Early Settlements Jamestown & Plymouth Jamestown & Plymouth.
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www.plymouthfw.org UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Volume 71, Issue 12 December 15, 2010 Plymouth Congregational Church of Fort Wayne the Bell Merry Christmas Plymouth Family! Friends, The first snow of the season has fallen, dusting the streets and slowing our steps as we make way through the city. The church is beautifully decorated with wreaths and ribbons. The Angel Tree has returned to its designated spot in the narthex, and the nativity crèche to the chancel in the sanctuary. As is our custom in worship, the lighting of Advent candles helps count down to the coming of Christmas. During this special time of year, as the staff of Plymouth Church, we count ourselves incredibly blessed to serve in your midst. The ministry of Plymouth Church is really quite unusual and complex. In reflecting upon the months that have passed, the seasons that have come and gone, and the year soon to end, we can’t help but be aware of the profound nature of our work. No one day is ever the same. Each is filled with trial and rejoicing and amazing experiences of grace. We thank you for all the help, support, and sincere concern we daily behold. The day that celebrates the birth of Jesus draws near. And so, too, a new year. We gratefully pause in this moment to wish you the best that Christmas faith provides, especially the blessings of God’s peace and joy. Love comes to show us the way! Thank God! The depths of December will break with the dawn of the new year. May the mystery of the Manger, of Mother and Child, inspire fresh expressions of “Joy to the World.” And may Jesus, the Word of God enthroned in our hearts, con- tinue to show us the way of life, both now and forever. Merry Christmas, Plymouth, and Happy New Year! Advent Services December 24 7:00 pm Worship Communion and Candle Light 10:00 pm Worship Carols and Candle Light December 28-30 5:30 and 8:00 pm Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival Crossroad Christmas Offering What better way to celebrate the spirit of Christmas than to include Cross- road in our personal Christmas gift- ing. Crossroad is a community that cares about needy children and fami- lies. They passionately believe that they can make a difference in the life of a child. These are children ages six and older who have very serious emo- tional problems as well as other is- sues. Far too many of them have been abused or neglected. They are hurt and hurting kids, and they come to Crossroad to receive the care they must have to achieve the promising futures they deserve. Please use the Crossroad envelopes that will be inserted in the Christmas Eve bulletins or an envelope marked for Crossroad for your offering. As we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child, let’s help make a difference in a child’s life through our gifts this Christmas season. Chri s Ri mmel Emily Exploring Faith . Restoring Hope . Discovering God
Transcript of Plymouth Congregational Church of Fort Wayne Volume … Bellweb.pdf · Plymouth Congregational...
www.plymouthfw.org
UNITED CHURCH O F C H R I S T
Volume 71, Issue 12
December 15, 2010
Plymouth Congregational Church of Fort Wayne
the
Bell Merry Christmas Plymouth Family!
Friends,
The first snow of the season has fallen, dusting the streets and slowing our steps as we make way through the city. The church is beautifully decorated with wreaths and ribbons. The Angel Tree has returned to its designated spot in the narthex, and the nativity crèche to the chancel in the sanctuary. As is our custom in worship, the lighting of Advent candles helps count down to the coming of Christmas.
During this special time of year, as the staff of Plymouth Church, we count ourselves incredibly blessed to serve in your midst. The ministry of Plymouth Church is really quite unusual and complex. In reflecting upon the months that have passed, the seasons that have come and gone, and the year soon to end, we can’t help but be aware of the profound nature of our work. No one day is ever the same. Each is filled with trial and rejoicing and amazing experiences of grace. We thank you for all the help, support, and sincere concern we daily behold.
The day that celebrates the birth of Jesus draws near. And so, too, a new year. We gratefully pause in this moment to wish you the best that Christmas faith provides, especially the blessings of God’s peace and joy. Love comes to show us the way! Thank God!
The depths of December will break with the dawn of the new year. May the mystery of the Manger, of Mother and Child, inspire fresh expressions of “Joy to the World.” And may Jesus, the Word of God enthroned in our hearts, con-tinue to show us the way of life, both now and forever.
Merry Christmas, Plymouth, and Happy New Year!
Advent Services
December 24 7:00 pm Worship
Communion and Candle Light
10:00 pm Worship Carols and Candle Light
December 28-30 5:30 and 8:00 pm
Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival
Crossroad Christmas Offering
What better way to celebrate the spirit of Christmas than to include Cross-road in our personal Christmas gift-ing. Crossroad is a community that cares about needy children and fami-lies. They passionately believe that they can make a difference in the life of a child. These are children ages six and older who have very serious emo-tional problems as well as other is-sues. Far too many of them have been abused or neglected. They are hurt and hurting kids, and they come to Crossroad to receive the care they must have to achieve the promising futures they deserve.
Please use the Crossroad envelopes that will be inserted in the Christmas Eve bulletins or an envelope marked for Crossroad for your offering. As we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child, let’s help make a difference in a child’s life through our gifts this Christmas season.
Chris Rimmel
Emily
Exploring Faith . Restoring Hope . Discovering God
IIIIIIII n Our n Our
Prayers ...Prayers ...
During the month of December we pray for Crossroad, an agency pro-viding services for emotionally trou-bled youth. Crossroad is a member of CHHSM, the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries, UCC, whose work is supported in part through Plymouth benevolence. Conditions of Special Need:
Karen Anderson, Isabel Cravens, Tim Cunningham, Chrissy Dwire, Paul Freehill, Dan Grant, Mildred Harris, Ann Phillips Hershman, Doris Kelien, Connie McAfee, Julie McDonald, Donald Roembke, Walt Schmidt, Cathy Seymoure, Kelly Spittler, Ken Sprunger, Joan Stanger, and Jack and Tina Worthman. In the UCC, every day is a day of
prayer for peace.
Christopher Black, Major Marc Lovelace, SSgt. Rick Foster, David Worcester, and UCC chaplains, LTC. Charles Purinton and CDR Peter B. St. Martin. New life is celebrated with the birth of Zoey Madison Spath Pinedo to Anne Spath and Andrew Pinedo on December 1. Proud grandparents are Michael and Mary Spath. Sympathy is extended to …
… the family and friends of Rev. Dr. Larry Fairchild who died November 21 in Hew Hampshire. Rev. Fairchild was Plymouth’s pastor in the 1960’s; … Randy Roberts and family on the death of his sister, Marty Geida, of Daytona, FL on November 25; ...Vicki D’Angelo and family on the death of her sister, Natividad Lelis, on December 2 in Legaspi, Phillipines. … the family and friends of David Fussy who died on December 3.
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December 26—Bring a Bell to Plymouth Ring Out Christmas Joy!
Members and friends of Plymouth who plan to attend our final worship of the year are asked to bring a bell from home to ring during the service. On Sunday, December 26, on the second day of Christmas, bells will be ringing at Plymouth! This service, typically a little less formal than usual, will be filled with carols and songs of the season!
“Give us, God, a meal At which no one is hungry, and all are fed; At which no one is unwanted, and all are loved; At which the sick are healed, and the broken restored; At which the grieving are comforted, and the lost found. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Sustainer. Amen.” (via the email “Notes” from Rev. John Gant, Interim Conference Minister,
Indiana Kentucky Conference, UCC; November 29, 2010)
Share a Prayer
Mission and Vision Task Force Update
Hello Friends,
Grace and Peace to you all during this Advent Season! During the October Election Meeting, it was reported that a task force had been assembled at the behest of Executive Council to study and make changes to the current Mission and Vision Statements of the Church. At that time an “ambitious” goal was set for the task to be completed by the end of the year to allow for the recom-mendations to be taken back to the Executive Council for a vote of support at the December Executive Council Meeting. Regrettably that goal will not be attained. This is challenging but rewarding work. While the task force feels the need for expedience, we also feel more importantly that this task be exam-ined from many sides. Among other things, Plymouth Church is an inclusive family of faith, and we want no one to feel as if either statement has no rele-vance to them. Balancing that with being concise demands more time than the December 31, 2010 deadline provides.
We thank you for your patience and ask you for your continued prayers as we continue this challenging, rewarding, and necessary work.
Take Care, Eric Black, Assistant Moderator
Congratulations to Jon Duch and Donna Huss who were married on October
17th in Indianapolis. They currently live in Arlington, VA, but will be moving
to Chisinau, Moldova in January. Donna is with the US State Department.
Jon will be working out of the London office of the Indianapolis based
company, Exact Target. Jon is the son of Barbara Duch.
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January 16-18, 2011 Martin Luther King Jr. Events
Plymouth Church will once again host a community worship service celebrating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. on Sunday, January 16, at 7:00 pm. The service is sponsored by the Associated Churches of Fort Wayne and Allen County, the Rev. Roger Reece Executive Pastor, and the Interde-nominational Ministerial Alliance, the Rev. Mike Nickleson of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, President. This year’s service will feature the youth choir, Voices of Unity, directed by Marshall White, and a youth liturgical praise dance. Guest speaker will be Pastor Corey B. Brooks Sr., founder of New Beginnings Church of Chicago. Please support and plan on attending this important community service that honors Dr. King’s life ministry. There are a number of additional community events worth attending. Sunday afternoon, January 16, 4:00-5:30 pm, the Heartland Chamber Chorale will be presenting their “We Are the Dream” concert at Pilgrim Baptist Church. On Monday, January 17, the Grand Wayne Center will be hosting a “Dr. King Unity Day Celebration,” 10:00 am-4:00 pm. This is billed as the largest King Day celebration in the state of Indiana. For more information, call Fran Grant, Program Director, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Club, Fort Wayne Chapter, at 493-0980. That same evening, the Plymouth Music Series will be hosting Carver Cossey and Kishna Davis in concert (see article included in this newsletter). And finally, on Tuesday, January 18, the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at IPFW will be hosting “MLK Celebration: IPFW and Beyond,” at the Auer Performance Hall in the Rinehart Music Center at 7:00 pm. The featured speaker will be Bishop John R. Bryant, Presiding Prelate of the 4th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Bishop Bryant is a nation-ally known and respected preacher. Music for this event will be provided by the world-renowned Wilberforce University Choir.
So just what is ESS and why should I say Yes??? We are sure that you are wanting the answer to these questions. First let us explain that ESS stands for a Environmental Stewardship Subcommittee. This is a subcommittee under the Christian Education Committee that endeavors to help Plymouth be good stew-ards of the environment both within and without its walls. It meets on the third Tuesday of every other month at 5:00 pm in the Mayflower Room, and we need interested people to join us. You will be able to do as much or as little as you choose, as there are numerous ways to be involved with this subcommittee. Just a few ideas are doing research on topics and possible projects, educating others about information and ideas that would help us be good stewards of our envi-ronment, or implementing projects on this subject in and around Plymouth. We would like to invite anyone who is interested in supporting these efforts to come to the next meeting on January 18 at 5:00 pm in the Mayflower Room. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Sandy Moliere, Chair of ESS.
Just Say YES to ESS!
Knife and Fork
Knife and Fork is a group of senior citizens who gather once a month to share a meal and fellowship. They next meet Thursday, January 20, 11:30 am, at Plymouth Church for a potluck. Please call your reserva-tions in to the church office by Wednesday, January 19.
Timely Reminders
Church Office Closings Office hours on December 24, are 9:00 am-2:00 pm, with minimal staffing. The office will be closed on December 31.
Annual Report Time Again ... It’s almost that time again! The 2010 annual reports will soon be due! All reports should be completed and submitted to Lettie in the church office by Monday, January 3. Reports should be typed in 11 pt. Times New Roman font and emailed as an attachment to [email protected]. Your help in getting these reports in is appreciated. Please call Lettie at 423-9424 with any questions.
Neighborhood Network Do you live in the 46805 zip code area? If so, please join us after church on Sunday, January 23, for a brief gathering to get to know your neighbors! Snacks will be provided.
Save the Date! ValerieTutson, our favorite storyteller, returns to Plymouth Church !
Wednesday, January 26, 7:00 pm. Please plan to join us for Wednesday Live dinner at 6:00 and stay for this energetic and uplifting experience.
1 Terri Stumpf 2 Bethany Binkley Kathryn Diekhoff Mike Hollingsworth Jack Worthman 3 Charles Eckman 4 Scott Callaghan 5 Bob Jensen Sydney White 6 Adam Colclesser Elaine Drummond Elyse Jaurigue Mary Voors 7 Tony Kell Ricky Talarico 8 Claire Greer Barbara Gregory Evelyn Smethers 9 Tina Logan Ella Moore 10 Glenys Martindale Mary Jo Stoffer 11 Benjamin Luyben Walter Schmidt 13 Andrew Brooks Mark Glassley Joshua Weber 14 Todd Binkley 15 Carol Shedd Carol Walther 16 Ron Hays 17 Donetta Cooper Laura Rudolph Amy Worcester 20 Dan Kaufman 21 Karen Jenkins Tate Kuelling Peg Schilb 22 Felicity Nicholson Bettina Worthman 23 Robert Lehman 23 Mary Nance Kay Walter 24 Larry Jenkins 25 Frances Turner 26 Brittany Ramsey 27 Lee MacSorley 28 Kate Schmidt 29 Charlie Belch
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Music Series Concert, January 17, 7:00 pm
Plymouth Music Series features Kishna Davis, Soprano Carver Cossey, Baritone
Those who have attended Plymouth Music Series concerts the past few years will recognize these two outstanding, interna-tionally experienced performing artists. Kishna Davis and Carver
Cossey have both appeared in Fort Wayne as part of the Plymouth Music Series and as visiting artists for the Heartland Chamber Chorale.
Their prowess as performers of opera, musical theater, classical, and pop mu-sic is well documented. Both are also accomplished teachers as well. While in Fort Wayne, Carver and Kishna will visit area schools and perform around the community as part of the many Martin Luther King commemoration events. Please note the following opportunities to see them at work, and plan on join-ing us for these experiences.
◊ Friday, January 14, all day – Visiting area schools ◊ Saturday, January 15, all day – Heartland Chamber Chorale Winter
Retreat ◊ Sunday, January 16, morning – Worship
(Plymouth Congregational Church) ◊ Sunday, January 16, 4:00 pm – MLK Commemoration Concert
(Pilgrim Baptist Church) Sponsored by the Heartland Chamber Chorale, this community service
concert features Pilgrim Baptist Church Choirs, Heartland Chamber
Chorale, University Singers of Saint Francis, Choirs of Temple Achduth
Vesholom, various instrumentalists, and soloist Kishna Davis and Carver
Cossey.
◊ Sunday, January 16, 7:00 pm – MLK Community Worship Service (Plymouth Congregational Church)
◊ Monday, January 17, 7:00 pm – Kishna Davis & Carver Cossey in Con-cert (Plymouth Congregational Church) Special commemoration concert features Kishna and Carver in concert
performing solos and duets in a special, variety packed performance.
Second Nance Recording Benefits Education Maestro Robert Nance announces the second release of the first of four re-cordings in a series entitled, “Attitudes.” The first recording called “Solitude” was released last year, and the most recent recording is called “Gratitude.” Both releases feature classical selections and pop, jazz arrangements for solo piano, with music ranging from secular and sacred. Recordings will be sold to benefit the educational outreach of the Heartland Chamber Chorale. For more information or to order your copy, contact Robert Nance at church, call the Heartland Chorale office at 260.436.8080, or log on to www.HeartlandChorale.org. You can also download the album online at www.digstation.com and search for Robert Nance.
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Mothers of Young Children
Our moms group will continue to gather each month, rotating Thursday nights at 6:30 pm and Saturday mornings at 10:00 am. Each month someone differ-ent will host, so we may meet at a restaurant, coffee house or at someone’s home. Our group will meet next on Thursday January 13, at 6:30 pm and Mandy Rush will be our host. All moms welcome to join in anytime! We don’t take attendance, and we don’t collect dues. We simply gather in friendship and offer support, share ideas and sometimes not talk about our kids at all! If you’re interested and want to know more about our group, just ask Cammy Sutter, Katie Watson, Heather Brackeen, or any of the other moms hanging out in the Nursery on a Sunday morning! We hope to see you then!
Youth Talent Show
Mark your calendars now!! On Sunday, January 23, at 4:00 pm, our youth will host and present a Talent Show! This event will feature some of our very own and very talented teenagers, as well as other talented folks, young and young-alike, from our congregation! If you or your child is interested in partici-pating, please contact Kara Jaurigue at [email protected]. We hope you will come and enjoy an afternoon of pure talent while supporting our Youth!
Welcoming Group
Welcoming Group is for you who have been attending Plymouth Church for at least nine months and are curious about or interested in officially joining the church. You may participate in the conversation without obligation to become a member. We will spend time getting to know one another and the various faith journeys that have brought us here. You will also be introduced to the United Church of Christ, to a bit of Plymouth’s recent history, and to congregational representatives who will share their story of involvement in Plymouth’s pro-grams and ministries. By January 13, please contact Rev. Ruth E. Phillips, [email protected] or call her at the church office, 423-9424, to indicate your plan to attend.
Stock Donations
The recent change over from National City Bank to PNC has been quite seam-less and well integrated, usually not affecting any banking clients in their day- to-day routines. But one change does affect us at Plymouth, and that is the move to a new “clearing firm” when a stock is sold. As you may know, when a friend of the church wishes to donate stock, our policy is to sell that stock and record the proceeds. We have an account with PNC that we use for such transactions, and the transaction requires a DTC number. Effective November 15, we acquired a new account and a new DTC number. Donors interested in gifting stock to Plymouth Church will need to contact the church office so we can pro-vide this information. Financial Administrator Kenneth Athon or Office Man-ager Lettie Eagar will be glad to walk you through the necessary steps. Thank you for considering Plymouth Church in your non-traditional donations, whether by gifts of stock or through will and trust plans. We deeply appreciate the faith you show in our stewardship by these gifts.
A Big Thank You to the IHN Volunteers
We want to thank the following volunteers who helped Plymouth host IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Net-work) the week of November 28 - December 4: Rick Schilb, Mary Gilliom and her two grandchildren, Randy and Carol Roberts, Karen Nesius Roeger, Julie Davidson, Elena Dupen, Sandy Moliere, Dan Hamblin, Tess Stachofsky, Josie Dunlap-Smith, Standish Circle members, Christine Leggett, Laura Kinner, Jim Connor, and The Hambrick Family. Many thanks also to the Friends who also helped: Kitty Herod, Kathy Watson, and Terry & Bob Holada. With your help, Plymouth was able to bring dinner every night to the 31 guests and provide evening entertain-ment to the 21 children through read-ing books and playing games. Plymouth's next opportunity to host IHN is February 27 - March 5. If you are interested in signing up or would like more information about this service opportunity, please contact Diane Swayze or Laura and Rhys Rudolph.
Next Bell Deadline The next deadline for submission of material for the Bell is Wednesday, January 12. We appreciate your prompt submission of articles! Changed your email address??
If you've changed your email address recently, please notify the church at the office email address, [email protected], or by phone, 260-423-9424.
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YOUTH
CALENDAR
December
19 No Youth Group (Boar’s Head Rehearsal
weekend) 21 Youth Christmas Party @ Kara Jaurigue’s
26 No Youth Group (Christmas Break)
January
2 No Youth Group 5 WNL resumes with dinner
at 6:00 pm, youth gather
6:30-8:00 pm
9 Youth Group 12:00-2:00 pm Season of Giving 12 WNL Youth 6:00-8:00 pm 16 Youth Group 12:00-2:00 pm Teens Going Green
with guest, Sandy Moliere
19 WNL Youth 6:00-8:00 pm 23 Youth Group 12:00-2:00 pm
Youth Talent Show 4:00 pm
26 WNL Youth 6:00-8:00 pm
30 Youth serve lunch at Annual Business Meeting Gather at 9:00 am in the
kitchen to help cook and
set up.
Plymouth’s Women’s Retreat 2011
Saturday, March 26, save the date and plan to participate. We will make the short journey to Victory Knoll Center in Huntington, where we will spend the day in retreat, renewing ourselves as individuals and as a community of women.
The Grants and Scholarships Subcommittee has the pleasant responsibility of awarding scholarship grants from the earnings generated by several endowed funds. Applications are due in the church office by February 15.
The Richard C. Hess Peace Studies Scholarship will award a $1,000 tuition and fees scholarship for a college student majoring in peace studies or a related program.
The Richard Nelson Kent Memorial Fund provides educational grants for tuition and fees for members of the United Church of Christ in the Northeast Indiana Association and other qualified applicants who are at least 16 years of age and entering into or continuing ecological studies, conservation biology, or other environmentally related studies.
The R. Donald Sinish Fund provides awards for tuition and fees for 16-to-24-year-old members of Plymouth Church.
The Van Gorder Scholarship is awarded annually for tuition and fees for post-secondary education leading to a degree, certificate, or license for a graduating senior who is a member of Plymouth Church.
Completed applications with all supporting materials must be received in the church office by February 15. Incomplete applications are ineligible for consideration. To request application packets or to receive additional information, call the church office (423-9424) and leave your name, phone number, and e-mail address so one of the members of the Grants and Scholar-ships Subcommittee may respond to your request.
$cholarship Opportunitie$
Plymouth Church is Affirming of the Arts
Plymouth Church has been blessed with a beautiful facility and some of the most exceptional musical instruments in the city. As stewards of these gifts, we care for their upkeep and we share it with others. Many area arts organizations rely on us for rehearsals, performances, and other sundry events. Without our support, and the support of other churches in our community, the arts would be woefully without adequate rehearsal space and aesthetically appropriate locations to perform. Plymouth Church answers God’s call to support the arts in our community. We open our doors to many area arts groups, including the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir, the Fort Wayne Philhar-monic, Music departments of IPFW and the University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne Civic Theater, the Heartland Chamber Chorale, and more. We also benefit the community with our artistic outreach programs, including the Plymouth Music Series and the Boar’s Head & Yule Log Festival. The Music Series has featured many local, regional, national and international artists, and it has been offered to the community free of admission. Boar’s Head is a 36-year outreach that is beloved in the community and has benefitted count-less numbers. We are touching many lives every time we extend the hand of hospitality. Our generous support of the arts continues to provide this community many wonder-ful opportunities for spiritual enrichment.
Abbreviations: EC—Executive Council
E&M—Evangelism & Marketing
K&F—Knife and Fork
NEA—Northeast Association
P&J—Peace/Justice Subcommittee
S&F—Stewardship & Finance Comm.
WNL—Wednesday Night Live
MOYC—Mothers of Young Children
NON PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE
PAID FORT WAYNE IN PERMIT NO 1133
Looking for our email addresses? Church General Office and Newsletter [email protected]
Senior Pastor and Teacher
Associate Pastor
Music Director
Associate in Pastoral Care
Youth Director
Office Manager
Church Secretary
Financial Administrator
Custodian [email protected]
No Matter Who You Are, or Where You Are on Life’s Journey, You Are Welcome Here.
Plymouth Congregational Church of Fort Wayne UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
501 W. Berry St. · Fort Wayne · Indiana · 46802 Telephone: 260-423-9424
Plymouth Outreach Statement
We welcome all who are seeking God’s presence in their lives to join in
our common mission through participation and leadership in this communion of faith. We recognize each individual as a child of God, believing that we are called to be
one reconciled body of Christ with many members.
As Christians and members of
Plymouth Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, we are a
diverse group of people. We are persons of various ages, races,
accomplishments and goals, abilities, sexual orientations,
theological and political beliefs, socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds.
In our diversity, we find strength and a way to
understand the inclusiveness of God.
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
36th Annual Boar’s Head and
Yule Log Festival December 28-30, 5:30 & 8:00 pm
Call 423-9424 for ticket information
