Rev. Timothy will be leading a two-week Chapel Class series that will review the themes of his book, Sustaining Hope in an Unjust World. No reading in advance is required or expected. Folks will have a chance to discuss what hope looks like, what can we expect from God in our work, and how to avoid burnout when things do not go our way around issues of justice, peace, and inclusion.

Chapel class begins at 9:00 am every Sunday and is open to all adults in person or on Zoom.

You are welcome to join a Sustainable Engagement Circle for mutual support, collective hope-building & social justice engagement that is sustainable. Rev. Kimberly Koczan is facilitating. This session begins THIS Monday at 10:30 a.m. in the Mayflower Room (2/17, 2/24 & 3/3). Enter the front office door. More circles are scheduled online & in person beginning in March & April. Email Kimberly at wisdomswell@gmail.com with questions or to reserve your spot. 

The WBS book for February is Mad Honey, written by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Boylan. Set in New Hampshire, this novel sensitively explores the personal secrets we keep hidden and the consequences we risk in order to let ourselves be known (no spoilers!).

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 18 in the Amistad Room at noon. We welcome anyone who self-identifies as a woman to drop in and join the discussion.

In March, our book will be Red Dust by Gillian Slovo. In April we will introduce books we'd like to read in the coming months.

Rev. Timothy is aware that Plymouth folks have occasionally raised the issue of not being able to attend one or more Chapel Class series he has led. To help remedy that, for the month of February, Rev. Timothy will be available after the Wednesday Night Live dinner in the Amistad Room from 6:30-7:00 pm for anyone who would like a refresher or overview for any of his past Sunday morning educational series topics. This will be a more informal discussion for people to bring their questions or chat about any past theme. If it’s a new topic, that’s fine too, and it might result in a new series in the future! Past topics have included: atonement theories, Christian perspectives on violence and war, churching, General Synod resolutions, institutional racism, interfaith relations, music and faith, progressive Christianity, socialism and Christianity, theologies of Communion, theories of salvation, and wealth and inequality.

The Standish Group, which includes the Wreath Sales, Pepper Jelly, and the Makers Group, will be getting together on Sunday, Feb. 23 following the service in the Mayflower Room. This will only be about a 45 minute meeting to talk about the future of this group. We hope you will all be able to attend.

Lent begins on Wednesday, March 5, and each year during that season the weekly Bible study is switched out for a book study. This year, Rev. Timothy selected the 2009 New York Times bestseller Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? by Michael J. Sandel. This may seem a puzzling choice in that it is not explicitly a religious book but rather a book about ethics and what different people mean by the word “justice.” While Sandel is a Harvard political philosopher, it is a very readable book with lots of examples that will challenge people around their conception of what justice entails. Is it the greatest good for the greatest number, freedom for individuals to choose whatever they will, being treated fairly and minimizing inequality, the common good, or something else? Folks are encouraged to order a copy beforehand. We will discuss chapter 1 on March 5.

This is a friendly reminder that the parking lot that is adjacent to the Folsom Room entrance is reserved for those who have mobility aids, especially walkers and wheelchairs. Plymouth has limited handicapped parking there (6 spots), so please refrain from parking in the side lot on Sunday mornings unless you or someone traveling with you has a mobility issue. Thank you!

The Plymouth Reproductive Rights Action team is sponsoring a teacher training for OWL - Our Whole Lives - a faith based, comprehensive sex education program. The training will be held March 7-9.

There is a cost for the training, however, scholarships are available for Plymouth members to cover the cost in part or in full.

For more information, or to register for the training, email plymouthreprorights@gmail.com.

While the city opted not to use Plymouth as an overflow shelter space for families this winter, we can still help with the emergency shelter efforts. The city is in need of supplies for the family overflow shelter -- you can use the Amazon wish list below to donate!