Rev. Doug Van Doren, Pastor

Phil Pletcher, Chancel Choir Director

Rev. Doug Van Doren 

* Summer Schedule for kids at Plymouth

July 4-September 5: One Room Schoolhouse in the Meeting Room adjacent to the narthex. Volunteers can sign up to host ORSH (sign up sheet will be posted on SS bulletin board) and an activity cart with books, crafts, and videos will be in the closet for their use, or they can bring in their own story and activity.  If no volunteer signs up for a given week…

***New this year*** Activity bags for young children sitting in worship will be in a basket next to the sound system desk.  Coloring books, etc. will be in the bags.  We ask parents to help your child put everything back in the bag at the end of the service so it will be ready for someone else the following Sunday.  Enjoy the summer!

*We Are Searching For You! ... Are you ready to be found?

There are 3 leader positions open in Sunday Sessions for the Fall of 2010.

Each commitment includes 8 Sundays of teaching (spread throughout the year) and

about 2 hours of training. We also ask you spend a little time each week praying for our program.

Children & Worship Leader (ages 3-K)

In this group we work with our very youngest, learning

to sit for stories, pray, sing, and the meaning of

loving your neighbor.  Children at this age love the giving

of offering and an opportunity to tell their own story.

Your awesome team members include:  Carrie DeMull,

Cindy Robinson, and Sarah Reese.

Celebrating God’s Creation (grades 1-3)

We take every opportunity to notice God’s creation in our

stories and in our response time.  Our service projects

focus on caring for animals and respecting nature.  Your

dream-team members include Jenn Sklener, Sharon Verheek,

 and Sheree Alexander.

Global Communities (grades 4-6)

These groovy kids talk about many issues regarding their

faith and explore global communities through a variety

of service work.  Your team members include these way

cool people:  Annette Brokaw,  Vickie Sumner-Sjaarda,

and Ellen Winterburn.

Are you the change you wish to see in the world?

Contact Sheree Alexander via the church office at 455-4260.

* Copies of Rev. Van Doren’s sermons, “Limitless Faith,” June 20, 2010, “The Shoulders on which We Stand,” June 27, 2010, and “The Shoulders on which We Stand II,” July 4, 2010, are available in the sermon literature rack on the counter in the narthex.

* Parents: Save the date!

Monday, August 30, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Love and Logic in the classroom and at home. More information to follow.
 

* Community Garden at Plymouth

A committee is being cretaed to explore the possibility of establishing a community garden a Plymouth. If you would like to be part of such a project, please call the church office (455-4260) or speak to a Church Council member.

*Check out “Sunday morning” at Plymouth

Bring your day-planner to church!

If you are serving as a greeter, coffee host, usher, liturgist, or communion server, please take a look at the schedule posted above the drinking fountain in the narthex. You will find a calendar there covering all of these responsibilities. Consider bringing your day-planner to church and noting this information. Although you will still receive a reminder postcard, the full schedule will only appear on the bulletin board.

*Inclusive Communion

Plymouth seeks to be as inclusive as possible, as a part of that commitment, the Diaconate is working toward making the Sacrament of Communion available to all who seek its redemptive power, by using gluten-free bread. (We have found bread that is less “crumbly” and thus will be easier to handle.) As we all become accustomed to this bread and the minor changes involved in this “family meal” let us focus on the meaning of communion and give thanks for Christ’s invitation to us and whosoever will come.

* E-mail Prayer Chain

If you have an e-mail address and wish to be added to the prayer chain group, please let Colleen Van Doren know. Periodically you will receive requests for prayers. It is a great ministry to provide to church members and friends and a way to receive as well. Knowing that prayer makes a difference, we welcome you to become a part of this communication.

*Plymouth Memorial Garden

Plymouth has a memorial garden, located at the southwest corner of the building. The purpose of the garden is to have a place to memorialize people related to the church who have been cremated and would like to have this be the place for the ashes and a memorial plaque. Ashes can be buried loose, in a container, or scattered. Bronze plaques are affixed to large decorative stones in the garden. An information paper on the Memorial Garden is available from the church office.

t

*Applause to Ardy, Alan, and Colleen for organizing a great ice cream social on Sunday, June 27. We all had a fabulous time for fellowship and treats! Thank you. - Dana Donnell

*"Thanks so much for your kind, generous donation of the delicious food at Pride movie night. Your gift is a very welcome and wonderful addition to this special nigh tin the celebration of Pride in the GLBT community." - Michael Woerner and West Michigan Pride, Inc.
 

*IHN - Family promise

Week of July 25 - Sign ups begin June 27

The sign-up sheets look different so be sure you look them over well before adding your name. If you have any questions, contact Candi Teachout after July 8 via the church office or at Sunday services.

We are implementing a few of the ideas from our June 20 meeting with the July 25 IHN Plymouth rotation. We will be experimenting with a new and exciting concept. Each day of the week will have its own Team and Coordinator; responsible for that evening or Saturday. They will work together to provide volunteer hosts, meals, activities, and overnight hosts. The evening may look a lot like it has, or the team may come up with alternative times, etc. The teams will also help to recruit for their team using their individual creativity and connections. These teams may exist for just this one rotation or they may grow into a real team that will work together rotation to rotation. Candi Teachout will still be responsible for orientation for the guests as well as new volunteers, problems that arise, etc. Joan Norman will still coordinate the food. We will be using many of your other ideas in the month’s ahead.

*IHN Orientation for New Volunteers and the "Just Curious"

July 25, 5:00 p.m.

An Interfaith Hospitality Network orientation for new volunteers and anyone interested in learning more about our mission to help those experiencing a transitional housing crisis will be held Sunday evening. Candi Teachout, Plymouth Coordinator will explain the Family Promise IHN program, our role in that program, and the various volunteer opportunities that exist here at Plymouth.

Please plan to attend and stay for dinner with fellow Plymouth members and our guests. A sign-up sheet (so we know how much food to prepare) for the Orientation and Dinner will be found on the IHN table in the Narthex. Here's your chance to learn, ask questions, make suggestions, and observe the program in progress.

* You share your table, now share your talents ...

Where do you find information about the products and services you need? Who do you get your referrals from? Friends? Business associates? Church members?

Whether you're a realtor, lawyer, doctor, dog-walker, builder, cake-baker, house-cleaner, or babysitter - no matter what your talent or job - you depend on marketing to get you business. These days, more than ever, that includes word-of-mouth.

Plymouth member, Joe Kurnik  has volunteered to update our Talents and Services book in order to make it easier for us to offer our services to each other. Whether you offer a for-fee service or volunteer your time, let us know.

If you have ideas or questions for Joe, drop off a note, addressed to him in the church office, or talk to him at church.

*Acolytes

Children in first grade and up are invited to serve as acolytes. Training will be provided. If you have questions, please contact Steve Rierson through the church office (455-4260).

*Nursery volunteers

The Plymouth Church nursery is looking for a few volunteers. If you can assist in this important ministry for our children and Plymouth’s worship visitors with young children, please contact Sharon Bayer or Theresa De Rose through the church office (455-4260).

* UCC Daily Devotional materials are available on line at: ucc.org/worship/calendar

* These Days devotionals

Copies of the issue for July – September are available on the literature rack in the narthex.

*Join Plymouth's Bell Choir

All interested persons are invited to join the bell choir. Rehearsals are Tuesdays, 7:00 -8:00 p.m. You do not need to read music but you do need to be able to count to four over and over accurately. If you are interested, please contact the church office (455-4260) or see Sandy Swayman.

*Plymouth Prayer Group

Second Sunday of each month following worship

This is a great time to spend reflecting on the prayer needs of our church members and friends. It is very informal. Everyone is invited whenever you are able to make it. Another way to be actively involved in keeping joys and concerns present throughout the week is to add your e-mail address to the prayer e-mail group. Nothing is required other than you receiving periodic updates of prayer concerns, particularly those coming between Sundays. Please leave your e-mail address in the office or give to Colleen Mahon Van Doren.

*Improvisational/Sacred Dance

CANCELLED - Saturday, July 31;10:30 a.m. - noon.

Watch for new dates and times for Fall

Everyone is welcome. Please sign-up in the narthex. Contact Kathy Bogart via the church office (455-4260) with questions.

* Plymouth Book Lovers

Monday, August 9, 7:00 p.m. at Plymouth

Our next book is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. You are invited to come and enjoy our discussion.

*Plymouth Pilgrims Summer Picnic

  Tuesday, August 17

We will be having a picnic at Marge Teeter’s on Bass Lake, Tuesday, August 17. We will carpool from church. Mark your calendars now and watch for details soon.
 

*Transportation need

Transportation is needed for Judy Dougherty for the Sundays of July 4 and September 1. A signup sheet is available on the counter in the narthex or email Colleen Mahon Van Doren via the church office (455-4260).

*Baskets for Babies

UCOM is launching a new project largely as a result of your generosity toward the Haiti Disaster Kit drive earlier this year at Plymouth. Shawn Keener, Program Director at UCOM heard about all the gorgeous baby sweaters our knitters produced and all the other baby items donated for the disaster kits. As a result, her dream of helping new moms is becoming a reality.

The Baskets for Babies project is being developed with UCOM and our Outreach Board, Plymouth people, along with at least three other churches whose focus will be blankets and quilts.

Plymouth is being asked to contribute baby sweaters. If you can’t knit or crochet, you could purchase baby items listed below to fill baskets for new moms and their newborns that come through UCOM’s programs. You could even donate money designated to purchase yarn for those at the church who knit but may have difficulty purchasing yarn to work with.

Needed items are:

            Sweaters                                 “Onesies”

            Receiving blankets                 Pacifiers

            Wash clothes                          Socks or booties

            Baby wipes                              Baby books

            Newborn or size 1 diapers     Baby lotion

            Baby powder                           Baby shampoo

            Bibs                                          Baby gowns

            Burp cloths                              Baby  one piece pajamas

The first ingathering of baby items was Sunday, June 20.  This will be an ongoing project, over 135 new moms were seeking services last year; and after June 20, baby items will be collected on the second Sunday of each month along with the Loose Change Offering and food items for the pantry. Look for tags on the Outreach Board bulletin board – take a tag, purchase the item(s) and bring them to church.

* Degagé

A ministry for the homeless in the Heartside neighborhood is requesting new or slightly used blankets for our clients. This is very necessary at this time of year. Please leave your donations in the box marked for Degagé in the narthex and Emily Magdelena will deliver them.

* The Upper Room Disciplines 2010: A Book of Daily Devotions.

A book to help instill the practice of regular Bible reading, reflection, and prayer as part of your daily routine. Cost: $12 per copy. If you wish to order a copy, please inform Barb in the church office (455-4260). UCC Daily Devotional materials are available on line at: ucc.org/worship/calendar

*Kiksuya - the newsletter from Re-Member is available on the counter in the narthex. View pictures from past trips on the bulletin board there as well. You can also access the newsletter on line through here.

* Copies of The Manor Mirror available

Complimentary copies of the June 2010 issue of this Pilgrim Manor publication are available on the literature rack in the narthex.

*Stewardship of God’s Creation

Plymouth’s Justice and Peace Task Force sees environmental issues as justice issues. In that light, it hopes to bring you some thought-provoking, inspiring, or just plain fun bits about the role Christians play when it comes to the “Stewardship of God’s Creation.” Full commentaries can be found on the Justice and Peace Task Force page of Plymouth’s website.

*Family Mentoring with Family Promise

The Family Mentoring program focuses on matching an adult family member for two years with a trained mentor. Individuals who commit to mentoring get the training needed to support the adult family member to develop personal and professional goals. Currently we are recruiting mentors. For more information contact Mary Brown at 616.581.1154 or email at mbrown@ggrihn.org

* IHN Furniture Donation Program

Two times a month IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network) and Next Step, a Christian ministry

devoted to helping men develop work skills, will pick up gently used furniture and household items.

Please consider donating your household items to IHN. When you do that you not only are helping

the families of IHN but providing employment to others. Call the IHN office (475.5220) for further

information and for pickup.

*Important Resource for Hearing Impaired

The American Red Cross has partnered with the G.R. Fire Dept. and Deaf and Hard of

Hearing Services to renew, Saving Lives at the Sound, a smoke alarm distribution and

installation program. This program will offer a free 10-year lithium battery smoke alarm and

battery replacement as well as an unprecedented part of the program that focuses on

meeting the needs of the hearing-impaired community in GR. If you would like to request a

smoke detector for the hearing-impaired loved one in your family, the fire department and the

Red Cross will install one in their home at no cost.

For information contact: slats@ggr.redcross.org or 616.456.8661.

*Home Repairs for Seniors

(For 60+ Senior Citizens who are Homeowners)

Home Repair Services can take the worry out of owning a home. We will gladly come to your

home and consult with you about the best solution to your home repair problem at no charge.

We know many reputable contractors who give fair prices. In many cases, we will pay for some

of the repairs as well. Call Cara Oosterhouse at 241.2601 ext. 247 for a free repair consultation or

more information.

*Safe Haven Volunteers Needed

This non-profit organization that serves abused women and their children needs volunteers

to help at our emergency shelter and in our office. If you are interested in sharing your unique

gifts and talents with the families we serve, please call our Raise Hope Program Manager,

Sarah TenBroek at 452.6664, ext. 22, or visit our website at www.safehavenministries.org

*How to Avoid Foreclosure

The Grand Rapids Urban League invites you to attend a FREE information/counseling

session that will help you take the steps necessary to resolve your housing problem.

Every second and fourth Thursday, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. at the League, 745 Eastern Avenue SE.

For more information or to register, call 616-245-2207.

*Parents ... things to do with your children this summer

AIM Fitness, 4620 Kalamazoo Avenue SE offers classes during the summer for children on Tuesdays and Thursdays

teaching nutrition and making exercising fun.

Information sheets are available on the counter in the narthex or call 616-871-6500 for more information.
 

*Performance Dates for the Celtic Woodwind

Featuring performers Caren Rojas on Irish Flute and Whistle; Dave O’Neil on Irish Flute, Whistle, and Bagpipes; Mike Mulder on Bodhran;

and Kevin Dobreff on Bouzouki and Guitar will perform on the following dates:

•  July 23 at Frenz Coffee House in Rockford, 7-9pm

•  July 24 at the Ionia Free Fair, 3pm

•  July 28 at the Ottawa County Fair, 6pm and 9pm

*Heritage Theater presents “Inherit the Wind” 

July 29 – August 1, and August 5-8, on stage at Spectrum Theatre

Bill Handy is playing the role of Rev. Jeremiah Brown, a Pentecostal Bible beater in the heavenly town of Hillsboro. Inherit the Wind is the dramatic adaptation of the Scopes Monkey Trial in 1925. The play presents the timeless “conflict” between science and religion that still is playing out today. Tickets are available in person or call: 616.243.3946. Adults $18; Seniors $14; Students w/ID $10. Sunday shows all seats $10.

* Red Barn Theatre presents "Amadeus"

August 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 & 15. (Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.)

The play, Amadeus, from which the 1984-Oscar-winning-movie was taken, is based on the famous rivalry between European composers Antonio Salieri and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Plymouth's own Phil Pletcher will be seen in the lead role of Salieri. Kathy Osborn (from the Plymouth choir) is cast as one of the Venticelli (Vienna town gossips) and Bruce Roller will play Emperor Joseph II of Austria. There are six performances: Adult tickets are $20 and may be reserved by calling the Red Barn at 269.857.5300 or by contacting Phil Pletcher at 616.204.9616.

*Sisters in a Strange Land: A Retreat
for Christian Lesbians
August 20-22, at the Leaven Center, Lyons, Michigan
Leaders: Theresa D. McClellan and Melanie S. Morrison
Time: Friday, 7:00 pm – Sunday, 1:00 p.m.

Cost: $190 if you register by July 20; $215 after July 20.
Cost includes program, two nights lodging, and five meals.
Partial scholarships are available.

Women from all around the country and Canada will gather for a weekend of storytelling, sharing, music, laughter, tears, reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones. There will be time for relaxation and play as well as reflection and discussion. We will discuss ways the Bible has been used to harm and oppress lesbians; we will also explore how it can be a liberating resource when read and interpreted in a lesbian feminist context.

Theresa D. McClellan is Faith Advocacy Coordinator for GIFT (Gays in Faith Together). She is also a singer/songwriter who runs two song-writing businesses, Songs from your Soul and Jingle Gems.

Melanie S. Morrison is Executive Director of Allies for Change. She is one of the founding pastors of Phoenix Community Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a congregation that has been welcoming of LGBT people from its inception. She is also author of three books.

For more information:
Visit www.leaven.org or call 989.855.2606
Brochure: http://www.leaven.org/documents/SSL2010.pdf

This retreat is sponsored by Leaven and GIFT (Gays in Faith Together).