Newsletter August 2015 - First Plymouth Church

A United Church of Christ
August 2015
Welcome New Members
Vol. 77, Issue 2
What’s Inside:
August:
Worship Opportunities
Soulful Sundowns
2
This summer we welcome 43 new members to First Plymouth.
Many of them have been worshiping with us for so long we
just assumed they were members! For a bit of information
about these folks to help spark conversations, see insert..
3
Thomas Amabile
James Baack & Kent Lemburg
John Ley
Adam & Anne Litwinski
Children’s Ministries
4
Chris & Sarah Barnes
JoAnn Basden
Frank & Shirley McCall
Scott & Miracle Nuanes
Youth Ministries
Adult CE - Shine a Light
Love & Logic Workshop
5
Whole Earth Ministry
6
Outreach:
Toward Global Citizenship
Family Promise
7
LOFT Back-to-School Project
Women’s Homeless Initiative
Habitat Happenings
8
Elaine Borton
Raphias & Evelyn Chikumba
Linda Cunningham
Vicki Dixon
Taylor & Kasey Fenn
Paul Griego
Harold Harris
Kyle & Amanda Henderson
Charlie & Kathy Hentzen
Andrew Holland & Peg Farrar
Dave Kleinkopf
Josh & Vanesa Painter
Frank Perko III
Ann Rea
Jessica Reaves
Kimberly Stone
James Warn
Carole Weale
Ben Williams & Amy Pickett-Williams
Tom Williamson
Iver & Natalee Yeager
Susan Yoshiwara
Joys & Concerns
9
Bell Choir Update
August Lectionary
Joys & Concerns (continued)
Office Position Opening
Drivers Needed for KVC
Lots-a-Helping-Hands
Building Aesthetics Committee
Shared Space - Open House
10
Contact Information
11
Tales from the Archives
12
Inserts:
New Member information
The Group
A Trip to Creed, CO
August Calendar
Calvary Presbyterian Church is a congregation of approximately 80 members that
presently meet and reside at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. The Business
Administration team, which includes our moderator, has been meeting with
representatives of Calvary Presbyterian since early April to discuss and explore the
possibility of a shared space arrangement. The discussions include the hope that
Calvary Presbyterian would worship on Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. in the
Chapel and join First Plymouth for a shared coffee hour after the service. Other
discussions include the availability of space for the Calvary minister and
administrator, meeting space and storage space. All of the discussions have been
very positive with a growing sense of excitement about the possibilities for both
congregations. As a result of this exploration, First Plymouth is hosting an
Open House at coffee hour after our worship on Sunday, August 16 at 11:15 a.m.
This will give the Calvary Presbyterian congregation a chance to see our space and
get a general feel for what it may be like at First Plymouth. Additional information
regarding this exploration will continue to be shared during the month of August in
the bulletin and Sunday updates.
3501 S. Colorado Blvd. Englewood CO 80113 · 303-762-0616 ·
Fax: 303-789-2783 · www.firstplymouthchurch.org
2
Worship Opportunities
Sundays in August at First Plymouth
8:45 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
Bible Basics & Beyond
Summer Choir Rehearsal
Nursery Care in Room B-09
Summer Sunday School (August 16 and 23)
Worship
August 2 - Rev. Dr. Eric C. Smith and
Rev. Amanda Henderson
Stump the Minister
Stump the Minister is something that is becoming a
tradition at First Plymouth. Come with your questions
large and small, and don’t be shy!
August 9 - The Rev. George Anastos
John 6:35, 41-51
Service of Holy Communion
In what may sound very odd coming from a minister,
I think there are times when we talk about Jesus too
much. Really. Take this week’s lesson for example.
Jesus says, “I am the bread of life.” Theologians and
minister wax on and on (albeit perhaps not so
eloquently) about who Jesus is . . . and they ignore
who we are and what it means to be an intentional
community of discipleship. You see, it is easier to
talk about Jesus than to talk about ourselves; it is
easier to look at Jesus than to look at ourselves.
Today we will talk about how Jesus’ self-revelation
impacts how we live together as a people who are in
the world, in Denver, and in our homes right now.
August 16 - The Rev. George Anastos
Psalm 34:9-14
During the sabbatical I did a lot of reading by young
theologians who are rejecting the business-as-usual
church of yesterday: it no longer serves in today’s
context. It is odd reading this, because on the
sabbatical I also read a comprehensive and
fascinating history of the Protestant Reformation.
Luther, Zwingli, Calvin et al thoroughly rejected the
business-as-usual church of their early years: it no
longer served their radically changed context. What
goes around comes around.
How do the Reformation’s lessons impact us today in
our world’s radically changed context?
August 23 - The Rev. George Anastos
Ephesians 6:10-20
In the letters traditionally ascribed to Paul, scholars
now put them in three categories: those most
assuredly written by Paul, those whose authorship is
questionable, and those definitely not written by Paul.
(The letters that most profoundly challenge the status
quo are definitely Pauline.) Ephesians as a letter is
questionably Pauline. Today’s lesson is an argument
for a Pauline authorship in that it captures some
classic Pauline themes and seeks to mobilize a
community toward active faith.
And there is ONLY active faith.
August 30 – Rev. Dr. Eric C. Smith
Song of Songs 2:8-13
When I want to get the youth to pay attention to the
bible, I have them turn to the Song of Songs and start
reading. It never fails to make them pause and double
-check the words on the cover of the book they are
holding! People through the centuries have had that
same sense of surprise, to discover that there is a
book of love poetry (and some would say erotica) in
the bible! But there it is–and we have a lot to learn
from the book’s presence in the bible, as well as its
contents!
Soulful Sundowns
Join us Monday nights August 17 - September 28 in
the Commons Room from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for a
group discussion of Mark Achtemeier's book “The
Bible's Yes to Same-Sex Marriage: An Evangelical's
Change of Heart”. This book will help us revisit some
of the arguments about human sexuality that are made
in the Bible, and they will help us understand our
church's positions in the range of responses to the
biblical text. Led by Rev. Dr. Eric C. Smith, this
discussion will use Achtemeier's text as a starting
point for broad-ranging discussions about humanity,
God, and our journey as a faith community.
3
Bell Choir Update
First Plymouth has been blessed throughout the years by the time, talent, and support
from our volunteer musicians. Personal thanks go to the Handbell Choir after
demonstrating hard work and patience this past year. Our Whitechapel bells have grown
increasingly difficult to ring, due to regular usage. All things deteriorate over time and
our bells have many interior parts such as clappers, pads, and springs which require
professional inspection and maintenance. A HUGE thank you to the Endowment
Committee, who provided grant assistance last Spring for us to ship our bells to Jeffers
Handbell Supply in South Carolina for refurbishment. During this process, Jeffers has
disassembled and cleaned the bells, and replaced broken mechanisms.
Thanks to research from our Church Historian Don Zeller, we know First Plymouth’s Whitechapel bells
were generously donated as memorials for past church members, as well as former music director
J. Allen Grubb. The cost today to replace these donations from 1966, 1979 and 1999 would be well over
$30,000. In addition to the 61 handbells, First Plymouth owns seven traveling bell cases on wheels, special
folding tables with pads, and a three octave set of chimes from the Malmark company. This wonderful legacy
from our past members should be preserved and cherished.
Our First Plymouth Bell Choir will begin rehearsing September 16. Rehearsals will be Wednesday
evenings at 6:00 p.m. Due to shifting schedules, commitments and priorities, we currently have two ringer
positions open, and are in need of two substitutes. Please do consider joining this fun group. Become the next
“ringer” for First Plymouth. The performance schedule has been averaging four or five Sunday services per
year, as well as trips to perform for outside audiences. For the future there may be a “massed ring” with other
church bell choirs. Feel free to pass along any other ideas to Ben Ehrlich or any bell ringer. Thank you so
much to our bell choir members who have moved on to other projects--Carolyn, Carlyne, Faith and Roger-Thank you and happy trails!
Again, thank you for the support of our music department and see you in the Odeon Wednesday evenings
at 6:00 p.m. with the Handbell Choir.
Peace,
Benjamin Ehrlich, Associate Music Director
August Lectionary Texts
Date
First Reading
Psalm
Second Reading
Gospel
August 2
2 Samuel 11:26 12:13a
Psalm 51:1-12
Ephesians 4:1-16
John 6:24-35
August 9
2 Samuel 18:5-9,
15, 31-33
Psalm 130
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
John 6:35, 41-51
August 16
Proverbs 9:1-6
Psalm 34:9-14
Ephesians 5:15-20
John 6:51-58
August 23
1 Kings 8:(1,6,10-11),
22-30, 41-43
Psalm 84
Ephesians 6:10-20
John 6:56-69
August 30
Song of Songs
2:8-13
Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9
James 1:17-27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15,
21-23
4
Children’s Ministries
Noanie O’Brien Geistert, Director, [email protected]
August Birthdays
Happy Birthday…
...to Our Seniors
Mary Lee Anderson
June Cleveland
Donna Cole
Kit Cowperthwaite
Vivian Gilbert
Pat Gunckel
Kat Haskins
Beverly Heyburn
John Low
Bobbie Reynolds
Nancy Rockafellow
Betty Rudolph
Galen Weaver
Anita White
...and to Our Children
Frances Bronstein
Isabella Cole
Hazel Decker-Smith
Amos Decker-Smith
Logan Ide
Tobin Lindstrom
Mallory Merrill
It’s hard to believe that the summer will be winding down soon and
that school is only a few weeks away. Hope you all have had a funfilled summer. As you read this many of us are enjoying the beauty and
wonder of La Foret during community camp. If you weren’t able to
come, you were missed.
Our Summer Sunday School has been really fun by using books by
Dr. Seuss. When Summer Sunday School resumes August 16 we will
be using the book “Green Eggs and Ham” as a focus and can you guess
what our snack will be? On August 23 our focus will be the book “Oh,
Places You’ll Go!”. For the rest of the Sundays in August the children
are welcome to worship with their families in the intergenerational
services.
The new year for Sunday School begins on September 13 and new
teachers are needed. We are blessed that our Early Childhood teams are
complete with the wonderful addition of Bennie Brown teaching with
Nancy Joe Shaw, however we are looking for two teachers a month to
teach our original curriculum for grades 1-4. To find out which Bible
stories we are doing this year and what
months are available to teach, please
contact Noanie Geisert. Many thanks go out
to our Iliff student intern Alix Wright as
well as Whitney Andreasen, one of our
nursery managers for their invaluable
assistance in writing our new curriculum.
We are so appreciative that Alix will be
joining us for another year and we look
forward to meeting her new son Sebastian
due any day!
We are also looking for assistants for the in-depth Bible study class
taught by Sam and Eileen Robinson based on the lectionary developed
for our students in grades 5-7. One adult is needed to assist each first
Sunday of the month while Eileen ushers during the worship service.
Should you be able to teach an additional three Sundays one month the
Robinsons would appreciate the break.
If your child is entering the third grade this year they will be taking
our Introduction to the Bible class starting in September. At the
conclusion of this class they will be presented with their own Bible
during the worship service. Please see the September newsletter for the
dates. Please contact Noanie Geistert to reserve a place for your
child(ren) in this special class at [email protected].
Please keep our friends the Roe family: Gates, Jessica, Clark and
Scarlett, in your prayers as Jessica recovers from emergency surgery.
5
Youth Ministries & Adult CE
Youth Group Returns!
Youth Group will return on August 30. Youth Group at
First Plymouth is for all youth grades 6-12. There are two aspects of
youth group: the band and youth group proper. The youth band called
“We Stumble At Noon”, is open to all youth regardless of musical
ability and meets from 4:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. each Sunday night. Youth
group follows starting at 6:00 p.m. and continues until 8:00 p.m. All are
invited to just the band rehearsal, just youth group, or to both. If you'd
like more information on youth group meetings and weekly activities,
contact Eric Smith at [email protected], or “like” our
Facebook page at http://facebook.com/firstplymouthyouth.
Youth Group
King Soopers Card Fundraiser
Year-round you can support our youth by purchasing a
$5.00 reloadable King Soopers grocery/gas card at
Mission Central on Sunday mornings or contacting
Rev. Dr. Eric C. Smith directly. The funds generated
by the 5% donation made by King Soopers is the
primary funding source for our youth programs.
Adult Education
August 23
Kurt Shaw: Shine a Light
Love & Logic
Workshop
Registrations are now being
accepted for the Love and Logic
class which will begin Wednesday,
September 23 at 6:30 p.m. and
will run for five consecutive weeks
each Wednesday. This class is
geared for parents of infants through
second grade. If you are not familiar
with Love and Logic you are
encouraged to begin with this class,
even if your child is older.
Children’s Ministries will be
covering the cost of this workshop.
There is a $12.00 cost for the
workbook and scholarships are
available for the this expense if
needed. The class is limited to 16
participants. To register, email:
[email protected].
Please include whether you need
childcare during the workshop.
On August 23, there will be a special adult education
program presented by Kurt Shaw, the creator
and executive of “Shine a Light”. Not only is Kurt a
fascinating speaker and has been engaged in
successful programs for South American street kids
for several years, been hired to write an article about
the current pope, a native of Argentina, he is the son
of Nancy Joe and Joe Shaw.
“Many organizations advocate for poor kids. Shine a Light,
however, educates street kids, child soldiers, indigenous children,
and many others to advocate for themselves, so that they -- and not
some adult speaking for them -- can be actors on the world stage.
We teach the most marginalized children in Latin America how to
make movies, music, and art, so that can share their unique and
profound perspectives. Over the last ten years, children educated by
SAL have made more than a hundred films, many of which have won
awards at international film festivals, and in 2008, our City of
Rhyme Project won the Freedom to Create Prize, recognizing the
young artists who have done the most to promote human rights
anywhere in the world.” — Kurt Shaw
July 19 Service:
James Thompson - vocals, Ian Spillman - drums
John Ehrhardt - cross
Marilyn Ehrhardt, and Peggy O’Brien, visuals
6
Whole Earth Ministry
New Mugs for First
Plymouth!
The next time you enjoy a cup of
coffee or tea at church take note of
the new mugs. On several occasions
last year there were not enough
ceramic mugs to serve large groups.
The Whole Earth Ministry has
purchased 200 new ones using the
eco-justice cross as our logo and
identifying FPC as a whole earth
church. Thanks for helping to do our
part to reduce our landfill waste.
Alpine Seed Collection at
Summit Lake Mt. Evans
September 11
The fragile tundra plant community
around Summit Lake is eroding but we
can make a difference by joining a
Wildlands Restoration group to collect
native seed that will be used to revegetate
stressed areas. Volunteer seed collection
projects help to increase the availability of
ecologically appropriate seeds when they
are not available or too expensive
commercially. It is a relaxing activity and
the location for this project will be at
beautiful Summit Lake just below
Mt. Evans.
Nancy Joe Shaw - 2014
Remember the 6Rs
Resist – be informed about
systems and practices that waste
natural resources and exploit
people.
Refuse – say "No" to junk mail,
excess packaging, catalogs and
overly busy schedules.
Reduce – minimize driving, water
use, magazine subscriptions, paper
consumption, waste dumped into
landfills.
Reuse – use cloth shopping bags;
rinse out sandwich bags; write on
scratch paper; fix instead of
replacing broken things.
Recycle – reclaim newspapers,
cans, and glass; compost; donate
old clothing, household items;
dispose of electronics properly.
Restore – take action to heal
damage we cause to Earth; plant
trees; clean up streams and toxic
waste dumps; improve wildlife
habitat.
Please join other ecologically concerned
individuals September 11 for this fun, all
day project which will contribute to
restoring our fragile wildlands. Contact
Pam Schmidt at [email protected]
or 309-986-9988 to reserve your place
from the limited number of First
Plymouth member spaces available. For
more information visit the website of
Wildlands Restoration Volunteers at
http:/www.wlrv.net.
2014 FP Seed Collection Team
UPDATE
One of the May Share the Plate recipients at First Plymouth was GRID
Alternatives. This organization addresses three of the current problems
in the U.S.: poverty, pollution, and lack of job training. This organization
trains people to put solar panels on the homes of the less fortunate, thus
addressing all three problems. A letter from the organization tells us that,
with our support, they are installing over 1000 solar electric systems this
year in low income communities across the nation. Get more information
about what GRID Alternatives is doing on their website:
http://www.gridalternatives.org/.
7
Outreach
Toward Global Citizenship:
Comments from the Rwanda Committee
Only within the last two years has there been a growing global profile of the
world’s education issues with, among others, the appointment of former U.K.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown as the first U.N. Special Envoy for Global
Educations. Ban Ki Moon, U.N. Secretary-General, recently issued a framework
for education action which has three global priorities; 1) Put every child into
school, 2) Improve quality learning and 3) Foster global citizenship.
There are at least 120 million children in the world who have no access to
primary or secondary school at all. The majority of them live in severely
impoverished rural areas or are unlucky enough to live in countries plagued by
armed conflict. Like their peers everywhere, these children deserve an education
that not only equips them with academic and workforce skills but also imparts a
sense of community and a set of values basic to global citizenship which include
empathy, critical thinking, collaborating with others, respecting diversity, and
understanding inter-connectedness.
To move toward this goal, there is a need to focus on policies, programs, and interventions that bring
learning to these young people both in classrooms and through other social programs. Continued cooperation
between governments and non-profit efforts is needed to move forward [http://www.brookings.edu, 2/10/15].
According to the Global Partnership for Education,
Education is more than reading, writing, and arithmetic. It is one of the most important investments a
country can make in its people and its future and is critical to reducing poverty and inequality. If all
students in low-income countries left school with basic reading skills, 191 million people could be lifted
out of poverty [http://www.globalpartnership.org/education].
First Plymouth’s support of education for very poor children in the neighborhood of Kenombe Village,
Rwanda continues to be an investment in the futures of not only the children who attend school, but their
families and community as well. Keep updated on First Plymouth’s Rwanda Committee in the coming months
at http://www.firstplymouthchurch.org/how-we-serve/in-rwanda/.
Family Promise Volunteers Needed August 23-30
For the past year, First Plymouth members and friends have been partnering with
Calvary Baptist Church (CBC) to host homeless families for a week at a time at
CBC at Hampden and Monaco.
At one time First Plymouth was also a host church when Family Promise was
named Interfaith Hospitality Network. Many First Plymouth volunteers remember
the heartwarming feelings of being able to help these families who had fallen on
hard times. Volunteers are needed the week of August 23-30 at CBC where
Family Promise guests are provided meals and a place to sleep. The guests arrive
on Sunday afternoon and depart on the following Sunday morning. Each day they
are taken to the Family Promise day center, school or work. Volunteers can assist with cooking meals, hosting
each evening, providing fun activities for the children on Wednesday or Thursday evenings, driving the van,
staying overnight, setting-up and breaking-down. It is a great opportunity for families to volunteer together.
Calvary Baptist Church is located on the NE corner of Hampden and Monaco, just down the street from
First Plymouth to the east. There is plenty of parking and the CBC volunteers will warmly welcome you.
You can signup on www.volunteerspot.com or by contacting Susan Oakes at [email protected], by
calling her at 303-399-2807 or look for the Family Promise clipboard in Plymouth Hall on Sundays and at
Mission Central during the week.
8
Outreach
LOFT Back-to-School
Project for DICP
It is hard to believe that school will
be starting shortly for many
students in the Denver area. For
those families with limited
resources, preparing for this costly
back-to-school endeavor can be
daunting. You can help get students
off to a great start by donating the
following school supplies:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Back packs
Spiral Notebooks
Wide-lined Paper
Blunt Tip Scissors
Crayons
Markers
Rulers
Protractors
Pencils
Colored Pencils
Pencil Cases
Bring your donations to church
between August 1 - 16 and place
them in the little red wagon located
near Mission Central. On Sunday,
August 16 join us after the worship
service to sort and load the supplies
into backpacks for distribution to
Denver Inner City Parish (DICP).
Women’s Homeless
Initiative Needs YOU!
Each Saturday in the month of August, First
Plymouth, 6th Avenue UCC, Parkview UCC
and Mountainview United host 20 homeless
women for dinner, overnight and breakfast
Sunday morning. There are five Saturdays
this August and volunteers are needed for
setup Saturday afternoons, greeters/hosts,
overnight Guardian Angels, kitchen help including folks to make
breakfast bags Sunday mornings between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Please contact Leigh Green at [email protected] or 303-667-6029
to sign-up or with questions.
Habitat Happenings
The 17th Loaves and Fishes Colorado
house, located at 2323 W. Harvard
Avenue is breaking ground Thursday,
August 20. Volunteers will be needed
weekly starting August 20 until its
completion in early November. Volunteers can sign-up at
http://loavesandfishes-denver.denver.volunteerhub.com/events/index.
Volunteers must be 16 years or older to be allowed on the job site.
Questions will be entertained by Paul Erickson either by phone or text
at: 720-985-8504 (evenings are best). You’ll enjoy making a dramatic
difference in the life of this year’s partner family. The selection of our
partner family is in its final stages, and we hope to give you more
details next month.
The Work Day on Saturday, October 3 has been reserved for
members of First Plymouth. We will need at least 10 volunteers, a few
cheerleaders, lunch preparers, and observers, so plan to come out and
see what your gifts have created. More information will become
available in the next issue of this newsletter.
Once again this past March you came through with strong support
of Loaves and Fishes through “Share the Plate” and many of us
continue other financial gifts. Last year we completed our $85,000
Sponsorship in the last week of the year, and the till is slow to fill up
this year. Any gifts would be appreciated whether monetary or even an
unused vehicle to help fill the coffers. More information and answers to
your questions about Habitat for Humanity can be obtained by calling
Stan Harwood at 303-829-2111.
Look for the new “Loaves and Fishes” brochure at Mission Central
starting early in August. Our blessings to everyone who helps keep this
great outreach going!
Thank you.
Bruce Thumm, Kit Cowperthwaite, Paul Erickson, and Stan Harwood
9
We Are the Church Together
Terry Crews & Nanette Harland, Pastoral Care Coordinators
[email protected] • 303-762-0616 x225
Joys & Concerns
These are the Joys and Concerns that have been
shared among our church family since the previous
newsletter. If you are able to assist with your time,
please note the * denoting a need for volunteers to
sign up on the “Lotsa Helping Hands” site at:
https://caregiver.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/666371/.
Congratulations to Elise and Danny Sells on the
arrival of William Herbert Sells. William, born on
June 23, weighed 7 lbs. 5 oz and was 21 1/2" long.
Elise is the daughter of Liz and Chris Mascitelli who
are ecstatic about being grandparents, and Nathan and
Michael Mascitelli are happy about being uncles.
Barbara Hosanna, Office Coordinator here at First
Plymouth, is also thrilled to be a great aunt.
Please hold in your prayers the following members:
*Jessica Roe is now home recovering after emergency
abdominal surgery. Assistance with meals for Gates,
Jessica and Scarlett (Clark is at camp) would be
appreciated. Jessica still needs a lot of rest. Your cards
and prayers are welcome.
*Willa Brunkhorst has returned home following a
brief stay at St Paul’s Care Center while her leg
healed from an injury. Rides to appointments would be
appreciated.
*Jeff Luttkus had ankle fusion surgery on his right
foot on June 16. He cannot bear any weight on it (or
drive) until mid-August. Jeff and Vicki Krieger need
help with driving or meal preparation. They would like
Ben and Jan McCoy belatedly announce their
daughter Kati's engagement to Phet Duangphouxay everyone to know how appreciative they are to
(pronounced “pet”) last August. Kati and Phet will be everyone for the meals they have been receiving.
married this September in Minnesota. Ben and Jan are
The family of Herb Duey sincerely appreciates all the
delighted to welcome Phet and his family into their
help
and support shown during Herb’s illness and
own. Phet, born in Laos, emigrated to the US with his
passing on June 24. Herb’s ashes are interred on Mt.
family in the 1980s.
Lindo. Linda, especially, is thankful for the calls,
cards, meals and the loan of equipment which made
Ashley Irtz daughter of Beth Irtz and Chris Sabin
married Justin Oglesby on Friday July 10 at Boettcher this difficult time a little easier. Being fairly new to the
area, the church is where they had the most connection
Mansion with Rev. Corbin Tobey-Davis officiating.
other than neighbors. God bless you for your caring.
Magic Moments, a non-profit theater organization,
integrates persons with physical and developmental
John Buckley’s mother, Cecelia Buckley, is receiving
disabilities into the total performing cast of amateurs
treatment for colon cancer. She is at Brookdale
and professionals. “Simply Magical: Tearing Down
Therapy Care Center in Greenwood Village for
Walls”, a documentary about this organization, aired
rehabilitation. Prayers for comfort and strength for the
Wednesday, July 29 on PBS Channel 12 at 9:00 pm.
Buckley family, John, Kristen, and Sean are
Members of our own Spillman Family, Heather,
appreciated.
Madi and Ian, are all very involved in this special
organization.
Boyd Barker is recovering at home after receiving a
pacemaker the morning of Saturday, July 12. He and
Ashley Irtz daughter of Beth Irtz and Chris Sabin
Pat are going to numerous follow-up appointments and
married Justin Oglesby on Friday July 10 at Boettcher Boyd needs rest. Your prayers and cards are
Mansion. The Rev. Corbin Tobey-Davis officiated.
appreciated.
* indicates a need for “Lotsa Helping Hands” assistance
10
We Are the Church Together
Terry Crews & Nanette Harland, Pastoral Care Coordinators
[email protected] • 303-762-0616 x225
Joys & Concerns (continued)
Pat Steinhauser long-time member of First Plymouth, passed away
Lotsa Helping Hands
Friday, June 19 in Santa Monica, CA at the age of 86. A local service to
First Plymouth has created a system
celebrate her life was held at Cherry Hills Community Church on June
of Helping Hands to help members
30. Pat was a ceramic artist and made our Christmas crèche. Baby
of our beloved community who have
Jesus’ face was modeled on her nephew David when he was an infant.
short-term needs. Through this
website we post needs for meals,
Rita Alexander had surgery to repair a broken foot on July 2. She
rides, or minor household chores for
appreciates your prayers and calls.
First Plymouth members who need a
set of Helping Hands. To be a part
Sherry Sargent former First Plymouth member died July 2. She is
of the support system for First
survived by her husband Frank and children, Craig, Jim, Linda and
Plymouth members, please signup:
Steve. Services will be held at a later date.
https://
caregiver.lotsahelpinghands.com/
Elaine Borton is in Indianapolis, IN indefinitely as she cares for her
c/666371/. Once at the web site you
father, Bob in his last months and to support her mother Phyllis, and
will be asked to register. Once
sister, Becky Erdel during this difficult time. Elaine asks for prayers
registered you will receive emails as
for peace and strength as she spends time with her family.
needs are posted. If you have any
questions or problems with
registering please contact Pastoral
Care at 303-762-0616.
Communications
Coordinator Position
Applications are being accepted for the Communications
Coordinator position here at First Plymouth. Questions
about the position or to submit your resume, please
email Rhonda Williamson, Director of Administration at
[email protected].
Building Aesthetics
Committee
First Plymouth is blessed with
members of many talents and it is in
need of a small group of individuals
passionate about color, design and
function. As our construction
Volunteer Drivers Needed for
continues, there are small areas in
need of attention which are not
Kentucky Circle Village
included in the scope of the
A core group of three volunteer drivers from
renovations. This committee would
First Plymouth take residents of Kentucky
be a functioning entity long after the
Circle Village senior housing to grocery
stores on Wednesdays and Fridays. We could construction concludes to ensure
use a few more drivers to fill out the schedule. that aesthetics are enhanced not
This is a way to be of service to seniors and to degraded with future additions.
Those interested in meeting
meet a delightful group of folks. It requires
infrequently as a group to guide
driving a small van and helping the residents unload their groceries.
purchasing decisions, please email
The time commitment is about two hours and volunteers can sign up
Rhonda Williamson in the church
for as many or as few trips per month as their schedules allow. If you
office:
would be interested in hearing more about this service opportunity,
[email protected].
email Craig Eley at [email protected].
11
Contact
Information
Contact
Information
COUNCIL
Moderator
[email protected]
Vice Moderator
[email protected]
Annie Nestor
303-594-2073
John Falconetti
303-980-3243
Finance Team
Co-Chairs: Harry Adair & Steve Haskins
[email protected]
303-797-6207
[email protected]
303-843-9590
Treasurer
[email protected]
Steve Haskins
303-843-9590
First Plymouth Foundation
Ken Hoagland
[email protected]
303-733-6101
Church Clerk
[email protected]
Carlyne White
303-751-3307
PPRC
[email protected]
Members at Large: Heidi Thomas,
Kristen Buckley, Keith Conner,
Paula Dinwiddie, Ingrid Johnson, and
Eileen Robinson
MINISTRIES
Worship
Co-Chairs: Nancy Cole & Suzie Wrenn
[email protected]
303-693-0485
[email protected]
720-201-7717
Christian Formation
Co-Chairs: Betty Arca & Alix Wright
[email protected]
303-296-2879
[email protected]
Service (Outreach)
Co-Chairs: Kat Haskins & Michael George
[email protected]
303-771-0666
[email protected]
720-353-4631
Community Life
Chair: Susan Oakes
[email protected]
Debbie Harrington
303-796-7090
Stewardship
Co-Chairs: Debbie Haskins & Grover Wrenn
[email protected]
303-843-9590
[email protected]
303-495-5492
Whole Earth
Co-Chairs: Jan McCoy & Pam Schmidt
[email protected]
303-393-6524
[email protected]
303-986-9988
Inclusivity/Open and Affirming
TBD
Just Faith In Action!
TBD
Rev. George C. Anastos
Senior Minister
Rev. Dr. Eric Smith
Minister of Teaching
Marvin Buckels
303-756-7119
Frank Perko III
Director of Music
Senior Homes
[email protected]
Phil Thompson
303-730-7835
Ben Ehrlich
Associate Director of Music
Arts at Plymouth
[email protected]
Nancy Cole
303-693-0485
Memorials
Chair: Diane Hoagland
[email protected]
303-733-6101
Memorial Garden
[email protected]
Ann Lane
720-220-0921
Web of Care
Elizabeth Thompson
[email protected] 303-730-7835
LOFT
Co-Chairs: Eileen Robinson &
Whitney Andreasen
303-692-1083
[email protected]
[email protected]
303-900-2454
Men’s Fellowship
[email protected]
Roger Diggle
303-335-8137
The Group
[email protected]
Roger Diggle
303-335-8137
Thursday Afternoon Circle
Dianne Hornbrook
303-757-6996
Travel Club
Nancy Joe and Joe Shaw
[email protected]
303-979-5927
COMMITTEES
Building Committee
[email protected]
Chip Cole
303-693-0483
Yacht & Donut Club
[email protected]
Business Admin Team
[email protected]
Ken Sawyer
303-320-3893
World Gift Market
[email protected]
Endowment Committee Harry Adair
[email protected]
303-797-6207
First Plymouth Staff
303-762-0616
Bayley Fund
FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
303-399-2807
Rev. George C. Anastos
Senior Minister
Norm Kautsky
303-794-3348
Amy Turner
720-935-5705
Browse the First Plymouth
Library Catalog online at
www.librarything.com/catalog/Firstplymouth
Noanie Geistert
Director of Children’s Ministries
[email protected]
Whitney Andreasen
Katie Haas
Nursery Co-Managers
Terry Crews & Nanette Harland
Pastoral Care Coordinators
[email protected]
Lois McCloskey
Parish Visitor
[email protected]
Rhonda Williamson
Director of Administration
Barbara Hosanna
Office Coordinator
Amy Turner
Interim Communications
Coordinator
[email protected]
Don McLean
Facilities Manager
Ralph Basquez, Custodian
Ben Ehrlich, Custodian
Alix Wright
Intern
First Plymouth Learning Center
Karrie Gleason, Director
303-762-9355, [email protected]
Unless otherwise noted, email us
using first initial and last name
@firstplymouthchurch.org
12
The Back Page
The Newsletter Deadline for the September Issue is
Monday, August 10
Email your articles and information to:
[email protected]
(or put them in the editor’s box in the church office)
Late submissions may not be included. All submissions are subject to editing.
Tales from the Archives:
CAMP-A-DAY CLUB
It is truly amazing what you find on the internet that you weren’t looking for! A recent visit to the Denver
Public Library Western History website turned up an interesting brochure:
“Announcing Camp-A-Day Club for 1947-1948.”
The program, sponsored by First Plymouth and St. John’s Cathedral, was held at
Glasier’s Farm at 5000 East Kentucky Avenue, site of the future Kentucky Circle Village. Long-time
Denverites may remember many good times there such as horseback riding, hay rides and sleigh rides, barn
dances and the like. The Camp-A-Day program was held on Saturdays for two four-month terms (fall and
spring) and was “for boys and girls from 4th grade up”..Quoting from the brochure:
“Camp-a-Day Club offers your boy or girl a happy day each week away from the routine and pressures
of city living. Sports, horseback riding, ice skating, sleighing and other activities are provided with
mature, understanding leadership. Free play, a chance to enjoy farm animals, fishing and other interests
may be followed. All activities are on an elective basis...Our excellent equipment includes two 1946
suburban carry-alls, driven by careful, capable drivers. This makes possible observation trips to
industries and institutions, craft shop projects and woodcraft trips. Our horses are chosen from the Camp
La Foret string and are handled by leaders who are both riders and instructors. …”
“The cost of carrying out this program is $15 per four month term. Enrollment is open at that price.
Members of First Plymouth and St. John’s Church Schools may arrange with Mr. Dorsett to earn $7 of
this amount on the same basis as the summer camp scholarships. … There are no extra charges except for
beverages or craft materials. Boys and girls bring their own lunches.”
“Why not plan to drive out to 5000 E. Kentucky at 10:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, to
meet leaders, inspect equipment, and ask questions. Enrollment may be made at this time or in advance at
either church office. The total enrollment will be limited to sixty members per term.”
The program was managed by Rev. Mel Dorsett, Associate Minister of First Plymouth (1942-1951) who also
developed programs at La Foret when it was first donated to the Colorado Congregational Conference in the
1940s.
--Don Zeller, FP Archivist/Historian
First Plymouth Congregational Church NEWS is published monthly by First Plymouth Congregational Church,
United Church of Christ, 3501 S. Colorado Blvd., Englewood, CO 80113.
New Members
Thomas Amabile has been helping to set up Plymouth Hall this summer and he’s a jokester.
JoAnn Basden joined First Plymouth with her daughter Kim Stone. They are both originally from Dallas TX.
JoAnn worked in fashion retail before retiring.
Kimberly Stone “Kim” is the daughter of JoAnn Basden. She is an attorney, although she isn’t practicing in
Colorado yet. She is passionate about social justice, women’s issues, gun control and the issue of poverty.
Raphias and Evelyn Chikumba moved from Zimbabwe, because their daughter lives in Aurora and they now
are able to see their grandchildren everyday. In Zimbabwe they frequented a medical clinic and schools that
were established by the UCC church, so it was easy to feel at home at First Plymouth. Raphias is a mechanic
and Evelyn enjoys cooking and they both enjoy gardening.
Linda Cunningham and her late partner Herb Duey have been so involved in First Plymouth since they first
arrived. They are stalwarts in Lots-a-Helping-Hands, driving and preparing meals. They are the source of
delicious refreshments for many functions at First Plymouth.
Vicki Dixon quickly put her hands to work in ministry at First Plymouth with the Knitwit Sewciety. She loves
dogs and is a watercolorist. She is the grandmother of six.
Ann Rea, Vicki Dixon’s sister, is also an active “Knitwit” and gardener. Earlier this year she hiked across
England and is proud to have completed her first triathlon at 63 years old.
Taylor and Kacey Fenn and their children Oliver, Kate and Charlie are an active in hiking, biking and
running. Taylor is handy with tools and Kacey has a talent for event planning.
Paul Griego first came to First Plymouth as a seminary student and interned with us for one year. He is now a
chaplain at Children’s Hospital and will be ordained at First Plymouth in the fall. He loves God, tattoos, family
and delicious food.
Charlie and Kathy Hentzen live part-time in Steamboat, CO. In Minnesota Charlie was on the boards of a
UCC affiliated assisted living facility and family resource foundation. Kathy and Charlie are a creative couple,
Kathy knits and quilts and Charlie is a woodcarver who loves to garden.
Andrew Holland and Peg Farrar and their children Colorado and Clementyne can often be found in the
mountains. Their love and respect for God’s creation have led them to work in animal rescue and embrace
vegan and sustainable living. Andrew is also a trumpeter.
David Kleinkopf has been a fixture at First Plymouth and Denver Inner City Parish for more than a decade.
His wife Ann is the senior pastor at DICP and he is a teacher-counselor at La Academia. Dave loves driving
and teaching.
Kent Lemburg and James Baack and their children Carter and Ava have been fixtures at almost every
family activity First Plymouth has to offer. Kent is a musician, and his medical massage therapy practice
primarily serves people recovering from surgery. James’ gifts are creative design and decorating. In September
James will celebrate eight years of recovery. Carter and Ava completed Kent and James’ family five years ago.
John Ley is also another decade long fixture at First Plymouth. He is a patent attorney, whose proudest
achievement is fathering two daughters and grandfathering one grandson. He is a pilot, skier and bicycler. The
gifts he has to share are building, driving, electrical (he was an undergraduate electrical engineer) and legal.
New Members & Community
Scott and Millagro “Miracle” Nuanes are familiar to many of us because they are regular greeters on Sunday
morning. The Nuanes roots in Colorado go back four generations. They have six children, three grandchildren,
four dogs and two chickens (so far). Scott’s gifts are teaching and gardening and Miracle can share her
cooking, music, teaching and Spanish with our family.
Jessica Reaves and her son Christopher are usually here before the rest of us on Sunday morning to help set
up Plymouth Hall for worship. Jessica is a teacher with Denver Public School Extended Care. Her gifts are
handcrafts and sewing, music and teaching.
Carole Weale has been a great supporter of our Children’s Ministry. Denver is her hometown and Colorado is
her love and joy. She loves gardening and teaching.
The Group
The Group will next meet on Saturday, August 8 at the home of Sally and Dean Lund
at 6:00p.m. Please bring a hearty appetizer, dessert, and/or a bottle of wine to share.
Please call for directions or if you have any questions 303-758-1581. New folks are
always welcome!
A Trip to Creede, CO
A gaggle of 20 First Plymouth members (including a few First
Plymouth hangers-on and wannabees) descended on the small burg of
Creede, Colorado from June 26 through 29 to sample the culture of a
mountain town. Although tiny and in the middle of nowhere (on the
road between South Fork and Lake City) Creede is nationally known
for its professional theatre company, and the Denver metro travelers
had the opportunity to attend three delightful shows. The plays were
not the only thing, however. The town is full of small shops offering
everything from Native American art to exotic olive oils to the
obligatory rubber tomahawks. Some FPers preferred to take advantage
of a few of the many hiking trails in the area, while others took in the local mining museum or the self-guided
tour of the Creede silver mines. Some did a little four-wheeling, with mixed results. Fine, semi-fine and
outdoor picnic-table dining was also available, and some felt that the best part of the excursion was the great
FP fellowship shared during delicious dinners in small establishments virtually taken over by the group.
The beautiful and compact Creede Congregational Church was
visited by various FPers for Sunday services both before and after the
bountiful complimentary breakfast concocted by the staff at the
Snowshoe Lodge (the only motel in town, where the group used more
than half of the lodge’s rooms).
Despite being from a non-creedal church, the group resolved to visit
Creede again next summer. Newcomers who would like to join next
year’s group should email their non-binding interest to Craig Eley
at [email protected]. Due to the scarcity of rooms in Creede,
reservations will need to be made in the next 45 days once a date is
decided upon, so do not tarry.