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Window to the World The Newsletter of the Plymouth United Methodist Church September 2015

Plymouth United Methodist Church

334 Fairgrounds Road Plymouth NH 03264

Phone: 603-536-1941 www.plymouthumc.wordpress.com

Ashley Bowler, Supply Pastor

Peter Templeton, Music Director

Sunday Worship Service

9:30 a.m. Holy Communion:

1st Sunday of the month Wednesday Bible Study:

10:00 - 12:00

Deadline for October

Newsletter: September 24

Glory Kidger, editor gkidger@msn.com, 536-9620

Photo Credit: “The Rose Window” by Danni Downing Photography

Inside This Issue

This Month at PUMC........page 2 News from the Pews..…....page 3 Working Together.............page 4 Living into Community…...page 5 We Are Connected............page 7 You Are Invited.................page 8 Just for Fun! ....................page 9

A Wonderful Wanakee Homecoming by Pastor Ashley Bowler

This summer was an amazing summer all around, the weather was mild,

the kids were ready to play, and the staff was strong and loving. This

being Mike Moore's last year as Site Director made the end of each

successful week bittersweet because we know that his loving dedication

has made Wanakee the safe and welcoming place that so many people

love it for being.

Our grand finale to the summer was on August 15th, the Wanakee

Wilderness 5k as well as the Homecoming Barbecue. The weather,

although humid, held up to make a fine day for a race that the Polhemus

family organized and Wanakee hosted. Last year we had a professional

runner from North Carolina take first place, but this year we had one of

our own staff members, Andrew Attorri, win the race overall and our

very own PUMC member Josh Furbish take second overall! Kudos to

them for this course is a hike, literally. My own personal victory was that

I chopped off about 5 minutes of my time from last year and finished

third in my age bracket, 26th out of 87.

Left - Josh Furbish finishes second overall in the Wanakee Wilderness 5K; Right - Ashley and friends at awards ceremony; Below - Rev. Phil Polhemus celebrates with grandson Shaun Polhemus

~ this story continues on page 4

~

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This Month at PUMC

Ham & Bean Dinner Saturday, Sept. 5 ~ 4:30 - 6:30

Start your long holiday

weekend with a delicious

meal and fun table fellowship.

Ham, Beans, Salads, Sides,

Breads, Dessert Buffet, and

Beverage available at $8 for

adults, $4 for children ages 6-12, children under 6

free. Bring your families, friends, and neighbors.

Funds raised through these monthly dinners help

to develop our church’s ministries and outreach.

10% of the ticket sales from this dinner will be

donated to Keeping You, Me & Memories Alive,

helping our neighbors affected by cancer.

Women’s Fellowship

Fall Kick-Off Meeting Tuesday, September 8 at Noon

All are invited to join these mission-minded ladies

for fellowship and planning; bring a sandwich,

dessert and beverage will be provided. Contact

President Diane Randall with questions, 731-1186.

Save Your Stuff!

The Women’s Fellowship will be joining in

Plymouth’s Town-wide Yard Sale on Saturday,

September 12. Donations of clean items in good

condition will be greatly appreciated.

Luminary Decorating Party Saturday, September 12 ~ 12:00 - 1:30

Kids of all ages are invited to display their artistic

talent, have fun, and lend a helping hand to a

worthy cause. Luminaries, decorated white bags,

will again be available for a $5 donation at the 16th

Annual Day to Fight Cancer on Sept. 26th, lighting

the path of supporters walking outside PSU’s PE

Center. See page 6 for more on KYMMA’a Day to

Fight Cancer. Contact Melissa Furbish at 254-4638

for more information about the Decorating Party.

Refreshments will be provided.

Contacting the Pastor

Pastor Ashley has moved to Littleton, nearer to her

job at White Mountain Regional High School.

Unfortunately, cell phone coverage is spotty up in

that neck of the Great North Woods. She asks that

if you need to reach her, please leave a voicemail

on her cell (991-6483) or the church office (536-

1941), or email her at akbowler92@gmail.com.

Contact Pastor Ashley if

you would be willing to

shepherd our youngest

members in their

Christian education.

A multi-age curriculum

with activity books is

supplied. A larger team

allows for adult leaders

to take turns inspiring

the next generation of

disciples.

Stay Tuned! Plans are under way

for lots of fun monthly

meetings and mission

projects for the MYF.

Contacts: Heather and

Anthony Cassarino

(536-5099)

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News from the Pews

Passings

Our dear friend Barbara

Wellington left her earthly life on

Saturday, August 8th, following a

period of declining health. She was

interred at the Veteran’s Cemetery

in Boscawen NH.

Barbara was a longtime active member of the

Tilton-Northfield United Methodist Church in

Tilton before moving to Plymouth 4 ½ years ago.

Prior to her move, she had resided in Concord and

Northfield while enjoying her employment in

housekeeping and as a nurse’s aide, retiring from

the St. Francis Home in Laconia. She was

predeceased by her first husband, James Rogan and

second husband, Robert Wellington. Please keep

Barbara’s three sons, six grandchildren, and two

great-grandchildren in your prayers.

Barbara had a great fondest for animals, especially

dogs. Donations may be made in her name to the

New Hampshire Humane Society,

P.O. Box 572, Laconia NH 03247.

Birthdays and Anniversaries

3 Greg Jencks

5 Douglas Cassarino

16 Jerri Hickle

18 Chris Lenentine

19 Debra Welch

19 Butch Cushing

22 Roger Kleinpeter

22 Donna Gorton

25 Diane Tiffany

28 Glory & Craig Kidger

Share your special days with your church family!

Send birthday and anniversary information to

the newsletter editor at gkidger@msn.com.

Teachers & Educators

With each new school year comes the excitement

and anticipation of a new beginning, a new

journey, a new chapter. Many of our members and

friends are starting the fall semester at local

institutions of learning. Can you match who works

where? (answers on page 9)

1) Teaches piano classes at PSU and independent

piano lessons

2) Director of PSU's Learning Technology and

Online Education and co-director for the Center for

Excellence in Teaching and Learning

3) Arts Event Coordinator at Plymouth State

University

4) Board Chair for the United Campus Ministry at

Plymouth State University

5) Donor Relations Manager in the Advancement

Office at PSU.

6) Freshman English teacher at White Mtn.

Regional High School in Whitefield

7) Teaches 3rd grade at Holderness Central School

8) Teaches Psychology, Sociology, and Public

Speaking at Plymouth Regional High School

9) Teaches piano and flute to independent students

in the Concord and Plymouth areas

10) Pre-school teacher at Plymouth Elementary

School

11) Math teacher for middle-school students at Lin-

Wood Public School in Lincoln

A) Ashley Bowler

B) Peter Templeton

C) Anthony Cassarino

D) Heather Cassarino

E) Diane Daniels

F) Scott Robison

G) Amy Robison

H) Beth Allain

I) Diane Tiffany

J) Liz Hodges

K) Melissa Furbish

Any adults interested in a book study? Chat with Diane Randall at 731-1186, dirandall@hotmail.com, or on Sunday morning after worship to share ideas.

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Working Together

The Weeds Won……This Year!

from Diane Randall

Thanks to all of you who have

been a part of this mission.

Although the ground hog and

weeds have been victorious this

year, it is a test of our

commitment to meet the needs of

those most in need. I do not view this as a failure,

but rather a learning experience. This is a period of

prayer and planning. It is obviously a sign from

God that we must continue as members of Christ’s

community and try, try, again.

The Sacrament of Work by Joan Chittister in “There Is a Season”

A spirituality of work is based on a heightened

sense of sacramentality, of the idea that everything

that is, is holy and that our hands consecrate it to

the service of God. When we grow radishes in a

small container in a city apartment, we participate

in creation. We sustain the globe. When we sweep

the street in front of a house in the dirtiest city in

the country, we bring new order to the universe.

We tidy the Garden of Eden. We make God’s world

new again. When we repair what has been broken

or paint what is old or give away what we have

earned that is above and beyond our own

sustenance, we stoop down and scoop up the earth

and breathe into it new life again, as God did one

morning in time only to watch it unfold and unfold

and unfold through the ages.

“No matter who we are, what we do, or the

decisions we make, our lives are holy. The

question is do we view them as such? Whether

we are grounded in Christ, spiritual but not

religious, or don't really care at all, our impact

in the world, from radishes to sweeping, can be

sacred. It is offering a part of who we are to

make a difference, to reveal hope, to bring to

life possibility.” Rev. Dr. David Abbott, NH District Superintendent

Wanakee Homecoming ~ continued from page 1

After trophies made by Gary Storms were

distributed, the meal, made and served by

volunteers and board members, was AMAZING!

Grilled chicken, baked beans, coleslaw, rolls, corn

on the cob and desserts all made up a meal that had

your mouth watering as soon as you walked in the

dining hall. The race wasn't the only way to work

up your appetite, as soon as runners started

coming in the Wanakee Waterfront was open. After

running, or just to rinse off the humidity of the day

everyone was welcome to swim or just sit on the

rocks and enjoy the view of Monkey Island and the

mountains across the way.

In the afternoon I conducted a worship service by

the Rec Hall with the musical and technological

talents of Peter Templeton. I was honored to

reaffirm Melissa Furbish's baptism at the very

waterfront I had been reaffirmed in just a few years

ago. The water was perfect, the sun was shining,

and God's breath fell afresh on each and every one

of us who decided to take the plunge and reaffirm

our relationship with God. We even had one

person who, thanks to Rev. Phil Polhemus, was

baptized for the very first time! A former Wanakee

staff member and friend, Devon Dickson, accepted

Christ on a perfect summer day right there at

Wanakee. It's a good thing I was all wet already,

the tears blended in!

A special thanks to everyone who came out on the

15th or anyone who supports Wanakee in any way.

It truly is a beautiful spiritual place in the hills. It's

a place that campers feel the loving embrace of God

through the staff and volunteers and know that

they are safe. When campers come to Wanakee,

they escape the confusion and distractions of the

rest of the world and often attest that when they

turn onto Upper New Hampton Road and see the

Wanakee sign that they are arriving home.

Much Love and God Bless,

Ashley

Never underestimate the valuable and

important difference you make in every life

you touch. For the impact you make today

has a powerful rippling effect

on every tomorrow.

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Photo: PSU

Living into the Community

Campus Corner by Amy Robison, Board Chair

United Campus Ministry @ PSU

Happy Fall, Everyone! September

is the most exciting, high-energy,

full-of-potential time on campus.

And, as you might have heard,

Plymouth State University is

welcoming the largest first-year class in its history -

- about 1400 new students

The Caring Campus Coalition (C3) will be highly

visible during Welcome Week, calling BINGO on

Casino night (9/3) and sponsoring a stop at the

Reflection & Spiritual Care Center for PSU's

Amazing Race on Labor Day. Later in the semester,

program coordinator Kree Woolley will get the

Kindness Cart up and rolling across campus

committing random acts of kindness. Kree will be

preaching emotional generosity and the attitude of

gratitude that we all know has been scientifically

proven to help people lead happier, more fulfilling

lives.

The big campus ministry event for September is

another collaboration between C3 and Catholic

Campus Ministry. Walking with Boston's Homeless

is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26. PSU students

sign up to participate in this tour of downtown

Boston led by people who are currently or formerly

homeless. The students get the answers to

questions such as "Where do you go at night?"

"How do you keep warm?" "Where do you find

food?" "What do you do when it rains?" "How do

you wash up?" Students call this trip "eye-opening"

and "life-changing," as they learn to care about

people they may have never noticed or known how

to interact with before.

PUMC can help support the students by donating

items for them to give the homeless people they

meet on their walk. This year, we are collecting

dark-colored, adult backpacks and athletic bags;

new men’s underwear in L and XL sizes; and new

lightweight wool socks (for example, SmartWool)

in men’s sizes. Please drop off these items in the

box located in the church foyer. Donations will be

gratefully accepted until Sunday, September 20.

If you have any questions, contact me at 481-1235

or amybethrobison@hotmail.com.

Finally, as always, if you have any ideas for

campus ministry at PSU this semester, you know

where to find me!

Peace & Blessings,

Amy

For more information, see the United Campus Ministry

website at www.plymouth.edu/office/campus-ministry

Sunday, September 27 ~ 1:00

Lace up those sneakers! This year’s 3-mile course,

winding through the streets of Plymouth, begins at

the Town Common. A “Golden Mile” course circles

around the flatter terrain of downtown as well.

All money raised in Plymouth fights hunger. 75%

will work through Church World Service to help

the poorest regions in the world. 25% of the funds

will benefit Feeding Our Children Together, an

initiative started by our friends at the Plymouth

Congregational United Church of Christ, providing

nourishing food for 20 pre-school children who

would usually be hungry between their free school

lunch on Fridays and their free breakfast on

Monday mornings. Contact Amy Robison for

sponsorship envelopes at 481-1235 or

amybethrobison@hotmail.com. www.crophungerwalk.org

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Holderness Heels: KYMMA's

2nd Annual 50-yard Hightail in Stilettos! Saturday, September 26 at 3:30pm

Arold Field next to PSU's PE Center

Ever run in heels? Well maybe it's time to try!

Part of the Keeping You, & Memories Alive’s

16th Annual Day to Fight Cancer, this hilarious

event promises to be entertaining. Prizes for first

across the line, most money raised, and best

strut/costume. For ages 16 and older. Rules: 2 inch

heel minimum, no wedges, no duct tape. $20

registration fee. No heels? No problem! KYMMA

will have a variety for rent for $5. Guys, this is for

you too!!! Get excited! Get creative! Get your heels

on! Details and registration forms can be found at

www.memoriesalive.org or by calling 707-1466. All

proceeds go to local families living with cancer.

Share Your Time and Talents

Needed: Movers and Shakers

Plymouth UMC needs funds to carry out our

current ministries and expand in new directions.

Those with ideas for Fundraising & Marketing can

contact the pastor or any member of the

Administrative Council.

Needed: Cooks and Cleaners

Many Hands Make Light Work! - Can you give an

hour or two each month to help make our

fundraising dinners successful? Contact Chris

Topham (960-2215) or Anthony Cassarino

(536-5099) to let them know you are willing to lend

a hand or donate a prepared dish.

Rain or shine! 12:30 to 9:30 p.m. Plymouth State University's PE Center

Holderness Road in Holderness, NH

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We Are Connected

Basic Lay Ministry Course and

“Discovering Spiritual Gifts”

Saturdays Sept. 26 & Oct. 10 ~ 8:30 - 4:00 Durrell Memorial UMC Bethlehem, NH

God calls you to a life of servanthood as a disciple

of Jesus Christ. Lay Servant Ministries is the first

step for many laypersons toward their faith journey

as they strive for a closer relationship with the

Lord. The Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course is a

foundational course designed to equip new church

leaders and renew current leaders in The United

Methodist Church. It explores personal spiritual

gifts, servant leadership, each leader’s role in

developing future leaders, the importance of

consistent spiritual practices, the core ministries of

Leading, Caring, Communicating and much more.

To become a Certified Lay Servant and serve

outside your local congregation, you must take one

advanced course and continue by taking at least

one advanced course every three years. In the

Advanced Course, Discovering Spiritual Gifts,

Lay Servants discover their spiritual gifts as they

focus on acquiring a better understanding of the

church and its ministry needs; learning what it

means to be a minister; doing the work of Christ in

the church and in the world; and being more fully

equipped to lead others in exploring and using

their spiritual gifts.

Important Reminder: A refresher course is required

every three years to remain a Local Church Lay Servant.

All Local Church and Certified Lay Servants must

submit an annual report of activities at their local

church conference.

A course registration form is available in our

church office or online at

www.neumc.org/layservantsnhd. Registrations are

due by September 9.Participants must attend

BOTH days of their chosen course to receive credit.

The registration fee is $15; the Plymouth UMC can

reimburse you once you complete your chosen

course. Lunch and snacks will be available each

day. There is a class limit of 14 so response is on a

first contact basis. Contact Aaron at 603-444-6388 or

email at ascox42@gmail.com.

From the New Hampshire District Office

Hallelujah Sunday Sunday, September 13 ~ 2:30

First UMC, 18 Wesley Way, Gilford NH

Two disciples stood in awe realizing what was

REALLY going on while they walked to Emmaus

with one they had thought was a stranger. Once

their eyes were opened to the presence of Christ in

their midst, they had to tell their own story

differently. What about you? How has your

understanding of the meaning of your

experience/your church’s ministry been changed by

the appearance of the Holy Spirit?

District-wide worship, called “Hallelujah Sunday,”

offers us the opportunity to reveal our own

“Emmaus moments” and receive the gifts of others’

reflections in communion. Come to share, come to

listen, come to worship God with your brothers

and sisters throughout New Hampshire!

Please join us as we celebrate God's work and

presence in the NH District. www.neumc.org/nhd

Bishop’s Day in the NH District Thursday, September 24

Lebanon UMC, 18 School St., Lebanon NH

2:00pm – 5:00pm Meet with Clergy

5:00pm – 6:00pm Dinner (donation requested)

6:00pm – 7:30pm Meet with Clergy & Laity

Bishop’s Day is a time for the Bishop to answer any

and all questions that laity and clergy might have.

Bishop Devadhar is willing to have a conversation

around any topic that might be raised from those in

attendance. He can share his understanding of the

impact of the new strategic plan and goals set for

the New England Conference. As always, the

Bishop and his staff work to equip our churches,

clergy, and laity for unabashed pursuit of effective

ministry. www.neumc.org

Transformed by the Holy Spirit, united in trust, we will boldly proclaim Christ to the world.

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You Are Invited.......

10 Ways to Invite Someone to Church 1. Send a co-worker an e-invite, with a note that

says: "Just thought you might connect with what

our church is going to be talking about this

weekend."

2. Send a link to one of your church's online

sermons with a note that says: "When I heard this

message, I thought about what you've been going

through..."

3. Take a worship guide in to work with the

message series title on it and say: "When I heard

this message title, I thought of you."

4. Have a BBQ and invite some co-workers or

friends over to eat. Here's the only criteria for the

invitation list: They can't be going to church

anywhere.

5. Invite someone to lunch on Sunday and then say:

"Hey, would you guys be interested at all in

meeting us at our church beforehand, and then

going to eat?

6. Think of someone who had a tough year this past

year, drop them an email or a phone call and

simply say: "when I was listening to my pastor’s

message this past week, I thought about you and

prayed for you” (if you actually prayed for them).

7. Invite a family friend's child over to spend the

night with your children on Saturday night and

then ask the family's permission to take their child

on to church with you and drop them off

afterward. If your Children's Ministry rocks, this

child will be one of Jesus' biggest advertisers

afterward!

8. Just say: "Hey, man, what would I have to do to

talk you into giving God and the church one more

shot this week?"

9. Just say: "Hey, are you going to church anywhere

right now? Why don't you come hang out with me

this weekend at our church?"

10. Say: "You would not believe what my church is

going to be doing this next weekend..."

~ www.ministrybestpractices.com ~

The United Methodist Church Invites Us

to Rethink Church Church doesn't just happen when we're sitting in

the pew. Church happens when we reach out to

those who are hungry, sick, or forgotten. When we

work together to end disease and relieve suffering,

when we stand together for justice and inclusion,

and when we open our hearts to those who are

struggling, that's putting beliefs into action. That's

what it means to RETHINK CHURCH.

The concept of rethinking church isn't new. It's

rooted in our Wesleyan heritage. It's defined by our

social principles. It's part of what makes United

Methodists unique. We believe that being followers

of Jesus means that we were made to do the things

he did: He fed people. He offered them drink. He

created community.

We express our love for God through active

discipleship. To us, church is about sharing God's

love by offering hope and healing to those looking

for more meaning in their lives. Acts of personal

faith and public worship help us grow closer to

God, but we also grow in our faith by taking action

outside the church walls to help others.

~ www.rethinkchurch.org ~

Your Turn Look around today. Keep your eyes open for the

person who needs love, needs help, needs

encouragement, and ask them “What can I do for

you?”, just as Jesus did.

Is there a ministry that you would like to see the

Plymouth UMC offer within our community?

Share your idea with the pastor and others in the

congregation to see if there is enough interest to

bring it to be. Together we can RETHINK how we

do CHURCH.

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Just for Fun

Answers to “Who’s Who???” - found on page 3

1B, 2F, 3K, 4G, 5I, 6A, 7H, 8C, 9J, 10 D, 11 E

Bible

Fun

MYF

Service

Care

God

Peace

Sing

Christ

Grace

Prayer

Spirit

Community

Hope

PUMC

Teaching

Disciple

Joy

Renewal

Voices

Faith

Love

Sacred

Worship

Fellowship

Ministry

Savior

Friendship

Music

Scripture

F E L L O W S H I P N U F H

T R Y P B R O

E A I S T D I S C I P L E P

A C E I R F M B J O Y E

C L R N I A U L R V A R

H A C V U D T I P E O E R U

I W H I M S T I I C P T

N E R C M D H C V A E P

G N I E O G E I F A R A I

E S G C N S Y P S G C R

Y R T S I N I M U S I C E C

W O R S H I P D E R C A S

Welcome Back! We hope you are refreshed by your

summer vacations, camps, and reunions. In the Word Search

Puzzle below are things we hope you will find at Plymouth

UMC when you return this fall!

Hint: every letter is used at least once.

Recent Reads by Diane Randall

This book is a sequel to Harbinger but

brings us to today's world. There is

further comparison with the prophet

Isaiah and today. Is God sending us

signs and warnings of the

consequences of our turning away from

God?

Written in the late fifties, we follow the

prophet Isaiah and how his warnings

fit into the world of the fifties. It is

ironic that we find the book eerily

like Cahn's. There are specific scripture

readings accompanying each warning.

Please send any corrections to editor Glory Kidger at 536-9620 or gkidger@msn.com. Submission Deadline for the October newsletter is September 24th. Publicize details of upcoming events, tell stories from recent happenings, and share milestones that we can celebrate together.

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Plymouth United Methodist Church

334 Fairgrounds Road

Plymouth NH 03264

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Here is your September 2015 newsletter….. to receive a full-color copy by email, contact the

editor at gkidger@msn.com

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