Pilgrim's Progress 50(9)

EASTER IS FINALLY BREAKING OUT ALL AROUND US!

We celebrated Easter, on our Christian liturgical calendar, 6 long weeks ago ... and we're ready to party on Pentecost. But in creation - at least here in New England - Easter morning is just dawning, dew on grass that looks, every day, greener than the day before.

We are preoccupied with the challenges of our personal lives. We focus on this extraordinary presidential election; we engage in hard, but sacred, conversations about race; we worry about the state of the economy; our hearts sink every time we fill up the gas tank; and we pray, without ceasing, for peace in a time of war that will not end. Someone in my family often says: "All God's children got troubles." I don't know who she's quoting, but it's true.

And yet, when we step outside, Easter is breaking out all around us. God's body, God's creation, is coming alive again. Last night, I walked Sadie Puggle, my feet wet in cold grass and leaves. I heard the distinctive call of a Barred Owl in the distant woods. She made her funny little "Ooomph" which means she senses something near, but isn't sure what or where.

I wondered how close the coyote was, that grey creature my daughter spotted earlier in the day, just beyond the stone wall, loping skinny and hungry through the woods. The owl called again, closer, this time.

Lucille Clifton, award-winning African-American poet, essayist and professor, has written a poem that incarnates Easter in the rebirth all around us. The poem is "spring song" (Good News About the Earth, 1972).

"the green of Jesus

is breaking the ground

and the sweet

smell of delicious Jesus

is opening the house and

the dance of Jesus music

has hold of the air and

the world is turning

in the body of Jesus and

the future is possible"

PENTECOST IS THIS SUNDAY, MAY 11 - WEAR RED!

WORSHIP EVENTS IN MAY

SERIES OF SERVICES ON COMMITMENTS

May 11 Commitment to Family

"Festival of the Christian Home"

Pentecost ~ Mothers Day

Women in the congregation will receive red carnations

Wear Red!

May 18 Commitment to Witness

"Telling the Story"

Sacred Conversation on Race

Children's Sunday

Featuring nationally known storyteller,

Valerie Tutson

May 25 Commitment to Peace

"God's Peace in an Age of Anxiety"

On Memorial Day, the Gospel reminds us of the gift of God's peace: peace as we remember the cost of war, peace as we reflect on human life and loss

Rev. Andrea Wyatt preaching

SPREAD THE LOVE ~ STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH OFFERING ENVELOPES WILL BE COLLECTED ON THIS SUNDAY, MAY 11, PENTECOST SUNDAY.

50^TH ANNIVERSARY PHOTOS

ON DISPLAY THIS SUNDAY

The 50^th Anniversary Committee would like to send out a large THANK YOU to Rick Young for taking the group picture of everyone who attended the service on Sunday, April 13^th. He has put together a book of photos from the party on April 12^th and the service on Sunday. Please stop by Pilgrim Hall after the service on Sunday, May 11^th to take a look.

HELPING HONDURAS...

Our congregation has been actively involved with education and medical needs in Honduras. A portion of the Capital Campaign funds has been earmarked to bring clean water to the village of Flores. There are many ways you can become involved:

1) DONATE FREQUENT FLYER MILES

If you have miles on American Airlines or Continental Airlines, they can be used to bring a child to the U.S. for treatment or to send a volunteer to Honduras.

2) ARE YOU A ROTARIAN?

We are looking for a Lexington Rotarian who can help us to obtain a matching grant for our water project in Flores.

3) COLLECTING SUPPLIES

Our mission teams are always in need of over the counter medications (especially pain relievers, antibiotic and antifungal creams), soaps and toothpaste, school and craft supplies and LARGE suitcases/duffle bags.

4) DONATING BOOKS

The Mission Committee is currently collecting adult and children's books for our annual BOOK SALE to be held June 1 and 8. (Please do not donate old textbooks.) We are also in need of volunteers to set up the night before the sales, and you receive the benefit of purchasing the books first! The proceeds are used to purchase Spanish books.

If you have any questions, please contact Emily Collins at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (978) 369-3255. Thank you!

Please join us for the Pilgrim Ice Cream Social on the front lawn (weather permitting) on May 18^th after the service to celebrate Spring and Children's Sunday!

FROM OUR MINISTER OF EDUCATION

Puddle Jumping

We didn't have a swimming pool when I was growing up. We had the sprinkler and puddles. On a rainy day, all the kids in my neighborhood would go inside to play while my brothers, sister and I got into our bathing suits for a romp in the rain. I grew up on a dead-end street and in those days our parents just let us roam without worrying.

There were no sidewalks on my street so we would get those little dips on the sides of the road where it meets the grass. During rainstorms, water would collect there and form some fabulous puddles. Like frogs on lily pads, we would hop and jump from one puddle to another up and down the street. This was great summer fun!

Very few neighborhoods are safe enough for that anymore, unless your parent comes with you. And what parent wants to stand in the rain, or worse yet, don a bathing suit and join the fun? I think that is one reason for the growing popularity of summer day camps and Vacation Bible Schools.

It just so happens that Carol Chytil and Sean Osborne have investigated what it would be like for Pilgrim to team up with the Methodist Church for a week long, half-day Vacation Bible School program this summer. Pilgrim children and parents have already begun to sign up. Look for the information and registration insert in this newsletter.

I am not sure that puddle jumping has been worked into the schedule, though... Come join the fun and bring a friend!

In Faith, Debra

The fourth annual Pilgrim Plant Sale will be held at Pilgrim Church on Saturday, May 17^th from 9:00am - 12:00 noon and Sunday, May 18^th after the church service. Start potting your plants of all sizes and shapes - hostas, day lilies, ground cover, perennials or anything else that you can think of - for the sale! Please mark them so we will know what they are. If you need pots to put them in there will be a supply in a cage on the kitchen door side of the church. If you can help on Saturday, May 17^th please contact Carolyn Beckwith at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 781-275-7527. We will start setting up at 8:00am. Thank you!

. . .AND BAKE SALE!

CAN YOU MAKE SOMETHING?

CAN YOU PRICE ITEMS AND SELL?

Piggy-backing on the annual Plant Sale, we will set up a bake sale table on the front lawn on May 17. Will you bring cookies, bars, pies, cakes, breads? Any home-made specialty is welcome.

The proceeds will help boost our "future needs" fund. We're anticipating repairs to the sanctuary windows, furnaces, and driveway in the coming years and we have very little in our reserves.

Bring your goodies in pre-packaged sellable form on Saturday, May 17 any time after 8:15am. The earlier, the better. We'd also welcome people who can staff the table for an hour or so between 9:00am and noon.

The sale will continue on Sunday morning May 18 with whatever is left.

Over the last two months we have been conducting a congregational conversation on our ministerial transition. You have shared your views and your questions, your hopes and your fears. We considered two options: starting now and working to have a minister in place by the fall of 2009 or starting next year and targeting to have a minister in place by the fall of 2010. Informed by your feedback gleaned from four small group meetings and several personal communications, input from the UCC on best practices, and our direct experience of similar transitions, the Church Council has determined that our search should begin next year. Key factors in our decision were:

• Assuring the best pool of candidates for our new minister
• Allowing for a time of transition between ministers, a period to process the emotional

aspects of letting go of a long term pastor and preparing for a new one

• Taking advantage of the skills an interim provides to use that time to our benefit.

So now that we have worked through this important decision opting for an approach that values the time of transition as a critical phase in a church's development, what does our path forward look like? Here is a chronology of our next steps:

• We will fully engage no later than this September the support of our Area Minister,

Reverend Wendy Vanderheart to coach us through this process

• Working with the Conference we will hire an interim minister to serve starting in the

fall of 2009

• During the 2009-2010 year the interim's charge will be to serve as our minister and

to help us in transitioning, considering what we want to cherish and retain and what

where we are open to change

• A Search Committee will be formed next spring, allowing for a 12-18 month process

to call a new settled minister by the fall of 2010.

• The Search Committee will sponsor activities such as a congregational survey

designed to help us learn as much as possible about the kind of church we are and

wish to become and the kind of pastor we seek. This data will be used to build our

Congregational Profile

• The Congregational Profile will be used to frame our search, both conveying to

candidates our expectation and making clear why serving Pilgrim would be a

desirable position

I want to thank the Council and the congregation for the time you have personally committed to vetting this important decision and commend you on the nature of the conversation which has been both candid and respectful. Throughout our listening sessions we heard again and again how much you love Pilgrim and want what is best for its future. We also heard that you were truly open to considering each other's ideas on how best to approach this transition. In fact many congregants have communicated how their position on this has changed over time, influenced as we listened to each other and considered all aspects of this question. This process has provided yet another example of how a congregational Christian community makes decisions as a body.

Please feel free to contact me or other members of the Council if you have any questions or just wish to share your thoughts on this decision. We look forward to hearing from you and to working with you in the coming year as we formally begin our transition process.

Yours in Christ, Gregory North, Moderator

WELCOME THE 2008 CONFIRMANDS

TO THE PILGRIM FAMILY!

On April 27, 2008 the following five young women were confirmed into Pilgrim Church. Welcome!

Natalie Bond is a freshman at Lexington High School. She baby-sits, enjoys hanging out with friends, being outside, going to the beach, playing flute, walking her dog and tie-dyeing.

Sara Carabbio is a freshman at Tewksbury High School. She takes ballet and pointe, enjoys talking her dogs for walks and hanging out with her friends and family.

Fiona Davies is a freshman at Lexington High School. She enjoys playing basketball, volleyball, any other sports, playing the flute and piano, riding her bike and hanging out with friends.

Danielle Enzmann is a homeschooled freshman. She enjoys reading, hanging out, traveling and art.

Rosa Vega is a freshman at Minuteman Regional High School who is interested in child care and learning about children.

COMMUNION SILVER

Next time we have communion at Pilgrim, please notice how bright and shiny the communion silver is! This is thanks to Duncan Todd who noticed how much it needed cleaning and took action. It all looks great now. THANK YOU, Duncan!

JOIN "TEAM MAGGIE" AT THE LEXINGTON GREAT STRIDES WALK TO CURE CYSTIC FIBROSIS ON SATURDAY, MAY 17, 9AM!

Fellow Pilgrim parishioner, Maggie Babson, age 7, suffers from Cystic Fibrosis (CF). CF is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States.

On Saturday, May 17 the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is sponsoring its annual fund-raising event, Great Strides. In Lexington, this is a three-mile walk which starts at the Hayden Recreation Center on Worthen Road. Registration begins at 9:00am and the walk starts at 10:00am.

The CF Foundation continues to make huge breakthroughs with its drug discovery program. These efforts have resulted in a dramatic increase in life expectancy, which now exceeds 30 years of age. These new drugs are truly making a difference for Maggie and all children struggling with CF. We remain optimistic and hopeful that a cure will be discovered during Maggie's lifetime.

Please join "Team Maggie" on May 17^th! If you plan on walking, you can bring any donations to registration that day. If you can't make it to the walk, we hope you will join our fight for a cure by sending a donation to Team Maggie c/o CFF, 21 Redcoat Lane, Lexington, MA 02420. Or check out our Team Maggie website at www.teammaggie.org where you can donate by clicking on "donate now." (The CF website is www.cff.org.)

We look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you again for your kindness and support.

Alyson, Ossie, Maggie and Carrie Babson

FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP

We have good news to share with you this week. For some time our power distributor, NSTAR, has wanted to encourage renewable energy through its proposed NSTAR Green Program. However, the issue first had to come before the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU). After a long period of examining the pros and cons of the issue, the DPU has approved the NSTAR Green program in spite of heavy opposition from the traditional energy suppliers.

This approval allows NSTAR to sell renewable electricity generated by wind farms to its customers. This will give a boost to companies that provide clean electricity, and allow customers to choose to support a renewable source of energy. Several interfaith groups, including the LEX-IEC (Interfaith Environmental Committee, which includes Pilgrim Church and six other faith communities in Lexington) across Massachusetts sent letters expressing interest in renewable energy. We learned last week that these letters were influential in the DPU's decision.

Did you ever wonder where the path across the bridge behind Pilgrim Church leads? There will be a NATURE WALK to explore and search for blooming flowers and nesting birds in the beautiful conservation land on the hill. Watch for the date in a future Pilgrim's Progress!

All are welcome at the next Environmental Group meeting on May 12th. We'll gather in the Library/Youth room at 7:30pm to discuss plans for June and for next year.

The next meeting of the "LOW CARBON DIET" group will be on June 2 at 7:00pm at the church.

"Pennies for Peace" is a project originated by Sara Carabbio to collect small change (and not so small!) from parishioners and visitors to the church. She uses the money to buy items for care packages for medics in Iraq who are stationed just outside Baghdad. Check the bulletin boards in the narthex with the pictures of these young men and notes of appreciation.

Sara writes:

"Pennies for Peace" now has an email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ! This gives you a way to ask questions, receive pictures of the soldiers, and find out what is going on now with the care packages. I can also forward any emails that you have to Major Colin Edgerton and his medics.

Thanks again for all of you who have made donations. This whole program would be nothing without your support! Remember, every penny counts!

Sara Carabbio

WOMEN'S NIGHT OUT

Pilgrim women set a record this year by filling over 150 bags for women and men in several shelters in Waltham! Thanks to the many Pilgrims who responded to the request for small gift items. Our plea was also heard by Karen Lord, Pilgrim's former secretary who now works at the Concord UCC church which had an abundance of the items we were searching for. A group sorted everything on the afternoon of April 29, and in the evening more women gathered for a potluck supper and helped fill the bags after dinner. Dick Rogers, director of the shelters, was delighted to receive all of the bags and will distribute them to the women and men on Mother's Day and Father's Day. Thanks to all of you who helped to make these two days happy ones for our friends in Waltham!

FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE UPDATE

In the nearly eight months since I last reported on the "Foundation for the Future" campaign, many exciting things have happened: 1) We officially finished the renovation of Fellowship Hall and the kitchen (which is to say that all the physical work is done and everyone has been paid); 2) We have accumulated enough cash to meet our Mission commitment of $60,000; 3) We received enough cash to fully retire the $18,000 debt from our building campaign of ten years ago; and 4) We are beginning to fund our commitment to our capital improvements fund (Pilgrim Pride). All these accomplishments are shown on the chart below. This chart compares what we voted on ("Budget") to where we are today ("Actual to Date") and to where I think we will be on 12/31/08 ("Projected Total"), which is the ending date of the campaign.

I want to thank all of you who made (and continue to make) these wonderful things happen. The generosity of Pilgrims never ceases to amaze me! And if you have not made a commitment to the campaign or would like to increase a prior commitment, it's not too late. Simply note "Foundation for the Future" on the memo line of your check of any amount.

David McClave, Treasurer

(781-861-7466, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )

We are proud of two Pilgrims who have received honors for their church-related work.

Sylvia Ferrell-Jones was the keynote speaker at a national UCC event at our denominational headquarters in Cleveland. Sylvia spoke on Stewardship out of her experience with fund development in the non-profits she has worked for and her service on the Stewardship Committee at Pilgrim.

In addition to being the chair of the Mass. Conference, UCC Board of Directors, Sylvia has also been named to the Board of Andover Newton Theological School.

As part of a graduate course at Andover Newton Theological School, Debra Adams developed a PowerPoint presentation and paper for use in providing teachers with strategies that meet the unique needs of each child in the religious education setting. It deals with familial issues, behavior management and other concerns. The purpose is to make every child feel welcome all the time. Our church school teachers will be receiving this material in the training session before next year's program begins.

Congratulations to Sylvia and Debra! We are grateful that you share your expertise with us.

JUNE 1, 8 AND 22 ARE AVAILABLE FOR

ALTAR FLOWERS

If you are interested, please contact Ruth Litchfield ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 781-862-9565).

PENTECOST IS MAY 11 - WEAR RED!

We had a great celebration of the time when Pilgrim was "born" 50 years ago! One special worship service commemorated the ACTUAL DATE of its first service; another terrific worship service celebrated our past, present and future, and a great '50's party (thanks to Susan Bennett's planning and the crowd that came) was a fantastic time for all.

MORE CELEBRATING IN THE FALL

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

1. A FIFTY YEAR time capsule.

Charlie Dexter has made a beautiful CROSS out of walnut wood which was provided and milled by Derek Brain. It will be used for services in Pilgrim Hall in the summer and at other special occasions. It was cleverly designed by Kevin Morrison to serve as a time capsule with space in its hollow interior to house some mementos of THIS year, for example, the names of all the Congregation and Church School members. It is to be opened in 2058, when there will doubtless be some of Pilgrim's current youngest members or their children, or grandchildren of the rest of us, in the congregation!

1. A gorgeous flowering SARGENT CHERRY tree will be planted opposite the Memorial Garden and a handsome granite marker next to the tree will be dedicated on September 21st as a way of marking Pilgrim's anniversary.

1. An announcement will be made as to which charities our 50's Mission donations will benefit as we continue to expand our reach into the future.

All this will happen by way of celebrating our first 50 yea

rs in the hope that our witness will inspire the next generations to continue for lots more 50's.

Michael Scott Morton

MOVIE NIGHT THIS FRIDAY, MAY 9, 7:00PM ~ HAIRSPRAY!

Come join us this Friday, May 9 at 7:00pm for pizza and a movie! We will be watching "Hairspray" starring John Travolta! This fun film has a great message that goes along with this year's "justice" theme. It will be shown downstairs. All are welcome and bring your friends! Hope to see you there.

Lexi Mannarino (781-608-3244)

GET YOUR SIGG WATER BOTTLES!

The sale of Sigg Water bottles has raised nearly $1,500 for the Clean Water Project in Flores, Honduras! What a wonderful way to contribute to the project and help the environment. Bottles may be purchased through Pilgrim Church after certain Sunday services or by contacting Lee Strasburger at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 617-945-7176.

CONGRATULATIONS TO . . .

Jennifer and Rob Mason on the birth of their son, Trevor James on May 6. "T.J." joins sisters Ashley and Sara. Congrats also to proud grandparents, Bob and Sheryl Mason.

Adriana Ramacciotti and Jerome Mahiou on the birth of their daughter, Nageve on May 6. She is joined by her big sister Nicole.

With Sympathy

Our prayers and heartfelt sympathy to Chuck and Andrea Wyatt on the passing of Chuck's father, Charles Evans Wyatt, Sr. of Corpus Christie, Texas who passed away on April 26 at age 86.

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

LEXINGTON PLAYERS SUMMER

YOUTH THEATER PROGRAM

YouthStage 2008 is a summer theater workshop for children ages 8 -16 interested in learning the craft and performing. It is offered in two sessions, June 30 to July 18 and June 30 to August 8 at Hancock Church.

If this is something your child(ren) might be interested in or for more information, visit the website at www.lexingtonplayers.org. This will be an excellent summer theater experience!

CONSTANTINE'S SWORD

AT COOLIDGE CORNER THEATER

MAY 30 - JUNE 5

The new documentary by Owen Jacoby, Constantine's Sword, will be showing at the Coolidge Corner Theater, 290 Harvard Street, Brookline for one week only - May 30 through June 5. Constantine's Sword is the story of James Carroll; a former Catholic priest on a journey to confront his past and uncover the roots of religiously inspired violence and war.

Plans are underway to host a Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries "dinner and dialogue" event in connection with the film's release. If you are interested in seeing the film as part of an interfaith group, or are interested in attending the dinner dialogue, please contact Sean Osborne at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

GET PILGRIM'S PROGRESS BY EMAIL! Email the church at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to let us know you want to sign up. Thanks!

The next Pilgrim's Progress article deadline is SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2008, noon.

MAY 9 AND 10

AT 8:00PM

Several members of the Pilgrim community are appearing in a musical theatre production of Oliver! at the Greenwood Union Church, 4 Oak Street in Wakefield. John Royer plays the not-to-be-missed leading role of Fagin, Alex Lucchesi plays Mr. Sowerberry, and young Isabel Royer and Becky McQuilken play orphans and pickpockets. Tickets are $12 for students and seniors, $15 for adults, and are available at www.theatretogo.com. All seating is reserved.

ADULT BICYCLE COLLECTION ON

DISCOVERY DAY,

SATURDAY, MAY 24

In association with Bikes Not Bombs (www.bikesnotbombs.org) your donated adult bicycles will be repaired and shipped overseas to help those in Third World countries who need transportation to work, school, medical appointments, etc. This collection is being organized and sponsored by Keith Goplerud of Troop 119 for his Eagle Scout Project.

Clean out your garage and on May 24 bring your gently used adult bikes to the Boy Scout booth near Muzzey Street between 11:00am and 3:00pm, or to the Hancock Church parking lot between 10:00am and 3:00pm. Both Locations will have a working staff of Boy Scouts ready to receive and repair your bicycles in preparation for shipment. A $10.00 donation with each bike is requested, but not required, to help cover shipping costs.

Please contact Keith at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 781-538-5222 for information or to arrange a drop-off time. All donations are tax deductible.

Storytelling Time is Here

VALERIE TUTSON

Performs at Pilgrim Congregational Church, U.C.C.

Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 3 pm and 7 pm

Valerie Tutson, a world-renown storyteller, enjoys sharing stories from around the world with young audiences and churches. Her repertoire includes stories and songs she learned in travels to South Africa, her experiences in West Africa, and stories from African American history.

3 pm Tales from Africa and the Caribbean (Stories for all ages)

7 pm Stories of Faith and Freedom (Stories for children aged 8 and older)

These programs are free and open to the public.

Pilgrim Congregational Church, United Church of Christ

55 Coolidge Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420.

781-862-0357 or visit www.pilgrimcongregational.org.

Join Valerie Tutson for a Sacred Conversation on Race

during the 10:30 Children's Sunday Worship Service on Sunday, May 18.

A Welcoming, Open and Affirming Congregation

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2008

Pilgrim will be joining with Lexington United Methodist Church to hold "Under Construction": A Habitat for Humanity Vacation Bible School on July 14-18 from 9 am to noon. For more information click here. To download the registration form click here.

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