We are partnering with our friends at Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren for an evening of action on behalf of our immigrant neighbors in Indiana. Pastor Martin Garcia will offer education about unnecessary legal roadblocks for immigrants in Indiana and how we can advocate for simple changes to state law to remove those barriers. After a bit of education, we will take action! Materials will be on hand to write letters, and we will also have scripts on hand for phone calls. Join us at Beacon Heights on Wednesday, July 23 at 6:30pm. Light refreshments will be provided. 

The Plymouth Players of Plymouth Congregational Church present In Pieces: A New Musical by Joey Contreras, running Thursday, July 24 at 7:30 PM, with matinees Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27 at 2:00 PM in the sanctuary of Plymouth Church. The production is part of the church’s annual Summer Music Series.

Poignant, joyful, and unapologetically queer, In Pieces weaves together a tapestry of love stories and life moments, reflecting the raw emotions, identity journeys, and intimate navigation of the tension between what was, what is, and what might have been. 

Admission is free and open to all. A free-will offering will support Plymouth’s Summer Music Series and arts programming.

Plymouth will once again be hosting a booth at Fort Wayne Pride on Saturday, July 26, and we need friendly folks to run it! No experience needed, just enthusiasm and a smile. Sign up at the link below!

Burkina Faso continues to face a very severe and neglected humanitarian crisis. Roughly one quarter of the population needs humanitarian aid. Burkina Faso is, for the second year in a row, ranking first in the Global Terrorism Index, accounting for one fifth of all terrorist deaths globally.

An upcoming speaker named Kinani Sourabie is from Burkina Faso, where he coordinates the agricultural development program that Plymouth supports through Growing Hope Globally. He will speak on July 26 at a gathering at our partner church Pleasant Chapel Church of the Brethren in Ashley, just 40 minutes from Plymouth Church.

What: Speaker from Burkina Faso and lunch (Plymouth brings dessert)

When: Saturday, July 26, 11 a.m.

Where: Pleasant Chapel Church of the Brethren, 1993 CR 8, Ashley, IN 46705

RSVP: Would be helpful. Contact Katie Carboneau kbcarboneau@mac.com

Plymouth will be having a pulpit exchange with Pilgrim Baptist once again on Sunday, August 3. Like before, we invite a delegation of members to attend Pilgrim Baptist on that day, where Rev. Timothy will be guest preaching as Pastor Raymond Dix, Jr. will guest preach here. If you are interested in experiencing their worship service on that Sunday, please email Rev. Timothy at tcm@plymouthfw.org to sign up. We hope to have 10-12 members representing us there on that day.

The Indiana-Kentucky Conference Annual Gathering will be taking place here at Plymouth on August 22 and 23. Volunteers will be needed in a variety of areas including parking lot welcoming, guides within the building, kitchen cleanup for the Friday banquet, ice cream social and Saturday luncheon. Help with setting up tables will also be appreciated. Watch for details on volunteer signup coming soon! Put the dates on your calendar so that we may be great hosts for this exciting event.

The Peace and Justice Committee is pleased to announce the 2025-26 recipients of the Richard C. Hess Peace Studies Scholarship:

Joshua Adler will be a junior at Manchester University majoring in music performance, philosophy/religion and peace studies. He believes that his studies will lead him to develop a deeper understanding of the “intersection between music, faith and social change”. He has participated in travel experiences to Kenya and New Orleans, LA where he studied with individuals dedicated to peace building in their communities. Currently, he is the president of the Kenapocomoco Peace Coalition at North Manchester and became certified in conflict resolution. Upon graduation, Joshua plans to pursue a Master of Arts in Theopoetics at Bethany Theological Seminary further developing peacemaking through music. Dr. Kay Brown, a mentor, believes that Joshua is “poised to make an impact on the peacebuilding field, particularly in lifting up the intersection of art, faith and justice.”

Chandra Surya will begin an online Master of Arts: Theology and Global Anabaptism this fall at the Anabaptist Mennonite Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana. Chandra grew up as a Hindu but converted to Christianity at nineteen when he heard Jesus’ sermon on the mount. Touching him deeply to become a peacemaker he decided to earn a Bachelor of Theology degree. Currently living in Surkert, Nepal, he is employed as a Principal of a Bible School and pastor of a Mennonite church. Chandra is eager to learn more about peace making and conflict resolution to be an influencer in his home area for reduction of violence. He plans to teach new methods of achieving peace throughout his community and through courses for church planners and pastors provided at the Bible School. Dr. Longkumer of Antioch Missions in Nepal shared that he believes “the investment in Candra’s education will have a great impact on the people of Nepal”

This fall, Plymouth is celebrating the 13th year of a successful Study Connection with children, grades K-5, who attend Fairfield Elementary School. Study Connection typically begins in early October. 

Tutors and children have fun getting to know each other. The main job of the tutor is to establish a relationship with the child to encourage and support learning. We are not substitute teachers, instead we are the child’s advocate, cheerleader and an adult friend, supporting the child at Study Connection's snack times, homework sessions, educational games and celebrations. Between 3:30 and 4:30 pm on Wednesday afternoons, the Folsom Room is alive with youthful voices and energy.

If you would like to be a tutor or a substitute, please let Lucy Hess know lrh22@frontier.com or call 484-4430. To apply, click here, and scroll down to the 'Volunteer' section to access the application form. All volunteers must have a background check which is done by the FWCS at no cost.

Everyone is welcome to be a special friend to an elementary-aged child. Providing support and encouragement is the main task for each tutor and sub. Being a tutor or sub is a great way to make a difference in a child’s life.

We are seeking adult volunteers to help out with Children's Fellowship Time and to assist in the nursery on Sunday mornings. If you like working with kids, this job is for you! Volunteers help once a month or less, either in the nursery or with Children's Fellowship Time, during the Sunday morning service. To volunteer with children, you must have been attending Plymouth services for at least six months, but you do not have to be an official member. Volunteers are also required to submit to a background check. If you are interested, please email Rev. Ofner-Seals at smo@plymouth.org.