1.25.24

"a beacon for good in the world"

Friends,

I was thrilled that the “white smoke” was seen from the local vatican last Sunday! Catholic and some other Protestant polities are more military in their practice and therefore quicker. On the other hand, congregationalism (democracy), which leans on the Holy Spirit, takes a lot of communication, collaboration, and is intended to be slower-paced.

For this church, it involved planning by the former moderator; forming of a 9-member Search committee; being recognized at a worship service; one year of consistent meeting, studying, interviewing, and decision-making; a sub-group agreeing on an acceptable financial package in view of stewardship; the Council confirming the candidate for the congregational vote; preparing for the candidating weekend by lay and staff; and leadership by the current moderator and a host of volunteers to present the candidate… and receive an affirmation by him. 

As a result, almost half of active church members met and voted unanimously to call Rev. Tim Garvin-Leighton! That means that your called pastor begins his ministry during Holy Week with your full support and unity, and when he arrives will need to maintain and build on this confidence and trust. Praise the Lord! Thanks to all, who brought us to this historic moment and will try to insure a good transition.

Turning to this Sunday, we have regular worship at 10 am and the annual Budget Meeting at 11 am. We are delighted to welcome Kim Engle as guest preacher. Don Reinhardt serves as worship leader. Kim’s sermon title is Choose Love. It is based on the lections, Deuteronomy 18:15-20 and I Corinthians 8: 1-13. 

Kim is our member-in-discernment; in other words, as a church member she is discerning future ordained ministry in the United Church of Christ. This church year she is interning at the UCC church in Hanover; this month, she received her Master of Divinity from the Boston University School of Theology! And soon she will present herself before the Pilgrim Association/ Church and Ministry Committee for confirmation. 

Won’t you turn out for yet another special Sunday!

With Epiphany good wishes,

Pastor Dianne

David T and Sanctuary Choir 

Music Notes

This week’s prelude was written by Louis Vierne (1870-1937).  Berceuse is part of a set titled Vingt-quatre pièces en style libre (Twenty-four pieces in a free style). Each piece is in one of the twenty-four musical 'keys', much like Bach, Chopin and other composers have produced. Vierne was organist at the famed Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris.  Blind since birth, Vierne showed an early aptitude for music.  He studied at the National Institute for the Young Blind and at the Paris Conservatoire.  His teachers included César Franck and Charles-Marie Widor.  Vierne in turn became a teacher of many rising composers including Nadia Boulanger, Marcel Dupré and Alexander Schreiner.  Vierne fulfilled his often spoke of wish to die at the console of the great organ at Notre-Dame.  Louis Vierne’s music is an important link between the romantic composers of the late nineteenth century such as Franck and Widor and the music of the twentieth century led by Dupré, Fauré, Duruflé and Messiaen.

The postlude, Festive Trumpet Tune, was composed by David German (b.1954) as a gift to his wife. It was first played at their wedding.  German is director of music at Stephens Valley Church in Nashville, TN.  This is a fun, joyful composition that shows off the trumpet stop on the organ. 

Enjoy!

--Michael Eaton



Annual Business Meeting

Immediately following Worship on Sunday, January 28, The Church of the Pilgrimage will hold its annual Business Meeting in the Sanctuary.

Please email the church office at office@8townsquare.org to request a Zoom link for the meeting.

Please download the following materials with information for the meeting.

(Limited hard copies will be available on Sunday.)

2024 Trustee Budget - Click HERE

2024 Budget Summary - Click HERE

Report of the Nominating Team - Click HERE

Minutes of the May 7, 2023 CotP Annual Meeting - Click HERE

Exciting News!

Pray-ground Opens January 28th

We're Walking The Talk

"Wherever you are on life's journey,"

no matter your age,

"you are Welcome here"

Message to Our Members: Young families and children are God's gift to our church!

They are not the future of our church, they are the right now!

The Way we welcome young families and children directly affects the way 

they respond to this Church, to God and to one another.

How do we let them know they are valued members of our church family? 

The Christian Education Committee feels that Pray-grounds are a way to welcome and involve families in the life and ministry of our church.

It may take time for families and children to find their way to our Pray-ground. However, when they do come and see this space, they will know they are welcome here. 

We believe they can learn here how important they are to the life, mission and worship of our community. May worshiping together become as important to them as it is to us.

In last week's Beacon there was an article that explained what Pray-grounds are and how they can help bring life and young families to Intergenerational Worship. 

If you did not read it and want more information, click this button.

Your CE Ministry Team

Judy Foster, Kathy Marks, Nancy Medeiros, Shandra Payne, Glenda Richards

Moderator Rick D opening Sunday Service

Rev. Tim G-L offering Benediction

Reserve Date for Missions Food Drive

The next food drive will be on Saturday, February 17^th, from 10 am – 12 noon in front of the John Robinson Center. 

We invite the usual canned goods of soups, stews, tuna, chicken, fruits, vegetables; dry cereals and oatmeal; pastas & tomato sauce; healthy snacks; children’s diapers; TP, Kleenex, paper napkins and towels; dish soaps; shampoos & conditioners.

Rest and Reflect

​Winter is a time of rest and renewal for the earth and for God’s creatures, including us. How does winter reflect the Sabbath? How can you invite the practice of Sabbath into your life this season?

IRA REID DOCUMENTARY NEW ENGLAND PREMIERE

Good news for those interested in following up on Steve Washburn’s sermon about Prof. Ira De Augustine Reid a year ago. The newly copyrighted documentary film about Reid will be shown at the Rhode Island Historical Society, 110 Benevolent Street in Providence at 2 pm on Saturday, February 2. The Producer/Director will also take part in Q & A following the screening. 

Some COTP members wish to carpool. Please contact the Church Office if you wish to travel with COTP friends. On street parking is usually available near the R. I Historical Society. 

Please contact Steve if you have questions or comments. Be sure to  RSVP by Feb. 5 to Ann Clanton at the RI Black Film Festival AClanton6@gmail.com or ann@ribbf.org, She is coordinating logistics with the R. I Historical Society. so that we can plan for adequate space.

Parking for Newcomers

Beginning December 1st, public parking is free until April

A reminder that on Sundays most of us park on School St., Main St. Extension (3 handicap), Summer St. (4 hours), and in the Market St. and Middle St. lots. One can get parking permits from Park Plymouth at 4 North Street; ph. 508.747.5929; www.parkplymouth.com. If you have questions, please speak with Mike Eaton.

Office Hours

Monday - Thursday

8:30am-4:00pm

On The Calendar

• January 28: Worship; Budget Meeting
• January 31: Choir, 7:30pm