The night was rainy, but the voices were warm and nine homes around Southborough were visited by 55 members of our junior high youth group, senior high youth group, volunteer drivers and the choir on Sunday the 13th.
"That the best ever," reveled one young singer as she left the house of a church member (who plied her with brownies and nog before leaving).
The Pilgrim Church Youth program began its renewal in 2000 and from a group of 16 then, it has grown to over 60 participants with active mission programs and fun that fills young and older with love we are all grateful for.
The annual caroling event (with Chinese food feast and Yankee swap) is always looking for adults who want to drive and bring their voice to the party. Put it on your calendar, the second Sunday of December, for next year!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
This Year's Youth Mission Trip to DC
Pilgrim Church Youth Group—Washington, D.C. Mission Trip 2009
Our Theme—Give Love
On August 2, eight adults and 35 teenagers boarded a bus for Washington D.C. Our purpose: To be honest, it’s hard to pin down.
You go on a mission trip because you think it’s going to be fun. The teenagers either have enjoyed previous adventures to places like West Virginia and Chicago, heard their brothers and sisters and friends tell stories about why they loved past trips, or they just want to get away from their parents for a week (and parents are happy to send them). It’s the same for the adults: They’ve heard the tales and want to taste what the kids talk about every year on Mission Trip Sunday, or like Sue Baust, for whom D.C. was her sixth trip in a row, or Dawn Gutro, who’s now done four, loving our teenagers and the people we help becomes a cherished week each year.
But why do we go? In the midst of modern life, where pace and profit often drive us more than love and peace, the reasons we initially go on the trip are never the reasons we’re glad we went.
God’s become a tricky thing in our age of too much information and open access to everything. God, which is love and experiences of grace, we think, is supposed to be consumable too. Hire the right staff, package the right mission experience, and presto: faithful teenagers.
God is so much bigger than we think; God, which is love and experiences of grace, is a mystery: Until you figure a little piece of it out.
****
Mission trips are fundamentally about service. We live lives with so much, and it is a chance to introduce teenagers to giving of themselves. It is not natural to give: Our brains are hardwired to plan, to hoard, to make everything safe, and giving your energy and time is rarely a logical thing to do—at first.
We worked at the YMCA—hugging children who always need more love (it’s hard to learn and develop when you don’t feel like you matter). Their children and our children cry after only spending three days together.
We worked at Food and Friends and Bread for the City—feeding the hungry (it’s hard to pull yourself out of poverty when all your brain can think about is your next meal). One of our teenagers is already planning a trip back with his school.
We worked at the Salvation Army—Caring for neglected grounds (when you’re recovering from addiction, a well-tended garden can be the place you start over). A woman in a wheel chair came out after the work was done. She was only supposed to be outside for a few minutes. When they came to wheel her back in she said, “It’s never looked so beautiful. I need to stay out longer because I need to heal.”
We worked with Barney Neighborhood House—Repairing, cleaning, and transforming two homes of elderly residents (It’s hard to appreciate your life when it’s falling in on you). A quote from Mrs. Harris to her friend on the phone, “I can’t talk to you right now. I have too much help to deal with.”
****
When 43 people live together for six days a lot of things go wrong, and you notice a lot of things going right. We saw love, which is God, happening.
God’s hand:
• The Hostel said they had a place for us to reflect each evening. We needed a quiet place with room for 43. They didn’t have it, but there just happened to be a church across the street, the first black congregation that opened in the mid 1800s because they were tired of sitting at the back of the white churches. Asbury United Methodist gave us their fellowship hall every evening.
• The woman Sarah planned with at the Salvation Army, a woman she’d talked to all year, left her job the week before we arrived so there was only one day of work for our team. Barney immediately plugged our team in, and could have used us for the next twenty years.
• Lots of people didn’t feel well. Every single one healed by the end of the trip.
• Our bus got in an accident. The stop sign was covered with a tree. No one was hurt, and we were only two blocks from our site: We walked, smiling at D.C. and making friends as we went.
• Two flat tires, but not until we arrived at our Youth Hostel, so it didn’t slow us down (Thanks to our brilliant bus driver staying up until 2 to get them fixed).
• Sun all week, and when it rained, it was while we were driving.
• It’s normal to be intimidated when you’re new to a group this size. Teenagers that were afraid, every single one, became leaders at some point during the trip in ways they didn’t ever realize.
• We had a great talent show planned. We needed a boom box. One of the kids ran out and got speakers to plug into their ipod, but no batteries. Mr. Davis, the caretaker at the church, found batteries for us with a smile on his face and the show went on.
All week, the show went on. Why do we worry so much when God’s always by our side, even when things aren’t going right?
****
You figure out that God is with you when you make space to notice. The theme is as old as faith itself, and as our teenagers gave love to parts of the city tourists overlook, parts of the city we overlook when we’re tourists, we saw the God in the poor (and sometimes the person in poverty is us), the beauty (have you ever seen the reflecting pool shimmer the Washington monument on a cool summer evening?), and the relationships (Ask the kids about Mrs. Newport, Mrs. Harris, the dying woman who now has bright white rooms in which to spend her last days, the stranger they taught to play pool, the river guide who made them laugh, the chef who made them cookies, the person in their own youth group they wouldn’t have talked to before, but now call a friend).
****
We went away to give love, and we come back ready to love more. We come back changed: More aware, more hopeful, and more connected.
What are you doing today to give love, which is God, to everyone you meet?
Our Theme—Give Love
On August 2, eight adults and 35 teenagers boarded a bus for Washington D.C. Our purpose: To be honest, it’s hard to pin down.
You go on a mission trip because you think it’s going to be fun. The teenagers either have enjoyed previous adventures to places like West Virginia and Chicago, heard their brothers and sisters and friends tell stories about why they loved past trips, or they just want to get away from their parents for a week (and parents are happy to send them). It’s the same for the adults: They’ve heard the tales and want to taste what the kids talk about every year on Mission Trip Sunday, or like Sue Baust, for whom D.C. was her sixth trip in a row, or Dawn Gutro, who’s now done four, loving our teenagers and the people we help becomes a cherished week each year.
But why do we go? In the midst of modern life, where pace and profit often drive us more than love and peace, the reasons we initially go on the trip are never the reasons we’re glad we went.
God’s become a tricky thing in our age of too much information and open access to everything. God, which is love and experiences of grace, we think, is supposed to be consumable too. Hire the right staff, package the right mission experience, and presto: faithful teenagers.
God is so much bigger than we think; God, which is love and experiences of grace, is a mystery: Until you figure a little piece of it out.
****
Mission trips are fundamentally about service. We live lives with so much, and it is a chance to introduce teenagers to giving of themselves. It is not natural to give: Our brains are hardwired to plan, to hoard, to make everything safe, and giving your energy and time is rarely a logical thing to do—at first.
We worked at the YMCA—hugging children who always need more love (it’s hard to learn and develop when you don’t feel like you matter). Their children and our children cry after only spending three days together.
We worked at Food and Friends and Bread for the City—feeding the hungry (it’s hard to pull yourself out of poverty when all your brain can think about is your next meal). One of our teenagers is already planning a trip back with his school.
We worked at the Salvation Army—Caring for neglected grounds (when you’re recovering from addiction, a well-tended garden can be the place you start over). A woman in a wheel chair came out after the work was done. She was only supposed to be outside for a few minutes. When they came to wheel her back in she said, “It’s never looked so beautiful. I need to stay out longer because I need to heal.”
We worked with Barney Neighborhood House—Repairing, cleaning, and transforming two homes of elderly residents (It’s hard to appreciate your life when it’s falling in on you). A quote from Mrs. Harris to her friend on the phone, “I can’t talk to you right now. I have too much help to deal with.”
****
When 43 people live together for six days a lot of things go wrong, and you notice a lot of things going right. We saw love, which is God, happening.
God’s hand:
• The Hostel said they had a place for us to reflect each evening. We needed a quiet place with room for 43. They didn’t have it, but there just happened to be a church across the street, the first black congregation that opened in the mid 1800s because they were tired of sitting at the back of the white churches. Asbury United Methodist gave us their fellowship hall every evening.
• The woman Sarah planned with at the Salvation Army, a woman she’d talked to all year, left her job the week before we arrived so there was only one day of work for our team. Barney immediately plugged our team in, and could have used us for the next twenty years.
• Lots of people didn’t feel well. Every single one healed by the end of the trip.
• Our bus got in an accident. The stop sign was covered with a tree. No one was hurt, and we were only two blocks from our site: We walked, smiling at D.C. and making friends as we went.
• Two flat tires, but not until we arrived at our Youth Hostel, so it didn’t slow us down (Thanks to our brilliant bus driver staying up until 2 to get them fixed).
• Sun all week, and when it rained, it was while we were driving.
• It’s normal to be intimidated when you’re new to a group this size. Teenagers that were afraid, every single one, became leaders at some point during the trip in ways they didn’t ever realize.
• We had a great talent show planned. We needed a boom box. One of the kids ran out and got speakers to plug into their ipod, but no batteries. Mr. Davis, the caretaker at the church, found batteries for us with a smile on his face and the show went on.
All week, the show went on. Why do we worry so much when God’s always by our side, even when things aren’t going right?
****
You figure out that God is with you when you make space to notice. The theme is as old as faith itself, and as our teenagers gave love to parts of the city tourists overlook, parts of the city we overlook when we’re tourists, we saw the God in the poor (and sometimes the person in poverty is us), the beauty (have you ever seen the reflecting pool shimmer the Washington monument on a cool summer evening?), and the relationships (Ask the kids about Mrs. Newport, Mrs. Harris, the dying woman who now has bright white rooms in which to spend her last days, the stranger they taught to play pool, the river guide who made them laugh, the chef who made them cookies, the person in their own youth group they wouldn’t have talked to before, but now call a friend).
****
We went away to give love, and we come back ready to love more. We come back changed: More aware, more hopeful, and more connected.
What are you doing today to give love, which is God, to everyone you meet?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
The Church is Changing!
We are grateful to the folks at Columbia Pictures for leaving our church in great shape. The grounds are being freshened, the rugs have been cleaned, and the painting will be done soon.
Our summer projects including painting parts of the outside of the building, rewaxing the floors, and getting our lights shining on the Steeple again. The changes will make for an amazing, like-new-203 year old building.
Don't miss the chance to experience our sacred space every Sunday at 9:30 starting June 28 (ten o'clock until then)!
Our summer projects including painting parts of the outside of the building, rewaxing the floors, and getting our lights shining on the Steeple again. The changes will make for an amazing, like-new-203 year old building.
Don't miss the chance to experience our sacred space every Sunday at 9:30 starting June 28 (ten o'clock until then)!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Sign Up for the Goddard School!
The Goddard School needs you this summer. Over 14 days we will love 60 kids with attention they won't get from anyone else but you. You can volunteer for one day (only three hours), a week, or more.
For more info: http://goddardsummerprogram.blogspot.com/
We'll have another update next week!
For more info: http://goddardsummerprogram.blogspot.com/
We'll have another update next week!
Thank You!
The folks from the Grown Ups production were amazing--actors, crew, set managers. We're grateful for the experience and stay tune for more news about the final product.
Thank you especially to Matt Pietro and Jim Denman, and all the volunteers who supported this whirlwind experience!
Thank you especially to Matt Pietro and Jim Denman, and all the volunteers who supported this whirlwind experience!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The Movie Is Here!
Sunday May 24 is the last chance to see parts of the movie set! Hope to see you at 10 AM!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Goddard School Program
The Goddard School Summer Program is on!
Here's the letter from our coordinator, Sally Fodor.
The Goddard School in Worcester
Summer Program 2009
We are currently working with the school’s administration on the details for this year’s summer program at the Goddard School. This will be for students advancing to 3rd and 6th grades next September. There will be approximately 125 students in total grouped by age and will rotate between different activities every hour.
The dates are confirmed and will be:
Week 1: Thursday, June 25 – Friday, June 26
Week 2: Monday, June 29 – Thursday, July 2
Week 3: Monday, July 6 – Thursday, July 9
Week 4: Monday, July 13 – Thursday, July 16
This year’s theme will be centered on the story Three Cups of Tea written by Greg Mortenson. This story is about one man’s mission to promote peace…one school at a time in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Volunteer Segments: We will need volunteers to help assist the students in the following rotations from noon to 2:30pm each day. I will post a sign up board soon in Fellowship Hall. We encourage all families to participate even if it’s for one day. Segments are:
Three Cups of Tea –activities will stem from the story
Community Garden – cultivates and plant food for area families
Arts & Crafts –activities will stem from the story
Reading – Students will read to us their favorite books
Music – singing, dancing & learning multi-cultural music
As I learn more, I will continue to share new information on how we will make a difference in these kids’ lives along with the lives of our families who participate.
If you have any questions please call me at 508-485-5689 or email me at sfodor5689@charter.net.
Thank you, Sally Fodor
Here's the letter from our coordinator, Sally Fodor.
The Goddard School in Worcester
Summer Program 2009
We are currently working with the school’s administration on the details for this year’s summer program at the Goddard School. This will be for students advancing to 3rd and 6th grades next September. There will be approximately 125 students in total grouped by age and will rotate between different activities every hour.
The dates are confirmed and will be:
Week 1: Thursday, June 25 – Friday, June 26
Week 2: Monday, June 29 – Thursday, July 2
Week 3: Monday, July 6 – Thursday, July 9
Week 4: Monday, July 13 – Thursday, July 16
This year’s theme will be centered on the story Three Cups of Tea written by Greg Mortenson. This story is about one man’s mission to promote peace…one school at a time in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Volunteer Segments: We will need volunteers to help assist the students in the following rotations from noon to 2:30pm each day. I will post a sign up board soon in Fellowship Hall. We encourage all families to participate even if it’s for one day. Segments are:
Three Cups of Tea –activities will stem from the story
Community Garden – cultivates and plant food for area families
Arts & Crafts –activities will stem from the story
Reading – Students will read to us their favorite books
Music – singing, dancing & learning multi-cultural music
As I learn more, I will continue to share new information on how we will make a difference in these kids’ lives along with the lives of our families who participate.
If you have any questions please call me at 508-485-5689 or email me at sfodor5689@charter.net.
Thank you, Sally Fodor
Monday, April 6, 2009
Easter!!!!
Thursday: Soup Supper at 6:30 and service at 7:30. Child Care is provided, and kids who are happy enjoying this quiet, contemplative service are welcome.
Sunday: 9 am and 11 am. Child Care and Sunday School for kids through 4th grade at both services.
You are loved, He is still with us, and we are grateful for His presence!
Sunday: 9 am and 11 am. Child Care and Sunday School for kids through 4th grade at both services.
You are loved, He is still with us, and we are grateful for His presence!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
$10,000
Between the auctions and dinner, while final totals are still coming in, approximately $10,000 was raised for the mission trips of Pilgrim Church.
Each year for the past eight years our senior high youth group has traveled to do mission work and learn about love. This year: 40 teenagers and 10 adults will travel to Washington, DC to do hunger relief, elder care, hug kids, rebuild, and learn.
This will be the second year our men head to Portland, ME in the fall to work with Habitat. Scroll down this blog to see pictures of last year's trip.
We raised less money a few years ago, and in this economy, the generosity is a gift and amazing! Thank you to all who helped, cooked, gave, and continue to make this work possible.
We are building heaven on earth one life and one relationship at a time!
Each year for the past eight years our senior high youth group has traveled to do mission work and learn about love. This year: 40 teenagers and 10 adults will travel to Washington, DC to do hunger relief, elder care, hug kids, rebuild, and learn.
This will be the second year our men head to Portland, ME in the fall to work with Habitat. Scroll down this blog to see pictures of last year's trip.
We raised less money a few years ago, and in this economy, the generosity is a gift and amazing! Thank you to all who helped, cooked, gave, and continue to make this work possible.
We are building heaven on earth one life and one relationship at a time!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Pass it on
Send this letter to Senator Eldridge. This group of folks is making the world better for folks who don't get a chance to start over after their mistakes.
STATE SENATOR
JAMES B. ELDRIDGE
State House Room 213-A
Boston, MA 02133
or
First, thank you for all you do for us.
This letter is to request your support in restoring the funding to Dismas house.
We know you already know:
• Dismas is a transitional housing program for people coming out of Worcester County jail.
• Incoming Worcester County Sheriff (and former State Senator) Guy Glodis was such a strong supporter that he allowed the house on site at Worcester County House of Correction be converted to "Almost Home,” and turned over to the Dismas staff to help expand their program.
• Dismas has a strong track record of success, transitioning people from prison back to positive roles in society, with a success rate of 70% for people who complete the Dismas program.
Did you also know that last summer 70 volunteers from Pilgrim Church in Southborough, MA worked at the Goddard Summer program helping kids tend the gardens on the Dismas house property?
It was our second year participating with the Aldersgate Church in collaboration with the staff at Goddard and the folks at Dismas.
What is more powerful than the combination of urban and suburban, educational and spiritual, transitional housing and housed folks working together to improve a neighborhood and build lasting relationships?
Please do what you can to keep the funding going.
Sincerely,
You!
STATE SENATOR
JAMES B. ELDRIDGE
State House Room 213-A
Boston, MA 02133
or
James.Eldridge@state.ma.usDear Senator Eldridge,
First, thank you for all you do for us.
This letter is to request your support in restoring the funding to Dismas house.
We know you already know:
• Dismas is a transitional housing program for people coming out of Worcester County jail.
• Incoming Worcester County Sheriff (and former State Senator) Guy Glodis was such a strong supporter that he allowed the house on site at Worcester County House of Correction be converted to "Almost Home,” and turned over to the Dismas staff to help expand their program.
• Dismas has a strong track record of success, transitioning people from prison back to positive roles in society, with a success rate of 70% for people who complete the Dismas program.
Did you also know that last summer 70 volunteers from Pilgrim Church in Southborough, MA worked at the Goddard Summer program helping kids tend the gardens on the Dismas house property?
It was our second year participating with the Aldersgate Church in collaboration with the staff at Goddard and the folks at Dismas.
What is more powerful than the combination of urban and suburban, educational and spiritual, transitional housing and housed folks working together to improve a neighborhood and build lasting relationships?
Please do what you can to keep the funding going.
Sincerely,
You!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
70 Attend First Event, Join Us Next Tuesday!
70 attended the first Lenten Series Event on Sacred Space, Holy Travel at Pilgrim Church. The next in our series, focusing on the Holy Land, is at St. Mark's Church in Southborough.
Worship at 6, then dinner, and a talk and discussion from 7 to 8. Child care is provided!
Worship at 6, then dinner, and a talk and discussion from 7 to 8. Child care is provided!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Lenten Series
Don't miss our Lenten Series even tomorrow, Tuesday the 3rd, from 6 to 8 at Pilgrim. Our theme is Sacred Spaces, Holy Travel, and we'll worship at 6, eat at 6:15, then hear a talk and have a discussion from 7-8. Topics this year will include the Holy Land and Tibet.
Hope to see you!
Hope to see you!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Ash Wednesday
Join us for our Ash Wednesday service on February 25th at 7:00. This service of reflection lasts about a half hour. We burn the trouble in our lives and start Lent clean. God loves us no matter what, and this service is a chance to unclench our bodies so our spirits can deeply feel that love. For those who love the tradition, ashes will be available.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
A Year of Teaching
In a world where we can't control what's happening around us, we can influence what goes on in our minds and in the lives of our kids. This year: Teach.
One of the simplest truths about learning is that when you teach, you learn. You have to master knowledge to impart it to others. When teaching kids, the creativity needed to make the learning fun challenges us to a new level, and hence, our learning deepens.
This year, focus on learning. Teach a Sunday School Class, volunteer at the Goddard Summer School Program, pray with a child, walk in the woods and wonder about creation with them, and as you do: Learn.
One of the simplest truths about learning is that when you teach, you learn. You have to master knowledge to impart it to others. When teaching kids, the creativity needed to make the learning fun challenges us to a new level, and hence, our learning deepens.
This year, focus on learning. Teach a Sunday School Class, volunteer at the Goddard Summer School Program, pray with a child, walk in the woods and wonder about creation with them, and as you do: Learn.
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