Adult Ministries Committee
Adult Ministries provides learning and fellowship opportunities for all to grow in faith and discipleship. Adult education classes and small groups offer fellowship and spiritual growth. Let the Spirit move you to participate and become an active disciple of Christ.

Adult Education
Meets 9am Sunday's in the Covenant Room Growing together in faith is very important to all of us at Pluckemin. Our Adult Education program is flush with class offerings. Open to everyone, Adult Education strives to offer high-quality educational opportunities and enriching experiences for all ages in our adult community. Our program offerings are often led by doctoral students, pastoral staff and other informed leaders. We seek to offer opportunities for you to grow in your faith, deepen your understanding of the Christian life, and enjoy the fun and fellowship a church family can bring! Come, sit in on a class as together we learn where God will lead us.

Audio Visual
Calling on all techies. The A/V team is always looking for folks to assist with audio and video needs of the church. Most prominent is during worship. This includes playing and or preparing pre-service worship slides, managing the sound, recording the service, making hard copies of the service for shut-ins, and posting the service to the web.

Bells for Fun
Rehearsal Thursdays from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. This choir is for adults who would like to learn how to ring hand bells, and for those who have rung in the past and would like to do so again! No experience necessary! Please contact our Associate Director of Music Ministries, Valerie Sell at 908-874-3406 for more information.

Book Club
Meets 2nd Wednesday 7pm in the Library. The group gathers each month to discuss a group-selected book! We read everything from history to drama, fiction to personal narrative. What a great opportunity to enjoy some tea, company, and wonderful discussion including books from a wide variety of sources! Contact Karen Eastlund for more information (908) 526-7784

Friends of Counted Embroidery (FCE)

Meets the 1st Thursday of the month from October -June, Fellowship Hall. FEC is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to expand our knowledge of all forms of counted embroidery including cross stitch. This takes the form of sharing ideas, free designs, teaching programs and an occasional lecture. We are happy to have guests visit for a meeting and to join if they feel this is a good group for them. Dues are $25 a year, prorated for those joining mid year.

Boy Scout troop 154
Meets Friday's 7:30pm in Fellowship Hall. There are now more than 60 boys from Bridgewater, Branchburg, and Warren registered in our troop! In the summer, boys often attend camp at Resica Falls. We have also sent crews to the Maine High Adventure Base, Philmont Scout Reservation, and the Florida Sea Base. Our scouts are also involved in community service. Since the troop was started more than 50 years ago, 120+ boys have achieved Eagle Scout status!

Carillons Bell Choir
This group is an advanced hand bell choir for experienced ringers by invitation. The Carillons perform once a month at the 10:00am Worship service. They also perform at nursing homes and other churches in the area, as well as attending national and area hand bell festivals. The choir is taught advanced ringing techniques and music reading. Please contact our Carillons Music Director, Marcia McBurney at 732-537-1569 for more information or if you wish to audition.

Children’s Ministry
Pluckemin cherishes children, each and every one. And children love it here. Our Children’s Ministry brings generations together to actively explore and create, grow closer to God, shape leaders, and worship in community. Consider volunteering for one or more of the activities they run for our children.

Children’s Worship
Pre-K-3rd Grade. During worship, after the Children's Message, Pre-K through 3rd grade children are given the opportunity to leave worship for a supervised fun-filled worship experience geared specifically for their age level. Adult and youth volunteers are needed to assist in these activities.

Confirmation Class
Offered every-other school year, the Confirmation Class is intended to prepare our youth to take on the responsibility of becoming full, active members of the congregation. The confirmation class explores Christ and his Church in further depth and draws everything they've (hopefully) learned through our Children and Youth Ministries together. The class focuses on the many facets of Christ, our own spiritual gifts, and the roles God has called us to play in the Church. We meet Sunday evenings from 5:00-6:30 pm and is primarily aimed toward 8th and 9th graders, though anyone older is more than welcomed to participate!

Congregational Care

Caring for those around us has always been one of our greatest strengths at Pluckemin Church. The care of others has developed into comprehensive program incorporating many ministries of the church. Our Pastors, Stephen Ministers, Deacons, Congregational Nurses, and Friendly visitors all coordinate to find the best services and solutions to meet your needs.

Congregational Nursing

Congregational Nursing is a ministry designed to assist members and friends of the congregation with health information related to post surgery, home care and other aspects of their health care. Each congregational nurse is a currently licensed nurse who may assist people with questions and help families find the resources they need as they encounter physical challenges in their life. Contact the church office at 908-658-3346 if you know of someone with a need or have one yourself.

Deacons

Deacons are an integral part of the congregational care ministry at Pluckemin. Deacons offer care to the congregation by providing visitation, arranging transportation, organizing meals, and providing health screening, to mention a few.

Family Worship Sunday's

The first Sunday of the month has traditionally been known as “Communion Sunday” here at Pluckemin Church. And now, if you worship as a family with young children, it is also “Family Worship Sunday.” It is such a blessing to share The Lord’s Supper and Worship together as a family. Therefore, on Communion Sundays, children will remain in Worship for the entire service to experience all of the blessings and treasures Communion Sunday has to offer.

Friendly Visitors

Friendly Visitors is a group that is overseen by the Deacons. Deacons and caring members of our church community seek out isolated or home bound individuals for friendly visits. No special experience or training is required, just a heart for others and the desire to make the world a better place for someone else. Contact the church office 908-658-3346 if you wish to volunteer or know of a need for a friendly visitor.

Hospitality Committee

This energetic group provides opportunities large and small to be involved with group camaraderie, and with informal seasonal celebrations. We’re likely to plan a lively spring fling, or an event to highlight a handbells musical celebration. We punctuate the end of summer with a picnic, and the arrival of Advent with a community tree lighting event. We greet church visitors weekly, and sponsor new members.The Hospitality crew is always on the lookout for new team members…people who can help organize or participate in the planning of inter-generational fellowship events, prepare a dish or two to share, or lend a hand with written or visual communications. Consider joining us!

Interfaith Hospitality Network

(IHN – also known nationally as Family Promise) was founded locally in part by the initiative of members of this congregation and has grown to empower homeless families to attain independence and to create safe havens for homeless families among the houses of worship of Somerset County’s diverse faith communities. Typical service includes: Cooking and hosting a meal (5-7pm) or Hosting and playing with the children (7-9pm) or Serving as Overnight Hosts (9p.m.-5a.m.) This church serves as hosts for a full week three times a year: once in the summer and over the holidays of Christmas and Easter.

Jubilation Ringers

Rehearses Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:00 pm. This is the beginning hand bell choir for children grades 3-8. They perform in church about once a month and at the 4:30 pm. Christmas Eve Service. The choir is taught basic ringing techniques and music reading. Please contact our Associate Director of Music Ministries, Valerie Sell at 908-874-3406 for more information.

Lighting the Way

An acolyte is a worship leader who brings in the light of Christ at the beginning of worship, and carries the light out into the world at the end. Does that mean that acolytes light the candles? Yes!!! If you are in 2nd grade or older, we invite you to be trained as an acolyte. Contact Chris Staffin at staffin-d-clc@att.net

Medical Equipment Ministry

The Medical equipment ministry was started in 2010. It is a relatively rare Ministry that provides medical equipment upon request to those in need. Surplus medical equipment is donated by those no longer needing it. The Ministry collects these equipment donations and makes them available to those that need help. The equipment is loaned out at no cost, for as long as it is needed, and returned when you are done.

Men's Breakfast

Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month. This group meets for a hearty breakfast at Top O’ The Hill restaurant every second Tuesday of the month at 7:30am. Join the men for fellowship and discussion. Please contact Tom Dodd for more information at 732-560-7137 or tomlydiad@gmail.com.

Monday Morning Women's Bible Study

Meets at 9:30-12 – Library.

Nursery Care

We offer a professionally staffed nursery every Sunday morning from 9am - 11:30am so parents can attend both Adult Education and Worship. We have both an infant and toddler room and we would love to care for your infant - 3 year old. You never have to feel far away because we use a vibrating paging system to reach you if there is any need at all.

Sanctuary Choir

Rehearses Thursday 8pm-9:45pm.This dedicated group is known to make the most conservative Presbyterians shout out an Amen at the end of a song. The Sanctuary Choir leads worship on two to three Sundays a month at the 10:00 am service. They also sing for special services on Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, and Maundy Thursday. This is an adult choir and is open to youth grades 9 through 12. For more information or for those interested in joining please contact our Director of Music Ministries, Noel Sell at 908-874-3406.

Sunday School

Sundays, Sept - June 9:00-9:45am. We believe that church should be a safe and fun place for your children to learn about God's love. Classes are provided for students beginning at age 3 through sixth grade. Enrolling your children in Pluckemin Church's Sunday School Program gives them an opportunity to experience our dedicated and creative Sunday School teachers who can't wait to share God's love with your children.

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministers are congregation members trained by Stephen Leaders to offer high-quality, one-to-one Christian care to people going through tough times. A Stephen Minister usually provides care to one person at a time. This is a highly confidential ministry as they listen, provide resource and referrals, and pray with and for the person as they deal with the difficulties which face them. This unique group of care givers offer support for a variety of life situations including employment challenges, loneliness, unemployment, hospitalization, terminal illness, and grief.

Thursday Morning Bible Study

Meets at 8:30 in the Library. The one-hour weekly meetings include a continental breakfast, fellowship and prayer. The group welcomes anyone who would like to attend. If you have questions, please contact Rae Watson, 908-326-6035.

Ushers

Scheduled by the Deacons, Ushers greet worshipers on Sunday morning with a smile and a bulletin as they enter the sanctuary. Parents with small children are offered activity bags for their children.

Vacation Bible School

In July we hold Vacation Bible School. We offer a one-week program for children 4 years of age up to 6th grade that is filled with fun faith-building experiences for your children! Each year there is a different theme where our kids can get fired up about God. The week promises to be loads of fun with daily giveaways, crafts, songs and much more! VBS is held for one week in July, 9:00am to 12:00pm each day. Firm dates are posted as VBS begins registration.

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Website

Volunteering to help managing the website is a fun and creative way to present Pluckemin Church to our congregants, community and the world. Our website uses on-line tools in a friendly interface that makes editing straight forward and easy to manage.

Work Camp

We encourage the youth at Pluckemin Church to be involved in missions. Early on our children are involved in local missions like the food bank. Our high school Youth mission trips have been part of the Group Work Camp program. Group Work Camp has had more than 210,000 volunteer workers in the last 25 years. Group works with local churches, communities and volunteers to identify people in need. These are often people with illnesses or the elderly who have difficulty maintaining their homes.Each day crews composed of an adult and 5 youths go to an assigned work site where they may paint a house, repair a porch or build a wheelchair ramp. In addition, they have devotions at the work site, typically with the homeowner.In the evening, youth-oriented Christian programs are held in the gym and youth groups hold their own devotions.In the past, PPC youth have traveled to Virginia, upstate New York, North Carolina, Maine and New Hampshire.

Youth Sunday Mornings

High school youth, come join us Sunday mornings at 9:00 am in the Library to share fellowship, faith, and fun with a great group of friends. We provide breakfast, a relaxed atmosphere, and an open forum to talk about anything that's on your mind. See you there!

Worship and Music The worship and music committee is responsible for the worship of God every Sunday as well as for special services that occur throughout the year. Special services include Christmas Eve, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunrise, and Thanksgiving. Opportunities for participation in worship include singing choirs, bell choirs, preparation and serving communion, lay worship leadership, scripture readings, and special musical offerings.

Youth Group

A weekly meeting on Sunday evenings 6:30-7:30 pm for youth grades 7-12. Together we enjoy fellowship, food, games and a program. We have off-site fellowship outings, and fun service opportunities throughout the year. We rarely do the same thing twice, but you can always count on fun! Senior High youth grades 11 & 12 are invited to stay from 7:30-8:30 to meet for some relaxed discussion.

Youth Ministry Committee

Youth Ministry at Pluckemin Church helps youth in grades 7-12 to connect with God and God’s people by providing opportunities for fellowship, service and the exploration of their faith. Our primary programs are Youth Group, High School Sunday School, Confirmation Class and an annual summer week-long mission trip.We are seeking adults who have a passion for God to share their faith, creativity and love with our group of amazing teens in one or more of the following ways:

• Join the Youth Ministry Committee! Help us plan, execute and evaluate our program. The committee meets one evening each month.
• Become a member of the Youth Group team! The commitment is minimal but very rewarding. Attend a youth group meeting a few times a year as the assistant adult. No planning or experience needed – just a desire to have fun and hang out with some amazing teens for two hours on a Sunday evening.
• Volunteer to chaperone or help with a specific event such as the mission trip, ski trip or confirmation retreat!

If you would like to volunteer or receive more information, please contact Chris Staffin, co-Director Youth Ministry, at chrisstaffin@gmail.com.