Pilgrim’s Progress January 5, 2016 – Vol. 58 No. 1

Happy New Year—hope that 2016 is off to a fabulous start for you! I’m writing this pastor’s report after

returning from visiting my family in Pasco, Washington and am soon off to an educational intensive in

Arizona with the Next Generation Leadership Initiative of the UCC.

When I was out in Pasco, my sister and I went on our annual “Sister Date.” The older we get, the more

we just want to spend quality time together as our Christmas gift to each other. Each Christmas break,

we watch a movie (usually a comedy as we love to laugh!) and then have a nice dinner, just the two of us.

This year, we went to see Sisters (the great comedy starring Amy Poehler and Tina Fey) and then went to

a wonderful winery for dinner. Looking outside as the sun was setting was lovely. And I remarked to

Maureen that what amazes me about the Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland, Washington) is

how much of the sky you can see. It’s a semi-arid climate and though you will see tumbleweeds and deal

with sand swirling, you can also see so much of the sky. The sunsets are stunning and driving on the

highway at night and seeing the city lights in the distance of the more populated neighborhoods is really

something to behold as the Columbia River snakes its way through the land.

When we’re in a different environment, we tend to pay attention better and can easily see the beauty all

around us. New experiences and environments bring out our exploratory sides as we are taking in the

new. It’s not that people who are in a particular place all the time can’t pay attention anymore—my

sister takes stunning sunset and night shots of the city lights because she still sees the beauty in the Tri-

Cities! It’s just that when something is very familiar, the paying attention may be harder to do.

And this is what’s great about a new year. It’s easy for us to become creatures of habit and the familiar

can feel so good and safe and comfortable. The challenge is to pay attention in the midst of the familiar

and to sometimes get outside our comfort zones to experience something new. We can learn so much

when we shake things up in our lives, and moving into a new year helps us on our way.

In Christianity we speak about Jesus as a great teacher and a social revolutionary—he was not afraid to

get people outside their comfort zones and shake things up, that’s for sure! Jesus also had a

contemplative side as he connected with God to get strength and courage in order to be that great teacher

and reformer. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus often goes off on his own to pray before his disciples (and the

crowds) were even awake to seek him out. Jesus once taught: “Consider the lilies of the field, how they

grow; they neither toil nor spin.” (Matthew 6:28)

What could be helpful as we begin 2016 is to take some time to “consider the lilies.” Pay attention to the

gifts we already have in our lives. Pay attention to where and how God is with us. Pay attention to what

God may be calling us to undertake in this new year, relying on God’s grace.

May your 2016 be blessed!

Lauren

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"For surely I know the plans I have for you . . . to give you a future with hope."

(Jeremiah 29:11)

As of 12/24/15, the status of the Stewardship Pledge drive is as follows:

Pledgers from 2015, pledging for 2016 = $202,661

New pledgers for 2016 = $12,900

Total Pledged = $215,561 Pacing 101% to goal.

This may not be the final total, since there are still some who have not yet pledged.

Our sincere gratitude goes out to all of you who have pledged or will pledge as participants in the support

of the work of Pilgrim Church.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

The Stewardship Committee

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NEXT ALL CHURCH EDUCATION

We will be having our next all church education class on Sunday, February 7, 2016 at 9:30 am. Each

class covers a different topic, so if you missed the first few--feel free to join us for the next one.

The children will be with Lisa, and then we'll head into the sanctuary together for Intergenerational

Worship at 10:30.

Hope to see you there!

CALL TO ANNUAL MEETING

To all Pilgrim Church Members and Friends.

Pursuant to our Bylaws, Article VII, Paragraph 2, you are invited to a Congregational Meeting

of the Church on Sunday, February 7, 2016 11:45AM following the Service.

Agenda

1) Congregational approval of minutes of prior meetings.

2) Presentation of written committee reports, distributed in advance of this meeting.

3) Presentation and adoption of the fiscal budget for 2016.

4) Any other pertinent matters that may arise.

5) Necrology, remarks, and a prayer by the pastor.

Everyone is invited to attend; only members may vote. Child care will be provided.

Respectfully submitted,

Brooks Taylor

Clerk

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VOLUNTEER SIGN UP NEWS

Thanks to everyone who hosted coffee hour in the Fall and early Winter! As we head into 2016 we need

to fill the calendar once again. Please use this link to sign up (January, February and March need your

attention!). And don’t forget - we also need greeters and liturgists too! As a reminder, to donate altar

flowers, please contact either Beth Kurth at hughzhoney@gmail.com, or Diane at

admin@pilgrimcongregational.org.

Without all of you, our friendly welcome at the door, beautiful scripture readings

during Worship and a delicious cup of coffee afterwards would never happen.

Thank you for all you do to keep Pilgrim Church the special place that it is.

With Gratitude,

The Vitality Committee

PILGRIM JOYS AND CONCERNS

We mourn the loss of Norma Whittinghill who died on Saturday and pray for Dex

and the family in the days to come.

Sylvia Ferrell-Jones asked for prayers for strength and calm as she has tests on

Tuesday that will determine more chemo or not. Also, prayers for her sister and

brother-in-law Pat and Michael Vamvas as they move from New York to Georgia

and for Sal's brother Ronald Jones who's been hospitalized for some time.

Emily Collins asked for prayers for Tom's daughter Erin who recently got engaged.

Beth Kurth asked for prayers for Jenn and Matt Snipe as they welcomed their baby

girl Lily Ann in late December.

Jeanne DeSanto asked for prayers of celebration for Mike and the family as they

celebrate the birth of granddaughter Amelia Rose.

Ed and Kim Bond wish to very sincerely thank the Pilgrim Community, particularly

the Care Committee, for your help this week. The service at Pilgrim we held for

Ed’s brother Cindy’s husband …JOHN BARDES…was a sad and yet celebratory

event on Saturday Jan 2. We really appreciate the love, caring and hard work our

fellow Pilgrims blessed our family with during this time. Thank you.

Dear Pilgrim Church Members and Friends –

As some of you may already know, our dear Pilgrim Church member Norma Whittinghill died

peacefully Saturday, January 2. Please join me in prayer for Dex and the rest of the Whittinghill

family as they mourn her loss and celebrate her life.

Nothing, not even death itself, can separate us from the love of God. And it is in times like these

that we can hold onto the comfort our faith and our church community can provide us. A

Celebration of Norma's Life will take place with more details to follow in the coming days.

May the Peace of Christ be with you all,

Lauren

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Just a reminder that choir rehearsals resume this Thursday, January 7 at 7:30 pm in Pilgrim Hall.

Starting this Sunday, January 10, the new music rehearsal schedule will take effect with choir rehearsal

from 9:30-10 am in the Sanctuary and then bell rehearsal from 10:00-10:20 am in the balcony. Please

join us as you are able!

Thanks!

Dan Schmidt

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FROM LISA HULBERT

Happy New Year! The celebration of a new year has brought a lot of excitement and gratitude for all we

have accomplished and anticipation for what is to come!

In 2015 we reformatted the entire Educational Ministries approach in order to accommodate all ages,

learning styles, and volunteers. In September we welcomed our new nursery care provider, Diane

Murphy. She has been a blessing bringing care, laughter, and support to our young children and families

alike. In October we launched our new church school program. We are working with our new rotation

style learning for grades PreK through fourth. They have been exploring multiple Bible stories through

video exploration, science experiments and art projects.

Children in grades five through seven have been working as a Mission Kids team. They have explored

our community through scavenger hunts and hosting community events.

Students in grades eight through ten have been exploring their faith in Confirmation class that is taught

by Rev. Lauren and me. We have explored many aspects or faith, served dinner at Bristol Lodge, and

visited a neighboring house of worship. At the end of their program year, students will have the

opportunity to confirm their faith and become members of our church.

As we look to 2016, I encourage students and parents to continue to check their email. In the next few

days you should expect to see updated schedules for 2016 as well as family events that Pilgrim will be

hosting.

Lisa Hulbert

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A NOTE FROM THE MISSION COMMITTEE

Please join us on Sunday, January 10th at 9:15 a.m. We generally meet on the first Monday of the

month but we're hoping to attract new people by offering this month's time change. Please bring your

ideas and energy to this actively involved group.

Thank you.

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GENTLY-USED, CLEAN CHILDREN’S CLOTHES NEEDED!

The Town of Lexington’s MLK Day of Service is collecting children’s clothing for our Lexington

Cradles to Crayons Service Site at Pilgrim Church. Please consider donating new or gently-used and

clean warm winter layers, coats, boots and new hats and gloves and pajamas to help protect kids in low

income and homeless situations in the Greater Boston area. Items can be dropped off at Pilgrim Church,

St. Brigid Church (C2C collection bin is behind church), 30 Burroughs Road, 70 Spring Street, and

Diamond or Clarke Middle Schools until January 17. Questions? Please contact

lisapboehm@gmail.com. Learn more about Lexington’s MLK Day of Service at www.lexingtonmlk.org

and Cradles to Crayons at www.cradlestocrayons.org.

Thank you for bringing warmth and good will to those in need!

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MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY OF SERVICE

MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2016

This year, the Town of Lexington commemorates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with its third annual

family-friendly day of volunteer activities supporting the underserved. Last year we had almost 400

volunteers make a difference in the lives of more than 1,000 people. It’s amazing what a community can

do!

Events begin on Martin Luther King Day at 9:00 am with an interfaith discussion about race at Grace

Chapel (59 Worthen Road, Lexington). At 11:00 am, join us on the Unity Walk from the Minuteman

Statue on the Lexington Green to Cary Hall (1605 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington), where at 11:30 am

presenters, including Lexington literary performer Regie O’Hare Gibson and the SNAP Sing Along

Chorus, will share the spirit of Dr. King’s legacy and kick off the day's service/volunteer opportunities.

Please visit the MLK Day of Service website for more details. www.lexingtonmlk.org. Hope to see you

there!

Cheryl Meadow

MLK Day of Service Planning Committee

CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE

Thank you for the outpouring of gifts shared for the patients of Shriners

Hospital for Children. Six-year-old Angel is proudly displaying his new

watch. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity, and so do the

kids!

Emily Collins

DEADLINE FOR PILGRIM’S

PROGRESS Please note that the deadline for the

February issue of Pilgrim’s Progress will

be January 25. Thank you!

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HONDURAS HAPPENINGS

Last February, two year old Ostin, and his mother, Karla,

arrived here for 16 weeks while Ostin underwent several

surgeries for his lymphatic malformation affecting his face.

During their four-month stay, they were welcomed by the

Pilgrim Church community. Prior to their arrival, Lisa Hulbert

prepared the children for Ostin’s arrival, and the church school

presented him with a welcoming quilt.

Ostin and Karla were invited into some of your homes, joined

the youth group for an afternoon of bowling and were

befriended by many in the pews and on the playground. We do believe you made a profound impact on

Ostin’s emotional and behavioral development. Karla often expressed her gratitude of how friendly

people were towards them.

In May, the annual book sale was held at Pilgrim, with proceeds given to mission work in Honduras. In

years past, the money has been directed towards community projects including building a playground,

improving the health center and repairing the schools. This year, we decided to allocate some of the

money to Karla. After many discussions with her, we learned that she had a vision and a plan to create a

business which would offer her family hope and greater independence. Karla had proven she was a hard

worker, is very intelligent and extremely dedicated.

Ostin and Karla returned to Honduras at the end of May, and the day they arrived home, Karla purchased

two pigs. In November, when we visited their home, Karla was thrilled to introduce us to their 37 pigs

and piglets! Business is booming and their lives are brighter. Thank you all for your involvement.

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To access the calendar for Pilgrim

Church, please click here. Thank you.

A CELEBRATION!

We're thrilled to announce the engagement of

Tom's daughter, Erin Collins to Monica Lozano!

~Tom & Emily Collins

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