THE PLUCKEMINEWS
The Presbyterian Church at Pluckemin, 279 Route 202-206 North, PO Box 402, Pluckemin NJ 07978
Website: www.ppch.org Phone Number 908-658-3346
From
the
Interim
“Summertime and the living is easy…”
“Summertime, Summertime, Sum, Sum
Summertime…”
“Summer breeze, makes me feel fine
…”thanks to Seals and Croft
And of course almost anything by the Beach
Boys!!!!
I believe I just dated myself!
I do love summer! No matter how old I get
there is something restorative about the rest
that summer represents. The sun out until
almost 9pm… the beach with its laughter and
the sounds of the waves…the smell of coconut
in that Coppertone slathered on folks all around
you… the booms and pops and “oohs” and
“aahs” of a night of fireworks… the sounds of
folks picnicking and sharing a game of Frisbee
in the park…the joys of staring up at the blue
sky and the fluffy white clouds while you
attempt to figure out what they are, as your
toes are in the lush carpet of grass…the
solitude of fishing at
dawn or dusk…the
warmth of the sun and the heft of the backpack
and the rhythm of your walking as another day
of hiking helps you truly “get away from it all”.
And that is the point of summer (at least from
when we were kids and had time off in the
summer!) Time to rest and rejuvenate! Time to
be restored by a vacation (even if it is a “staycation”!) Time to enjoy a Sabbath rest…
July 2015
Please do not “get away from” the community
of faith during the summer. The worship hour
at 10 am leaves lots of time to still have fun by
the lake or a day outside in the garden!
The Vacation Bible School will allow your
children and you to get away safely on an
Expedition to Everest! If you are away from
home, make an effort to worship in a different
church, and bring me back a bulletin, or an
idea that you enjoyed there.
May the blessing of sleep and the grace of
leisure be yours, Pastor Heather
Preschool News
There is big news in the preschool! The session
has accepted the nomination of Elizabeth (Bel)
Gwiadowski as our new preschool director. Bel
has served as director of a preschool in
Hillsborough for twenty years, and is on the board
of the NJ Association for the Education of Young
Children. Her love for and dedication to young
children is evident. She is excited to get to know
our staff and families, and we are happy to
welcome her. Bel will begin officially on July 6th.
Please stop by the preschool office to welcome
her to our staff.
Page 2
THE PLUCKEMINEWS- July 2015
From Associate
Pastor Margaret
From Associate
Pastor Margaret
.
Hey there!
Summer is officially here!
We are kicking things off with Vacation Bible
School where our more than 50 registered children
will explore God’s awesome power on an icy
Everest expedition! This is truly a community
event, run by nearly as many volunteers as
participating children. It is always a week of
tremendous excitement, energy and fun, and a
wonderful way to show God’s love for our children.
On July 12th, the Sunday following VBS, we will be
highlighting the week’s experiences for the whole
congregation. You won’t want to miss it!
Consider inviting someone you don’t know
super well to lunch, or meet for coffee, or go
for a walk in a park together. Find out about
their interests, hobbies, and dreams for life or
the church. We are the body of Christ
together, in our unique individuality as much
as our coordinated efforts. For an ear and an
eye to work together, they need to know one
another and the unique abilities and
perspectives they bring to the table! Not sure
what you’d talk about? Here’s an article on
how
to
have
great
conversations:
allgroanup.com/careerish/9-simple-tips-tohaving-really-good-conversations. I’ll look
forward to hearing about your discoveries!
Happy summer!
Much love, Margaret
The youth mission trip is also
this month: July 19-25th. They are returning to the
Pittsburgh Project in, you guessed it, Pittsburgh PA.
Their M&M fundraiser continues through the
beginning of this month, and I encourage you to be
in prayer for the team, the ministry, and the people
they will serve.
Summer is a different paced season in the church
year. While we certainly have activity withContac
VBS
and the youth trip, much of our other programing
takes a break. In these more relaxed months, I’d
encourage you to spend time with one another in a
different way.
DEACON-ON-CALL FOR JULY:
PRIS LANT
908-658-3140 home 908-347-1048 cell
[email protected] email
Call for temporary or emergency needs of the
Congregation such as meal preparation, transportation
to worship, visitation,
and Communion for those who are homebound or in a
nursing care facility.
Page 3
THE PLUCKEMINEWS – July 2015
Church Library Wish List
The Library Committee’s Sessionapproved plan to add new books to the
Library is up and running.
CHURCH NEWS
There are some wonderful things to report for
the summer:
 The funds borrowed for the purchase of a home by
Rev. Coile Estes and Michael Mears have been
repaid and returned to the Pastor’s Housing Fund
of the congregation’s endowment and savings.
This completes the financial realities of the
severance agreement by all deadlines. We are
grateful to those whose work and support made
this possible, especially Bill Savo, who
volunteered his time and expertise.
 The Session will be gathering for a barbeque and
fun time of camaraderie on July 12th at 2 pm as the
guests of Dick and Pris Lant at their home. The
Session will bring their spouses as well! The hope
is that all can get to know one another better and
relax together after a year of hard work!
 Sunday July 19th Rev. Cheryl Galan, Transitional
Presbyter of Elizabeth Presbytery, will serve as
worship leader and preacher. Her warmth and
creativity will no doubt make this a marvelous
worship service you will not want to miss. We are
grateful that our relationship with the Presbytery
has grown into one of shared support with a deep
sense of caring and grace. Come and join us!
We have a wish list of interesting and
inspiring new books to present to you. All
are posted with descriptions and prices in
the Library. Two of the original books
have been bought, but the list will continue
to be updated and expanded.
If you would like to donate one of these
books, perhaps in memory or celebration
of someone, or simply as a gift, contact
Dorothy Varrone ([email protected]) or
Karen Eastlund ([email protected]).
The Call: The Life and Message of the
Apostle Paul, by Adam Hamilton $12.34
Sages, Saints, & Seers: A Breviary of
Spiritual Masters, by Richard H. Schmidt
$12.24
What Every Christian Needs To Know
About Passover: What It Means and Why It
Matters, by Rabbi Evan Moffic $16.24
Healthy Disclosure: Solving Communication
Quandaries in Congregations, by Kibbie
Simmons Ruth & Karen A. McClintock
$15.69
Dorothy Varrone and Karen Eastlund for the
Library Committee
THE PLUCKEMINEWS – July 2015
Page 4
Adult Ministries
Children’s Ministries
There’s an App for That!
The Presbyterian Church (USA) has a daily prayer app
which provides brief services for Daily Prayer based on
the Presbyterian Book of Common Worship, including:
psalms for the day, readings from the daily lectionary,
and prayers of thanksgiving and intercession.
BoxTops for Education
The app provides liturgies Morning, Midday, Evening,
and Close of Day Prayer, selecting the appropriate
service and lectionary readings based on the time and
date settings of your iPhone or iPad. The calendar tool
allows users to find psalms, readings, and prayers for
other dates.
Have you noticed the small rectangular BoxTops
signs on your grocery or paper products? They are
important! Each BoxTop can be redeemed for
10cents for our preschool. You can help by
clipping BoxTops from products such as Cheerios,
ZipLock, Betty Crocker, Land O Lakes, etc., and
turning them in at the church. Look for a
collection box in the CrossRoads area.
The app “Daily Prayer PC(USA)” is available at Google
play, iTunes, or Amazon (app for Android) for $2.99.
Still have questions?
Find out more at
http://www.boxtops4education.com/.
Ken Wildonger for Adult Ministries Committee
Presbyterian Lingo
Debts and debtors. When Presbyterians pray the
Lord’s Prayer, we use the words debts (“forgive us our
debts”) and debtors. Other Christian bodies use
trespasse or sins. This is because the Lord’s Prayer is
found in both Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospels, and in the
original Greek they used two different words that mean
“to sin.” In Matthew’s version, the word used means “to
owe a debt,” but a debt of sin, not money. Resource:
pcuss.org/speak-presbyterian.
Carol Wildonger on behalf of Adult Education
Committee
Monday AM Women’s Bible Study
Join us as we take a summer break and meet at Top O’
The Hill on most Mondays at 10:00am beginning July
13th. Please contact Dot Varrone for more information [email protected].
Men's Breakfast
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:30am.
Come out for some great fellowship, prayer, and
breakfast. Group meets at the Top o' The Hill restaurant
on Route 202-206 in Bridgewater. Contact Bill
Hammond at (908) 350-7500 for more information.
Children’s Worship
Beginning July 19 and continuing through August,
Children’s Worship will take a summer break. We
will, however, offer an option for children ages 4
through 2nd grade who find it hard to sit through
the service. After the Children’s Message, we will
lead young children to the lower level of the
Education Wing for supervised games, puzzles,
art, etc. This supervised time will be offered every
week except the first Sunday of the month, when
we encourage children to remain with their
families for communion. Children’s Worship will
begin again on September 13th.
VBS
Are you ready for a week of faith-filled stories,
community, music, crafts and games?
You will find all that and more the week of July
6th through 10th when Pluckemin offers Vacation
Bible School for children 4years through grade 6.
More than 50 campers have signed up, as well as
many teen and adult volunteers. Our theme this
year is Everest: Conquering Challenges with
God’s Mighty Power. Our mission monies will
go to Heifer International for tents and supplies for
victims of the earthquake in Nepal. Please pray for
a week of joyful learning and growing closer to
God.
Karen Eastlund, Chair
THE PLUCKEMINEWS – July 2015
Page
5 office at 658-4720.
Preschool
Can YOU help us use this
shopping list?
Wanted:
 100’ tape measure & a 100’ chalk line (but 50’
ones may be long enough)
 White chalk for the chalk line (talcum powder will
work too)
 Bob, tied to a 12’ string (that sounds odd).
Correction, a Plumb-bob, tied to a 12’ string.
 A volunteer, to help us use the above.
Can you help youth group mark and paint lines on
our basketball half-court? The old lines are long
gone, and out-of-bounds is “flexible” – sometimes
it’s the playground, or the nearest parked car, or
even Burger King. Painting lines would be a cosmetic
fix, but it would also be a nice bang for only a few
bucks.
The timing is flexible … maybe August, or early
September?
So, can you help us turn this …
Give A Meal A Month
July Menu
Beef Stew
Chicken Noodle Soup
Canned Peaches
Cheerios
Give to others, and God will give to you... The
measure you use for others is the one that God
will use for you." Luke 6:38
IHN Help Needed in August
Our next hosting week for our IHN guests is
August 9 to August 15. Right now there are 2
families in the program. This is a great opportunity
to volunteer to serve this worthwhile mission
partner. Sign-up sheets will be available starting
mid-August in Fellowship Hall during coffee hour
after worship. We will also have a volunteer
workshop early in August so as to help us all
understand what to expect during the hosting week.
The Interfaith Hospitality Network is a mission
partner that we have been supporting since it began
in Somerset County. Just recently 2 families moved
out of the network into apartments. Last fall a
woman who had found shelter within the network
and eventually moved into an apartment come back
to our churches fellowship hall to celebrate her
daughter’s birthday with family and friends. These
are just a few of the success stories but there are
many other families who have moved from homeless
to having apartments to live in.
… into this?
Please consider how you can help our mission
partner. We, your missions committee, look forward
to working with you.
In Christ's name, Blessings
For info, Email [email protected].
(Can you do a hockey rink, too?)
Dick Lant , Chair - Missions Committee (Tom Ely,
Tom Dodd, Ron Holmann, Ron Bleemer)
Page 6
THE PLUCKEMINEWS – July 2015
YOUTH MINISTRIES
PP2PP4PP*
We’re skipping Church on July 19! (Pastors love to hear
th
that, don’t they?) But it’s OK this time. Early on the 19 , our youth
and chaperones leave for Work Trip. We’re working with the
th
Pittsburgh Project again, during its 30 Year anniversary.
 FYI, Pittsburgh looks like this . . . and driving is like this! 
Want to help? Here are some ideas (all M’s).

M&Ms: Take him and his friends
Youth Group for your past support.
quarters. But whatever you give is

Minivan: we need a minivan for the trip.

Male?
home! Pick up a container, as a thank you from the
Then return the containers by July 12. They hold $14 in
appreciated.
We’ll give you a replacement car to use during the
week, we’ll take care of any maintenance before we go, and we’ll return it cleaner than
before.
Yes, as of press time, we need one more male chaperone. Please contact Bob
Stewart ([email protected], 908-872-8121) if you have any questions.
* Pluckemin Presbyterian 2 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 4 the Pittsburgh Project!
XL finished our weekly meetings with an end-of-year Secret Dinner for Confirmation
Classes of 2015 & 2013. The secret? A cryptic menu and no idea what
you just ordered! For example, Sean’s first course (pictured) consisted
of rolls, a knife, ice cream, & mashed potatoes … yum! 
Thank you to Nick Seifert (Conf Class of 2011) for volunteering to
help run the event; Dani & Rachel Staffin also helped serve. Thank you
to Leslie & Tim Cooper and Chris Staffin for also decrypting and serving.
Finally, thank you to Nancy Grohn for leading a team of youth advisors all
year, and extra thanks to Chris Moravek who helped with almost every XL event.
Mark Your Calendars
6/14–7/12:
Pick up your M’s!
July 12:
Work Trip Commissioning, 10am
July 12:
Eat the M’s. Return the containers!
July 17-18:
Work Trip Equipment drop-off.
July 19-25:
Youth Group Work Trip
(save the date)
Aug 13:
XL night at the 4-H Fair.
Congratulations, Graduates!
Carleigh Cooper, Justin McBurney, Brittany Powelson,
Alanna Staffin, Danielle Staffin, and Rachel Staffin
(Bridgewater-Raritan High School); Christopher Philp
(Somerville High School); Theodore Rabke (The Pingry
School).
Caroline Davis and Julianne Davis (Rutgers), Keith Ferrante
(Rowan), Eric Grohn (Cornell), Melisa Lant (Montclair),
Alison Moore (Elizabethtown), Lauren Quimby (Penn State)
July 2015 Calendar
EVERY WEEK
Sundays
9:45 – 11:15 am
10:00 am
10:15 am
11:00 am
Child Care in Nursery in Children’s
Ministry Wing
st
Worship (Communion on 1 Sunday of
month)
Children’s Worship in Children’s
Ministry Wing (No Children’s Worship
st
on 1 Sunday of month)
Fellowship Hour in Fellowship Hall
JULY
1 (Wednesday)
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Children’s Ministry in the Library
3 (Friday)
The church office will be closed in
th
observance of July 4 .
4 (Saturday)
Happy Fourth of July!
5 (Sunday)
10:00 am
6 (Monday)
9:00 – 1:00 pm
7 (Tuesday)
9:00 – 1:00 pm
7:00 pm
8 (Wednesday)
9:00 – 1:00 pm
6:30 - 7:30 pm
7:00 pm
7:00 pm
Worship in Sanctuary - Communion
Sunday
12(Sunday)
10:00 am
2:00 pm
13 (Monday)
10:00am
Worship in Sanctuary
Session cookout
7:00 – 9:00pm
7:30 – 10:00pm
Women’s AM Bible Study Meeting at
Top O’ The Hill (most Mondays)
Jersey Harmony Express in Grace Corner
Preschool Board Meeting in CM wing
14 (Tuesday)
6:00 - 9:00pm
7:00 - 8:30pm
Boy Scouts Troop 154 in Fellowship Hall
Finance Committee -Covenant Room
15 (Wednesday)
7:30 – 9:00 pm
16 (Thursday)
8:00 – 9:00pm
19 (Sunday)
6:30 am
Raritan Valley District Boy Scouts in
Trinity Room
Alcoholics Anonymous Grace/ Upper
10:00 am
Youth Group leaves for Work Trip in
Pittsburgh
Worship in Sanctuary
VBS - Vacation Bible School
20 (Monday)
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Newsletter deadline
Jersey Harmony Express Grace Corner
VBS - Vacation Bible School
Deacons’ Meeting - Covenant Rm
21 (Tuesday)
No Session Meeting
22 (Wednesday)
7:00 – 8:00 pm
VBS - Vacation Bible School
Buildings & Grounds Grace Corner
Missions Committee Upper Room
Book Club in the Library
9 (Thursday)
9:00 – 1:00 pm
6:30 – 8:00 pm
6:30 – 8:00 pm
VBS - Vacation Bible School
Youth Ministries in the Library
Worship and Music Meeting in Library
10 (Friday)
9:00 – 1:00 pm
VBS - Vacation Bible School
11 (Saturday)
1:00 – 4:00 pm
Jersey Harmony Express Grace Corner
Adult Ministries Meeting in Covenant
Room
25 (Saturday)
Youth Group returns from Work Trip
26 (Sunday)
10:00 am
Worship in Sanctuary
27 (Monday)
6:00 – 9:30 pm
7:00 – 9:00pm
Stephen Ministries -Covenant Room
Jersey Harmony Express in Grace Corner
PluckemiNews Deadline
th
The deadline for the newsletter is always the 20 of the
month. Please email your items on or before July 20th to
[email protected] or [email protected]. Contact Sue
Quimby with questions.
News from the Church Office

The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The deadline for
announcements to be submitted for the Sunday bulletin is Wednesday.
Please e-mail Sunday bulletin
announcements to the church office at [email protected].

The Rev. Heather Morrison-Yaden, Interim Pastor, works in NJ Sunday-Thursday and is generally in the office
Monday-Thursday from 10-2 for drop-in visits, or available by appointment during those weekdays. Please
email her if you would like to set up an appointment.

The Rev. Margaret Mitsuyasu, Associate Pastor, is in the office every weekday except Friday. You may reach
her through the church office (ext. 103) or by email. In an emergency, you may call her on her cell phone:
253-569-3112.

Contact the Medical Equipment Ministry by calling 908-396-6057 and leaving a message on voicemail.
Pluckemin Church Staff
Interim Pastor: Heather Morrison-Yaden ([email protected])
Associate Pastor: Margaret Mitsuyasu ([email protected])
Sexton: Danny Abogado ([email protected])
Director, Music Ministries: Noel Sell ([email protected])
Associate Director, Music Ministries: Valerie Sell ([email protected])
Director of the Carillons: Marcia McBurney ([email protected])
Director, Youth Ministries: Bob Stewart ([email protected])
Pluckemin Preschool Director: Elizabeth Gwiadowski
Office Administrator: Cathie Ruiterman ([email protected])
The Presbyterian Church at Pluckemin
279 Route 202-206 North, P.O. Box 402
Pluckemin, NJ 07978
Phone: 908-658-3346
Fax: 908-658-9060
Return Service
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