Marta's Installation
We installed Marta as our associate minister on Sunday, November 12, with a festive service and reception!

The Missions Marketplace
On November 4 and 5, more than a dozen groups and organizations representing families and communities from Northern Colorado and around the world gathered at Plymouth to share their stories and offer opportunities for you to support their life-sustaining work. More pictures in web Gallery.

Plymouth Music Series: NOCO Singers
On November 10, the NOCO Singers entertained folks from Plymouth and the larger community. Look for more Music Series events to come.

Barb Gregory's Retirement Dinner
On November 9, members and friends gathered for a dinner to honor Barb's 15 years of service.

In preparation for Christmas Eve, a handbell polishing party ensued on Wednesday, November 15. Food, beverages, and good fellowship were most definitely included.

We can't share pictures with you, but did you know about Plymouth's Calling and Caring Ministries?

• CONGREGATIONAL VISITORS help those who can't always make it to services to stay in touch with Plymouth. We want everyone to have the opportunity to stay connected.
• FAITH COMMUNITY NURSES help anyone who is going through a health challenge. FCNs do not provide hands-on care but can help you negotiate and interpret medical language, help find resources, provide education about an illness and treatments, or explore with you concerns about decisions regarding your health and interactions with our health care system.
  
• STEPHEN MINISTERS are a group of volunteers who have received significant training in basic helping skills and communication. They are skilled listening companions who journey alongside those struggling with life challenges, from job loss, trouble coping with family dynamics, loss of a friend or loved one, adapting to a change in health status, and more.
  

To learn more, contact either Lory Clukey or Marta Fioriti, or use the form on the C&C web page.

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Consecration Sunday
This past Sunday was Consecration Sunday, when pledges were turned in. We celebrated with a breakfast and raffle between services. Kids Will Sing! sang at both services.

Youth Retreat at LaForet. At the Rocky Mountain Conference Fall Youth Retreat last weekend, youth spent time with UCC friends from all over Colorado learning about the cosmos, the Divine, and our place within them.

Music Ministry Potluck
To celebrate the beginning of a new program year, a Music Ministry Potluck was held on Friday, 9/29 at the home of Anne and Bill Thompson. About 20 ringers & singers gathered for a few hours of good food, good drink, and good company.

The cookie table at the Diana Butler Bass event, 10/1.
A beautiful and delicious offering. Thanks to all who contributed.

The Plymouth Talent Showcase on 10/15. We made a joyful noise! (Lots more pictures in the website gallery.)

More moments from the past month...
Laura Nelson -- and therapy dogs Ollie & Anni -- led a Blessing of the Land and Animals in Sunday School.

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Gun Violence Prevention Weekend
Plymouth hosted a weekend of experiential education and witness to be one part of the puzzle in ending gun violence. Friday night was a community gathering for all ages, featuring a panel including Mike Martin of RAWtools, a blacksmith demonstration of gun dismantling, a labyrinth walk in solidarity with survivors and victims, and ice cream sundaes. Saturday morning was a gun buyback. Photos by Marilu Theodore were then displayed in the gallery space at Plymouth, and can also be seen on our website gallery.

CAM Takes Action
The Climate Action ministry team collected hard-to-recycle items and delivered them to FoCo Trash Mob. They will continue to collect the following items at the Eco Station in Fellowship Hall and transport them to CHaRM in Boulder each month or so:

• plastic clamshells (grocery stores package fresh berries in these)
• amber-colored prescription pill containers
• single-use contact blisters (for contact lenses)
• styrofoam

Jubilee Sunday Involvement Fair
Boards tabled Fellowship Hall with information... and entertainment (as Congregational Life demonstrates) to explain what they do and invite participation. Missed it? Find contact info here. Not sure what ministry would be the best fit for you? Take a 3-min survey here.

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Potluck at Rolland Moore Park
Our second try at the outdoor worship and potluck was wonderful!

A "band cam" moment from the outdoor worship service.
More clips in our website gallery (button at bottom).

Welcome Event for International & Housing Insecure CSU Students
Marty Marsh writes: The morning was an inspiration, and I'm proud to be a member of Plymouth. So much work goes into this event, and it is wonderful to be in the Fellowship Hall and see how excited students are to be getting all of these items to "make a home" here at CSU. We are doing great work. Lots more photos in Gallery.

Interfaith Council
Plymouth was well represented at the August meeting of the Fort Collins Interfaith Council where the main program was on the prevention of gun violence, specifically the safe storage of firearms. If you are interested in the FCIC, please sign up for their newsletter at fortcollinsinterfaith.org.

More moments from the past month...
Marta & Brooklyn at Laughing Buck Farm (belongs to members Rosemary & Greg), youth at the movies, summer choir, kids in the nursery.

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Pride Booth
Bearing witness to our deepest values and having a ton of fun at NoCo’s 2023 Pride Fest! More pictures on our Gallery Page. Do you recognize Plymouth's favorite flute player? (Hint)

Youth Pilgrimage
Brooklyn McBride (Dir. of Christian Formation for Children & Youth) and 18 youth and 4 other adults from Plymouth and First Congregational in Greeley spent most of a week on pilgrimage in Crestone, CO and Santa Fe, NM. Read all about it in her post.

Summer Choir
The first Summer Choir anthem was offered on July 9. Watch this brief clip (link to full version at end of clip) to hear them. There are two more opportunities on 7/30 and 8/20.

Plymouth Gives Day
Can you believe it? Our Plymouth Gives Day total is $77,827. Of the 147 individuals and families who gave, 16% are from the broader group of supporters beyond our regular pledgers.

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June 2023

Pride Month
Our Pride Photo booth was the place to be in June. So many wonderful pictures! See them all at the website gallery.

Indoor "Outdoor" Worship & Potluck
Rain sent the June 4 service & potluck inside, but there was no shortage of fellowship and good food! Blessings all around! (The outdoor worship service has been rescheduled for August 13.)

Playing the "All the Plymouth People" game: conversations and card signing at the potluck. (Remember to turn your card in by July 2 to be in the prize drawing.)

Fellowship of the Grape
The May FOG (Fellowship of the Grape) broke a record with over 30 people attending.

Plymouth Social Club Hike. Eight humans and one Golden Retriever enjoyed hiking and fellowship in green, lush Lory State Park

Fort Collins Interfaith Council. The May meeting focused on antisemitism, which is increasing; but churches can be allies and a source of support for our Jewish communities. Learn more here. In June, the FCIC learned about emergency preparedness for disasters. More information.

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Last Program Sunday

We had tons of kids and youth come cheer & pray for our graduating seniors during the service! During Godly Play, kids created pictures of Jesus ascending into purple clouds & living on in our hearts. OWL wrapped up with a fun celebration. And our youth group celebrated the end of the year at Old Town Churn. Photos: B. DeMarco, E. Kim, B. McBride (includes gallery).

Plymouth Concert Series

Over 40 people people attended our concert series debut on a rainy Mother's Day afternoon. The rapt audience was gifted with a world class performance of sublime music by the likes of Debussy and others -- a resounding success that bodes well for the future of this concert series! Photos: Anne Thompson

Fellowship of the Grape (aka FOG)

FOG, Fellowship of the Grape, is a monthly gathering of Plymouth members and friends 21+ who gather for wine, appetizers, and great conversation. We had 22 at our April gathering, with lots of ages represented and some new Plymouth members. Watch the Overview for dates of future gatherings. Photos: Marty Marsh

Farewell to the Dilles

The Trustees Board threw a farewell potluck supper on May 22nd to thank Tom and Paula Dille for their combined 40+ years of service and friendship to this church. The Dilles are moving to North Carolina to be closer to family.

Community Rewards Update

Thank you to all of the members of Plymouth who have been participating in our King Soopers Community Rewards Program! This participation recently allowed Plymouth Church to donate an additional $1,000 to the Food Bank for Larimer County and an additional $500 to the Family Housing Network’s Faith Family Hospitality Overnight Program. (You can participate in this outreach every time you shop at King Soopers, by linking your rewards card.)

Have you seen this man?

Bill DeMarco isn't just a famous musician... he is behind the lens of some of Plymouth's most iconic photos. If you see him at church, be sure to smile. And see more of his pix here.

It was a jubilant morning of palm raising and hosannas!

The church was packed on Easter, reminding many of pre-pandemic times. Pew pads were signed by 362 people, plus 157 devices accessed our online worship on Sunday.

The traditional Silver Grill cinnamon rolls were featured at coffee hour...

... and we had at least 40 kids show up for this year’s Egg Hunt! A dozen youth hid eggs all over the lawn and the playground.

Between services there were earth-friendly stations for all ages:

• a worm man (with a pile of dirt with small worms that he promotes for composting)
  
• a beekeeper (with tools, a suit, honey, handouts and books)
  
• an ecologist who works on forestry
  
• a teacher of animals and how climate change is affecting animals (and her pup!)
• a conservationist on how to plant xeriscape gardens, assess water and utility usage, etc.
• and an opportunity to make an earth-friendly cleaning solution.
  

The April meeting of the Fort Collins Interfaith Council focused on Environmental and Climate issues. The meeting began with a wonderful Native blessing and dancing/drumming and then moved to a movie showing how Native people in Canada are working to take care of Mother Earth. The Fort Collins Climate Action Plan (www.fcgov.com/sustainability) was presented and discussed. Learn about the many activities of the FCIC here.

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We had three amazing high school students choose to be confirmed during the 9 a.m. service on 3/26. Our young kids blessed them with confirmation gifts. Sirus was baptized, and then he joined Griffin and Ovella as they each shared their confirmation statements with our congregation. It was a joyful celebration of what the Spirit is doing in their lives! Images: 1) our confirmands 2) textile art by Ovella, inspired by Rev. Ron's sermon on the woman bent double in Luke 13.

1. Walk at Lake McIntosh, Longmont, at staff farewell lunch for Jane Anne and JT, Tues, 2/21.
2. Presentation at JT's farewell event, Sunday, 2/19.
3. Cake at JT's farewell event
4. Our incoming Associate Minister, the Rev. Marta Fioriti greets congregation members with her husband, the Rev. Roger Butts.
5. Revs. Hal and Marta at worship on 3/21.

More photos coming soon here!

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