In Congregationalism, we commit ourselves to making God’s mission known in community. Ours is a progressive Christian community, recognizing many paths to God and opening ourselves to the great variety of God’s people.
Our Plymouth Church covenant is based on the Salem Covenant of 1629:
We covenant with you, O God, and one with another, and do bind ourselves in your presence to walk together in all your ways, according as you are pleased to reveal yourself to us in your blessed word of truth.
Moreover, we, the people of Plymouth Congregational Church, humbly seek and serve God within, among and beyond ourselves. A full description of the Purposes of the Church can be found here (revised December 2018, by the Deacons). A class on the Theology of the Purposes is offered through early May 2019, in the Theater. Listen to audio from that course here. You are invited to drop in and learn more; the class is team-taught by clergy, staff and Deacons.
The congregation is the basis of our governance. Clergy members work closely with lay leaders elected to positions in Deacons, Leadership Council and leaders of the six boards: Community Life, Finance and Administration, Fine Arts, Outreach, Spiritual Formation and Worship. (Scroll to the bottom of this webpage for lists of board members.)
A ministerial search will begin soon. Meet our nominee for Chair of the Search Committee, Chris Bohnhoff. You may read the letter on our search process from Moderator Brian Siska (published Jan. 10, 2019; revised Jan. 23).
The 2018 Annual Report includes reports from lay leaders and clergy, past meeting minutes, proposed bylaws changes and financial information.
Growth Task Force: read the charter for the Growth Task Force (April 3, 2018); meeting minutes 09/10/2018.
Background and update on our governance was presented on Feb. 25, 2018; please see the slide presentation here.
Late in fall 2017, the Deacons asked congregation members to respond to three questions about the church’s priorities going forward. The responses are summarized in this Summary, which also includes a summary of the Listening Sessions
Deacons
The Deacons are responsible for strategic direction and vision. They also have responsibility for the legal, fiduciary and spiritual affairs of the church.
Agenda for the meeting on March 5, 2019.
Peg Birk
Claire Colliander, Treasurer
Ed Curtiss
Katie Dillon, Clerk
Dave Homans
Claire Kolmodin
Brian Siska, Moderator
Gloria Wallace
Greg Zoidis
Send an email to the Deacons.
Leadership Council
Chairs of the six boards, clergy, three officers and the church archivist make up the Leadership Council, which is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the church.
Deb Fowler, Chair
Sarah Lehman, Chair-Elect
Mike McCallister, Secretary
Emi Bennett Vo, Chair of Community Life
Eric Olsen, Chair of Finance and Administration
John Kulstad, Chair of Fine Arts
Peter Eichten, Chair of Outreach
Becky Dougherty, Chair of Spiritual Formation
Karen Barstad, Chair of Worship
Mary Welfling, Archivist
Other officers of the church: Treasurer Claire Colliander (Deacon); Deputy Treasurer Ray Martin; Property Manager Ed Curtiss (Deacon)