Rev. Doug Van Doren, Pastor

Phil Pletcher, Chancel Choir Director

A Prayer of Confession for the Lenten Journey

*Lenten Workshop-Digging Ali's Well

Sundays, March 7, 14, 21, 28, and April 18

11:40am – 12:45 p.m.

   Leaders: Dana Donnell and Sheree Alexander

A few years ago, a 22-year-old woman named Ali, from a fashionable Forest Hills family went to Africa as part

of YOUTH WITH A MISSION (YWAM). She has since formed an orphanage for children with AIDS. (More information on Ali and her children coming soon.)

The upcoming workshop is an opportunity for you to act locally and serve globally, while observing the Lenten season. You will be creating ceramic works of art as part of a fundraiser - to be held Sunday, April 25) to bring clean water to Ali’s orphanage. In addition, you will be sharing in a reflective atmosphere that will include sacred readings, meditative music, and a short devotion; all part of the classroom experience.

Join us with hearts and hands in motion.

Supply Fee: $4 for adults; $3 for students (scholarships available)

Limited to 20 participants, Grade 6 – Adult

A signup sheet is on the Sunday Sessions bulletin board in the church narthex. For questions please contact Sheree Alexander through the church office (455-4260).

*Lenten Study

Sundays, March 7-28, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Rev. Van Doren will lead this study; discussion, prayer, and meditation involving both Biblical and Theological study. We will use material from some of the leading progressive writers

* Vacation Bible School Update

A few weeks ago we requested input from Sunday Sessions parents regarding VBS planning and timeframes.

 We want to thank all those who responded for the very valuable feedback! We will be using many of those suggestions for this year. While several families preferred a daytime VBS schedule, several still preferred the evening schedule. We have a small planning group this year (still trying to recruit more help!) and the majority of the available planners/helpers work during the day, so we realized we couldn’t do it without the volunteers!

 Instead of ditching the whole idea for this year, we will instead be using an alternative format- four Sundays in June, during church, in place of One Room Schoolhouse. This will be significantly easier to staff, and will hopefully be convenient for most families, since they may be in church anyway, and childcare for the young ones will be provided. Although we know we can’t make it work for every family, we sincerely hope it works for most!

We will have our next planning meeting on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 11:30am in classroom #1 downstairs- all are welcome! Any questions? Please contact Sharon Verheek or Susan Proctor through the church office at 455-4260.

* Email Prayer Chain

If you have an email 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.

*Interested in a visit to the New Arabic Mosque?

The middle-school Sunday Sessions class got to be among the first to step foot in the new  "Islamic Mosque & Religious Institute" (IMRI) as part of their "Abraham Religions" study. It was an hour well spent, touring the (not yet open) Mosque and learning about Islam from a few Mosque members, including two Muslim teens.

Our kids got to ask them everything from why the Mosque has a domed roof to questions about whether and how they do their daily prayers in school. We all came back from the experience better informed about our religious "cousins."

The IMRI is putting finishing touches on the Mosque and plans on hosting a community open house when it is complete. We'll inform you of these dates so we can be a supportive presence by attending the open house.  

Other possible opportunities include an after Sunday service Mosque visit for those interested in a more in-depth tour and a Plymouth adult education evening class series on Islam.

For more information, IMRI website is: www.grmasjid.com. - Stacy Grossman

*Diaconate asks your Patience

In an effort to be a place where “all are welcome,” the Diaconate is attempting to make the Communion sacrament gluten free. Please be patient as we test different gluten free breads to find one that everyone can share.

*Liturgists, Ushers, Greeters, Communion Servers and Coffee Hosts

Thank you again for your willingness to make Plymouth's Sunday worship both welcoming and sacred! You will receive a printed list of assignments soon. In the meantime, you can check the bulletin board above the drinking fountain in the narthex. We have also set up a Google calendar where you can go to any given Sunday and see who is serving. You can also search the calendar with your name to see when you are assigned, or you can search using the terms "liturgist," "usher," "greeter," "coffee host" to see who might substitute for you if you need to make a change in your schedule. Ask a member of the diaconate for the password and G-mail address.

*Monetary Donations for Haiti: We are asking that you hold your monetary donations until March 14 and give it to the ingathering offering for One Great Hour of Sharing. That offering will continue to help not only Haiti but the other places in the world still recovering from disasters such as our own Gulf Coast, and the victims of the tsunami disasters. See information below about other ways to help.

* 2010 Offering Envelopes

Please pickup your box of envelopes on the table in the narthex. Boxes are arranged in alphabetical order. If there is not a box with your name on it, please contact the church office.

*Secret Pals

Have you remembered your secret pal? Please check the counter area in the narthex to see if there is a gift waiting for you!

*The UCC Women of Michigan

The Gathering

June 11, 12, 13, 2010

“Let us Rejoice”

Keynote Speaker: Rev. Judith Youngman, current Transition Interim Conference Minister for the Michigan Conference. A brochure with workshop details and registration information is available in the Plymouth Church office.

*Dinners for Eight: The Remake!

The Diaconate Board would like to invite you to get together with friends at Plymouth. Take a look at all the offerings we’ve invented to help you find others who share your interests. You’ll find a display on the large table in the narthex. Sign-up for as many groups as you wish. Sign-ups will go through the month of January and groups will start meeting in February. Please accept our invitation to be part of a series of four social events in 2010.

*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.

* Sympathy to the family and friends of Edna Anduss who passed away on January 27, 2010.

* Sympathy to Hank Blanksma on the death of his brother.

* Carrie De Mull is at home recovering from surgery to remove a kidney.

* Marge Naill had hip replacement surgery on February 10.

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*Congratulations, Plymouth People!Thank you for the blood you gave on Sunday, February 7.

Eighteen people signed in to give blood, 17 pints of blood were donated, and three of the donors were first timers. That is a gift of LOVE and LIFE. We’ll do it again next year! Save up!

*“Thank you to everyone for their prayers and cards during my last hospitalization for pneumonia.”

 Donna Neuman

*“To all the people of Plymouth Church, thank you all for your contribution to “Restore Hope.” Dave’s dream will come true!” Sincerely, Dorie and Cindy

*“On behalf of UCOM, I would like to thank Julie Ashmead, Marianne Butcher, Judith Ann Colyer, Don Joyce, and Colleen Mahon Van Doren for reading and helping with craft projects for the Homework House sessions at Southwest Campus. The students were energetic groups and eagerly looked forward to the times with our readers who did a fantastic job! And many thanks to all who volunteered that we didn’t have room for this time. I’m sure we’ll be contacting you again! A big thanks to everyone!” Lee Engstrom

*TIES, TIES, WONDERFUL BEAUTIFUL TIES!- I am greatly inspired by the brilliant array of Italian and Chinese silks, madras plaid, poly blends and even some real wool and cotton ties.

We now have all the colors of the rainbow and I will be able to make 2 or 3 quilts and wall-hangings for the next fundraiser for Re-Member. Thanks go out to all who donated those old neckties just taking up space in the closet.

"When will we have enough?" someone asked me this morning. I think Doug has preached on the subject of “Enough,” and so I suggest that we accept ties for a couple more weeks and then call it enough at least for now. Look for a prototype of Grandmother's Fan Quilt to be hanging in the narthex in early March. And again, thank you all for the abundance that is Plymouth Church. - Jan Haringsma 

*Re-Member

Please sign up for another trip to the “Rez,” August 13-21. Twelve spots are open, so if you are interested, the sign-up sheet is in the narthex or contact Barry Karlson through the church office (455-4260).

* 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. More information and direction for getting your service in the book will be coming soon.

*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).

*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, payable when you order. If you wish to order a copy, please inform Barb in the church office.

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

*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.

* Great Lakes Pride Band

  We are looking for musicians to come play with us. We perform at pride events, concert, and

  festivals. For more information: www.greatlakesprideband.org/index.html

*Interested in Theatre?

Phil Pletcher has organized a church drama group, Plymouth Players, that will present skits and short plays throughout the year. The repertoire will be a mix of Biblical drama along with pieces that deal with social or justice issues. Depending on the response, we may also do an occasional larger work. We are looking for people who would like to be involved in any of the areas of production: acting, props, costumes, make-up etc. No experience is necessary. Please see Phil if you are interested in being involved at any level.

* New Horizons: Music for Life

 For two days each week (Monday and Thursday), the lower level of Plymouth UCC is home to the West Michigan New Horizons Music Ensembles, and we want to express our sincere gratitude to the Plymouth congregation and board for letting us rent this space.  We have three bands – two concert bands and a swing band – and a string orchestra.  Our members range in age from 30 to over 90; what we have in common, amongst other things, is a love of making music and of sharing that music with others.

If you have never played an instrument before, or have stopped playing for many, many years, a New Horizons' music program is the place to rediscover your musical side in a supportive and fun environment. 

We invite you to drop in to a rehearsal or join us for a coffee on our break.  If you would like to know more about our program, or would like to join us, please visit our website at www.westmichigannewhorizons.org, or call 447-0389. Beginners are always welcome!

*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.

*Plymouth Book Club

March 1, 2010; 7:00 p.m. at Plymouth

We are reading Still Alice by Lisa Genova. This is a novel about a Harvard professor dealing with her Alzheimer’s disease. We travel with her as she is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and becomes increasingly forgetful and disorientated. We follow her relationship with her husband and three children as they, too, travel with her as Alzheimer’s progresses. Join us for good conversation about the book and each other.

*Wednesday Morning Adult Bible Study

 March 3, 10:00 -11:00am.

Join Rev. Van Doren for a study of the scriptures.

*Improvisational/Sacred Dance

Saturdays, March 6 and 20, 10:30 a.m. - noon.

Everyone is welcome. Please sign-up in the narthex. Contact Kathy Bogart via the church office

(455-4260) with questions.

* Plymouth Pilgrims Potluck

Tuesday, March 16, 12:15 p.m.

You are invited to join us for a potluck. Please bring a dish to pass and your own place-setting. Rev. Van Doren will lead us in Bible Study. Our guest speaker will be Karen Henry, an Arab American, born in Grand Rapids. She will be speaking on “Lifting the Veil on Arab Women.”

*Care for Creation Program

April 11 – May 9, 5 – 6:30 p.m.

Facilitated by Beth Blackbird, this five-course program is designed for people of faith who want to deepen their care for creation. Topics include:

Ø      The Universe Story: A Sacred Journey

Ø      Global Warming: The Future of God’s Creation

Ø      Water: Gift of Life; Toxics: Cause for Caution

Ø      Social, Economic, Environmental: One Earth Community

Ø      Greening Parishes: Care for Creation

Cost is $10 per person. Class size is limited to 12. Pre-registration is requested by March 14, to facilitate ordering and distribution of study guides written from a Judeo-Christian perspective. Sponsored by the Justice and Peace Task Force.

For more information contact Beth Blackbird or Sondra Loucks Wilson through the church office (455-4260).

*Putting the “T” Back in LGBT

Sunday, April 18

Following a soup and salad luncheon in the church lower level, the Rev. Dr. Julie Nemecek will make a presentation to help Plymouth folk learn more about the transgender process. More details to come.

* Free Workshop on Forgiveness

March 11, 18, 25, and 30 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Has someone hurt you? Are you struggling with anger, bitterness, confusion? Bethany Christian Services is offering a free, four-session workshop on The Power of Forgiveness: Healing the Hurts You Don’t Deserve. . For more information call: Phyllis at 224.7488 or stepasst@bethany.org

* Plymouth’s Justice and Peace Task Force is looking for volunteers to host two-hour shifts during the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Photo/ Poster Exhibit hosted by The Culture of Peace Committee of the Dominican Sisters - Grand Rapids which runs February 21 through March 14. 

Time slots still available include:

Saturday, March 6 (10-4)

Monday, March 8 and Wednesday, March 10 (2-6).

The task mainly requires a listening ear and some background knowledge of the exhibit. Training is provided. Volunteer forms are available at the Justice and Peace display in the narthex and can be returned to a Task Force member or to the Dominicans via e-mail. For more information, see the Justice and Peace display or pick up a brochure in the narthex.

* Yes ...The Haitian Relief Effort Needs You!

 - Linda Looney, Outreach Board

As the news reports have come in about the devastation in Haiti, I’ve wondered what would be the best way to help. You might also be wondering how to help in some way. I have the answer! The Plymouth Outreach Board is offering you two opportunities to help the recovery effort to the victims in Haiti.

1. We are asking you to hold your monetary donations until March 14 and give it to the ingathering offering for One Great Hour of Sharing. That offering will continue to help not only Haiti but the other places in the world still recovering from disasters such as our own Gulf Coast, and the victims of the tsunami disasters.

2. The Church World Service has issued an urgent request for both Hygiene Kits and Baby Care kits. The Outreach Board has decided to become involved in preparing some of those kits. Because the list of items for each of the kits has been carefully honed from hard-learned experience through previous disasters, we ask you to purchase or make the items on the lists exactly as requested. Patterns for baby gowns and sweaters are available at church or online.

Click here for Kit ingredients.

The Outreach Board will use some of its budgeted money to pay the donation for processing the kits and the shipping to get them to the warehouse.

The Sunday Sessions children and, hopefully, the Youth Group will be assisting in this project. We will gather items and then put the kits together and dedicate them on March 14 along with our OGHS offering. We hope this intergenerational opportunity will offer this church a feeling of “hands on” participation in the recovery of disaster victims in our ever shrinking world.

You may supply everything for an entire kit, or some of the items. Collection boxes will be in the narthex near the table by the elevator. You may also give a donation toward the purchase of items for the kits. Make your check out to “Plymouth Church” and designate on the memo line “for disaster relief kits.” 

Multiplying our OGHS dollars increases the results

*More OGHS Information:

Sometimes One Great Hour of Sharing offering money is multiplied so that the return on investment accomplishes much more to relieve hunger or encourage entrepreneurship than the original contributions.

Two such organizations supported by OGHS funds that accomplish those goals are Foods Resource Bank (FRB) and Oikocredit. Here your contribution is not just a gift, but an investment in the lives of others.

With Foods Resource Bank, local farmers plant and harvest a crop. Sometimes they use a rented field or a field that is supported financially by others, such as local churches, individuals, or entire communities. After the crop is harvested, it is contributed to FRB. Then, instead of paying high shipping costs to send food supplies overseas, the original crops are sold and FRB uses the funds to provide seeds, tools, training, and other resources to respond to hunger around the world.

Every One Great Hour of Sharing dollar the UCC sends to Foods Resource Bank produces $5 worth of food.

Oikocredit is one of the world’s largest sources of private microfinancing. It provides funds for life-changing loans to the poor and disadvantaged, with a special emphasis on rural areas and women.

Access to available credit empowers those in need to invest in themselves. With even the smallest of loans, they can create income-generating businesses, send their children to school, buy medicine and nutritious food, or fix a leaky roof.

Most micro-loans are fewer than 100 dollars. Despite a lack of collateral, repayment rates typically exceed 95 percent.

The One Great Hour of Sharing intake - March 14

* Did you know:

- There are currently a total of 14,371 people living with HIV or AIDS in Michigan.  Of these, 1,020 are in Kent County. 

- In 2009 in the state of Michigan, there were 733 people newly diagnosed with HIV or AIDS and there were 109 lives lost to HIV/AIDS related deaths.

From the Resolution “Calling for Comprehensive HIV Prevention in Church and Community” passed at the 27^th General Synod  of the UCC this past year:

The HIV and AIDS pandemic is one of the most serious health crises the world has ever faced.  UNAIDS estimates that there are 33 million people living with HIV worldwide and 5 million people die each year from AIDS (June 2008). Efforts to stop HIV and AIDS and provide treatment and care to all who are living with and affected by HIV continue to be outpaced by the incidence of new HIV infections.  For every 2 people

who go on treatment there are 5 new infections (UNAIDS 2008).  Even by doubling the number of people receiving treatment we will continue to lose ground.  Treatment alone cannot stop the HIV and AIDS pandemic.

The United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) issued a new report in August 2008 revealing that for the past several years the annual number of new HIV infections in the U.S. has been underreported by 40%.  The CDC estimated that there are 56,300 new HIV infections in the U.S. per year, more than 1 million people living with HIV and 250,000 (20%) of them are not aware they are HIV positive.

The 27^th General Synod of the UCC affirms current efforts to, and calls on all clergy and lay persons in all settings of the United Church of Christ to:

·         Become knowledgeable about HIV and AIDS,

·         Understand how HIV is transmitted and how it is prevented,

·         Work to prevent its transmission,

·         Reduce stigma and discrimination, and

·         Help the whole church to increase its HIV competency, and

·         Strongly urges all clergy and lay persons in the United Church of Christ to know their HIV status.*

For more information, please visit: http://www.ucc.org/ucan/

*For the full resolution, see http://www.ucc.org/health/hivaids/uccpolicy.html or http://www.ucc.org/synod/resolutions/past-general-synod.html

*Board members wanted

Grand Rapids Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network is seeking to fill four unpaid positions on its Board of Directors. Positions include: Events Coordinator, Technologist, Treasurer, Membership Coordinator.

Contact: Kristen Hanson, Chair: 616.706.0084; Email: krhanson02@aol.com

* 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.

*Are You Wearing Peace Out?

The Justice and Peace Task Force has a limited number of tapered WAGE PEACE t-shirts available for purchase at $15 a piece. (10 small, 13 medium, 10 large, 1 XL). The Task Force uses money raised from the sale of these shirts to support its advocacy and education work. Not only a cool fashion statement – wear yours to the next “in” event - the hemp/cotton tees help spread the word that there IS an alternative to war. Also available – buttons, window clings and yard signs. Contact the church office (455-4260) or see Sondra Loucks Wilson after/before worship on Sundays if you’re interested.

* 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 February 2010 issue of this Pilgrim Manor publication are available on the literature rack in the narthex.

*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.

* Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin

Sunday, February 28, 7:00 p.m.

Wealthy Theater

GIFT (Gays in Faith Together) is hosting a showing of this movie at the close of Black History Month. Who is Bayard Rustin? He is the man behind the history-making 1963 march on Washington which brought the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to prominence. With dignity and non-violence, he waged two battles still addressed by this nation: racism and homophobia. This award-winning film on the life of Mr. Bayard Rustin shows how we lose out when we leave out. We hope you can be there! Spread the word and help us pack the Wealthy!