Bud Dunbar, Joan Edgar, Judy Gibbs, Claire Hickey, Betsey Hunter, Mimi Jannetty, Angelique Kania, Brian Lies, Laurel Lies, John MacLaren, Tim Powell and Lisa Webber.  Also, thanks to our Confirmands and substitute teachers whose help was invaluable.  And for our youth groups, thank you Marc Beattie (SYF), Sarah Beattie (SYF), and Gwynne Zisko (JYF)

 

The One Room Schoolhouse will meet every Sunday this summer except June 29th (Mission Trip report) and Labor Day weekend.  Children will go straight to the Rainbow classroom on Sundays.  This is the classroom next to the choir room.  Pre-K and Nursery will meet together in the Nursery Room (1^st room past the ramp).

 

As I write this, we are preparing to leave for Jackson, MS for our mission trip.  It was wonderful to see the group as we commissioned them on Church School Sunday.  Our 35 young people and 7 adults will be returning about the time you receive this.  We will be giving our report during the service on June 29th.  Thanks for all of the support you have given us.  We appreciate you love, encouragement, money and prayers.  Special thanks go to all the parents who helped coordinate all of the fundraisers.  We had a wonderful committee and folks really stepped up to the plate which took a huge load off of my shoulders.  Thanks to Elizabeth Burnham for coordinating the parent committee and leading the Christmas ornament sale; to Monica Porter, Heidi Kalil and Robin Violandi who headed up the Easter Pie sale; to Nancy Cobb for holding a Cut-A-Thon at her Beauty Salon; to Mike and Beth Gregg for hosting Mississippi Suppers at their house; to Sigrid Wheatley for taking on the Car Wash; to Deb Bowen who coordinated and helped secure our van transportation in Mississippi; to Brian Lies for his amazing painting of Noah’s Ark; and to all of you who bought pies and baked goods at our sales, who got your cars washed and bought “stock” in our trip.  We could not have done it without each of you.

                                                         

                                                                 Peace and Grace,

                                                                 Rev. Eloise

 

 

 

 

PARISH POST

 

Prayers of Healing    -   Priscilla Sangster  -  Betty Bradley – Esther Walker –

Frank Blackington - Dorothy Swanson

 

Prayers of Comfort and Solace

For the family and friends of Mary Knight.

For the family and friends of Dorothy Bishop, Lee Bishop’s mother.

For the family and friends of Roger Brown, Deb Bowen’s father.

 

Prayers of Thanksgiving

For the 34 young people and 7 adult chaperones that participated in this year’s Mission Trip to Mississippi.

 

Prayers of Joy

For the baptism of Sara Madison Silverberg, daughter of Staci and Glen Silverberg, Jr., and granddaughter of Tom and Elise Gardner.

 

Calling all UN-Rung Heroes!

 

Pilgrim Ringers are entering a mini-float in this year’s July 4 parade.  The float will celebrate everyday women throughout history.  They would like your help.  They envision women of all ages dressed as nurses, teachers, farmers, soccer players, mothers, chefs, firemen, military, construction workers, professionals, skippers, photographers, & CEO’s to walk the route with the float.  To participate, come to Bay Road at 1:00 PM on Friday, July 4 and join the bell float.  Call Sue Homan to let here know you’re interested.  Sue can be reached at 781/934-2856 or email at homanx6@verizon.net. 

 

As in years past, the deadline for the September newsletter is Friday, August 8 which is one week earlier than the usual deadline.  Often this is one of the largest newsletters of the year, so we appreciate your effort to keep articles brief.  The easiest way to submit items is via email to:  tlclark@pilgrimchurchofduxbury.org.   Every effort is made to acknowledge email receipt, so if you don’t get a reply or have any questions, call the church office at 781/934-6591 ext. 100.  Thank you – please enjoy a safe and blessed summer!