Welcome to Pilgrim Church of Duxbury
An Open & Affirming Congregation
Worship service will be at 10:00am this Sunday, September 26th.

Please use the SIDE ENTRANCE of the building on Sunday mornings!
Given the rise in the Delta variant COVID cases, we are following these protocols during church and Sunday School at least for the next month. 

  • When in church, we ask all non-vaccinated people to wear masks.
  • When in church, we recommend children wear masks, but leave it to the discretion of the parents.
  • We ask Sunday School teachers to wear masks when inside the building and we will try and maintain social distancing as much as possible.
  • Children will begin church inside until after the “Time for All Ages,” then, weather permitting, Sunday School lessons will be outside whenever possible. In inclement weather, we will social distance inside.
  • Masks will not be required of children or teachers when outside. Social distancing will be maintained as much as possible. 
PLEASE SAVE THE DATE!
In accordance with Article III, Section E.1 of the By-laws of Pilgrim Church, the Annual Meeting of the congregation will be held this Sunday, September 26, 2021 following the worship service. The agenda includes a review of annual reports and approval of new committee member/officers.  
Can you feel the change in the air? The coolness of the nights? Feels good, doesn’t it? The change of seasons in New England is welcomed so differently here than in other parts of the country, with the foliage, leaf-peeping crowds, the open air markets and apple pickers, there is a sense of change in the air!

I feel it with some optimism as we return to worship in person safely, although slowly to keep with Covid protocols. It is still a huge issue, so the wearing of masks, social distancing and vaccinations are still at the forefront in our decision making. But let’s be optimistic that as we care for each other and practice safe gathering behavior, the medical community will be able to handle the cases that do come up in our community.

 A sense of optimism and change is happening in our church, re-opening, outside activities like the Harvest Festival and youth groups be planned. Like the seasons change, we must as well, addressing the needs of the future of our church with hope, joy, and love.

Please do your best to attend our Annual Meeting on Sunday after church. You should have received a proposal for new Church By-Laws that needs to be voted upon after over 2 years of preparation. We have other agenda items that need to be cleared up as well to be able to move on as a healthy church. I pray that you will take your time to be here with us!

A sense of change…
RB
"Each time someone stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others … they send forth a tiny ripple of hope." Robert Kennedy

 
These words from Robert Kennedy lead us to a sense of clarity and direction for ourselves. No matter what we might be doing, in our personal lives and in our faith lives, we can bring hope to different situations by our words and actions of commitment. It doesn't really matter what the topic or situation might be, or how big or small the action is. When we show up to be the hands and voices of support, we bring hope to the ones who are in need.

 
Blessings to you all,
 
Rev. John
News from our
Christian Education Director
High School Youth Group at Angélique’s house tomorrow, Thursday, September 23 from 6:30 – 7:30!
Moe’s fixin’s, firepit and s’mores and glow-in-the-dark ping pong!
Sign up here!

High School students who would like to volunteer to help with Sunday School or Nursery Care can sign up here!

Adults! Love spending time with little ones? Want to help our young families enjoy some peace during the service? Then volunteering in the nursery on Sunday mornings is for you!
Contact Angélique at youthdir@uccduxbury.org for more information. 
FAITH AND BLUE SERVICE

OCTOBER 9th,  7 AM Duxbury Beach

Rev Bill has been approached by the Duxbury Police Department to assist in a morning Prayer Service at Duxbury Beach to offer support and community involvement for our Police and Community relationship. The National Faith and Blue Weekend is an initiative that helps to build bridges to more engaged communities. It is not political in nature, but supportive of the members of Law Enforcement and the citizens who interact and rely upon their help.
 
The service will be held at sunrise and last about 30 minutes, with members of Duxbury Interfaith Community speaking as well as members of our Police Department. Come and join us as we strengthen the ties of our faith communities and Law Enforcement.
Pilgrim Church is hiring a new Financial Position and we would like your help in spreading the news. Please share with friends who may be job searching for a great financial position close to home here on the South Shore.

Senior Financial Officer Position with Pilgrim Church of Duxbury
Position Overview: The Senior Financial Officer’s responsibilities include oversight of the financial operations, budgeting operations, investments, and human resources administration of the Pilgrim Church (PC), which includes All Boards & Committees of PC such as Music Board, Deacons, Council, Pilgrim Child Care & Preschool (PCCP), Christian Ed, Etc. The position will report to the Board of Trustees and work closely with the Senior Minister, and the Treasurer.
Prior Experience to include: Controllership responsibilities, Cash management, forecasting and investment responsibilities, Financial planning, reporting and analysis, Human Resource responsibilities and Compliance responsibilities.

Qualifications: Four- Four-year Accounting degree, with 7-10 years of professional experience, preferably with some experience in an educational institution or small business. Technological proficiency with Quickbooks Online, Microsoft Suite of Excel, PowerPoint, Word as well as cloud-based file storage such as Box, DropBox, One Drive.Exemplary organizational skills with the ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks with superior attention to detail.

A leader, a manager, and a team player who is self-motivated with the ability to work with many diverse personalities. Ability to work in a small office setting, including a willingness to work beyond specific job responsibilities where needed.
If interested or would like more information, please contact Rosemary McGreevy at r.mcgreevy@comcast.net . (Please kindly do not contact the Pilgrim Church Office directly).
The Deacons need help!
The Diaconate has many responsibilities. We are looking for help in two areas.
 
First, we would like to expand participation with Scripture readings. Melissa will send you the readings ahead of time, so that you are familiar with the reading.
 
Second, we want to be a welcoming congregation and to do that we need people who would be willing to come 15 minutes early and greet at the side door.
 
These are opportunities that you can sign up for when your schedule permits. This would be a great opportunity to reconnect with our church community after such a long time apart.
 
Please let Lucy Shepard know if you are interested in any of these opportunities.
sheplg@comcast.net or 781-422-3379
  
Pine Street Inn ~ Dessert Treats needed

We will be bringing cookies, brownies, and dessert bars to the Pine Street Inn this Friday, September 24.
Cookies, brownies, or bars (homemade or store bought) can be dropped off in the FRONT entrance of church today, Wednesday 9/22, or Thursday 9/23. 

Thank you for your support! The treats are appreciated by the guests at Pine Street Inn! If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email Sandy Bondlolw sandybondlow@gmail.com 781-934-0616 or Lucy Shepard sheplg@comcast.net  781-422-3379. 
SEARCH COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED FOR MUSIC DIRECTOR

We are accepting names for a Search Committee for a new Music Director. This is an opportunity to explore and create a new vision for our music and a direction to include new excitement and involvement in our music offerings. 
Please email office@uccduxbury.org to volunteer.

MUSIC BOARD MEMBERS 
After we complete the search for a new Music Director, we will need some new voices for our Music Board to guide the vison created with our Search Committee and new Director. This is an opportunity to introduce new ideas and create new goals for our music. 
 MISSION COMMITTEE TEAM MEMBERS  
We are looking for some new members for our Mission Committee. Join the team in guiding new opportunities to serve, select service projects for our church members to participate in and find projects to support with our Mission Trust Fund.  
Harvest Homecoming is back!
Save the date for
Harvest Homecoming 2021!
Saturday, October 16th

Fun & Fellowship on the front lawn
2:00-5:00pm

Giant obstacle course, jumpy house, sack races, face painting, crafts, cider donuts, and more! Please join us and bring a friend!
(Rain date Sunday, October 17th after church)
APPLE PIE CONTEST IS BACK!
ENTER YOUR HOMEMADE APPLE PIE FOR OUR CHURCH HARVEST FESTIVAL ON OCTOBER 16th

Email the church office of you are entering the pie contest! office@uccduxbury.org
NEIGHBORS IN NEED OFFERING 
On Sunday, October 3rd, we will be receiving offerings for the United Church of Christ’s Neighbors In Need Offering. One of 4 special offerings collected throughout the year, the 2021 Neighbors in Need “Unfailing Love” offering is focused on supporting organizations and projects that are serving homeless and immigrant neighbors or communities. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of this offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to provide funding grants to UCC churches and organizations leading justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects in their communities. You can find out more at https://www.ucc.org/neighbors-in-need-special-mission-offering/  


SUNDAY SCHOOL PROJECT                              
For World Communion Sunday on October 3rd, the Deacons are asking our Sunday School kids and parents to bake the bread we will use for Communion. All breads will be displayed on our Communion Table! Would you consider baking your favorite bread for us?