Plymouth Church | Helena Mt.
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Plymouth Church | Helena Mt.
Message from the Minister Rev. Cathy Barker
When I was ordained in 1979, I was barely 25 years old. This did not seem odd to me; most of my
seminary peers had come right from college too, and being 20-somethings, we felt we knew pretty
much everything! But I looked young, even younger than I was. If I heard it once, I heard it a
hundred times: "You look too young to be a minister!" A compliment, sure, but tiresome in quantity. I began to
joke, "Yeah, I was ordained in the third grade!"
Now people are saying, "You look too young to retire!" OK, now it's more of a compliment! I can still trot out the
same joke, but sometimes I add that I've been an ordained minister for 35 years, and because of internships and
such I can say I've been doing ministry for 39 years. That feels like enough!
As I begin to wrap up my ministry here, working toward that Dec. 31 date, I'm reflecting on these 35/39 years of
ministry. Early on I didn't feel very comfortable teaching; now that's my greatest joy! I used to be very structured
in worship preparations; now I flow with the Spirit much more. I remember my angst about the first few weddings,
baptisms, and funerals; now I take them in stride, and honestly, I've lost count!
I'm so grateful to be bringing this career to a grace-full close here at Plymouth, here in Helena. Our relationship
began with you ministering to me, when I arrived with a broken ankle and grieving my mother's death. Our hugs
and laughter and song have multiplied the healing and together we have shared that spirit with the Helena com-
munity in fascinating ways. I am confident that God will guide you into a rich and Spirit-filled future.
No goodbyes yet, of course - Dick doesn't retire until June 30, so I'll be around, just as a demure minister's wife for
those six months. (Why does everyone laugh when I say that??!!)
Shalom, Cathy
“Fall Back” ! Daylight Savings time starts November 2nd 2014.Council Meetings’ Summary
September 22, 2014 Council Meeting
The Council had an in-depth discussion of the proposal by Li’l Explorers to rent Room 7 during the week. They
would increase their rent by $500/month. The daycare income is not currently covering their expenses and
having another classroom would allow them to increase their numbers enough so that the business remains
viable. We agreed that if daycare uses the classroom, it would need to be packed up at the end of the day so that the church
can use the room in the evenings and on weekends. Concerns were expressed about whether or not the space would be kept
in usable condition for our needs. It was also agreed that the matter would be discussed with the Fossum family since their
memorial funds have been used to remodel the room.
October 5, 2016 Special Council Meeting
The Council met with Dick, Cathy, and Joy after church. Cathy announced that she will be retiring at the end of the year. Dick
will stay on as our full-time pastor until he retires at the end of June, 2015. We discussed the church’s options and path
forward. Our interim period will begin after Dick’s retirement.
October 16, 2014 Council Meeting
The Council met October 16, 2014. We had another extensive discussion concerning the Li’l Explorerers request to use Room 7
during the weekdays. It was decided to form a three person committee to look into the issues and present a proposal to the
congregation at the annual meeting.
Joy Bruck was present representing the Pastoral Relations Committee. We discussed developing terms of call for Dick as our
full-time minister .
We also discussed the implementation of the new by-laws. Since the church will be in a transitional period, we agreed to keep
the new by-laws in place for another year.
Other business:
It was also reported that the elevator has been fixed, but its operation is still a little tricky.
Don Herriot has completed the buttress repairs.
The pledges and finances are currently keeping pace with our expenses.
Moderators Update-Gus Byrom
Our Council has been busy beginning to discuss alternate ways by which our congregation can begin the process to
seek new pastoral leadership with the assistance of our Pastoral Relations Committee. We'll keep the congregation
informed, and of course, the final process must be approved by our congregation. There is plenty of time for this
process; our next steps can be initiated after the first of the year.
In addition the daycare has requested to expand full-time into Room 7 at the south end of our Christian Education
wing. There is also discussion of the need for a founder's room that would recognize the early founding members of Plymouth, perhaps
located in Room 7 or in other space within the church, coordinated with other multi-purpose functions. . Hal Fossum, Robie Culver, and
Evelyn Nelson have agreed to serve as a committee under Steve Mandeville's leadership to further study and investigate possible courses
of action.
We are quickly approaching the stage of having to complete a budget to present to the congregation next January, as well as assembling a
slate of officers for our leadership positions for 2015. The joy of witnessing our Capital Campaign improvements also sustains and inspires
us all. Let us keep moving forward as the Lord directs us !Plymouth Profile – Dave Donaldson What motivates someone like Dave Donaldson to
help people when he can? Personal experience; faith; compassion, to name a few.
A native of Madison, Wisconsin, Dave joined the Air Force to escape an unhealthy environ-
ment of drugs and gangs. At the end of his service, Dave purchased (sight unseen) land in
Montana, thinking at some time he would be able to relocate. He and his partner, Savannah,
ended up in Montana, liked what they saw, and realized there was no need to travel further.
Dave is a seasonal employee for the Bureau of Land Management at the Log Cabin campsite
on Canyon Ferry, and Savannah works at Big Sky Ski Resort.
Eight years ago Dave and Savannah adopted twin teenagers from Russia, Chad and Alex. Alex
frequented the Lewis and Clark Library where he met Dave. “I don’t know why this kid wanted
to connect with someone like me – an old codger – but he did. For weeks we met at the
library and talked.” Uncharacteristically Alex didn’t show up one very rainy, cold day. Dave
listened to an inner voice that compelled him to drive home a certain way, and there walking
in the rain, unprotected with no particular place to go, was Alex. Dave brought him home and
began the long and tortured route to bring both boys together to live in Montana.
You may know Dave from his participation in choir, for his original music, or his announcements during church, asking for our
help with God’s Love, Friendship House, or Food Share. He is driven by compassion, but also by experience. Once the church
helped him and he did not forget. Dave’s mother died in Wisconsin a few years ago. Friends at Plymouth contributed to travel
funds to enable Dave to attend to and mourn the loss of his Mom. Always grateful for this support, Dave donated the speakers
used in the sanctuary, and devotes much energy to the church’s social causes.
Paying it forward, Dave wants to help in ways that he was helped. How lucky we are to have him part of our church family.
Renewing the View Update
After worship on Sunday, November 9th, Plymouth, neighbors and friends are invited to celebrate
and dedicate the new ramp and entrance at the east-facing door. Following the service, we will
gather in the lower level for soup and pie, organized by the Fellowship Committee. If you have
dessert you would like to contribute, contact Sunny Ray Mandeville, 442-5834.
If all goes according to plan, there will be some Capital Campaign funds remaining, allowing for the installation of a gas
burning fireplace where the wood-burning fireplace currently resides. That may be the end of construction activities for this
fall and winter. The last phase of the campaign, beginning in late summer 2015, will focus on the sanctuary and fireside room.
Robie Culver will be anxious to hear your ideas about that next year.
As noted in the past, we are extremely grateful to not only the professional skills brought to this project by Dave Harris, our
General Contractor, to Jeff Downhour, Mosaic Architect, but also to Ann Byrd for her diligence and to Jan Clinard for design
overview.
Stewardship Dedication-Sunday November 23rd.
We will wrap up our Stewardship Drive with a dedication in service on November 23rd. Please make sure to
return your Pledge Card to the office with the TOP filled out (and forgive your church secretary for the
confusion! Just ignore the bottom of the card!) You can mail it in, place it in the Pledge card box in the Narthex,
or put them in Julia’s in box in the office and we will get them entered. Thanks everyone for being so faithful
and forging ahead with Plymouth’s Mission in 2015!
Youth and Youth Events
It is with great disappointment that we are compelled to formally announce the resignation of our Christian Education
Ministries Coordinator, Annie Tavary. Although only with us a short time, she was a person of great vision and experience.
Annie felt that she could not continue in this role until such time as the younger population at Plymouth grows.
It was great to see two rows in the sanctuary filled with youth from various UCC churches in the state, on Sunday, October
19th. The youth stayed in our church and produced blankets for the children at Intermountain Children’s Services. The
beautiful blankets were draped on the altar for all to see. Thank you, Kim Harris, for bringing the kids to Plymouth.Family Promise
Due primarily to construction (and destruction) at Plymouth, we have had to
revise our affiliation with Family Promise. Plymouth is not a “host” church,
but instead we “partner” with 7th Day Adventist to provide much-need
accommodation to people without homes. Our next “partner” obligation will
be in December. At that time we are looking for volunteers who may be
interested in spending the night with the residents. This responsibility
requires training. If this important social mission speaks to you, see Pete McKinley, 465-0011, for more information.
Nominations Accepted
If you are interested in serving on the church council beginning in February 2015, don’t be shy. The year ahead will be busy,
demanding, and important in the life of Plymouth. Speak to Gus Byrom, Council Moderator, 443-0677, if you have an interest
in serving on the council or with any of our many committees.
2nd Annual Plymouth Church Pie Sale! . Back by popular demand! Lets fire up this great
fundraiser and Bring your pies, your appetite and friends to Plymouth’s 2nd Great Pie Event, Sunday
November 23rd after worship in the downstairs Fellowship Hall. Whole pies will be available for bid.
Sign-up sheets are posted on the table in the narthex for those who are willing to provide a pie or pies.
Previously un-frozen and homemade pies prepared in tins or pans you are willing to part with are
preferred. If you have any questions, contact Amy Demaree, 443-2844.
Lunch and Learn
By the time you receive this newsletter, Joy Bruck will have delivered a “Lunch and Learn”
activity at Plymouth, Wednesday, October 29 at noon. Her discussion focused primarily on Ballot
Issue 126, but Medicaid and senior abuse as well. We mention something that may have already
happened because it is important to note that our Joy is State President of AARP, a significant and
honorable achievement. She deserves our congratulations.
Helena CROP Hunger Walk: CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide events
sponsored by Church World Service and organized by local congregations or groups to raise
funds to end hunger at home and around the world. With its inception in 1969, CROP Hunger
Walks are "viewed by many as the granddaddy of charity walks," notes the Los Angeles Times
(Oct. 26, 2009).
On October 17, 1969, a thousand people in Bismarck, ND, walked in what may have been the
first-ever CROP Hunger Walk – and raised $25,000 to help stop hunger. Several other CROP Hunger Walks occurred soon
thereafter, and before long there were hundreds of Walks each year in many communities nationwide.
CROP Hunger Walks help to provide food and water, as well as resources that empower people to meet their own
needs. From seeds and tools, to wells and water systems, to technical training and micro-enterprise loans, the key is people
working together to identify their own development priorities, their strengths and their needs – something CWS has learned
through some 67 years of working in partnership around the world.
The Plymouth Church Social Justice Committee, led by Gus Byrom, has organized a CROP Walk again in Helena for our 2nd
year. Together with several other churches, we’re Walking from St. Peter’s Episcopal Cathedral to finish up at First Christian
Church at 311 Power Street , on Sunday afternoon, November 9. You can join us by signing up to walk, by making a gift, or
both! We will have sign-up sheets at church, or you can register online by going to www.cwsglobal.org, clicking on Find a
Walk, and locating us by zip code or in Montana. This is a concrete and enjoyable way to help respond to hunger and poverty
in our community and around the world . If you have questions call Gus Byrom at 443-0677 .P LY M O U T H C H U R C H
November 2014
Sunday November 2 10:00 am Worship-Communion Tuesday November 18 8:30 am Retired Sinners-Fireside Rm
Wednesday November 5 5:30 pm Tai Chi– Fireside Rm Wednesday November 19 5:30 pm Tai Chi-Fireside
7:00 pm Acts Part 1-Rm 7 7:00 pm Acts Part 1-Rm 7
Thursday, November 6 6:30 pm Geog of Grace-Fireside Rm Thursday, November 20 5:30 pm Church Council-Fireside Rm
Sunday November 9 9:00 am Plymouth Singers 6:30 pm Geo of Grace-Rm 7
10:00 am Worship Service Sunday November 23 9:00 am Plymouth Singers
11:00 am Dedication of Entrance 10:00 am Worship-Stewardship Sunday
1:30 pm Crop Walk-St.Peters Episcopal 11:00 am Plymouth Pie Sale-F Hall
Tuesday November 11 5:15 pm Staggering Faith at the Ox Tuesday November 25 5:15 pm Staggering Faith at the Ox
Wednesday November 12 10:30 Women’s Gathering-Fireside Rm 6:30 pm Geo of Grace-Fireside
5:30 pm Tai Chi– Fireside Rm Wednesday November 26 11:30-Womens Lunch-TBA
7:00 pm Acts Part 1-Rm 7 5:30 pm Tai Chi-Fireside
Thursday, November 13 6:30 pm Geo of Grace-Fireside Rm 7:00 pm Acts Part 1-Rm 7
Sunday November 16 10:00 am Worship-Jazz provided by Thursday November 27 Happy Thanksgiving!
Red Stiletto Swings
Sunday November 30 10:00 am Worship-Hanging of the Greens
Please Keep in your prayers: Dick Brodoway is recovering at Elkhorn Rehab Center from a fall and
needs our prayers, cards or visits. Please keep in your prayers JJ and Peggy Coggeshall (JJ's doing
better, and is making plans to return to Helena in late November!), Betty Sando, Ida Holmquist, Bob
Scow, Betty Purvis, Bernita Lackman, Carol Dunkle, and others you may know. Don't panic over the
Ebola scare, but pray for the people in Liberia and other African countries, as well as all the health-
care providers and others who are helping. We certainly need to pray for peace with justice, as well.
At Touchmark: At Home: Hunters Point: At Big Sky
Peg Rule Bertha Pietz Art & Joan Hart Ida Holmquist
Betty Purvis Sharon Henderson-Colorado Harold & Gen Pederson Betty Sando
Bill Anderson Bob Scow
Carol Dunkle
Pete McKinley
Prayer Request: Do you have something you would like added to our prayer list? There are several ways to do that! You can call
the church at 442.9883 and either speak to someone or leave a message.
We will always call you back.
Email us at info@plymouthmontana.org
Don’t forget to keep in touch with us on Facebook (facebook/plymouthcongregational)Plymouth Church,U.C.C. Return Service Requested Non-Profit
400 S. Oakes St. Check here____ and return if you no Organization
Longer wish to receive this mailing. U.S. Postage
Helena, Mt. 59601 PAID
www.plymouthmontana.org Permit No. 151
Helena, Mt.
59624
Plymouth’s Mission is to nurture our congregation and the wider community
with acts of love and a vision of God’s image in all things.
Plymouth Church Office Hours: (P)406.442.9883 On the Web:
Monday-Thursday 400 S. Oakes St. www.plymouthmontana.org
Pastors: 10 am to 12 pm Helena, Mt. 59601
email:info@plymouthmontana.org
Secretary: 12 pm to 3 pm www.facebook.com/plymouthcongregational
Co-Pastors Pianist: Ann Moody
Rev.Cathy Barker
Rev. Dick Weaver
Secretary: Julia Demaree Custodian: Tim SynessYou can also read
