“Go back. That’s your church.” Those are the words that brought Jerry Hoffman back to Plymouth UCC to stay.

 

It was 2004, and he had recently moved to Grand Rapids. He was looking for a specific church on Kalamazoo Avenue

but got turned around, saw Plymouth’s WAGE PEACE sign, and pulled in to the parking lot. Realizing that the worship

service was well underway, Jerry returned to his car and drove off to find the original church of his search. That’s when he

heard the voice in his head, “go back …” He did, and he’s been at Plymouth ever since. 

 

A retired public school educator and administrator, Jerry was asked to be part-time custodian at Plymouth shortly after

his arrival. But he spends far more time at Plymouth than “part-time” implies. He also volunteers as a quilter, music librarian,

and substitute accompanist for the choir and solo performers.