A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. Psalm 127:1 (NLT)

In the face of an unprecedented viral pandemic, in the midst of social and political upheaval, and on the 19th anniversary of our Nation’s worst terrorist attack, I’m fully persuaded that God’s hand is still firmly upon the area in which I reside, and it’s not too late for us to repent and cooperate with His plan for us.   In this message, my hope is for you to hear the heart of a man who has lived in this Greater New Bedford area for  seventy-four years—one who grew up and raised a family here, spent almost thirty years as an inner city special needs teacher, and forty years in the real estate business. Considering myself an ordinary citizen, there is nothing perfect in any of what describes me, prepares me, or for wanting the best for the place from which I hail.  With that confession upfront, as you read on, please allow my perspective a chance to take hold.

Never denying that our region has its challenges (like we as individuals also have), I’ve written confidently about our area in the past.  My point has always focused on our heritage, our positive qualities and the hope and potential we have in the wonderfully diverse people that make up our local population.

No other area can boast of being the once whaling and garment industry capitol of the world, or an ongoing seaport champion for so long. No other area borders Native American influenced towns named Mattapoisett with an “It’s Special” motto or the Wampanoag named town of Acushnet which bears its own Apple Peach Festival that has drawn thousands of people.  No other area can claim a town called Marion, that per capita I’m told was once the richest Town in the Country.  No other location is thirty miles from Newport, the home of extraordinary mansions and where the America’s Cup has been held.  No other locale is thirty miles from Providence, fifty miles from Boston – the medical oasis of the world, a thirty minute ride to Bristol, America’s oldest Fourth of July Celebration, or a boat ride to Martha’s Vineyard where our Presidents can hardly wait to visit for vacation.  Let’s keep it in our current fairway and not forget Titleist, the number 1 ball in golf, or between the buoys with the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War being fought here, too.

Again, facing our impending challenges and the reality that we are not perfect as individuals, towns, cities or as a regional community, the potential and hope to improve is an uplifting fact. If we, as residents, can look up and see the overwhelming positives, then perhaps we can change our shared perspective of who we are and where we live.  With so many attributes for us to personally focus upon, sometimes it’s easy to miss the obvious that is all around us. Our area truly is an amazing place to celebrate and to go about our business!

So friends, here’s the home run we must begin to integrate: If you attend the Thanksgiving Parade in Plymouth, their town proudly promotes and defines itself as “America’s Hometown.” Under that premise lies the fact that it happens to be Old Dartmouth’s or our areas “grandparent” settlement. A strong historical connection comes through Francis Cooke and his 13 year old son John, who came here from England aboard the Mayflower that grounded on the famous Plymouth Rock in the early 1600s.  Francis Cooke signed the Mayflower Compact, while his son was not eligible to do so because of his age.  Young John grew up and became the first, if not one of the first, white settlers in our Old Dartmouth area and is the oldest pilgrim male buried in the Fairhaven area.

The plaque on his memorial stone at the foot of Pilgrim Avenue in Fairhaven has nothing but rave reviews of his life.  That being the case, we have a blood father and son relationship with America’s Hometown, Plymouth. That truth can bear great weight as it relates to our strengthened and more qualified identity; one that is surely needed as we move into the challenging years to come.

Historian Joseph Carvalho III, native of New Bedford and retired Director of Springfield Museums and Libraries tells me the Spanish were in the New World since 1492… and the French were in North America in the 1590s and settled Quebec in 1608)  The Cavaliers of Jamestown were here for commercial reasons on behalf of the King… He goes on to focus on us.  He describes our area as the “Cradle of New England and of Religious Freedom in the New World”.  In other words, the original settlers core intention was to separate from old England and provide freedom and a new hope in a new world for their families.  That local historical description includes us!!  If Mesopotamia can be called the cradle of civilization that covers 8,000 square miles, then being bike-ride distance from New Bedford to Plymouth or to Providence sheds direct light on our legitimate claim.

Just think of traveling a distance far enough away for someone to ask us where we are from. Not only could we say we are from the once Whaling & Garment capitol of the world, the current fishing champion or home of the #1 golf ball, we could also tell the questioner a greater hopeful and living truth that “still rocks” without one word of  exaggeration.  We’re from the Cradle of New England and of Religious Freedom in the New World!

Psalm 37:23; Romans 8:28; Jer 29:11; Ps 40:8

(Photo of the participants of the 72 mile round trip “Pilgrim Bike Ride” from Cooke Park in Fairhaven to the Mayflower Pier in Plymouth on September 10, 2016)

I’m privileged to have recently met Anne Rich, a Salvation Army core member and music director for the Salvation Army in Massachusetts.  Anne was inspired to write this song back in 1995.  What a blessing to have her graciously sing her song that so appropriately integrates and richly complements this article.  Please listen below and hear Anne’s heart-felt voice sing out From the Cradle That Still Rocks.