The WBS is excited to welcome Heather Allen, the author of this month's book, to their meeting, Tuesday, June 17 at noon in the Amistad Room. The book, "The Girl Who Said Goodbye" tells the true story of her relatives' lives in Cambodia under Pol Pot and "Angkar."

In 1975, after a sudden, violent takeover of Phnom Penh by the Khmer Rouge army, there is a forced mass exodus from the city. A young pharmacy student and her family members are marched on foot and held captive at a work camp. Despite the brutality of the Khmer Rouge army, they find the strength to survive with each other's support. All self-identified women are welcome to join the discussion.

Rev. Ofner-Seals and Rev. Murphy will continue the Wednesday evening series on progressive Christianity this Wednesday, June 18. The gatherings will meet for one hour starting at 6:00 pm in the Chapel. This educational series is designed for newcomers and anyone who would appreciate a refresher. Topics will include: 1) the authority of the Bible and experience, 2) images of Jesus, what salvation is, and the truth of other religious traditions, 3) different conceptions of God, and 4) the connection of social justice with our understanding of the gospel. We look forward to seeing you there!

Plymouth’s Green Team has adopted a section of the River Greenway Trail. This means that we are responsible for clean-up and maintenance of this section of the trail three times each year. Our next clean-up day will be Saturday, June 21 from 10:00 am to noon. Please sign up on the board in the Folsom Room. 

Parking is available at Towles Intermediate School (420 E. Paulding Rd) or at Tillman Park Trailhead (600 E. Tillman Rd). A Green Team member will be waiting at each parking location. Trash bags, gloves, and pick-up sticks will be provided. Bring a grabber if you have one!

All ages are welcome! The distance is approximately two miles. Please join us if you can and help us live into our Earthwise covenant!

As Revs. Ofner-Seals continues into day 25 of hunger fast (Rev. Timothy concluded his fast earlier this week, though not his advocacy!), time is of the essence to ensure food and humanitarian aid is fully able to reenter Gaza. People are encouraged to contact the White House and the President and urge him to pressure the Israeli government to allow the resumption of aid immediately into Gaza. The best way to do so is through their website, www.whitehouse.gov/contact.

Likewise, people are encouraged to contact their US Senators and urge them to push for the return of aid through such groups like the United Nations or the World Food Program. The office of any Congressmember can be reached by calling (202) 224-3121 and stating their name. You will then be transferred to their office.

A special congregational meeting has been called by the Executive Council at the request of the Stewardship and Finance Board. It will be held on Sunday, June 22 immediately following the worship service, will begin at approximately 11:00 am, and will take place in the Sanctuary. The topic is for a recommended adjustment in the investment allocation of our Special Funds in order for them to align with our Endowment Fund. All members are eligible to vote at this congregational meeting and are encouraged to attend.

PNC manages our two investment funds, the Endowment Fund and the Special Fund, and we provide guidance to PNC through investment policy statements. We have revised and streamlined these policies as follows: (1) we have combined investment policy statements so that both funds are controlled by one investment policy statement; and (2) we have adjusted the overly conservative Special Fund asset allocation guidelines so that they now align with the Endowment fund’s 60% equity/40% fixed income target asset allocation structure. There are no other material changes to the other parts of the original investment policy statements that emphasize investments that are consistent with our covenants.

Mark and AJ invite the congregation to an indoor picnic lunch after the congregational meeting on Sunday, June 22. The picnic is to celebrate the near miracle of AJ turning 60! It is also Mark and AJ's 26 wedding anniversary. The meal will include chicken lasagna and garlic bread, salad, ham and potato scallops, muffaletta sandwiches, jambalaya, and cake for dessert. All are welcome!

Mark your calendars for the fourth annual Pride at Plymouth event on Saturday, June 28 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, at Plymouth Church. Among the activities this year will be a drag story hour, a bounce house, crafts and activities for kids, live music, a resource fair, vendors, concessions, and of course, the day will culminate in a family-friendly drag show in the sanctuary! Hope to see you there!

Our friends at Fort Wayne Pride have decided to organize a blood drive for the first time in conjunction with the American Red Cross. They reached out to Plymouth and asked if we would like to host the event, and we agreed! This event will take place in the Folsom Room on Wednesday, July 16 from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm. Registrations will be required, and more details will be forthcoming as we approach July. If you haven’t given blood in a long time, ever, or are a regular, consider doing so!