Waymarks Plymouth Church | Helena Montana May 2018

Mission and Outreach:

Benefit for the Willis Cruse House

Due primarily to the inspired leadership of Dave Donaldson, Plymouth recently identified and met some crucial needs of the Montana Veterans Association and the Willis Cruse House in Helena. We learned that the Cruse House, a transitional home for veterans, is trying to raise money to purchase a van equipped with a ramp to transport vets in need of medical attention. Dave has been collecting raffle items over the course of a year in hopes of offering another dinner at Plymouth to support veteran needs. When he learned of a benefit and raffle recently offered by the Moose Lodge for this purpose, he graciously offered the raffle items. The Council donated an additional $150 toward the purchase of the van from money set aside to host a dinner at the church. We hope to continue our association with the Cruse House which needs food, household supplies and our thoughts and prayers throughout the year. We hope to provide a Thanksgiving meal at the Cruse House sometime in November. Let Dave know if you have an interest in helping.

Moderator’s Report First, on behalf of the entire congregation, welcome to Dawson Renck! He was born April April, 23, joining parents Anna and Richard and big brother Nicholas. We are so happy to have been able to meet him in church this Sunday. This brings me to my second point. We have been providing childcare during worship for several months now, allowing parents and grandparents to participate in worship distraction-free. I think this experiment has proved its value and I want to encourage people to bring little ones to church where they attend worship for the welcome and gathering, have a special “children’s moment” with Roger, and then go back to the day care to play with one of our professional child care providers. The sound of little voices in church is uplifting – and one morning we were treated to an amazing dance performance before the service began – an unforgettable experience but one we would welcome every Sunday morning. As summer draws near we know people will be coming and going (myself included; I will be away for the summer, but don’t worry, you will see me again by mid-August). When you are out of town you can participate by watching the live stream of the service on Plymouth’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook. com/plymouthcongregational), and when you are in town you are always welcome because no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome

here!

-Pat Chris�an

Moderator Pat Chris�an and Pastor Roger Lynn presen�ng check to

Desiree Baine and Rich Ridgeway for the Willis Cruse House.

Photo by Jennifer Thompson.

Notes from the Journey . . .

On a fairly regular basis people ask me about Plymouth. My standard reply is to tell them about the faithfulness of the people (you). I tell them about the wonderful energy that is present on Sunday mornings when we gather together for worship. I tell them about the ways we are involved in the community. I tell them about the fact that our building is so heavily used that it is sometimes challenging to find a space to hold a meeting. And I tell them about all the ways in which I feel supported and cared for by the congregation. Sometimes I have the opportunity to listen while other people talk to me about the many ways in which they appreciate Plymouth. The other night at “Let’s Talk About It” several people approached me to share their gratitude for our congregation. In the two and a half years I have been your pastor I have come to understand that Plymouth has a (well-deserved) reputation around Helena for being a safe, open, welcoming place for people to gather. May we continue to live in such a way that people don’t need to ask us what we believe because they can see it spelled out in bold letters through the example of our collective life

together. Thank you for being who you are, and for the privilege I have of serving with you as your pastor.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

In Our Prayers Today

At Touchmark: Be$y Purvis

At Home: Bertha Pietz; Sharon Henderson (CO); Kenneth and Sandra Quickenden; Ed and Margaret

Miller; Be$y and Terri Barraugh;

Hunters Point: Joan Hart

Legacy: Harold & Gen Pederson

Our prayers are with Pete McKinley as he faces health issues.

To add someone to the prayer list, please call the church office at 442-9883 or email pccofficemgr@gmail.com

Re-crea1ng the Disciple Groups

The Disciple Groups at Plymouth help with ushering, greeting, collecting the offering, and serving communion on Sunday mornings, along with bringing the treats, setting up, and cleaning up for the Fellowship time after worship. It has been a long time since these groups have been re-organized. That time is now upon us. After a meeting several weeks ago with current Disciple Group leaders it was decided that the basic model is workable, but the specific details (like leaders and the group lists) need to be re-vamped from the ground up. So, if you are a current leader and would like to continue in that role, please contact Pastor Roger at your earliest convenience. If you are not a current leader, but would like to step into that role, please contact Pastor Roger and let him know of your interest. It is our hope to have enough volunteers that there can be two leaders for each group. The plan is to include everyone in the congregation in one of the groups, unless you indicate that you would rather opt out. If you want to opt out, please contact Pastor Roger and let him know that. Thanks for your help with this important matter. Something new will be emerging in the near

future.

Helena Chamber Singers

Concerts at Plymouth

Saturday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 30 at 3:30 p.m.

Plymouth Singers,

It turned out the 3rd Sunday May 20 is when Helena Chamber Singers will share music with us in our service. So, since we already sang in April, Plymouth Singers is getting a break from now through August. During that time, May through August, the 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning rehearsals will not take place. That said, I would be delighted to work with any and all who might be interested in doing something for any service this summer, excepting the first Sunday of each month which is Communion Sunday. If you have a song in mind and would like to sing a solo or in a small ensemble please contact me. It will be primarily the responsibility of those who want to share music to arrange rehearsals, and please include me if you want piano accompaniment. I can also accompany on guitar. Finally, I have a question for each of you. Some have expressed a wish that we rehearsed at another time besides 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning. Alternative times that would work for me would be either Wednesday or Thursday night, probably around 7:00 or maybe 7:30. Please give me your thoughts on that issue. If I get enough feedback to warrant a change, we will do so. Otherwise, it stays 9:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings. In any case, Plymouth Singers regular weekly practices will resume in September. Thank you very much for all that you do in your ministry of music for Plymouth Congregational!

-Karen McLean

Where does your Mission Money go? A few weeks ago, Pastor Roger asked me to help him by distributing gas vouchers to folks who come in to Plymouth looking for assistance. I have been thinking about this program, and I wanted to share some data with you. In the last twelve months, Plymouth has given out 112 gas vouchers to 74 individuals. In the last three months, we have given an average of 11 vouchers per month, and in the month of April, an average of five per week. Based on their driver’s licenses, about 39 recipients are from Helena, 15 from East Helena, and several are from other Montana towns and cities. Four were from out of state. Seven individuals were homeless at the time they received assistance from us. Pastor Roger and I keep tabs on the account to make sure we are not overspending, and at the end of the month, we may find ourselves reducing the dollar amounts of vouchers, or turning away folks who make their way here, referred by the Salvation Army or by a friend. At least once, a recipient has repaid Plymouth for the assistance he received. I have enjoyed meeting these people and being able to help them in a small way. Please know that your contributions are most appreciated by those who benefit from them.

-Allison Rowland, Office Manager

A Gathering to Consider Becoming a Member There are quite a few folks who have started attending Plymouth in the past couple of years. We are putting together plans for a dinner in the near future where such folks can come together and learn a bit about Plymouth and a bit about each other. It will be an opportunity to consider the possibility of becoming an official member of the congregation (but you can relax, because attending the dinner does not involve any obligation or commitment). If you would appreciate a chance to participate in such an opportunity, please contact Pastor Roger at your earliest convenience (pastorplymouthmt@gmail.com or 442.9883) and let him know about nights of the week or particular dates when you would be available. Child care can be arranged upon request.

Plymouth’s Twel:h Annual Let’s Talk About It a Success!

Beau�fully decorated tables, delicious food, excellent table service, engaging and though9ul conversa�on. What a treat this

event is, to sit with strangers—and friends—and talk deeply about meaningful topics. The commi$ee and all the volunteers

outdid themselves once again. Photos by Jennifer Thompson.

Susan Maki, Ann Byrd, Carol Ann Jacobsen, and Lynn

Bolin arranging flowers for Let’s Talk About It.

Clara Gilreath, Marcia Lauer, Jane Stevenson, Marcia Warner, Lynn Bolin and Mary Barre$ folding napkins.

Plymouth CC- Thank you for all your support!

We love doing our fundraisers here!

-Valerie Hellermann & Hands on Global

Church Board Retreat

For all that God provides us, what is expected in return? Written 700 years before the birth of Christ, the Prophet Micah had something to say about that. Plymouth’s Council had the privilege of meeting together to discuss more deeply the Micah 6:8 passage and how it can inform a more vital church. You may remember from previous notices that we are reminded to walk humbly, love kindness and do justice in all our associations. The evening retreat was moderated by Ed Barrett who with his wife, Mary, hosted the gathering at their lovely home. Over the course of the two-hour discussion we explored together the implications of vitality for Plymouth; revisited the “Visioning Process Summary”, compiled in November 2016; and parted with enthusiasm for the future of our congregation. We are grateful to Ed and Mary for their gracious and informed direction.

Trauma and Healing

Ed and Jane Stevenson have a friend who lives in Overland Park, Kansas. “Big Sonia”, as she is known by many, is a Holocaust survivor. Her story, brought to life through a documentary produced by her film-maker granddaughter, will be shown at Plymouth on October 21. What do we mean by “trauma”? Sonia’s experience with trauma is undoubtedly unlike any experience that most of us know. Over the course of “life” we know loss, pain, death and deep sorrow. Trauma is all those things, but also describes times of fear, hopelessness or horror. Trauma of this nature is outside the range of usual human experience. Leading up to this important event are a variety of other opportunities designed to illumine the broad topic of trauma and the complicated process of healing. We will have an opportunity to explore trauma through literature, scripture and discussion beginning in late June. Look for the suggested reading list in next month’s Waymarks.

Mission and Outreach Commi<ee

Jennifer Thompson is Plymouth’s Council member representing Mission and Outreach. Assisting her in that work is an excellent team of Plymouth people including Ed and Jane Stevenson, Dave Donaldson, Frank Kromkowski, Mary Barrett and Gail Nickel-Kailing. We will meet following worship on Sunday May 20th for one hour to review our agendas for the year and to illumine some of the areas that need further work. If you are interested in the church’s outreach and/or mission activities, you are welcome to join us; contact Jennifer at

442-2642.

Potatoes

In memory of our friend, Ken Davenport, Kathleen Culver will provide potatoes for all to take home and enjoy on Sunday, May 6th after worship. If you forget a bag or sack, don’t worry; there will be some available for

your use. Thank you, Kathleen!

Women’s Group May 9

On Wednesday, May 9th at 10:00 a.m. Plymouth’s women will meet in the Fireside Room. Sandra Dearman from the Montana Independent Living Project will describe the work she does to assist people with disabilities in order that they can remain in their homes. All are welcome to meet Sandie and to enjoy some time together. Beverages and treats are

provided.

Plymouth’s Mission is to nurture our congrega1on and the wider community

with acts of love and a vision of God’s image in all

PlymouthChurch

400 S. Oakes St.

Helena, MT 59601

Of�iceHours

• Pastor Roger Lynn: 9 a.m.-noon (M-Thur)

• Office Manager Allison Rowland: 11:30 a.m.—2:30 p.m. (M-Thur)

• Bookkeeper Karen Hendricks: 11:15 a.m.-2:45 p.m. (M,W)

ContactUs

Church Office: 406.442.9883

Web: www.plymouthmontanaucc.org

Email: pccofficemgr@gmail.com

Also: www.facebook.com/plymouthcongrega�onal

PlymouthChurch,U.C.C.

400S.OakesSt.

Helena,Mt.59601

Calendar

Sundays 10:00 a.m. Worship Service

Tuesday, May 1

6:00 p.m. Plymouth Council

Wednesday, May 9 10:00 a.m. Women’s Group

Tuesday, May 15

8:30 a.m. Re�red Sinners

Wednesday, May 23 11:30 a.m. Women’s Luncheon

Tuesdays

2:00 p.m. Bible Study

Wednesdays 6:00 p.m. Table Tennis

7:00 p.m. Faithful Conversa�ons