News from religious organizations in our community
Ascension Lutheran Church welcomes new organist
World-famous organist Robert Plimpton has joined Ascension Lutheran Church as interim music director and organist. Plimpton’s first service will be Sunday, Aug. 30 at 9:15 a.m.
Plimpton is perhaps best known for his work as San Diego’s Civic Organist, performing weekly recitals on the Spreckels Organ in Balboa Park from 1984 to 2000. He was instrumental in founding the Spreckels Organ Society, which helps promote and expand the programming for the world-class instrument.
Plimpton recently retired after more than 10 years as the resident organist of the First United Methodist Church of San Diego. Plimpton has also served as organist or music director for Christ Church Unity, Faith Presbyterian and Christ Lutheran Church of San Diego.
In addition to working in local churches, Plimpton has also performed with the San Diego Symphony, Grossmont Symphony and San Diego Master Chorale.
A Pennsylvania native, Plimpton’s background includes numerous significant positions on the East Coast, including serving as a faculty member of the Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Plimpton also served as the organist for the Philadelphia Oratorio Choir and Singing City Choir and has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Tifereth Israel finds success with new membership model
Last summer, Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Carlos made an unusual change to its financing model. Instead of the conventional system of collecting mandatory membership dues, the synagogue shifted to a voluntary, pay-what-you-can model. The synagogue offers donation guidelines based on income level and operating needs, but it is up to congregants to decide what to give.
Since instituting the new model, membership has grown by 10 percent and enrollment at the affiliated Silverman Preschool has doubled.
“No Jew who wants to join our congregation will ever again feel daunted by the financial process inherent with the old system of fixed dues that can be difficult to afford for struggling families and young adults,” said Jerry Hermes, president of the congregation’s Board of Directors. “We were hoping that Jews who were looking for a stress-free and open synagogue experience would give us a long look, and we’ve been very pleased with the results.”
More than 340 families, including nearly 600 people, are members of the synagogue, which was founded in 1905 and remains one of the larger conservative congregations in the San Diego region.
God’s Closet seeks clothing donations for the needy
God’s Closet offers free clothing for people in need once a month at College Lutheran Church. People in need may choose up to eight articles of clothing and up to two accessories per person.
The ministry is also seeking donations of gently used, clean clothing for men, women and children. Donations are accepted during open hours.
God’s Closet is open the second Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to noon at 6650 Montezuma Road. The dates for the rest of 2015 are: Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12. Write to Leslie Atkins at [email protected] for more information.
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