Faith & Footprints

By Kelly Wise ValdesThe Church Of The Pilgrimage In Plymouth, Massachusetts

In 1623, the Pilgrims at Plymouth Plantation, Massachusetts held the first Thanksgiving. As a drought was destroying their crops, colonists prayed and fasted, and miraculously it began to rain the following day. And not long after, a Dutch supply ship brought staples and supplies to the weary Pilgrims. This 1623 festival appears to have been the origin of Thanksgiving Day because it combined a religious and social celebration.

The Pilgrims were known as ‘separatists’ in England. That term was applied to them because they were literally separated from the Church of England. Their principal incentive was to find a place where they were free to worship God according to their vision of the church without government interference.

The Church of the Pilgrimage in Town Square, Plymouth continues to carry on the faith and understanding of the Pilgrim ancestors. Its founders originated from Scrooby, England in 1606 and traveled on the Mayflower.

In 1620, these brave men and women sailed to the New World to protect their English heritage and started a colony. They first arrived on Cape Cod, but the harsh weather and lack of drinkable water caused them to seek other shores.

They eventually landed in the coastal town that would become Plymouth in December 1620 and started a colony and a church. The church today prides itself in being direct descendants of the Pilgrims’ first church. It was originally named the Pilgrim Church at New Plymouth.

The church is a historic landmark and is at the foot of Burial Hill, where the first fort was built by the Pilgrims that landed in Plymouth and where the earliest Pilgrims are buried. The first meeting house was also built there, and it was eventually replaced by five buildings, the latest built in 1897. The Church of the Pilgrimage is now a member of the United Church of Christ and has held close its legacy of worship for more than 400 years. The church is located at 8 Town Square in Plymouth, MA. For more information, visit www.churchofthepilgramage.org.

Live Like You Mean It ...

Hurricane Ian: Taking Responsibility Instead Of Just Taking By Derek Maul

“God is our refuge and strength,

“an ever-present help in trouble.

“Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

“and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” — Psalm 46.

Our grandchildren live in Orlando, many friends live around Tampa and then — just to be sure we noticed — Hurricane Ian’s last gasp played out here in North Carolina.

A small change in course can affect huge differences in outcomes. What’s good news for some turns out to be disaster for others. Everyone prayed for a miss, so God’s real interest is in what people do to support one another, care for neighbors and work together in recovery.

One question in play is our stewardship of this good Earth. Why do we continue to abuse it? Not just the wanton disregard of science but more local decisions to build on barrier islands, to lay waste to wetlands and to develop areas historically prone to flooding while denuding them of vegetation?

My only explanation is spiritual sickness. There is such greed for wealth in the short term. It’s another version of the credit card disease that wants stuff right now at the expense of later. We are, quite simply, borrowing our grandchildren’s quality of life with no intention of paying it back. They will be hardpressed to make good on our debt.

The good news is that redemption, and healing, and restoration and renewal are always in play. I look at the intelligence and the imagination and the love of life that characterize our grandchildren and I cannot help but smile.

In the meanwhile, though, wouldn’t it be great if we could begin the healing process ourselves and give the children a little more help over the next couple of decades? If we would only turn the tide and take responsibility instead of just taking.

As Paul explained things in Romans 8: “For the creation,” he said, “is waiting in eager expectation for the children of God to finally get on board with God’s plan.”

Amen — let’s get on with it — DEREK.

Derek Maul has written for many news outlets, including the Tampa Tribune, The United Methodist News Service, All Pro Dad, FOCUS Magazine, Newsweek, USA Today, The Christian Science Monitor, Presbyterians Today, Guideposts, Chicken Soup for the Soul and many other publications. Read Derek Maul’s daily blog posts at www.derekmaul.wordpress.com.

11/30/2022

11/30/2022