The Plymouth Bell Plymouth CongregationalUnited Church of Christ

2401 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI 53704 web site: www.pcucc.org

December 2017From the Pastor’s Desk:

It has been a very long time since I’ve written a letter to Santa Claus, but I find myself these days, amid the seemingly unrelenting deluge of seasonal advertisements, wanting to express in some way/shape/form what I really want for Christmas. Feel free to insert a joke here about the typical beauty pageant contestant’s wish for world peace. I really do wish for world peace, and an end to hunger and war and domestic violence and racism and sexism and heterosexism and a whole list of other “isms.” But I find myself thinking this Christmas that what I need, what perhaps most people need, is to start a little closer to home, so to speak, to start with ourselves and what we need to make our lives better and, so, help our community.

What do I (and the world) really need (among other things): less resignation and more courage, less cynicism, and more hope, less thinking the worst of humanity and more seeing the Christ-light in each person we meet. It’s not easy to have this more optimistic view of people, I grant you, especially these days with so much evidence to the contrary. But our attitude about others so deeply affects our mood and our viewpoint about the future, so, it’s a good place to start. For example, how often do we assume the worst of someone when they say or do the wrong thing, and find that clouding our whole day. Someone doesn’t respond to an email or forgets a social engagement with us, and we get angry and call them bad names and wonder why there is no civility left in our world. We are talking to someone about the holidays and they talk about how they just want a quiet day with no people around, and we think they are being insensitive to our situation as, for example, a divorced or widowed person who spends more time alone than they would want. We are grieving a loss, and someone tells us we need to move on with our lives. We tell a friend at church about a new diagnosis we’ve gotten about an ailment or disease, and instead of listening to our concerns they start talking about their own illness(es). There are a lot of ways that people disappoint us; for the most part I truly believe they are trying to help, they just don’t necessarily know the best way to help.

We need to stop assuming the worst of our family and friends when they don’t quite say or do the right thing, and instead assume they just don’t necessarily know how to best express what is in their hearts. Unfortunately, the stress of the holidays can sometimes bring out the worst in people, and hence we can feel the disappointment in their words or deeds more deeply now because we expect better of people at this time of the year.

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So, on my “list to Santa” this year is more space in my heart (all our hearts) for understanding. Understanding does not mean excusing bad behavior, especially that which is intentionally and brutally meant. But we could all use a little more understanding that sometimes what could be interpreted as thoughtless or cruel word/behavior really wasn’t intended that way. It would go a long way to helping us live better in community, and keep our sense of hope more alive, if we would stop automatically assuming the worst of people, especially those we know the most.

Mary and Joseph were struggling when they arrived in Bethlehem. They were poor people from a poor area, and had to leave Nazareth to travel by foot a long way for a stupid census required by the oppressive overlord empire in order to tax them. They had a sticky family situation, with a child on the way much earlier than “should have been.” I’m sure the gossip mills were busy back in Nazareth. At the long end of the journey there was no room at the inn, and most wouldn’t begrudge Mary and Joseph a few bad words and a grumbling attitude toward an “insensitive” innkeeper in the midst of all this. But then a child was born, a star shone brightly, and the angels sang. If they were still grumbling about what they assumed

was a deliberate affront by the innkeeper, they would have missed the special blessings of that moment.

One of my wishes for you this Advent and Christmas is that your heart may be open to receive blessings, even if the form of those blessings is not wrapped up as you would have wished. Remember, the greatest gift of this season comes to us not in packages or neatly wrapped boxes, but rests in straw in a lowly manger.

Peace and blessings to you,

Sunday Lectionary Readings for December:December 3: Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37

December 10: Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8

December 17: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126; 1 Thess. 5:16-24; John 1: 6-8, 19-28

December 24 (am): 2 Sam. 7:1-11, 16; Luke 1:47-55; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38

December 24 (Christmas Eve): Isaiah 62:6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2: 1-20

December 31: Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40

January 7 (Epiphany): Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephes. 3:1-12; Matt. 2:1-12

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ContentsFrom the Pastor’s Desk:.......................................................................................................1Sunday Lectionary Readings for December:........................................................................2Staff Hours............................................................................................................................3Among Our Friends and Members.......................................................................................4Old Befana Returns Plymouth!.............................................................................................4Worship News:..................................................................................................................... 5Have You Turned in Your 2018 Estimate of Giving Card?...................................................5Church School News............................................................................................................6Here Comes the Holiday Knitting!.........................................................................................6A Card Writing Event, December 10.....................................................................................6Game Night is back..............................................................................................................6Planning Ahead – Women’s Wild Winter Weekend..............................................................7College Scholarships Available............................................................................................7The Christmas Fund.............................................................................................................7Living into the Remodeling...................................................................................................8Almost to our Goal! Outdoor Ministry Campital Campaign..................................................8Annual Meeting, January 28 and Reports Due!....................................................................9Christmas Blooming Garden.................................................................................................9The Road Home’s Shelter Program to Be Phased Out........................................................9Plymouth Serves Road Home Guests on December 17 & 23............................................10Changes to Plymouth’s Collection of Mission-related Items...............................................10Thanks for Sponsoring our Families for the Holidays!........................................................11December Birthday Blessings.............................................................................................11The Mission of Plymouth Congregational UCC..................................................................12Plymouth Church Calendar.................................................................................................12

Staff HoursPastor Leslie’s office hours are: Tuesday-Friday 8:30 am -12:30 pm, and by

appointment. Monday is the pastor’s day off; emergency contacts only, please.

Leslie will be on vacation December 25th through 30th.

Sally’s hours are Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Please note that the Church Office will be closed December 25th and January 1st.

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Among Our Friends and MembersInformation deleted for privacy.

Old Befana Returns Plymouth!Old Befana has delighted audiences since 1987. This ancient Yuletide tale was adapted

by Ken Lonnquist and Friends into an hour-long musical which has been performed annually around the Midwest. It offers an uplifting and inclusive message of hope for audiences of all ages. A recipe for enchantment, Old Befana's warmth and magic stirs hearts of all ages.

A special child is coming... but is it rich or poor? Black or white? A boy or a girl? “Anyone could be the one to make a better world,” Befana sings. "It could even be... you!”

Plymouth Church hosted the official 30th

anniversary celebration of Old Befana on Epiphany 2017. We’re fortunate to have the opportunity to provide an encore performance. On December 16, 2017, we will once again offer a free production of the musical. It will be a Christmas gift to our neighbors and Plymouth families! Doors will open at 6:30 with the performance beginning at 7:00. Seating is limited and will be first come /first serve.

To hear samples of the music and to read more about the production, go to www.kenland.com.

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Worship News:Advent: Advent begins on Sunday, December 3rd, and after that service we will be

“Hanging the Greens”. Actually, the work starts on Saturday, December 2nd at 1:30 pm; if you can help then to put the tree up and other preliminary work, contact Ann Lacy who is coordinating the effort, or Pastor Leslie. Then join us in decorating the sanctuary after worship on December 3rd. Our coffee hour that day will be in the Narthex/Lounge, to accommodate Santa’s Helpers, which will be in Fellowship Hall.

On December 10th Church School will present their Christmas program.

On December 17th and 24th during the morning worship services the choir will present special anthems of the season, with special music by the Recorders also on the 24 th.

In the evening of December 24th, we will have our Christmas Eve candlelight service of carols and lessons at 7:00 pm. This is a family-friendly service, so bring your family and friends!

On December 31st we will have a post-Christmas/New Year hymn sing service.

Help needed: Blessings are experienced by all in attendance when they hear many voices, and are greeted, helped, and serviced by many of their friends, so be sure to sign up to help as liturgist, greeter, children’s messenger, and/or coffee hour server. See below for the schedule of worship assistants who have signed up so far for December, and be sure to sign up to help! Thank you.

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Dec. 24 Sally Wolf

Dec. 31

Jan. 7

Have You Turned in Your 2018 Estimate of Giving Card?If so, thank you very much! We have received 33 pledges so far, which is about 70

percent of what we have been receiving in recent years. If you have not pledged yet, there is still time! There are pledge cards located by the sign-up sheets in the Narthex. Please drop your completed cards in the offering plate on Sunday or mail them to the church as soon as possible. You may also email your estimate to our financial secretary at siverson@pcucc.org. These cards provide you with the opportunity to prayerfully consider your 2018 pledge to Plymouth, and are a valuable input into the planning process for the Budget Committee for 2018.

Church School NewsThe season of Advent starts a new

church year, and a busy one for Plymouth Church School families. On the second Sunday in Advent, December 10th, the church school Christmas pageant will be presented during worship. All children and youth are encouraged to participate. There will be an organizational meeting on

December 3rd immediately after worship, and a full

rehearsal on Saturday December

9th at 10 am. Many thanks to Adam and

Carrie Hinterthuer for organizing the pageant. 

Regular Sunday School classes will be held on December 3, 17, and 24. There will be no classes on December 31; children are invited to worship with their families. 

Here Comes the Holiday Knitting!

Plymouth’s knitters will lay out their year’s work beginning Sunday, December 3rd. Mittens, hats, and scarves will be available for sale the first three Sundays of December – December 3, 10, and 17. These warm garments may be purchased for your own use, for gift giving, or for placing on the mitten tree. The items placed on the mitten tree will be sent to missions as in the past. All money that is received will benefit Plymouth’s general fund. Knitters Donna Salzwedel and Meg Shepherd invite others who have been knitting or crocheting to bring their items for sale.

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A Card Writing Event, December 10

On Sunday, December 10th, there will be a card writing event at Plymouth Church at which you are invited to write to folks from our congregation that may not be able to attend worship regularly, have been out due to illness, or otherwise need a card to cheer them up. Cards, address labels, and stamps will be provided. All you need to do is gather at a table in Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour (look for Carol Walker), choose a card, write a message, and affix an address label and stamp. If you have a question, please contact Carol at 608-244-2680 or clmwrgw@tds.net. Hope to see you there!

Game Night is back.Come one. Come all.

The Congregational Life Team is hosting Game Night on Saturday, January 27th, 2018, beginning at 5 pm. We will have games, veggie chili, and refreshments. You are welcome to bring your own games as well. Bring the whole family or come alone. Fun will be had by all!!

To make sure there is enough food and refreshments please sign up on the on the signup sheet posted on the Congregational Life Team Bulletin Board (in Fellowship Hall) or text Cynthia Roskowic at 608-698-1008.

We are looking forward to a new year of fun and games!!

Planning Ahead – Women’s Wild Winter Weekend

Dates for the Women’s Wild Winter Weekend are February 23 to 25 (Friday to Sunday) and March 2 to 4, 2018.

Plymouth women are registering for the first weekend. Last year the cost was $220 with a $30 subsidy returned after the event by the Southwest Association of the Wisconsin Conference. We travel together by van to Moon Beach Camp located between Eagle River and St. Germain in Wisconsin’s north woods. All women of UCC churches and their friends or relatives are invited for a pampered weekend with programming you can select to participate in. Let me know if you’d like more information.

Gail Holmes, Camp Coordinator (glholmes@wisc.edu or 608-249-1846)

College Scholarships Available

Members of Plymouth Church are invited to apply for college scholarships for 2018-2019 from the Frank E. Page Scholarship Fund.  Applicants should be planning to begin or continue education at any accredited 2- or 4-year college or university, and should have a record of academic achievement, service to church and community, and demonstrated financial need.  The application deadline is February 15, 2018; please contact scholarships@firstcongmadison.org for an electronic application.  Questions?  Contact Marleen Lippert at 608-838-3563.

The Christmas FundOn Sunday, December 24th at our

morning service we will dedicate offerings to the Christmas Fund, one of the four special offerings of the UCC.  For 115 years, the Christmas Fund (officially “The Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund”) has

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been a tangible expression of the church’s appreciation for those who have helped “shepherd the light” by serving the church in the past and now find themselves facing unexpected financial need.  Donations to this Fund help the Pension Boards’ Ministerial Assistance program to provide direct financial assistance (not administration) in the form of pension supplementation, emergency grants, and a Christmas “Thank You” gift to retired clergy and lay employees.  All of this special offering goes to direct aid, none to administration. Special offering envelopes are available in the back of the sanctuary or the church office; make checks out to Plymouth Church and put “Christmas Fund” in the memo line.  Thank you for helping those who dedicated so much to the work of the church.

Living into the Remodeling As of newsletter press time, we have

been back in the sanctuary for six worship services! We have received all the

sanctuary chairs that were

ordered, more than enough for any given Sunday, especially with our new and friendly seating arrangement, facing each other with the communion table in our midst. (Many thanks to Emma Caspar, Bill and James Mollway, John Reinders, Kevin Voit, and Rain Zephyr for their cheerful and efficient work unloading and unboxing the third and final shipment of chairs!) The suite of narthex furniture is complete. The piano has been tuned. We are living into our space, and it is starting to feel like home.

There is still work to be done, including finding places to store more of those extra chairs. In the next few months, expect to see new signage, and probably also planters in the narthex and more artwork on the walls. Plymouth Handyman Cory Manier has a whole list of “finishing-touch” projects, such as painting the downstairs hallway and the heating unit covers in the sanctuary, stairwell, and Infant Care Room – and, eventually, hanging the memorial plaques in their new home in the former adult library downstairs (which will first need some shelving removal and wall-painting…)

By the end of this year, we would like to either find homes for the five remaining “gothic” light fixtures from the sanctuary, and for the chandelier that hung in the foyer, or donate them to the ReStore. If you have any interest in adopting a large light fixture, please talk to Sally or Leslie.

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Almost to our Goal! Outdoor Ministry Campital CampaignSeveral donations recently have been

given to our church’s goal of $25,000 for the Outdoor Ministry Campital Campaign.  Now all we need is $2,400 to complete the campaign and reach our goal.  More one-

time gifts or pledges will boost us to completion!

So many improvements have been accomplished at both Moon Beach Camp and Pilgrim Center made possible through those of you who have faithfully been making monthly pledge payments, made a one-time gift, or yearly payments.  This a good time to make your end-of-the-year donations.  They will keep our sacred outdoor ministries alive and healthy for faith formation in children, youth, families, and adults for generations to come.

Please see Gail for a Campital Campaign brochure of explanation, a pledge and gift card, or other information.

Gail Holmes (Chair), Rita Honnold, Marleen Lippert, Lois Schulz and Ted Peterson

Annual Meeting, January 28 and Reports Due!

Church Council has scheduled Plymouth’s Annual Meeting for Sunday, January 28, 2018, to begin immediately following the worship service. Why, you may ask, are we telling you now? First, so you can get this on your calendar. Second, reports for Plymouth’s Annual Report are needed so that the Annual Report may be prepared no later than two weeks prior to Annual Meeting.

Team reports are due to the Church Office no later than 9 am Monday, January 15, 2018.

What an extraordinary year it has been, and we can’t wait to read about all the events and activities.

Christmas Blooming GardenOrders for red poinsettias for our

Christmas “Garden” can be made through December 3rd. Each poinsettia is $14; please note whether the flowers are in honor or memory of someone.

Articles for the January 2018 newsletter are due in the Church Office no later than Friday, December 22nd. Email submissions are preferred, if possible.

Contributions for 2017 must be made on or prior to Sunday, December 31st if you wish to have them reflected on your 2017 Individual Financial Statement.

If you wish expenses to be drawn off the 2017 Budget, please submit them to the Church Office on or before Friday, December 29th. Thanks!

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The Road Home’s Shelter Program to Be Phased OutThe Road Home’s Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) shelter program began in 1999 to

provide emergency shelter to families with children who were experiencing homelessness. As one of the early core congregations, Plymouth Church has been a “buddy congregation” to Immanuel Lutheran Church, and as such, we have provided volunteers to assist with meals, evening activities, and overnight help eight evenings per year.

The IHN shelter program has enabled hundreds of families to have short-term sheltering while waiting for a more stable living arrangement – although this model did mean that families had to pack up and move to a different church each week. Over the years, as the Madison area shelter system has both increased, and become better coordinated, it had an effect on IHN’s shelter program and who is served. This, along with the recognized understanding that housing is better for families than shelter, The Road Home Board of Directors, after two years of study, recently announced their unanimous decision to end IHN this spring. They extend their gratitude to the 54 congregations and over 1500 active volunteers who helped to support this program over the years.

Although IHN will be discontinued in early 2018, The Road Home continues to be committed to their mission of helping families obtain and maintain stable housing, as it is the foundation families need to meet other goals. The Road Home still maintains a broad scope of services that will give homeless children and their families opportunities to achieve self-determined goals, and foster housing stability. We look forward to seeing how Plymouth Church can help The Road Home successfully move forward in their new direction. But in the meantime, there is still opportunity to volunteer in December! (See next article.)

Plymouth Serves Road Home Guests on December 17 & 23Plymouth will be “buddying” with Immanuel Lutheran Church to serve guests of The Road

Home (homeless families who are on their way to stable housing), on Sunday December 17 th and Saturday December 23 rd .  As a buddy church we are responsible for providing and serving meals both nights (the shift is from 5 to 7 pm), plus the childcare/activity time on Saturday (6:30-8). Volunteers have the opportunity for positive interactions with the guests, especially the children, as well as the satisfaction of serving a meal and knowing that you are making a difference.

If you are able to help out with this important ministry, please sign up online at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d4da5af22a1f94-plymouth3 or be in touch with Laura Stalder at 698-8759 or lhstalder@gmail.com.

Changes to Plymouth’s Collection of Mission-related ItemsOne of the many ways that Plymouth folk take God’s light out into the world to transform

lives is by donating items needed by mission partners near and far. As 2017 ends and we prepare for 2018, the Discipleship Team is making a few changes to our ongoing collections.

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We will continue with our ongoing monthly collection of a “featured item” for the Fritz Food Pantry at the Goodman Community Center. Thanks to Shelley Hagan for revitalizing this longstanding mission partnership, and to everyone who has contributed non-perishable items in the past six months! Look for an end-of-year tally in the January issue of The Plymouth Bell. Please put food pantry donations in the labeled basket in the sanctuary foyer. In December, we are featuring baking items, such as sugar, cooking oil, and cake/muffin mixes. In January, our featured items will be oatmeal and pancake mixes.

Starting this month, we are going to adapt this ongoing collection model for the Personal Essentials Pantry – Atwood. Please put PEP donations in the black box outside of the PEP office. In December and January, we will be collecting toilet paper. Due to a chronic shortage of toilet paper at PEP-Atwood, pantry guests only receive three rolls of toilet paper per family, per month – so donations of very large rolls of toilet paper are particularly welcome. In February and March, we will collect bar soap.

Another way to support PEP-Atwood is by volunteering your time. If you have been looking for a volunteer activity that is based right in Plymouth, you are in luck: PEP-Atwood is in need of volunteers on the first and third Sundays every month, from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. To learn more, please fill out a volunteer application (available on the black donation box outside the PEP office), or speak to PEP-Atwood Coordinator, Lois Roth, at (608) 219-0516/244-2759. Simple computer skills are helpful, but training will be provided, and children with reading ability are welcome to help (with an adult co-helper)! And the salary? “Many smiles, thank yous, and warm fuzzies,” says Lois.

For the next few months, we will be suspending our collections of items needed to set up apartments for refugee families resettling in the Madison area through Open Doors for Refugees (ODFR), because ODFR has a good supply of most needed items at this time. There are other opportunities to get involved with refugee resettlement locally, and the monthly ODFR website is a good place to learn more: http://www.opendoorsforrefugees.org. The monthly ODFR newsletter is also posted on the Discipleship Team bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. For those interested in helping refugees and others abroad, Zoe Rickenbach is stepping into the role filled (and created at Plymouth) by Jane Rowe, coordinating monthly donations of money to support the efforts of Mercy Corps. Zoe gladly and gratefully accept these donations Sundays before or after worship service.

A big change is that Plymouth will no longer collect any items to ship to Native Americans. Thanks to everyone who supported our Native American mission partnerships over the years with their donations, and a standing ovation in appreciation of the tireless labor of Jane Rowe, Carol Berglund, Michelle and Bobby Kenney, Dave and Becky Martin (and family), and everyone else involved in collecting, storing, sorting, boxing, transporting, and shipping all of those donated items! Note that Plymouth’s knitters are sponsoring the boxing and shipping of a final donation of knitted hats, scarves, and mittens from the mitten tree in honor of Jane Rowe. The Discipleship Team is brainstorming more cost-effective and less labor-intensive ways to support Native American mission, possibly closer to home, in 2018.

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Thanks for Sponsoring our Families for the Holidays!For the past several years, Plymouth has sponsored holiday shopping for a family through

The Road Home. This year, we sponsored three families, each comprised of a mother and a child. By buying gifts from their wish lists, we are helping to make the holidays brighter in a very tangible way for these three families. Many thanks to holiday shoppers Emma and Carina Caspar, Shelley Hagan, Vicki Hall, Carrie, Brynn, and Maggie Hinterthuer, Gail Holmes, Zoe Rickenbach, Dan Rolfs, Randy Stefan and Kathy Hodgkins, and Rain Zephyr, and thanks as well to everyone else who was willing to shop or donate – and to those who donated for holiday shopping in previous years, leaving us a “reserve” to draw upon!

December Birthday Blessings6 – Lois Schulz

7 – David Bechtolt7 – Brynn Hinterthuer

8 – Barb Hoffman8 – Rick Reiner9 – Ann Lacy10 – John Rai

11 – Kathy Gentz12 – Tess Rickert12 – Paul Spetz

12 – Noel Goeddel

17 – Jim Zuelsdorf21 – Mark Walter22 – Stu Martell

23 – Violet Goeddel23 – Joe Klafka

24 – David Mickle24 – Donald Nelson

24 – Johanna Oosterwyk25 – Sofia LeBlanc26 – Carol Walker

29 – Elijah RickenbachIf we missed your birthday, please let us know. Chances are it is not in our databasel!

The Mission of Plymouth Congregational UCC

To joyfully celebrate God’s love and the gospel of Jesus Christ in our worship, our teaching, and our lives;

To create a diverse, accepting faith community that welcomes all and empowers all to accept the grace God freely offers to each of us, no matter who we are or where we are in life’s spiritual journey; and

To develop, demonstrate, and strengthen Christian discipleship by reaching out to all God’s people, caring for those in need, and

seeking to lead the world toward love, justice, and peace.

Adopted by Church Council on August 16, 2007

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Plymouth Church CalendarFriday, December 1, 9:30 am Madison Development Group

5:30 pm OA (12-step) 6:30 pm IA (AA)

Saturday, December 2, 8:00 am Women’s AA Breakfast 10:00 am KIS (AA)10:30 am ACA (12-step) 1:30 pm SET UP SANCTUARY CHRISTMAS TREE

Sunday, December 3, 8:45 am CHANCEL CHOIR 9:30 am WORSHIP AND NURSERY

CHURCH SCHOOL10:30 am COFFEE HOUR

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM ORG’ZL MEETINGDISCIPLESHIP MEETSHANGING OF THE GREENS

11:00 am SANTA’S HELPERS 12-2 pm Personal Essentials Pantry

Monday, December 4, 6:00 pm SOTS (AA) 6:30 pm ACA (12-step) 7:30 pm BIBLE CHALLENGE GROUP

Tuesday, December 5, 6:45 pm Co-Counseling Group 7:00 pm RECORDER REHEARSAL 7:00 pm IA (AA)

Wednesday, December 6, Noon PLYMOUTH BOOK CLUB POTLUCK 5:30 pm YFWG (Quakers) 6:30 pm SOTS (AA)

Thursday, December 7, 11:30 am Personal Essentials PantryFriday, December 8, 5:30 pm OA (12-step)

6:00 pm IA (AA)Saturday, December 9, 8:00 am Men’s AA Breakfast

10:00 am KIS (AA)10:30 am ACA (12-step)10:00 pm CHRISTMAS PROGRAM REHEARSAL

Sunday, December 10, 8:45 am CHANCEL CHOIR 9:30 am WORSHIP AND NURSERY

CHURCH SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM10:30 am COFFEE HOUR

CARD WRITING EVENTEDUCATION TEAM MEETS

12-2 pm Personal Essentials Pantry Noon YFWG (Quakers) 3:00 pm AA Board Meeting

Monday, December 11, 6:00 pm SOTS (AA)13

6:30 pm ACA (12-step) 7:30 pm BIBLE CHALLENGE GROUP

Tuesday, December 12, 3:00 pm Girl Scout Troop 7026 5:30 pm AA Board Meeting 7:00 pm RECORDER REHEARSAL 7:00 pm IA (AA)

Wednesday, December 13, 6:30 pm SOTS (AA)Thursday, December 14, 11:30 am Personal Essentials Pantry

7:15 pm BUSINESS TEAM Friday, December 15, 9:30 am Madison Development Group

9:30 am SPACECOM MEETING 5:30 pm OA (12-step) 6:30 pm IA (AA)

Saturday, December 16, 10:00 am KIS (AA)10:30 am ACA (12-step) 7:00 pm OLD BEFANA PERFORMANCE

Sunday, December 17, 8:45 am CHANCEL CHOIR 9:30 am WORSHIP AND NURSERY

CHURCH SCHOOL10:30 am COFFEE HOUR

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE TEAM MEETSIMMIGRATION GROUP MEETS

12-2 pm Personal Essentials Pantry 5:00 pm VOLUNTEERS FOR THE ROAD HOME

Monday, December 18, 6:00 pm SOTS (AA) 6:30 pm ACA (12-step) 7:30 pm BIBLE CHALLENGE GROUP

Tuesday, December 19, 2:00 pm Contemporary Reading Group 3:00 pm Girl Scout Troop 8267 6:45 pm Co-Counseling Group 7:00 pm IA (AA) 7:00 pm RECORDER REHEARSAL

Wednesday, December 20, 5:30 pm YFWG (Quakers) 6:30 pm SOTS (AA)

Thursday, December 21, 11:30 am Personal Essentials Pantry 7:00 pm CHURCH COUNCIL

Friday, December 22, 5:30 pm OA (12-step) 6:00 pm IA (AA)

Saturday, December 23, 10:00 am KIS (AA)10:30 am ACA (12-step) 5:00 pm VOLUNTEERS AT THE ROAD HOME

Sunday, December 24, 8:45 am CHANCEL CHOIR 9:30 am WORSHIP AND NURSERY

CHURCH SCHOOL10:30 am COFFEE HOUR

WORSHIP TEAM MEETS14

12-2 pm Personal Essentials Pantry Noon YFWG (Quaker Worship)

Monday, December 25, CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED 6:00 pm SOTS (AA) 6:30 pm ACA (12-step)

Tuesday, December 26, 7:00 pm IA (AA)Wednesday, December 27, 5:30 pm SOTS (AA)Thursday, December 28, 11:30 am Personal Essentials PantryFriday, December 29, 5:30 pm OA (12-step)

6:00 pm IA (AA)Saturday, December 30, 10:00 am KIS (AA)

10:30 am ACA (12-step)

Sunday, December 31, 8:45 am CHANCEL CHOIR 9:30 am WORSHIP AND NURSERY10:30 am COFFEE HOUR12-2 pm Personal Essentials Pantry

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The Plymouth BellA Newsletter of

Plymouth Congregational United Church of ChristAn Open & Affirming, Just Peace, Immigrant-Welcoming Congregation

2401 Atwood Avenue Madison WI 53704(608) 249-1537 web site: www.pcucc.orgTwitter: @plymouthmadison Instagram: plymouthmadison

Like Us on Facebook

The Rev. Leslie Schenk, Pastor: 608-249-1537, lschenk@pcucc.org

Sally Curran Wolf, Office Manager: 608-249-1537, siverson@pcucc.org

John Reinders, Moderator: 608-234-2228, johnjreinders@yahoo.com