Volume LXXXVII No. 3 Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-3:30pm March 2018

Transcription

1 Volume LXXXVII No. 3 Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-3:30pm March 2018 From Our Pastor Maybe you saw it in the paper, that morning after. A woman hugging another woman, both of them crying. One of them wearing a cross of ash on her forehead. This was how Lent began: with Ash Wednesday, Valentines Day, and another school shooting, this time in Parkland, Florida. We come to church and wonder together what can we do? We hear teenagers taking the lead in speaking to the powers that be. We wonder about how kids get so lost and alone. Recently I heard about a school teacher. She has a practice. Each Friday she asks the students in her classroom to take out a piece of paper and write down the names of four children with whom they d like to sit the following week. The children know that these requests may not be honored. She also asks the student to put forth the name of one student who they believe has been an exceptional student citizen that week. All the ballots are privately submitted to her. And every single Friday afternoon, after the kids go home, she takes out those slips of paper, places them in front of her, and studies them. She looks for patterns. Who is not getting requested by anyone else? Who can t think of anyone to request? Who never gets noticed enough to be nominated? Who had a jillion friends last week and none this week? This teacher is not looking for a new seating chart or exceptional children. She is looking for lonely children. She s looking for kids who are having a hard time connecting with other kids. She s identifying the kids who are falling through the cracks, whose gifts are going unnoticed. And she s pinning down who s being bullied and who is doing the bullying. The teacher has been doing this ever since Columbine. She knows that all violence begins with disconnection. This has important implications for us as we seek to be church. We are not as powerless as we think we are. We have eyes to see and notice, hands to reach out. We speak of being community, and we have many young people in our midst. Can we be as intentional as that teacher in looking out for one another? To have Lent begin with such an act of violence reminds us of how Jesus used his own power. He did not pick up the sword. He encouraged a use of power Newcomer s Gathering Are you interested in joining our church? Want to know more about The Church of the Pilgrimage? If so, please join us for the upcoming Newcomer's Gatherings to explore membership in a small group setting. Grab a coffee and a treat at Coffee Hour after worship and head across the street to the John Robinson Center. We'll meet in the Marks Room for about an hour. If interested, please contact Shellie Souza in the church office at office@8townsquare.org or Glenda Richards at glenda2151@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you!

2 that was not about intimidation or winners and losers. He encouraged a use of power that took the wellbeing of everyone into consideration. Frederick Buechner suggests that after his baptism, Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness asking himself the question of what it meant to be Jesus., and that during Lent, Christians are to ask in one way or another what it means to be Christians. This Lent, as we reflect upon what it means to be disciples, what it means to be Christian, we must reflect upon what it means to use power. How is our faith community helping to use power in ways that uplift others? How is our church using power for healing? And how are we needing to ask for God s help, in order that our own personal power might be used in those directions? Let us continue to journey with Jesus to Jerusalem. Let us listen carefully to the scriptures, the hymns, the prayers. For Lent really is so much about the power we have, the power we use, and whether or not God who is Love is at work in us. Lenten Soup Suppers The Caring Congregation A simple soup supper begins at 5:45 pm and goes through 6:30. Our program portion of the evening will be from 6:30 to 7:30pm. Wednesday February 28 th How can our church respond to the opiod crisis? What do we first need to understand about addiction? Two people connected to the Plymouth Recovery Center join us for a presentation/conversation on Addiction. Katie Morini is the author of The Story of Red Tail Hawk: One family s story of Addiction and Dan Kelly is Peer Coordinator at the Recovery Center. Wednesday, March 7 th -- Do you struggle with Forgiveness? All of us do at one time or another. Reverend Dr. Doug Showalter will present some important ways of thinking about this topic, which can also be understood as a Christian practice. Wednesday, March 14 th -- Do you have a loved one who is struggling with dementia? Do you simply want to learn more? Reverend Dr. Rosemary MacKay will share her knowledge of how to communicate, visit, and support those who have dementia, emphasizing also the self care necessary for caregivers. Feel free to invite a friend to one or all of these gatherings. From Your Missions Committee March is a great month to get involved with the Missions Committee. We ask ourselves and each other: Whom shall we help? How shall we help? Who among us will do it? Pastor Helen often talks about "our church being church", and we think about ways to do just that. We use funds donated by the congregation to actively serve the needs of the less fortunate in our local and global communities. We would like to raise the visibility of the Missions Committee within the church and in our local area. We are open to ideas about how the Missions Committee can engage the congregation and hope you will consider talking to a member of the committee at the next coffee hour. 2

3 Helpful Hints from your Board of Trustees We want to be able to keep our church and John Robinson Center in good shape - especially after we ve made great strides in making our facilities more durable and looking much better. Unfortunately, there have been several instances where folks have taped signs on the recently varnished doors into the sanctuary and Allerton Hall which have caused tell-tale marks. Tacks have been used to hang signage on walls and woodwork - not good. The trustees are asking everyone to not tape or tack anything to walls, windows, pipes - any surface - without prior approval from the trustees or Shellie. Various kinds of tape are permissible that do not leave a residue but please check with Shellie first. The trustees are now requiring all church committees - in addition to outside organizations - to complete our Use of Space form when scheduling any event in Allerton Hall or the John Robinson Center. This includes special community worship services. We need to be able to determine whether or not a sexton should be present for these events as we ve experienced several instances where the church or JRC was not properly alarmed prior to departure. If the alarm is triggered, the police and/or fire department respond and we are then charged a fee for their service. Use of Space forms are simple to complete and are available at the church office. This also helps to eliminate any scheduling conflicts - such as two events at overlapping times on the same date. We appreciate your understanding and trust that everyone can adhere to these basic requirements in order to maintain our facilities in good working order. Thanks! Don Reinhardt, Board of Trustees Chair Youth Invited Summer Mission 2018 We are taking a break from our annual Maine Mission trip, heading this year on an experience that is more local and more urban. (it is also something that will involve less fundraising) The Providence Experience will have us staying at Iron Homestead retreat center in Glocester Rhode Island, with our daytime activity being a blend of things in the city learning about food scarcity, homelessness, and refugee populations and engaging in some hands-on service. The time frame for this mission trip will be August 11 th to August 14 th. The trip is open to youth who are rising eighth graders up through seniors who have just graduated. We will have a meeting for all interested teenagers and their parents on Sunday, March 4 th after worship in the JRC. A pizza lunch will be shared, more information offered, and registration forms handed out. If you cannot make this meeting but are interested in attending, please speak with Jenny Healy or Helen Nablo. We would like to ask for a commitment from the youth who will attend by the end of March. Men s Bible Study The Men s Bible Study will meet on Tuesday, March 13 th form 7-8:30pm at the Cotta Residence (3 Fuller Way, Plymouth). We will be discussing Matthew Chapter 9. All men are welcome. For further information please contact Jim Hammond ( or james.gonfishin@gmail.com). 3

4 From our Director of Christian Education, Jenny Healy Starting a new habit is hard, and jumpstarting old ones isn t much easier. On New Year s many of us make resolutions-we will get better at this, make more time for that-on day one we jump in feet first. But how long does it last? What sustains us? We may enter Lent with a similar yearning, but unlike New Year s where a day is all you re given to get the new you underway, Lent gives you 40 days. And during that 40 days there are practices to help you find your way. I love the idea of undertaking practices; it is a good reminder that not only are we not perfect (and not expected to be), but that developing new habits, new ways of being, new relationships, takes time and energy and yes, practice. The practices of Lent center around giving, fasting and praying, all with the intent of helping us develop a closer relationship with God. I have put together Lent kits for families with some simple tools to help you navigate this season. Additionally I will be highlighting certain practices in my Friday Food for Thought, offering music, videos, etc both for parents as well as for children. Keep a look out! I'd love to see how you are using your kits so send me pictures or post them to Facebook; you might just inspire somebody else! If you aren't able to make it to church right now but would like a Lent Kit, let me know and I can deliver one to your house or leave one for you in the church office. jenny Looking ahead-- March 4 Blanket Sunday: be sure to join us as well bless the work of the many hands who help us make these blankets and as well shower the blankets with blessings of God's love to send them on their way! And look for Easter Pageant sign ups that day as well! March 18 Easter Pageant rehearsals begin! After worship in the sanctuary March 25 Palm Sunday Breakfast! Pageant rehearsal after worship. March 30 Pageant rehearsal 4:30 & pizza supper followed by Good Friday Service. April 1 Easter! Pageant players needed by 8:45 for the 9:15 pageant. Deacon s Notes The season of Lent is upon us and the church has many activities and services planned which we hope will offer something for everyone regardless of where you are on your own faith journey. The Deacons spend time at every meeting reviewing and evaluating each of our mini-ministries. Although these ministries are alive and well, we know that, with a little more commitment from the congregation, they can surpass their current levels of success and truly become church wide ministries. For many folks, Lent is a period of time when giving up something is an important part of their Lenten experience. Perhaps giving of yourself and a few minutes of your time throughout the entire year would be a wonderful extension of Christ s ministry. One of our mini-ministries in particular would blossom and greatly benefit from your added support. The Visitation Ministry is dependent on the giving to others attitude for which our church is known. Those involved in the Visitation Ministry try to visit our church family members who cannot physically get to our services on a regular basis. This ministry generally requires a 4

5 once a month commitment of time and those who participate often feel that they are the ones receiving a blessing. Please talk to a Deacon, Rev. McKay or the church office if you are interested in becoming a visitor. Thanks for taking the time to reflect on your commitment to God and God s work done here at the Church of the Pilgrimage. Other Lenten offerings include: February 28 Wednesday (Allerton Hall) Simple supper at 5:45 and guest speakers Katie Morini and Dan Kelly from the Plymouth Recovery Center from 6:30-7:30. March 7 Wednesday (Allerton Hall) Simple supper at 5:45 and Rev. Doug Showalter speaking on Forgiveness from 6:30 7:30. March 14 Wednesday (Allerton Hall) Simple supper at 5:45 and Rev. Dr. Rosemary MacKay speaking on Dementia from 6:30 7:30. March 25 8am Palm Sunday Communion Breakfast in Allerton Hall. March 29-7pm Maundy Thursday Service with Communion in sanctuary March 30 Good Friday Pageant rehearsal for the children late afternoon Stations of the Cross service in the sanctuary at 6:30. (Please watch Sunday announcements for further details). April 1 EASTER SUNDAY 3 services Sunrise Service on Cole s Hill Family oriented pageant service in the sanctuary 9:15am Traditional Easter Service in the sanctuary 11am Also, on Sunday March 11 th and Sunday March 18 th we will also be taking names for the Palm Sunday Breakfast at 8:00 A.M. on March 25 th. The breakfast is free and will include a service of Communion. Renovation Update - Board of Trustees Our sanctuary will be next on the docket for our Pilgrimage renovation. Macuch and company, our contractor, will begin work in the interior after Easter. This will necessitate patching and painting of our ceiling which will require scaffolding and perhaps some movement of pews. This will take about three weeks to complete and mean that we will need to hold at least three services in the John Robinson Center (JRC). We re confident that Pastor Helen, the Deacons and our choir leadership will ensure that we have our usual uplifting worship services regardless of location. Unfortunately, the scaffolding cannot be taken down easily so it must remain in place while the ceiling is being repaired. Once the ceiling is complete we ll be back in the sanctuary for worship as our contractor will be able to complete work on the rest of the interior without the need for scaffolding. Stay tuned - we will keep you updated as to when we ll temporarily move worship to the JRC. The old siding on the rear exterior of the church will be removed and new siding installed during the summer after the interior work is complete. This will also require scaffolding but shouldn t affect worship or any other church activities. So... you re wondering... where do we go from here? Tom Mudgett has been working diligently to secure bids for the elevator and the air conditioning so that we can determine our financial status and whether or not the elevator and air conditioning is a possibility. The trustees will make a presentation to the church once we have final bids secured and once we determine the status of outstanding payments on capital campaign pledges. As a reminder, the congregation voted in 5

6 January of 2015 to ensure that we complete all construction and renovation work first and if we have enough funds remaining, we would install the elevator and air conditioning. We realize how important it is to most of us that we finish this project - elevator and air conditioning included - so rest assured that your trustees will present a plan that we trust will get us to the finish line. The Pilgrimage Continues... Don Reinhardt, Chair Could Someone You Know Use a Prayer Shawl? Our Prayer Shawl Ministry has continued to grow, and we have given out almost 60 shawls to people who need to feel God's love. Prayer Shawls combine love for God and service to others in a tangible way and represent the inclusive, unconditional, embracing love of God. After they are hand knit and blessed by the knitter/crocheted, they are then given to anyone in need of solace and comfort. Do you know someone who could use a shawl? Shawls can be given to people......undergoing medical procedures;...who are enduring or recovering from illness;...who need comfort after a loss;...suffering physical or emotional stress; or...to enhance their prayer and meditation time. Shawls can be given......in celebration of a commitment or marriage ceremony;...to a nursing new mother;...as a bridal or baby shower gift;...for rites of passage;...for ministering to others;...any time the giver would like the recipient to feel God's loving embrace. To pick up a shawl, contact Shellie in the Church Office ( ) or Jean Lenk at ( ) jeanlenk@gmail.com or (text/call) Guild News-March Meeting On Friday, March 9 at 1:00 we will meet in Allerton Hall. Our program will be Early Plymouth Weddings presented by Donna Curtin, Director of the Pilgrim Hall Museum. It will be interesting to compare wedding customs of 1620 to those of 2018! Bring your own wedding photos and/or stories to compare and share! Save the Date!!! June 16 th, 2018 The Church of the Pilgrimage Golf Open 6

7 Women s Retreat at Craigville, April 13-14th Confirmation Class Update The confirmation class is encouraged to attend an informational meeting about the Summer Mission trip after church on Sunday, March 4 th. A Pizza lunch will be served and parents are also encouraged to attend. There will be a dinner gathering with mentors at Pastor Helen s house, on Sunday night March 18 th from 5-7 pm. Students are encouraged to attend Holy Week activities, in particular Palm Sunday breakfast and Maundy-Thursday. Registration forms are available through the church office and on Sundays for the second annual Craigville Spring Women s Retreat. Our theme, "Companions on the Journey will be explored in many ways, and led by Reverend Dr. Rosemary MacKay. The fee for the retreat is $120 overnight with three meals included, and 45 dollars for those who wish to come only for the day Saturday. Craigville Conference Center is a minute drive from Plymouth, and we will also arrange for car pools. We do have scholarship money available speak to Shellie Souza ( ) or Pastor Helen ( ). We d love to see some first timers join us this year. Questions? Speak with Dawn Durmis ( ) or Susan Cotta ( ) Memorial Lilies Pastor Helen on vacation- Helen will be away from March 5-11 th she and Mike will be spending some time with college daughter Amy. If there is a pastoral emergency, please call the church office or Linn Peterson, chair of deacons. The joyous Easter season is fast approaching. As is our tradition, the beauty of our church will be enhanced on Easter morning with a multitude of lilies. Through your loving donation of $15, your name and those honored or memorialized will be listed in the Easter Sunday bulletin. Sign up in 7

8 the lower vestibule following Sunday services or call the church office. Flowers can be picked up, and volunteers will be welcomed to take flowers to shut-ins, after the second Easter service. March Flowers March 4 th : The flowers are in loving memory of Cliff & Laura Sampson and Norma & Walter Martin. Given by Cliff & Catherine Sampson and family. March 11 th : The flowers are given in loving memory of my mother, Rose L. MacKay in remembrance of her birthday on March 10 th. Given by Rosemary MacKay. March 18 th : The flowers are given in loving memory of Gordon Armstrong from his wife, Bea. March 25 th : The flowers are given in loving memory of my parents, Henry and Joyce Hammond. Given by James Hammond. Notes In a note from Julia Blomberg: Dear Church of the Pilgrimage, Thank you so much of the lovely care package. It made my day! It was so nice of you to think of me while I am at school! Love, Julia Heifer Gratitude Many thanks to the church community for your generous and dedicated support of Heifer s work to end hunger and poverty. Rachel Djaba, a farmer in Ghana, speaks for our partners when she credits her poultry business with earning extra money so the children can go to school. Without the stress of hunger and financial strain, families can improve their lives, nourish and educate their children, and have the joy of passing on the gift of an animal and training to another family in need. Thank you for sharing the gifts of hope and new life with families. Kate Sheehan, Northeast Community Engagement Manager. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth is having a fund raiser on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the American Legion Post 40, 199 Federal Furnace Rd, Plymouth, MA from 7-11pm. The theme is Saturday Night Fever, Disco-over how you can make a difference. Silent Auction * 50/50 Raffle * Food * Cash Bar * 70 s style dress encouraged (prize awarded for best outfit). Tickets are $35 and proceeds will support the upcoming Veterans Build homes. Purchase tickets at or call Cheryl Phelan ( ). Thank you. Does the world know about the Dark Side of Chocolate? The Dark Side of Chocolate: A Luncheon, Documentary, Dessert & Discussion sponsored by The South Shore Coalition Against Human Trafficking In the cocoa plantations of Ghana and the Ivory Coast, children aged 7 to 15 years old, with the promise of paid work, are forced into slave labor. The Dark Side of Chocolate is a 2010 documentary film about the exploitation and slave trading of African children to harvest chocolate still occurring nearly ten years after the cocoa industry pledged to end it. Free and open to the public (suggested middle school-adults), Sunday, March 11 th 11:45am- 2:45pm, United Church of Christ Fellowship Hall, 460 Main Street, Norwell, MA. Please RSVP (walk-ins welcome) to mcantelmo@verizon.net or call

9 March 4: March 5: March 5-11: March 7: March 9: March 9-15: March 11: March 12: March 13: March 14: March 15: March 16: March 17: March 18: March 19: March 20: March 21: March 22: March 25: March 26: March 27: March 28: March 29: March 29: March Calendar Events Worship with Communion. This is Blanket Sunday! Easter Pageant Sign-ups begin Summer Mission Trip Meeting, after worship. Monday Meals of Hospitality, 11am, Allerton Hall Pastor Helen on vacation. Lenten Soup Supper and Program on Forgiveness, 6-7:30pm, Allerton Hall. Choir Rehearsal, 7:30pm, Sanctuary. Guild Meeting, 1pm, Allerton Hall. Jenny Healy on vacation. Daylight Saving Time. Worship at 10am with Rev. Bill McCoy preaching. Good Samaritan Offering received. In New Hampshire, the Installation Service of Pastor Al Hoyt. Monday Meals of Hospitality, 11am, Allerton Hall. Board of Christian Ed Meeting, 6:30pm, Marks Room. Church Council, 7pm, Marks Room. Men s Bible Study, 7pm, Cotta s Residence (3 Fuller Way, Plymouth). Lenten Soup Supper and Program on dementia, 6-7:30pm, Allerton Hall. Choir Rehearsal, 7:30, Sanctuary. Missions Meeting, 7pm, Marks Room. Time and Talent Dinner and Auction, 5:30pm dinner, 7pm auction, Allerton Hall. Super Saturday, Wilbraham, MA. Happy St. Patrick s Day. Youth Group Leaders Meeting, before worship, JRC. Breakfast Club, before worship, Living Room in the JRC. Worship at 10am. Newcomers Gathering, Part 1, JRC after worship. Pageant Rehearsal after worship. Confirmation Class at Helen s, 5-7pm. Monday Meals of Hospitality, 11am, Allerton Hall. Herald Deadline. Bell Choir Rehearsal, 6:45pm, Sanctuary. Choir Rehearsal, 7:30pm, Sanctuary. Nominating Committee Meeting, 8:30am, Steve Triffletti s office. Palm Sunday Breakfast, 8am, Allerton Hall. Pageant Rehearsal, after worship. Monday Meals of Hospitality, 11am, Allerton Hall. Board of Deacons, 7pm, Sanctuary (Maundy Thursday Rehearsal). Bell Choir Rehearsal, 6:45pm, Sanctuary. Choir Rehearsal, 7:30pm, Sanctuary. Maundy Thursday-Office of Tenebrae, 7pm, Sanctuary. Good Friday (church office closed). Pageant Rehearsal with pizza, 4:30pm. 9

10 LENT/HOLY WEEK/EASTER 2018 Wednesday Evening Soup Supper & Program, 6-7:30pm in Allerton Hall February 28 Addiction March 7 Forgiveness March 14 Dementia Sunday, March 25th Palm Sunday 8am - Palm Sunday Communion Breakfast in Allerton Hall 10am - Worship Service in Sanctuary. Thursday, March 29 th Maundy Thursday Service with Communion at 7pm in the Sanctuary. Sunday, April 1st - Easter Family Easter Pageant Service 9:15am (Sanctuary) Traditional Easter Service - 11am (Sanctuary) 10