P.L.U.M.- PITTSBURGH LUTHERAN UNITED MINISTRIES

P.L.U.M. is a cooperative ministry formed by three churches in the Pittsburgh area, those churches being St. Andrew Lutheran-East Carnegie; Christ Lutheran-Duquesne; and East Liberty Lutheran-City of Pittsburgh. Begun as a trial venture in May of 2004, the PLUM venture bcame official by near-unanimous voting in April of 2007. PLUM is presided over by Pastors Rev. John Gropp and Rev. Beth Siefert, and a 12-member board of representatives from each of the 3 churches. Items that need voted on are presented to the individual congregations for ratification.

The purpose of PLUM is to provide a model whereby small congregations may continue to exist and provide the necessary ministry in their local area; this is done by pooling financial resources in order to afford pastoral support. PLUM currently has 2 pastors serving 3 churches. Due to the frightening number of small church congregations disappearing and the dwindling numbers of ordained clergy coming out of Seminary, it is felt that this cooperative ministry offers the best chances not only for the continued existence of  the 3 congregations, it also presents opportunities to attract newly-ordained clergy to the small churches; it encourages sharing of worship sites, services, and events; allows cooperative efforts in church-related programs for youth and neighborhoods, and hopefully will provide an answer to a very uncertain and questionable future.

While a formal entity in body, PLUM is still very much a work in progress. It's an exciting, emotional, uplifting, exasperating, and quite unique experience to witness. More information will be forthcoming as this road is travelled. May God bless the work that is ahead, and may He bless us all as well.

PLUM NOW 6 CONGREGATIONS!!

WOW!! With the formal addition of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sheraden pretty much a sure thing by July and the previous entries by Bethlehem Lutheran-Allentown and Trinity Lutheran-Mt. Oliver, The Plum Cooperative Ministry now contains 6 congregations. PLUM is still led by Pastors Siefert and Gropp, who are ably assisted by Vicar Melba Dibble, who certainly is a ray of sunshine and a hit at the Childrens' Sermons with the little treats! The Synod continues to monitor PLUM's progress and assist as they are able. Although a rough spot or two occasionally appears (The Blizzard of 2010 comes to mind), our churches continue their vital ministry in the neighborhoods they are located in. The overall status of our ministry is sound, and we hope to grow as a ministry and stand as a model of maintaining pastoral support for small congregations. God Bless everyone who has worked so hard to see PLUM succeed up to this point!

The long-overdue updating of this site has begun! Ye Editor will endeavor to keep things as timely as possible. As always any and all contributions are welcome. I would appreciate monthly calendars as well as lists of events and news items from the individual congregations. I am also working on revamping the forum into a PLUM-oriented discussion area.Please send your items to: roofguy1@comcast.net . Your patience is appreciated; stop by often and check things out! God Bless!!

Your comments/questions/opinions are always welcome. Please send them to my e-mail address: roofguy1@comcast.net