From Our Pastor. Volume LXXXV No. 6 June/Mid-July 2016

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1 Volume LXXXV No. 6 June/Mid-July 2016 From Our Pastor There are times we work into the future, and there are times we are just going day to day. I have been learning a lot of late about day to day. As many of you know, my father, who has been living with us since January, was diagnosed with a brain tumor June 5 th June 12 th Worship Services in June Worship with Rev. Doug Showalter preaching, Communion Celebration Sunday (Sunday School leading worship) June 19 th Music Appreciation Sunday with Helen Nablo preaching June 26 th Clergy Appreciation with Reverend Dr. Rosemary MacKay preaching in recognition of her 30 th anniversary of ordination, and with a coffee hour honoring the many clergy in our midst! (meningioma) in late April. It explained a lot his sleepiness, his problems with memory. Early May brought surgery and a hospital stay, followed by time in a rehab/nursing home. The good news is that the tumor was benign. Still there are so many questions. What day will he come home? What will his needs for care be? How quickly will he recover and how much? Some days my Dad seems nearly completely himself. Other days, a bit foggy and disoriented. There is so much about his recovery we cannot know at this point. We are learning to live with the not knowing. Taking it one day at a time as they say. I want you to know how helpful it has been to have a church that is so loving and supportive. I realize how many of you have been through similar situations in your own families where you haven t known what the future will bring. It takes faith, and a faith community to get through such times. Our church life has also known something about working into the future, and at the same time needing to be day by day. Capital Campaign work paused for a time while we got some issues sorted out with the town. There have been a lot of meetings, a lot of s, and a lot of questions (thank you Trustees, especially Roy Mathis and Tom Mudgett!) Would the town approve the siding we hoped to put up? When would it be cleared to begin? How long will we have scaffolding up and what will it do for our summer and fall worship life? Again, we will have to make adjustments, making plans when it becomes clear when we actually can make plans! So for now, we can say that we will have at least two summer services in the John Robinson Center. These are currently scheduled for July 24 and August 14 th. If it is beastly hot, or if we find the restoration work dictates it, we may have more. The good news is there is an elevator and air conditioning in the JRC. Many who attended these services last year found they were different different in a good way and are looking forward to more.

2 Lord, flex in us what is rigid. It is an old prayer. And over and over again we have opportunity to live that out to learn to live more in the moment and less in the worrying about what might or might not be. To learn to live faith, not by sight. It is a challenge, and we help each other. Grace and peace, Dress Down and Clean Up! Church Clean-up Day on Sunday, June 12 following coffee hour. Now that it is starting to feel like spring and the green has returned to our world, it is time to spruce up the church grounds. This year we are going to focus on the Robinson Center. Brush is creeping in behind the center and needs to be trimmed back. We will plant flowers and clean windows and maybe do some painting. There will be plenty of work to do for all skill levels and abilities as well as for individuals and families. There are smaller and bigger projects for as little or as much time as you can donate. We are saved by grace and not by works, but on this day, our church buildings could use work. Be sure to stick around for pizza and Oreos after we re finished. Graduating Seniors! We celebrated our graduating seniors on May 22nd in worship with a special blessing. Here are their names and future study plans: Adam Brown, UMASS Amherst Isenberg Business School Torrie Gray, St. Michaels College in Burlington Vermont Nora Healy, Occidental College, Los Angeles CA Owen May, University of Rhode Island Colin Scally, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL Congratulations Seniors and Proud family members! A Call for Card Tables and also sermon topics! If you have a card table you could lend us for the JRC services this summer, please bring it to the church office before July 24 th. Please be sure to have it carefully marked, so we can return it to you. Have you ever thought, gee, I would really like to hear a sermon on..? Pastor Helen would very much welcome hearing your thoughts. Just her at helennablo@8townsquare.org. Confirmation Class News On May 15 th the confirmation class helped us celebrate the Day of Pentecost by leading worship alongside Pastor Helen. Grace Curtin offered a reflection upon an experience she had at Local Youth, Local Mission a copy of that is located elsewhere in this newsletter. We had several of our youth playing instruments. The worship service was very well received. On Friday, June 10 th the class will have their rescheduled visit to Congregation Beth Jacob. We will meet at the JRC at 7:10 and then walk down for the 7:30pm service. 2

3 Confirmands and mentors will be making visits to older church members for interviews over the summer months. Confirmation is now scheduled for Sunday, November 6 th. News from the Board of Trustees First, I d like to take this opportunity to thank Carol Taylor, Norm Bingham-Maas and George Frobig for their service to the church as members of the trustees. Their input and commitment was truly beneficial and appreciated by their colleagues and the congregation as a whole. I d also like to recognize Ed Pawlowski for his leadership as the chair during 2015/2016 and as co-chair during 2014/2015. Ed has guided the trustees through much of the major renovations and other key issues over the past two years and we are indebted to him and his servant leadership - thanks Ed! Second, a hearty welcome to new trustees Cliff Sampson, Jr., Matt Kennedy and Ed Marks. We look forward to their service and active participation! The trustees will continue to oversee the renovations and other components of church life for which we are responsible: property oversight, financial issues including budget development and oversight, investment strategies, personnel issues including performance evaluations, house committee oversight (use of the kitchen and other space requests), and the oversight of the Memorial Garden and Columbarium. We trust that you, the congregation, will continue to have the confidence in those nominated to serve as your Board of Trustees in the matters described above. It is our hope that we can best serve the needs of the church with your support and understanding and especially with the help of God. We are a team dedicated to restoring The Church of the Pilgrimage and keeping it fiscally sound as we progress ever closer to I am honored to serve as the Trustees chair for the 2016/2017 year. Don Reinhardt The Journey Continues Pictured is the mural located in the recently renovated lower vestibule of The Church of the Pilgrimage. It depicts the Pilgrims continuing their journey. We adopted the mural and its title for our restorations and renovations. The mural was designed by Jeanne Whiting Patenaude and Margaret Whiting Stacy and dedicated by the Patenaude family (many being Pilgrim decedents) to Anne Patenaude Weston (daughter of Hector and Jeanne Patenaude, and sister of Jean Patendaude Lane). We adopted the mural and the theme, The Journey Continues for our current restorations and renovations undertakings. Also, it is very appropriate to acknowledge the many contributions the Patenaudes made to the Church: the remounting of the historic bell, wood crosses for baptisms, and cupola finials. Hector was an accomplished woodworker. As part of the renovations the mural has been highlighted by LED lighting and some new moldings. 3

4 Music Library Located on the third floor of the church is a very special Music Library (with the bell pull-rope outside its entry door). At The Church of the Pilgrimage music and worship go hand-in-hand. Our Music Ministry helps to lift up our thoughts and emotions to God. The Church of the Pilgrimage is truly blessed with a fine music program where we can reflect upon our lives, our families, our friends, and our Faith as we celebrate God s graciousness and greatness. From Ephesians 5:19: Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord. The Music Library is the depository of thousands of pieces of hymns and spiritual songs. Recent renovations included the library. Music Director Kelley DePasqua and Organist Michael Eaton contributed to plans for the library restoration (to include new shelving). Front Exterior Restorations and Renovations The scope of work will include the exterior of the front street side of the Sanctuary, the left and right sides of the lobby, the entire steeple, bell tower, and upper steeple beneath the dome. Staging, storage and work area will be set up on the east side of the building. Scaffolding will be placed from the sidewalk level to the underside of the steeple dome. Wind screening will be installed on all of the scaffolding (for lead paint, dust, and debris protection; our contractor is EPA Certified). Existing aluminum clapboard, and trim wrap will be removed. Existing wood clapboard and wrap to exposed sheathing will be removed. Repairs will be made to any damaged sheathing. TYVEK wrap will be installed over the sheathing. Primed Red Cedar clapboard siding will be installed (see Red Cedar Wood Siding information below). Existing wood trim, soffits, and moldings will be repaired (or replaced as necessary). Two damaged windows will be repaired or replaced (left and right side of front structure). All end joints will be caulked, all bare wood surfaces will be oil base primed, and two coats of Benjamin Moore Select low luster finish will be applied to clapboards, one coat of California semi-gloss finish (white) will be applied to all trim. Windows will be glazed and flashed as needed. As needed, Plymouth Police details will be present on site. Appropriate signage will be displayed to direct entry to the Sanctuary via entries on either side of the Sanctuary projected work will be underway for at least 17 weeks commencing June 1 st. Kindly address any inquiries to: Roy Mathis or Tom Mudgett Red Cedar Wood Siding Upon the Historic District Commission rejection of their December 2015 Certificate of Approval for the use of Hardie cement-fiber materials for application to the Exterior (front, west side, and east side) of The Church of the Pilgrimage Sanctuary, we jointly considered white pine and red cedar wood clapboard siding (Hardie siding was approved for the rear section). The Commission concurred and approved our choice of Red Cedar over the White Pine based upon these findings: Red Cedar has an excellent rating for decay resistance. Red cedar is highly insect resistant. Red cedar is more readily availability: 1 week lead time 4-6 weeks for finishing (primer, factory stains, etc.) Red cedar is supplied in random lengths, which is installation and labor efficient (cutting and installing) and less cost intensive. 4

5 Paint provides the most surface protection against weathering and wetting by water, while providing color and concealment of some of the wood s characteristics, not a preservative. Paints of all types such as: water-based paints, acrylic (latex), acrylic enamel and solvent-based paints (alkyd and oilmodified) are suitable for Red Cedar. Some of our sources: University of Massachusetts Building and Construction Technology RK Miles Building Materials (major Vermont supplier) Mid-Cape Home Center Granville Manufacturing Company (Maine) Red Cedar Lumber Association (Canada) Maine Mission Trip A final fundraiser for the Maine Mission trip takes place on Sunday, May 29 th a car wash to be held right after church. We depart after worship on June 26 th, returning on Saturday afternoon July 2 nd. We will be commissioned in worship on the 26 th. We have fifteen youth and five adults taking part this year. Most of the youth are returnees from last year! An Important Message From Stewardship As most of you know, nearly 80% of our yearly operating budget comes from pledges, unpledged donations, the Time and Talent Auction and the Harvest Fair. As Chair of the Stewardship Committee my main concern is the pledges and unpledged donations which are collected at each Sunday service or mailed to the Church office. These are the amounts I am looking at each time I receive a monthly statement from our Church Treasurer. This report does not contain names or individual numbers. It just gives me the totals that should come in each month for each category and how much actually came in for each category. For example, if we have $230, in pledges we would divide it by 12 months and expect to collect $19, each month. Adult Education Programs for June and July -- Living our Spiritual Lives! Sunday, June 5th, at coffee hour- Come hear about what some of us do to connect with and feel closer to our God. Share your own "spiritual practices" and learn from others too. Be sure to join us for this very interesting program. Thursday, July 21st, 6pm, upper room of the JRC- Pot Luck supper and Special program. Bring food to share AND something spiritually meaningful to you to "show" others and "tell" how it speaks to your soul. It could be a special Bible verse, a poem, a photograph or piece of art, or any object that enhances your life in the Spirit. Contact Val Baumann or Rev. Rosemary MacKay to sign up or for more information. Typically, somewhere between 95% and 98% of pledges and unpledged donations are received each month. However, for the first time in the six years I have been on this committee, the percentages for the first four months of 2016 have been in the mid eighties or low nineties. This is especially concerning as we head into the summer months when Church attendance drops. We have come a long way in the past six years and I am asking each of you to please bring your giving up to date. As stewards of one of the oldest congregations in our nation, it is our turn to care for one another and our beloved Church of the Pilgrimage. Nancy E Reed, Stewardship Chair 5

6 Deacon s Notes June is typically a month full of activities: graduations, weddings, charity events, etc. The church is also full of life as we celebrate Children s Sunday and Music Appreciation Sunday. Our boards and committees have said good-bye to cherished members and excitedly welcomed new members who are eager to offer their support, ideas and services. The Deacons extend a HUGE thank you to Don Moore and David Lowry who are leaving the Board. Their dedication to the spiritual ministry of the church will be greatly missed. We extend a warm welcome to Nancy Medeiros and Jane Dolan whose diverse backgrounds and willingness to serve as Deacons speak to the wonderful fellowship for which our church is known. At our April meeting, the Board discussed the possibility of reestablishing a Men s Study Group of some kind. This would require a gentleman (or gentlemen) from our church family to step up and take the helm. If you re interested, please talk to one of the Deacons or Rev. Helen. After the enthusiastic response to our two Sunday worship services in the JRC last summer, we have decided to hold two more there this year. One will be held on July 24 th and the other one on August 14 th. If you have a card table or other small folding table, please consider loaning them to the church for one or both of these services. We continue to seek volunteers from the congregation in support of our Ministry of Meals, Visitation Committee and Prayer Chain. Please do not hesitate to contact a Deacon or the church office if you or anyone you know would benefit from any of these mini-ministries sponsored by the Board of Deacons. Guild News by Jane Dolan, Guild President The Guild met on May 13 when Liisa Budge-Johnson inspired us by sharing her positive spin on facing some of life's toughest challenges, including "living" with cancer. Liisa captivated us with her important message of "making lemonade out of lemons" and her speaking style of entertaining and informing with humor kept us thoroughly engaged. Visit for an even further treat. Our end of year luncheon will be held at the East Bay Grille on Friday, June 10th at 12:00 noon. Please note the time. If you have not yet reserved a place, please call Hildegard Schimpf ( ) to make your menu selection. The price of the luncheon is $24 which includes dessert. The luncheon is a delightful way to wrap up the season with fellowship. Please join us. Yoga at The Church of the Pilgrimage Karen Crivellaro, ERYT200, began the practice of yoga 16 years ago while pregnant with her son, Drew. In pre-natal yoga she not only learned a new way to relieve the aches and pains of pregnancy but also through breath work how to release stress and anxiety in preparation for childbirth. Six year ago, after the birth of her daughter Kate, she knew she needed to make yoga an integral part of her life as a mother of two. She credits the practice of yoga and meditation with helping her with every day stresses as well as the care and well being of herself and her children. In her classes, Karen brings that same compassion to her students and strives to create an environment where each student feels safe, supported and encouraged to connect with their bodies to find their personal path to healing, wholeness and transformation. Her classes emphasize a combination of 6

7 breath and balance while calming the mind and body. Classes are gentle and challenging by turns, emphasizing and returning to the breath and to the grounding and centering of the body and the mind. You will be encouraged to find and respect your limits and supported in expanding beyond them. Karen received her 200ERYT certificate under the direction of Michelle Fleming at Sanctuary Studio in Plymouth where she participated in many workshops including Yin Yoga, Yoga for Mood Disorders, Yoga Nidra as well as earning her certification in Children s Yoga and Chair/Senior Yoga. Classes are held in the JRC Great Room on Thursdays. Chair Yoga ($10) 4-5pm, Beginner s Yoga ($10) 6-7:15pm. From Your Director of Christian Ed, Jenny Healy Can it possibly be June?! There's no getting around it, I guess. As the school year comes to a close, hang in there with us at least a few more weeks (and maybe a smattering over the summer) to celebrate communion, another year together, and to celebrate our amazing music program. I know the teetering stack of end of the year events-concerts, recitals, play off games and meets, etc. are filling the calendar at an alarming rate, so be sure to carve out a few minutes of peace and centering on Sunday morning to get you through these weeks. And here's why! June 5 Communion Sunday: during our time together, the kids will finalize plans for Celebration Sunday which is... June 12 Celebration Sunday (formerly known as Children's Sunday): ALL HANDS ON DECK June 19 Music Appreciation Sunday Over the summer, I know many of you retreat to the beach. So get your beach fix in AND connect with your church family on these two Beach Nights! These will be informal gatherings; bring your own supper, beverages, games and bathing suits, and we will enjoy supper and a sunset swim. There is no charge to get onto the beach after 5 PM so join us any time thereafter. We'll meet at the last lifeguard stand and stay until the bugs drive us out! Save the dates: July 17 at 5PM August 14 at 5PM A big thank you to Rachel Brown of Heifer International who, once again, gave up a chunk of her Mother's day to be with us and do a special program with our whole Sunday School. Thank you, Rachel! Flowers June 5: June 12: June 19: In loving memory of Russ Axford. Given by his family. On this Celebration Sunday the flowers are to honor and to show our appreciation to our dedicated Sunday School teachers and all who guide our children. The flowers on the Communion table are in loving memory of Robert Sr., Marion and Derek Colburn. Given by Bob and Marylyn Dunlap Colburn. The side flowers are in recognition of Music Sunday and are dedicated to our outstanding choirs, their leaders and our organist. 7

8 News from your Missions and Outreach Committee At the May 18 th meeting, Missions members reviewed the activities for the the annual Heifer Month in our church. We are happy that our congregation has once again raised $5000 for an Ark of the animals. Our church has supported Heifer for more than four decades and our gifts total more than $80,000. Pastor Helen and Rosalee Sinn led the service on May 22, sharing their personal experiences with Heifer beneficiaries. The Heifer Ark Award for 2015 was presented by Kate Sheehan, Heifer Community Engagement Manager. THANK YOU to all for giving generously to Heifer International and all the local, national and worldwide missions we support. Another discussion centered around the meeting at Zion Lutheran Church on May 15th, organized by The Interfaith Clergy, to inform our community congregations about the work of the Refugee Immigration Ministry (RIM). The executive director, Dr. Ruth Bersin, spoke about opportunities for helping asylum seekers through clusters of congregations working together and promising a commitment of financial and social support for many months. A second meeting for further discussion will be planned. Our committee agreed that our sales of the Providence Granola Project products, providing opportunities to refugees through work and education, have been successful. Pastor Helen reported that fifteen youth and five adults will participate in the Maine Youth Trip from June 26 th July 2 nd. Fundraising for this continues. Missions has contributed $2000. Seven members who have served on Missions and Outreach for many years will be leaving, but they will continue to assist with some of the projects, including Heifer International, the Youth Missions, Monday Meals and the Overnights of Hospitality. We welcome the new Committee: Maureen Robinson (Chair), Susan Healy (Treasurer), Pat Svajian (Equal Exchange), Carol and Rollin Johnson, Marylyn Colburn, Paula Caramello, Sue Healy and Norm Bingham-Maas. The outgoing and incoming Missions Committees will meet on June 2 nd, at 6:30 pm at the home of Charlene Moore. We Welcome Our Newest Church Members! HERALD DEADLINES FOR SUMMER May 20th deadline for June through mid July July 8th deadline for the remainder of July through end of August August 20th deadline for September Tina & Matt Kennedy with their son John (8). Amy & Christian Carter with their children Christian (3) and Cameron (1). 8

9 Membership and Evangelism Committee News I d like to thank Jane Dolan, Pat Mudgett, and Genie Roberts for their dedication to the Membership and Evangelism Committee over the past several years. They worked to ensure that visitors, new members and others feel welcome in our church every Sunday. At the same time, I am pleased to welcome our new committee members - Linda Baier, Judy Foster, and Bonnie Koehler. We all joined together for a friendly potluck supper at our May meeting. May was the month we kicked off our new initiative with three Food for Thought dinners in members homes. Thanks to all our hosts for making this new venture a terrific success! May hosts were Glenda & Keith Richards, Robin & Paul Damon, and Carol & Bob Taylor. All dinner guests agreed that the sit-down dinners were a great success and enabled members to really learn more about each other - both past and present. Three more dinners are planned this June. Hosts are Lynette & Rich Lancaster, Linda & Frank Montague, and Rosemary MacKay & Janet Synnott. And we look forward to scheduling more throughout the summer and fall. If you would like to host a dinner in your home or would like to attend one, please Diane Keller at dianekeller@aol.com. We look forward to giving all members - new and old - this opportunity to expand their friendship with fellow church members. Ellie Reinhardt, Chair Notes From Billie Courtney: I want to thank all my church friends for their concern, phone calls and notes when I fell on April 24 th and hit my head. I am fine. Billie Sneak Peek Almost every week on Fridays, the church office sends, by , a look at what to expect for the upcoming Sunday at The Church of the Pilgrimage. Often times there will be a link to that Sunday s Scripture Lesson or an opportunity to explore the website of a mission focus group. You may learn about the sermon topic or find out about a special worship service. If you would like to be included in this weekly ing, please contact Shellie with your address at or office@8townsquare.org. There is an option to opt-out if you so chose. 9

10 June-Mid July Calendar Events 2016 June 1: June 1-3: June 5: June 7: June 8: June 10: June 11: June 12: June 14: June 15: June 17-18: June 19: June 21: June 26: Missions Committee Meeting, 7pm, Charlene Moore s house. Choir Rehearsal, 7:30pm, Sanctuary. Shellie is on vacation. Worship with Communion at 10am, Doug Showalter preaching. Fair Trade Coffee & Granola sales during coffee hour. Cherub Choir rehearsal. Nominating Committee Meeting, 8:30am, Steve Triffletti s office. Board of Trustees meeting, 7pm, Marks Room. Choir Rehearsal, 7:30pm, Sanctuary. Guild Luncheon, noontime, East Bay Grille. Time and Talent Auction/Dinner, 6pm, Allerton Hall. Gay Pride Parade in Boston. This morning is Celebration Sunday and we begin at 10am and will be receiving the Good Samaritan offering. Youth Group Picnic post coffee hour at Jenny s home. Cherub Choir will rehearse after worship. Spring Clean-Up, after coffee hour (see Norm Bingham-Maas). Church Council, 7pm, Marks Room. Choir Rehearsal, 7:30pm, Sanctuary. Mass Conference Annual Meeting at UMass Amherst. Happy Father s Day. Worship with a baptism, 10am. Music Appreciation. Membership & Evangelism Committee Meeting, 7pm Stewardship Committee Meeting, 7pm. Worship at 10am, Rev. Dr. Rosemary MacKay preaching. We celebrate Clergy this morning. June 26-July 2: Youth Maine Mission Trip begins. June 27-July 6: Shellie is on vacation. July 3: July 4-19: July 8: July 10: July 17: July 18: Worship, 10am, Pastor Helen preaching. Helen is on vacation. Herald Deadline. Worship, 10am, Guest Preacher. Good Samaritan offering will be received. Worship in the JRC, Al Hoyt preaching. CE sponsored Beach Night, 5pm (see Jenny s column for details). Pastor Helen back in the office. 10

11 TIME AND TALENT AUCTION/DINNER-JUNE 11 AT 6PM-ALLERTON HALL Mop a floor paint a door cook a feast walk a beast have a party on your boat embroider a rainbow on a coat repair a crack massage a back shop for cars chart the stars clean an attic fish for haddock wash a window til it shines share your cottage in the pines bake bread make a bed share your tickets whitewas h pickets feed the fish grant a wish design a room build a loom cater a dinner photo a winner teach a dance alter pants cut a log wash a dog weed a garden find a bargain clean a house sew a blouse host a party make something arty dig for clams make some jam plant some flowers babysit for hours. Name Address Phone Service I Am Donating Estimated Value Minimum Bid $ $ # Of Times Offered Service I Am Requesting This contract is void 6 months from the date of the auction unless both the buyer and donor have made other arrangements 11

12 12 Cliff and Cathy Sampson and some helpers with the new church banners. Thanks to the Sampson s for making these banners.