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CARTMELL COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
 Winter 2012 |
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Welcome to the Very First Issue of Cartmell Community Connections!
Cartmell Funeral Service was established in 1948 by Robert and Theresa Cartmell. Now in its third generation, Cartmell Funeral Service is an independent family-owned and operated funeral home. Currently the firm is owned and operated by Kathy Cartmell Sirrico and by John J. Vincent, Jr., who joined the firm in 1995. Daniel R. Holland joined the firm in 2000 and became a licensed funeral director in 2004. Together they continue the legacy of care and compassion through personal experience and understanding to serve the people of the greater Plymouth area and surrounding communities.
Our community has grown over the years and it is not as easy to stay connected with those whose opinions, information, and counsel we rely on. Cartmell Community Connections is our quarterly newsletter that we trust will keep us connected and give us opportunities to share information and valuable resources.
For more than 60 years, our family has been committed to informing those in the greater Plymouth area about much needed services and organizations that assist individuals dealing with end-of-life issues. We will feature the answers to Frequently Asked Questions and information about estate planning, hospice news, veterans' affairs and more. We invite you to participate by submitting timely news articles to our Community Bulletin Board. Simply send your news to info@cartmellfuneralhome.com.
Sincerely,
Kathy Cartmell Sirrico, John J. Vincent, Jr., and
Daniel R. Holland
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Honoring The
Rev. Gary Marks
After 40 years as the beloved pastor of The Church of the Pilgrimage, Rev. Gary Marks retired one year ago. He and his wife still live in Plymouth and are active in the community. Rev. Marks, now Pastor Emeritus, is an important part of the rich history of The Church of the Pilgrimage. Even though he is now retired, he continues his ministry by conducting funerals and weddings of local residents who are not members of the Church of the Pilgrimage. He is doing a bit of preaching as well, helping out at a church in East Weymouth. "Being retired and no longer the pastor of the Church of the Pilgrimage prevents me from ministering to members of the congregation - and that is something I miss," said Rev. Marks. But ... I can minister to the town and that is very gratifying for me." Born in Zanesville OH, Gary went to Hiram College and Oberlin Graduate School, then on to Vanderbuilt Divinity School and Boston University School of Theology. He ministered at some small churches in Ohio and spent a year in Tennessee. Later he taught at Boston University while he was an associate minister during a time when he was determining whether to go into full-time ministry or continue his academic work. He came to Plymouth to the Church of the Pilgrimage for a one-year term, but stayed on for the remainder of his active career. In his 40 years in Plymouth, he can list "many accomplishments on many different levels," including the remodeling of the education building, ministry to the homeless, and working with other agencies in town that help the less fortunate. He summarizes by saying, "We have kept a solid legacy alive while being receptive to the future." Rev. Marks quotes John Robinson who said, "There is yet more truth and light to break forth from God's Word." In his "retirement" he is researching and writing about the history of the Pilgrims and the Covenant, as well as the landing of the Mayflower in preparation for the four hundredth anniversary of that historic event. He also hopes to be able to travel to the Holy Land. Gary says, "I live in a very beautiful place on Bloody Pond. The woods are just as they were 150 years ago. It is tranquil here. I look out from my study house - it is only 10' x 12' but it is winterized so I can spend my time up here, free from distractions. I enjoy having the time to study and to rest and contemplate what I'm going to write next!" "My career in Plymouth has required a great deal of energy, but there is something here that kept me working and loving and accepting of the people in the church and in town as my friends and neighbors for whom I have a great respect." Rev. Marks was the 30th minister at Church of the Pilgrimage since its very beginning in 1609. He has had many opportunities to go elsewhere in his career, but he says, "I love it here and wouldn't think of leaving the area." He added, "I was born and raised in Ohio, but my soul was born in Plymouth."
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The Church of the Pilgrimage -
A Rich History
Located in Town Square, Plymouth, The Church of the Pilgrimage is an important part of our community with an interesting history that dates back to the early 1600s.
It has remained a Congregational Church since the original "owning of the Covenant" at Scrooby, England in 1606. The leaders of the Scrooby, Babworth, Leyden churches were formative forces in what the church would become in early New England. Such outstanding leaders as John Robinson, William Bradford, William Brewster, and Richard Clyfton were associated with the early Pilgrim Church in England, Holland, and, in some cases, in New England.
In Leyden, Holland, John Robinson was called to be pastor of the Separatist Church which was eventually to become the Pilgrim Church at New Plimoth. However, circumstances intervened and he did not accompany the Pilgrims to New England. Instead, the Elder, William Brewster, would sail on the Mayflower and be spiritual advisor and leader to the colony for many years.
The Pilgrims were among those who had great, if indirect, influence upon the formation of American democracy. The church was self-governing and became known as "Congregationalist" because the congregation was free to govern itself without interference from any other ecclesiastical body or authority. In other words, the governance of the church was determined by democratic principles.
The Pilgrims did not come to New Plimoth in order to establish a democratic society. Their primary motivation was to find a place where they were free to worship God according to their vision of church governance. Their contribution to political democracy arose solely from the manner by which they governed their church. It was a natural evolution for democratic principles to be applied to the "body civil politic" as need for civil government arose.
In fact, the Pilgrims, while still in Cape Cod Bay aboard the Mayflower, drew up and signed the famed Mayflower Compact as a basic document which would govern both themselves and those "strangers" who arrived with them and who were not members of their congregation. Thus, democracy was to evolve from church to state.
On November 24, 1840, a new church edifice was dedicated in Town Square very near the site of the Pilgrims' first Meeting House. From that date the church has been known as The Church of the Pilgrimage, a name that became official in May, 1870. The Church of the Pilgrimage is now a member of The United Church of Christ.
In 2006 the Covenant which formed the basis of our congregation was 400 years old. At that time, former Pastor Rev. Gary Marks, the 30th pastor of The Church of the Pilgrimage, offered an updated version of the original Covenant, which states:
We have freely joined ourselves by a covenant of God into a church, into a community of the gospel, to walk in God's ways made known, or to be made known to us, according to our best efforts. We commit ourselves to generosity in service and mission, God assisting us.
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The Pilgrimage
Church Today
Last March, Rev. Doug Showalter came to The Church of the Pilgrimage as interim minister. An ordained minister for 38-plus years, Rev Showalter served as pastor of the First Congregational Church in Falmouth for 24 years.
"In giving thought to the future, I felt that becoming an interim minister would give me an opportunity to transfer from full-time, active ministry. My wife and I bought a home in Plymouth and when my service at the Church of the Pilgrimage is over, I may consider the next step -- retirement."
His goal while serving as interim minister is to use his expertise to help the church to revise their Safe Church Policy and their Bylaws. Rev. Showalter said, "It is vital that we ensure the safety of the young people who participate in church activities. The Bylaws govern the church and so they need to be reviewed and updated as necessary, as well."
A pet project of Rev. Showalter's is the Forgiveness Forum, which he developed while serving in Falmouth. "It was actually an outgrowth of my Doctorate of Ministry Thesis, which was 'Pastoral Counseling through Preaching,'" he explained. "It also grew from my own personal experience with forgiveness. People sometimes think that we need to 'forgive and forget' but I believe that people never really forget ... the experience is part of their own personal history. But the significance of the injury can diminish in terms of being painful. There is value in forgiveness for one's own sake. The important thing is that we not be chained to the nightmare that someone else created in our lives," he said. "Forgiveness is not something you can turn on or off. Peace of mind only comes when we make a decision that we want to forgive - then we can enter into a journey of forgiveness where we talk to trusted friends, seek guidance, pray, and finally come to God's gift of peace within our own hearts."
The Forgiveness Forum began in 1997 and there are questions and answers for people interested in a journey of forgiveness to read and think about. Contact the Rev. Doug Showalter at dougshow@cape.com if you would like more information about The Forgiveness Forum.
"The Church of the Pilgrimage is a friendly and caring church. We have about 350 members, many of whom enjoy a good round of golf!" said Rev. Showalter. The church is holding two Golf Tournaments this year in June and September. Proceeds will benefit the church and its "Feed the Hungry" program. Those who would like more information are invited to visit the website or to download the Golf Tournament flyer.
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Support Services Help
Those Who Grieve
Cranberry Hospice provides Bereavement Support Groups that help those who have experienced a loss through death. They offer compassionate care to help with the natural emotions associated with grief. Loneliness, anger, a feeling of loss of control, and helplessness are all normal and indicate that you are making your way through the grieving process. The staff at Cranberry Hospice are quick to point out that no one has to go through their grief alone.
The Bereavement Support Groups at Cranberry Hospice, located at 36 Cordage Circle, Suite 326, Plymouth, meet twice a month and provide an opportunity for people to share their thoughts, feelings and experiences with others who are grieving.
One group is for Young Children ages 6-12. Through various activities including group conversation, games and creative activities, trained facilitators help children to process their feelings. Children benefit greatly from the group as they learn that they are not alone in what they are experiencing. While the children are meeting, parents and/or other family members meet separately to discuss how best to support their grieving child.
The Pre-Teen/Teen Support Group for ages 13-18, provides the opportunity for older children to interact with others as they cope with similar issues. A trained facilitator engages them through a
series of group activities including arts and crafts, writing, music and discussions.
In addition, there are two Adult Groups where individuals share in valuable discussions with others who are grieving and also to learn about other community resources that are available to them.
There is no fee for any of the support groups. Registration is required for the children's and pre-teen/teen group, but is not required for the adult group. Individual bereavement counseling is available on a limited basis. Call 508-746-0215 for more information or to register. Click here for a Bereavement brochure you can download.
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About Cartmell Funeral Home
Now in its third generation, Cartmell Funeral Service is an independent family-owned and operated funeral home. The legacy of care and compassion continues through personal experience and understanding, serving the people of the greater Plymouth area and surrounding communities.
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Cartmell Funeral Service, Inc.
Entrusted to the Community for Three Generations |
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