UNITED CHURCH O F C H R I S T the Bell

www.plymouthfw.org

UNITED CHURCH

O F C H R I S T

Volume 73, Issue 10

October 17, 2012

Plymouth Congregational Church of Fort Wayne

the Bell

Exploring Faith . Restoring Hope . Discovering God

A special interfaith Thanksgiving service will be held Tuesday,

November 20, 7:00 pm, at Temple Achduth Vesholom, 5200 Old Mill Road.

Choirs from each congregation will sing, forming a massed choir to provide

music for this service. Join in this opportunity to unify our voices in song

with our neighbors from our diverse community!

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Commitment Sunday, November 11

By John Escosa

“For you, O Lord, have made me glad by

your work, at the works of your hands, I

sing for joy” Psalm 92:4 (NRSV).

It’s healthy practice for me to count my

blessings. They are many, and I count

Plymouth Church as more than one of

them. If you were in worship at 10:00 am

on Sunday, October 7, you may skip the

rest of this paragraph. Here at Plymouth

we invariably get a well-reasoned, articu-

late message of deep Christian faith. This is true even when the Reverend Dr.

John P. Gardner must be away from the pulpit. We are also consistently

treated to excellent music in a broad variety of styles. All of this we enjoy in a

comfortable space, which is always praised by visitors as “beautiful” and fre-

quently as “magnificent.” Nor is our sanctuary the only welcoming space our

facility houses. We are richly blessed.

“From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required”

Luke 12:48 (NRSV). We’ve heard it many times, and now is our opportunity

to respond to this call for our stewardship. November 11, Commitment

Sunday, is the time to pledge our time, talent and treasure. By continuing to

participate and to volunteer as we have, and by incrementally giving a bit

more each year, we grow the vitality of this wonderful congregation.

For many of us, our gifts of treasure to Plymouth Church represent a measure

of sacrifice. Sometimes this means a shift in priorities, which results in the

personal growth of the giver in unexpected ways. However we come to the

table, we know the welcome here is universal. This is the greatest blessing of

all.

Thank you for your gift and your participation in the life of Plymouth Church.

Annual Election Meeting

and

Empty Bowls Fundraiser

Sunday, October 28

Plymouth will hold its Annual Election

Meeting on Sunday, October 28,

11:30 am, immediately after worship.

The meeting will be in the sanctuary,

where the election of the slate of offi-

cers and board members will take

place.

After the slate is elected, the meeting

will adjourn to the Folsom Room

where the Empty Bowls Fundraiser for

The Interfaith Hospitality Network will

be serving a soup and bread lunch at a

cost of $10.00. Children 5 and under

are free. After the last person has been

served, the meeting will again come to

order for an “information session,”

where a variety of issues the church is

facing will be presented.

Please save the date and time (again:

October 28, 11:30 am) and make plans

to attend this most important congrega-

tional meeting in the life of the church.

For those friends of Plymouth Church

who would like to see our governance

in action, you are encouraged to attend

the meeting and most certainly the

lunch, but only members of the church

in good standing may vote.

I n Our

Prayers

During the month of October we

pray for the Healthy Cities/

Veterans Stand Down (providing

food and clothing to those most in

need through various programs) and

the Franciscan Center, partners in

mission and recipients of Plymouth

benevolence.

Members and friends serving over-

seas: Major Marc Lovelace, SSgt.

Joe Luyben, UCC Chaplains Re-

becca McMichael, Leticia Rouser,

Beth Stallinga, Jon Bailey.

Plymouth people in our prayers:

Deb Conklin, Beth Dickerson, Janice

Furtner, Loretta Henderson, Larry

Holderbaum, Lynn Huber, Brian Ing-

mire, Judy Kuelling, Sadie Kuelling,

Jeffrey Lohse, Kenosha Phil-

lips,Timothy Price, Jack Rhoades,

Luanne Root, and Kay Walter.

Sympathy is extended to the family

and friends of William Whitworth,

who died October 8.

From the Senior Pastor

Friends,

October 7, on World Communion Sunday, we commenced our fall steward-

ship campaign with a wonderful worship service. John Escosa, chairperson of

our campaign, introduced the stewardship theme: Plymouth Church – A Con-

tinuing Work of God’s Hands. The theme is founded upon a verse from the

Psalms: “For you, O God, have made me glad by your work; at the works of

your hands, I sing for joy” (Psalm 92:4). Throughout our stewardship season,

through October and up to Commitment Sunday on November 11, we will

explore the multiple ways in which the ministry of Plymouth Church hastens

to serve as “a continuing work” of God’s grace, love, and mercy.

Did you notice the new linen cloth draping our communion table? The para-

ment, inspired by the Deacons’ Worship Committee and produced by Ply-

mouth’s own “Knit and Kibitz” group, is an exquisite work of liturgical art. It

features on its front dozens of hands configured in multiple colors, sizes, and

shapes. It is complemented by a smaller pulpit frontlet depicting a pair of

hands folded in prayer. The freshness of these handcrafted items serves as a

powerful illustration of Plymouth ministry being fresh, hopeful, and relevant.

A little over 20 years ago, the Rev. Rosemary McCombs Maxey, a Native-

American pastor and professor, wrote on the experience of indigenous peo-

ples within the UCC. She challenged the church to “assume a listening pos-

ture” that we might gather at the Lord’s Table as God intends. She said: “At

the Lord’s Table there is room to be, to be included, to be fed, to be for-

given, to be acknowledged, and to be at home in God’s world. At the

Lord’s Table there is a theology of listening toward mutual hearing. Our

various voices, the voices of all creation, and the voice of the Creator can

speak and be heard.”

I’m grateful for the many hands that have worked and forged the ministry of

Plymouth Church that exists today. I’m exceedingly grateful for the open

Table we maintain, and for the patience and prayer that sustains the extrava-

gant welcome we proclaim.

As we make way through our 2012 stewardship season, I encourage you to

“assume a listening posture.” Together, let us consider how our hands serve

as a continuing work of God’s hands. May we each, in our own way, allow

the still speaking God to inform more fully the depth of our commitment to

the Jesus way.

Blessings,

Rev. John P. Gardner

Empty Bowls Fundraiser for homeless families in our community

Plymouth Church

Sunday, October 28, 11:15 am

$10/per person (Children 5-and-under FREE)

Handmade bowls sold separately

Fall Adult Study

“The Will of God”

continues on

Wednesdays,

6:45 to 7:30 pm

October 24, and

November 7 & 14

Rev. Ruth E. Phillips,

Discussion Leader

All Cast Boar’s Head

Meeting November 4

Women's Breakfast Club

Boar’s Head Festival co-directors Jim

Schmidt and Kara Jaurigue will hold an

ALL CAST meeting on Sunday,

November 4, at 1:00 pm, to distribute

schedules, order tickets, and conclude

any pre-rehearsal business.

Ticketing will be limited to only six

tickets per cast family, six for Plymouth

members by family, and six per patron,

same as last year.

Rehearsals are Saturday and Sunday,

December 15 and 16. The dress

rehearsal and services are December 27

through 30 (same as last year).

We can use help in the kitchen, or with

tickets, set crew, props, make-up, and

COSTUMES. Costume volunteers will

be working with costume coordinator

Katherine Caldwell this year. Please

consider offering your time to one of

these production needs. If you can help

in any way, please contact Jim Schmidt,

(632-5392), or Kara Jaurigue,

([email protected]).

The Peace and Justice Committee is working with our assigned FWCS

Rising Stars at Nebraska Elementary School. This fall, there is a need for

Kleenex and hand sanitizer (large bottles) for classrooms. Teachers typically

supply these items for their classrooms and to assist them, we are collecting

these items for the school to be delivered in late October. A container for

these items, marked “Nebraska School” is in the hallway next to the Well-

spring box. Please take advantage of sales and bring these items to church,

where they will be accepted through late October. Thanks!

FWCS Rising Stars

Wellspring Interfaith Social Services presents a Congregational Open

House, Sunday, October 21, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, at Wellspring Center,

1316 Broadway.

Refreshments will be served and at 11:30 am, Wellspring will honor Ply-

mouth’s own Becky Hollingsworth as a volunteer from its Supporting Con-

gregations. You also are invited to tour their recently renovated facility and

learn more regarding their efforts to provide services for the city’s core.

Plymouth Member Honored

Your monetary gifts to Plymouth allow the Benevolence Committee to help

agencies and groups in need. However, these organizations can use much

more than dollars; they can use you! The Benevolence Committee has

updated the list of volunteer opportunities to help these groups. This

information is available on the information table in the narthex near the

nametags. You can call the agencies for more information on ways you can

use your time and talents to make a difference in the lives of others.

Benevolence Beyond Dollars

Costume Jewelry Needed

For Boar’s Head Festival

Please contact

Katherine Caldwell

(260) 602-1127

Meet us at the Hilton Hotel Bistro the last Tuesday of the month,

October 30, at 9:00 am. Parking is available in the parking garage across

the street from the Hilton, for a nominal fee. If you would prefer to meet us

in the church parking lot by 8:45 am, we will carpool to the Hilton. If you

are interested in having breakfast and/or carpooling, please use the signup

sheet on the bulletin board outside the office. Reservations are necessary

simply to let the Hilton know how to set up for us.

Crossroad is one of our agencies for benevolence. The Peace and Justice

Committee has volunteered to assist with a project for improving the guest

house and garage used by families when they visit with their children who

are living at Crossroad. Materials are supplied; all we need to do is remove

wallpaper and paint the rooms inside the house. A new roof is needed on the

garage for the guest house. We can keep our building skills honed for next

spring’s Interfaith Habitat house by helping with this project. Please sign up

for one or all of the Saturdays-October 20, 27 and November 3, on the

bulletin board outside the office. Contact Sam Lipscomb (602-3383) or

Lucy Hess (484-4430) if you have questions.

Calling all Singers:

Boar's Head Choir

Can you sing or do you know anyone

who sings? We are currently looking for

singers, particularly men, to sing in the

chorus for our Christmas festival.

Rehearsals will take place in Decem-

ber. Letters will be sent out this month

outlining details for getting involved.

If you have participated in the past, you

should get a copy of this letter. If you

have not, please contact Robert Nance,

[email protected]

to be added to the mailing list.

Crossroad Project

mailto:[email protected]


A joint Executive Council/Boards

meeting is scheduled for Tuesday,

November 6, in the Folsom Room.

Snacks will be provided beginning at

5:45 pm; the meeting will start

promptly at 6:30 pm.

As in past years, tables will be set up

for each Board and the Nominating

Committee. There will be a brief

Executive Council (EC) meeting, then

an opportunity for Boards to meet to:

-Elect Board chairs, recorders and

EC representatives to serve in 2013

(this will meet the time deadline for

election of officers following the

October 28 Annual Election meeting,

as required by the Bylaws)

-Hold a November Board meeting

(The November Leadership meeting

would ordinarily fall on Tuesday,

November 20, but that is the evening

of the Thanksgiving Interfaith Service

at Congregation Achduth Vesholom,

and is just two days prior to Thanks-

giving.)

All current Board members are

expected to attend this joint meet-

ing.

Also, Moderator Eric Black will be

inviting the new folks listed as nomi-

nees in the Nominating Committee's

report on Page 6 of this issue of the

Bell. Thus, veterans and newbies of

each Board will have a chance to get

acquainted and to participate in the

election of Board officers and the

November business meeting.

Details of the November joint meeting

were provided at the beginning of the

October 16, 5:30 pm leadership meet-

ing in the Folsom Room. Please

remind all your Board members of this

joint meeting.

Knife and Fork will meet at The Pickle, on West County Line Road in

Dunfee, on Tuesday, November 13, at 11:30 am. (Directions: Take Indi-

ana State Road 14 (Illinois Road) west to County Line Road. Turn right

(north) on County Line Road and proceed about a mile and a half. The res-

taurant is on the left (west side). Please confirm your reservations with

November coordinator Ruth Smith, 432-9815.

November Knife and Fork

Joint Executive Council

And Boards Meeting

Tuesday, November 6 The next meeting of Knit and Kibitz will be on Thursday, November 1,

6:30 pm, at Laura Rudolph's home. This will be our last meeting before we

start selling the projects we have made throughout the year. Finish what

you are working on or plan to finish it before Thanksgiving. Try to attend

this meeting as there are important things to be discussed. Sign up on the

sheet outside the church office, or contact Riet Zwiep, 485-1676, or

[email protected] .

For our sale this year, we will have some scarves again, like last year, but

we have branched out now to hats, ear warmers, and a few other items,

some one-of-a-kind! Our featured item is a multi-colored afghan, made by

many hands, using yarn from the Plymouth Yarn Company (yes, you did

read that correctly!!), a family-owned business in Pennsylvania. There will

be additional information and more details coming out in the future about

dates of this year's sale. All yarn for the projects was donated, so

100 percent of the income from the sales will be allocated by Standish

Circle to non-profit agencies serving families. Watch the Sunday bulletins

for more information.

November Music Series Features Mr. Puppet

Knit & Kibitz

A Children's Concert

with Mr. Puppet and

the Singers of

Heartland Chamber

Chorale

November 18, 2:00 pm

Children scream for Mr. Puppet as he and his zany friends

walk them through a concert program of children’s songs

featuring northeast Indiana’s professional vocal ensemble,

Heartland. Children of all ages will delight in meeting Mr.

Puppet and hearing great music.

The concert is in Plymouth’s sanctuary. Come early for the

best seats!


Have you noticed the

reminders throughout

Plymouth? They have

been placed by sinks

throughout the building

by the Environmental

Stewardship Commit-

tee to remind us all to

conserve the fastest

disappearing resource we are accus-

tomed to having readily available.

Did you know that the average Ameri-

can uses 140-170 gallons of water each

day? You could save almost 3 gallons

of water each time you wash your

hands by: turning the water on briefly

to wet your hands, then turn it off when

applying soap and lathering hands, then

turn the water back on to rinse hands.

You can also save on water by turning

down the stream of water and not hav-

ing it going full blast to wet or rinse

your hands. If everyone practiced this

method, just think of the hundreds of

gallons of water that could be saved by

Plymouth people in one Sunday! That

means we also save on our water bill

while conserving one of our most pre-

cious resources.

Look Before You Toss

Be a missionary without leaving home!

What does a birch-bark basket from Minnesota have in common with a jute

angel tree ornament from Bangladesh? Both are handmade by low income

people working to support their families. These are some of the items from

over 35 countries that will be on display and for sale on November 25.

Volunteers from Third World Shoppe, a nonprofit ministry aiding the poor

through employment programs and education, will be on hand to assist you

and answer questions. Give a gift that gives twice. Please take a few min-

utes to view and to purchase these unique items.

In our efforts to be a more environmen-

tally active church, we have established

both recycling and trash containers

throughout the church. However, we

need your help to make sure your recy-

cling goes in the recycling containers

and your trash goes in the trash con-

tainers. We have tried

to make sure all con-

tainers are clearly

marked so you know

“what goes where.”

Please help

Plymouth’s sustain-

ability efforts by taking a few seconds

to look before you toss.

The Environmental Stewardship Com-

mittee thanks you for your efforts!

Third World Shoppe Sale Sunday, November 25

The annual Fresh Baked Bread Sale, put together by

our youth and adult leaders, will be held the morning of

Sunday, November 18. Breads of all kinds will be

available for purchase before and after church. We will

have our traditional white and wheat loaves, the ever-

so-popular Monkey Bread, as well as zucchini, cran-

berry-orange, and a few others. Mark your calendars! The bread sale comes

just in time to help fill your Thanksgiving table!

Fresh Baked Bread Sale November 18

Standish Circle will again be selling wreaths and garlands just in time for

the holidays! Large and small, decorated and undecorated wreaths, and

roping, will be available for sale in the Folsom Room on Sunday,

November 25 (Thanksgiving weekend) and Sunday, December 2, before

and after the worship service. We are fortunate that the pricing will remain

the same as last year:

small undecorated wreath $19.00

small decorated wreath $24.00

large undecorated wreath $24.00

large decorated wreath $29.00

12-feet of roping $12.00

The wreaths are top quality and last well beyond the Christmas season.

They make beautiful decorations for one's home, or they are great to give as

gifts!

Please Conserve Water

Wreaths and Garlands Sunday, November 25

Thanksgiving Day Worship and Dinner

“Come, you thankful people come” and gather for 11:00 am worship on

Thanksgiving Day, November 22, in Plymouth’s sanctuary. You also are

invited to gather for a splendid Thanksgiving dinner, at 11:45 am, in the

Folsom Room. Jim Conner has graciously agreed to be the chef and will

have savory turkey, gravy, and stuffing prepared to please your palate.

A signup sheet will be posted on the bulletin board outside the office in

early November. Please indicate how many from your family and friends

will attend and what side dish you will contribute to complete the shared

meal.

Committee and Boards (2014)

Letter from the Moderator

Hello Friends,

The heat of summer is over and we now move to what strikes me as a more winsome and reflective

time of year. The colors of the fall leaves are exploding and soon they will no longer be on the trees.

We are in a time of transition. A time to remember the summer past and to look forward to our

wintery customs.

Some could argue, perhaps successfully, that the church is always in some sort of transition. We’re

back into the full fall session, away from the somewhat relaxed time of summer. We are transitioning

into a fall tradition here at Plymouth called the annual Stewardship Campaign. During summer we

may let our thoughts wistfully run in and out of us, but the Stewardship Campaign requires us to focus on the work of

the church and what we can do to make that work reach those who will benefit from it. The theme of this year’s cam-

paign is “The Continuing Work of God’s Hands.” The scripture that we are using is Psalm 92:4: “For you, O Lord have

made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.” God works through many hands in this place.

Indeed, we are the extensions of God’s hands in the world. When a child will have good food to eat on the weekends as

well as during the week in school, God’s hands are at work through us. When a family finds itself in a condition of

homelessness and finds shelter through the Interfaith Hospitality Network, the work of God’s hands through Plymouth

Church and others is visible. Plymouth Church has given money to over 20 charities this year. This is a direct result

again of the work of God’s hands through us. During the next few weeks, it is my prayer that you will consider prayer-

fully how you will support Plymouth Church in the coming year. It is not a matter of your time or your talent or your

treasure. The work that we are engaged in here requires all of us to contribute our time and our talent and our treasure!

If we engage ourselves at that level, the works of God’s hands through us will be manifest in this community and around

the world. Please pray and reflect on what you will give to sustain the many ministries flowing forth from Plymouth

Church.

Now Friends, I encourage you to love one another. Someone said a long time ago, “It takes a village to raise a child.” I

believe in that same village there was the attitude for them to care for one another, to pray for one another, and to see to

the needs of one another as they came to their attention. We can be that village. I want us to be that village.

That is my prayer.

Take Care,

Eric

Report of the Nominating Committee: Nominees for October 2012 Election

Terms end December of the year Indicated:

Officers (2013) Moderator ................. Laura Rudolph Treasurer .................. Laura Coon Clerk .............. Barbara Bugg

Asst. Moderator ......... Eric Black Asst. Treasurer .......... Gail McKinnon Recorder ........ Kathryn Diekhoff

Other Elected Officials

At-large Executive Council Member ........ Deb Conklin Conference Delegate……...Judy Crooks

Nominating Committee

Diane Lasley

Jeff Markley

James Sidell

Christian Education

Board

Dave Jolliff

Bill Hambrick

Cammy Sutter

Barbara Duch

Congregational. Life Board

Carrie Callaghan

Joyce Black

Joe Bir

Deacons’ Worship Board

Mary Bir

Steve Hollingsworth

Dick Conklin

Jim Eitsert

Joe Laudadio

Evangelism &

Marketing Board

Eric Miller

Anne Kolb

Personnel Board

Tony Kell

Joan Lipscomb

Jan Gibson

Steve Ross

Rick Schilb

Property Board

Dave McKinnon

Brian Biefus

Stewardship & Finance

Board

Dan Hamblin

Gayle Newton

Next Bell Deadline

The next deadline for

submission of material for The Bell is:

Wednesday, November 7

Please submit your news items on this date by 5:00 pm

to Suzanne at: [email protected]

(Please note: This deadline is a week earlier than usual

due to the Thanksgiving holiday.)

The Hands That Made Us

We will sing a new hymn in November,

entitled "The Hands That Made Us Are

Divine." The music is a familiar tune,

MELITA, sometimes sung with the texts,

"O Master of the Waking World" and

“Eternal Father, Strong to Save.” You

might enjoy familiarizing yourself with

this text, adapted from poet Joseph Addi-

son (1672-1719) with new words by Ken-

neth Athon.

The hymn calls to mind scripture refer-

ences found in Psalms 8, 102, and 143,

and Hebrews 2:7.

The spacious firmament on high

with all the blue ethereal sky,

and spangled heav’ns – a shining frame-

their great Original proclaim.

Forever singing as they shine,

"The hands that made us are divine."

Unwearied sun from day to day

does the Creator's pow'r display,

and publishes to every land

the work of God's almighty hands.

Forever singing as it shines,


Soon as the ev'ning shades prevail,

the moon takes up the wondrous tale,

and nightly to the list'ning earth

repeats the story of its birth.

Forever singing as it shines,


And what are we, one step below

the angels that surround God's throne,

that God should deign to call us heirs

commissioned as Christ's standard-

bear'rs?

We're knit by God, equipped to shine,

“The hands that made us are divine.”

Christ’s cause and purpose is our call:

loving God and serving all.

Uncertain though the path may seem,

God's hands are sure to guide and lead.

We're knit by God, equipped to shine,

“The hands that made us are divine.”

Friends,

During the election meeting on October 28, the HVAC Committee will

be giving a brief PowerPoint presentation on the condition of the existing

heating and cooling system at Plymouth. The boiler we are using is a low

pressure steam unit that is right at 50-years-old. The boiler is well past the

end of its life expectancy and will need to be replaced.

The HVAC Committee has been given the task of researching new heat-

ing and cooling systems and providing recommendations of which type

of system will be a good fit with our building and congregation. The

Committee commissioned Primary Engineering of Fort Wayne to compile

a study of Plymouth’s existing HVAC systems. Primary Engineering has

provided us with a report that documents the types of systems we have in

the Church, along with the cost of their operations. Primary has also given

us recommendations of modern, efficient systems that can be installed to

replace the aging inefficient steam system we are currently using. The

study also provides estimated costs of installation and operation of the

new systems along with their recommendation of what system will best fit

our building.

There are two copies of the report in the church office and are to be kept

available for the congregation to read. Please do not take these out of the

church and return the copy to the office when finished reading. It is a very

detailed report that is easy to understand and does not take long to read.

I do hope many of you can read the document before the meeting on the

28th, and we can start the serious discussion on just what type of system

best fits our needs at Plymouth.

Respectfully,

Chuck Knox, HVAC Committee Chair

Presentation from the HVAC Committee


Welcome New Members

KATHERINE MARIE CALDWELL was born and raised in Plymouth

Church, as was her mother E. Louise Misegades. Her early years at Plymouth

were very busy with Youth Group and the traveling Youth Musicals. She

dropped her membership over 20 years ago, during a very dark time in her life.

After much searching, she has returned to her roots. She has participated in the

Boar’s Head, in one way or another, almost every year since its beginning 38

years ago. She is currently the Executive Assistant to the Owner/CEO of Press-

Seal Corporation. She owns a home in the Oakdale Neighborhood.

AHNEE (MARY ANGELA) CONNER says, “I’m delighted to have found

Plymouth church and this wonderful group of people and am excited to be join-

ing you!” She loves Plymouth’s peace and justice emphasis; the GLBT affir-

mation; outreach to the hungry; environmental stewardship; intellectually

enlightened spiritual education; and fabulous music. Ahnee was an elementary/

special education teacher, and manager of several family businesses. She was

once a UFW organizer; has traveled widely, especially in the Middle East;

worked at the polls in over 25 elections; and worked with Burmese refugees.

She served on the board of Interfaith Hospitality Network and Indiana Center

for Middle East Peace. Prior religious experiences include Catholic and Life

Bridge Church. Widowed early in life, she married Peter 42 years ago. She has

4 sons, 3 step-children, and 11 grandchildren. Her favorite leisure activity is

duplicate Bridge.

NED EDINGTON was raised in the American Baptist faith and converted to

Catholicism in 1981. Ned left the Catholic Church in 2011 and feels extremely

fortunate to have attended Plymouth for the past year. Ned is married to Sally,

and the couple has two grown children, Ben and Libby, both of whom reside in

Indianapolis, and one grandchild. Ned is a retired probation officer. Ned’s hob-

bies include woodworking, and he especially enjoys making oak “Mission

Style” furniture.

MICHAEL JAURIGUE is joining Plymouth Church after “visiting for a long,

long time.” He grew up with both Catholic and Lutheran influences, and is

looking forward to continuing his faith journey at Plymouth Church. He is an IT

Director at Lincoln Financial Group, where he has been employed for 24 years.

He enjoys spending time with his family, playing volleyball year-round, loves

to play golf, and is a Michigan University fan (Go Blue!). Michael has also

been involved in the Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival in many capacities for

over 15 years. He and his wife Kara were married at Plymouth in April 2000,

and he is enjoying watching his children, Elyse, and Andrew, grow up in a lov-

ing church family.

MOLLY A. and TODD M. JORDAN, were both raised in Fort Wayne. They

are the parents of Maggie, 7 years, and Spencer, 5 years. After searching for a

church that has both traditional and modern views, as well as strong commu-

nity, Molly says the family has felt most welcome and comfortable at Plymouth.

Todd was confirmed at Crescent Avenue United Methodist Church and credits

his time in the youth program there as a major positive influence in his life. He

is looking forward to an equally rewarding experience for their children in the

youth program at Plymouth. Todd is co-owner of a local land surveying com-

pany, coaches club volleyball, performs in a local band, and volunteers for local

causes. Molly works full-time and enjoys time with family and friends, being

outdoors, reading, traveling, learning cultures, and volunteering.

.

1 Isabelle Shockney

2 Louise Misegades

Jan Younger

4 Whitney Chambers

David Wissel

5 Linda Schroeder

6 Timothy Cunningham

Jennie Rumschlag

7 Avery Kruckeberg

William Spindler

8 Miles Nicholson

Barbara Yager

9 Rose Pyle

10 Mary Ann Cree

Terry Green

Michael McCoy

12 Cooper Hackett

Portia Musgrave

Danielle South

13 Kate Hollingsworth

14 Judy Dunahue

15 Ty Ratajczak

17 Kathryn Carboneau

Alex Cooper

18 Gary George

Stephen Schroeder

20 Lowell Beineke

Joanne Brooks-Weber

Valerie Pelz

21 Joyce Briner

Darleen Schmidt

22 Shane Hollingsworth

Ross Sonday

Deb Tuttle

23 Mary Bir

Kirstin Springer

Ruth Anne Sprunger

24 Loren Dove

25 Jessie Voors

27 Edythe Gordon

28 Eric Congdon

29 Jean Ross

30 Brent Blalock

Stan Holdeman

Rachel Tuttle

November

Birthdays

JIM NELSON has been attending Plymouth for about 4½ years. The open and

affirming policy was the initial attraction, but there are so many great things

about Plymouth that made him decide to stay. Jim has been a Speech-Language

Pathologist at Southwest Allen County Schools for 16 years, a job he enjoys

very much. He has been very involved in the theatre community in the Fort

Wayne area for the last 30-plus years, having performed in the recent produc-

tions of “The 39 Steps” and “Moonlight and Magnolias” at Arena Dinner Thea-

tre.

CURTIS AND MELISSA SHAW are excited to be joining Plymouth offi-

cially; finally, after five years of attending. They were married at Plymouth on

October 4, 2008, and their nine-month-old son, Maddox, will be baptized into

the church on December 9. Plymouth’s open and affirming policy, its commit-

ment to just peace and the character and spirit of the Plymouth community con-

vinced them that this is where their family belongs. Curtis and Melissa are both

active singers and actors in the Fort Wayne community. They have been seen

on stage at Arena Dinner Theatre, Fort Wayne Civic Theatre, and others. When

not on stage, Curtis is the Choral Director at Homestead High School and

Melissa is the Communications Manager for 3Rivers Credit Union. Maddox can

often be found engaged in a game of peek-a-boo or playing with his dog, Nor-

man.

DANA WICHERN moved to Fort Wayne in the early ‘60’s from Connersville,

IN. She graduated IU, Bloomington, as well as University of St. Francis. She

worked with FWCS for 36 years: an English teacher (North Side & Northrop),

Director of Community and Information Services; and as Curriculum Specialist

for language arts and mathematics. Dana’s community board service includes

ARCH (past president), Metro YMCA, and a variety of youth-serving agencies.

She has served as president of Quest Club; on the steering committees for the

city’s Bicentennial Celebration and for Mastodons on Parade. Dana was bap-

tized at Central Christian Church, Connersville. She enjoys writing, reading,

and the arts.

Ticket Vouchers

Available for Civic’s

“A Christmas Story”

Welcome New Members (continued)

The stage adaptation of Jean Shep-

herd's memoir of growing up in the

1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie in

his quest to get a genuine Red

Ryder BB gun for Christmas.

Ralphie pleads his case before his

mother, his teacher, and even Santa

himself.

All the treasured elements from the

motion picture are here, including

the family's temperamental furnace;

Scott Farkas, the school bully; the

experiment with a wet tongue on a

cold lamppost; the Little Orphan

Annie decoder pin and more!

This show is being performed at the

Performing Arts Center, November

3-18. The vouchers (one seat each)

are available to you on a first-come,

first-served basis. Please contact

Lettie in the church office to

reserve your vouchers.

The vouchers are made available

as part of a sponsorship agreement

between Plymouth Church and the

Civic Theatre. (Note: Please check

with the Civic Theatre Box Office

to make sure your voucher can be

used for the show time of your

choice.)

Dr. Michael Spath will hold an informational meeting Monday, November 5,

7:00 pm, at First Presbyterian Church, Room 303, about his "Study and Soli-

darity" tour in Israel and Palestine, June 9-22, 2013.

Among the people with whom the group will meet are: Rev. Mitri Raheb, Inter-

national Center of Bethlehem; Abuna Elias Chacour, Archbishop of the Galilee;

Daoud Nassar, Tent of Nations, Bethlehem; Dalia Eshkenazi Landau, Open

House of Ramle; Zoughbi Zoughbi, Conflict Resolution Center, Bethlehem;

Rabbi Arik Ascherman, Rabbis for Human Rights; Jean Zaru, Friends

[Quakers] Fellowship, Ramallah; Members of the Palestinian Legislative Coun-

cil; George and Najwah Sa'adeh, Bereaved Parents Group, Bethlehem; Bernard

Sabella, Middle East Council of Churches, Department of Refugees.

Among the sites to be visited are Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity and Shep-

herd's Field; Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Wailing Wall, Dome of

the Rock, Garden of Gethsemene, Mount of Olives; and Galilee's Mount of the

Beatitudes, and Capernaum. The Group will also take a boat ride on the Sea of

Galilee. For more information contact Dr. Spath 260-456-8920 or

[email protected].

Trip to Israel and Palestine Topic of Meeting


Plymouth Benevolence Distributions for 2013

The Benevolence Committee of Plymouth Church will be distributing applications for Benevolence Funds in early

December. If you know of an organization that you would like to see receive an application, please complete the infor-

mation below and return this form to the church office. Please note that the organization must be nonprofit as defined by

the IRS. Need always exceeds our resources, and application is not a guarantee of funds. Please return this completed

form to the church office no later than Tuesday, November 13. Thank you.

Your name _______________________________________________ Phone number_________________________

Organization ______________________________________________

Organization address_________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

Contact person ____________________________________________

Your connection to this organization:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Additional Comments:

The Amazing Grays

will attend

the Will Rogers Follies

November 11, 2012

2:00 PM

The University of Saint Francis School of

Creative Arts will continue its theatrical

performances in the new USF Performing

Arts Center (across the street from Ply-

mouth Church) with “The Will Rogers Fol-

lies.” The show will tell the life of Will

Rogers, the comedian and headliner of the

Ziegfeld Follies, through a series of Follies-

like variety acts and lavish production num-

bers. The show will highlight the life and

homespun wisdom of the American icon. All the gentle humor of the radio and film actor will be revealed, complete

with lasso tricks and tap-dancing cowboys.

Admission is $15 for the general public, $12 for seniors and children under 10 years of age. Group discount rate is avail-

able for those who sign up by November 7. Doors will open 30 minutes before show time for general seating in the USF

Performing Arts Center at 431 W. Berry St.

Rhonda Eitsert will be preparing a light lunch for anyone immediately after the morning worship service. The cost of

lunch will be $6 for adults and $3 for children. Signups on the church bulletin board are necessary!

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fr i Sat

1

1:30p Memorial Gifts

Committee

6:30p Standish Knit &

Kibitz

2

3

4

Share Your Shopping

All Saints Sunday

8:00a Chapel

Communion

8:30a Hospitality

9:00a Christian Educa-

tion

10:00a Worship &

Communion

11:30a Youth Group

1:00p Boar’s Head Cast

Meeting

5

OFFICE CLOSED

5:45p Yoga

6:00p HCC

6

10:30a Staff meeting

11:45a Women’s Book

Study

5:45p Joint meeting:

Executive Council/

Boards

7

WNL

8:30a Retired Men’s

Breakfast at Atz’s

3:30p Study Connection

5:15p Bible Study

5:30p Children’s choir

6:00p Dinner


6:30p Bell Choir

7:15p Sanctuary Singers

8 9 10

11

Commitment Sunday

8:00a Chapel

Communion

8:30a Hospitality

9:00a Christian

Education

10:00a Worship

11:30a Amazing Grays

11:30a Youth Group

12 OFFICE CLOSED

5:45p Yoga

13


11:30a Knife & Fork at

The Pickle


Study

4:45p Benevolence

Committee

7:00p PFLAG

14

WNL


5:15p Bible Study


6:00p Dinner


6:30p Bell Choir

6:45p Adult Study

7:00p We the Living


15

1:30p Moderators

meeting

5:30p Peace & Justice

Committee

16 17

Youth Group Baking

Bread

18

Youth Group Bread Sale

Music Series

8:00a Chapel

Communion

8:30a Hospitality

9:00a Christian

Education

10:00a Worship &

Communion

11:30a Youth Group

2:00p Music Series

with Mr. Puppet

19

OFFICE CLOSED

5:45p Yoga

20



Study

4:30p Environmental

Stewardship Committee

7:00p Thanksgiving

Interfaith service at

Congregation Achduth

Vesholom

21

22

OFFICE CLOSED

THANKSGIVING DAY

11:00a Worship

11:45a Thanksgiving

dinner

23

OFFICE CLOSED

24

25

8:00a Chapel Commun-

ion

8:30a Hospitality

8:30a Third World Craft

Fair

9:00a Christian

Education

10:00a Worship

11:30a Youth Group

26

OFFICE CLOSED

5:45p Yoga

27



Study

5:30p HVAC

Committee

28

WNL


5:15p Bible Study


6:00p Dinner


6:30p Bell Choir


29 30

NOVEMBER 2012

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

[email protected]

Associate Pastor

[email protected]

Associate in Pastoral Care

[email protected]

Music Director

[email protected]

Youth Director

[email protected]

Office Manager

[email protected]

Church Secretary

[email protected]

Financial Administrator

[email protected]

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

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Vision Statement

Adopted October 2011

Praying for guidance for the journey

… Honoring the mystery of God

… Responding with spirits renewed

… Moving courageously toward wholeness.

Mission Statement Adopted October 2011

Plymouth Church is an inclusive Christian Community

welcoming you as you are, supporting you in your own

Journey with God, and challenging you to live out the

teachings of Jesus, individually, collectively, globally.

UNITED CHURCH O F C H R I S T the Bell

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