Rev. Timothy will be leading the second session of a two-week Chapel Class series reviewing 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. The password for Zoom access is 461025.

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.

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.

On Sunday, March 2, Christian Education is excited to welcome guest speaker Mary Ann Mings from InAsMuch ministries to give a presentation about homelessness in Fort Wayne. Mary Ann works with unhoused clients every day at InAsMuch and knows the challenges of that population intimately. Chapel class is at 9:00 am every Sunday morning and open to all adults, in person or on Zoom. 

Have you ever been involved in a small group ministry? Have you participated in a small group at a previous church, and would like to get one started at Plymouth? Are you looking to get better connected with your peers at Plymouth, but not sure how to do so? If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, you are exactly who we want to attend our small group info session on Sunday, March 2, after worship. This session will be no more than one hour and will be held in the chapel. Hope to see you there!

Come one, come all to the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake and Sausage supper on Tuesday, March 4 at 5:30 pm. This is an annual tradition as we prepare to enter the season of Lent and observe Ash Wednesday the following day. Congregational Life will provide pancakes, sausages, and beverages, all with a festive Mardi Gras theme. Please sign up in the Folsom room if you plan to attend so that we can be sure to have enough food for everyone. All are welcome!

The season of Lent begins on Wednesday, March 5, where we will observe the day with our annual Ash Wednesday service at 7:00 pm. Join us in the sanctuary for a service of reflective music, communion, and the imposition of ashes. This service is an opportunity to reflect together about the meaning of the Lenten season, and to enter into it with intentionality and prayer. We hope to see you there.

Each year during Lent 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.

Indiana Center for Middle East Peace welcomes Wafa Ghnaim for “Tatreez: Palestinian Embroidery, Storytelling, and Resistance," Thursday, March 6, 6:30 pm at Plymouth Church.

Wafa Ghnaim is a Palestinian dress historian, author, curator, and educator who learned embroidery from her mother, award-winning artist Feryal Abbasi-Ghnaim. She is the author of Tatreez & Tea, and founder of The Tatreez Institute, teaching courses in Palestinian, Syrian and Jordanian embroidery techniques. Wafa was the first-ever Palestinian embroidery instructor at the Smithsonian Museum; Vogue Magazine named her and her mother “the world’s leading guardians of tatreez”. She is currently the curator for the Museum of the Palestinian People and Research Scholar for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Department of Ancient Near Eastern Art. 

The event is free and open to the public. All ICMEP programs are live-streamed and posted as a video a few days after the event on the ICMEP YouTube Channel.

On Sunday, March 9, we welcome guest speaker Rev. Martin Garcia from Amistad Presbyterian Church for a discussion on immigration and deportation, specifically in regard to the mass deportation efforts currently underway. Rev. Garcia serves a church of immigrants and is closely connected to what undocumented people in Fort Wayne are currently experiencing. Please consider joining us for this timely and important topic. Chapel class is at 9:00 am every Sunday and open to all adults, in person or on Zoom.

The Green Team will be holding a very special event immediately after the service on Sunday, March 16th, and all are welcome. Join Brian Flory of Solar United Neighbors, and Kerry Korpela of the Energy & Sustainability Department of the City of Fort Wayne, for an informative talk, and learn more about what's happening in Fort Wayne and surrounding areas. Also, you won't want to miss Kristin Steckbeck who will be showing raptors from Soarin' Hawk Raptor Rehab, as well answering any questions you might have about the beautiful creatures.

The event will begin in the Folsom Room, where light refreshments will be provided and the raptors will be viewed. Those who would like to listen to the speakers will proceed to the Chapel at a designated time. Hope to see you all there!

Red Dust by Gillian Slovo (note the authorship) is set in post-apartheid South Africa, during a Truth and Reconciliation Commission Hearing. Readers follow the case, get to know the people involved, and come to understand who did what to whom and, to some extent, why.

Please do join in our discussion of the issues raised in this remarkable book. We'll meet on Tuesday, March 18th at noon in the Amistad Room. All who identify as women are welcome. 

On April 15th, we'll be meeting to suggest books for the upcoming months. Anyone is invited to submit a choice (but please read it first).

Pride at Plymouth, on June 28th, is only four months away. The Evangelism and Marketing board is looking for task force volunteers to assist in planning and organizing for this day. This is a short term, but important commitment, as Pride at Plymouth publicly demonstrates our open and affirming covenant to the community of Fort Wayne. 

If you are interested in participating on the task force or volunteering for the event, please contact Vicky Pogue in person or at vlpogue@gmail.com.

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!

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!