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!

Rev. Ofner-Seals and Rev. Murphy will conclude the Wednesday evening series on progressive Christianity this Wednesday, June 25. We 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. Our final topic will focus on the connection of social justice with our understanding of the gospel. We look forward to seeing you there!

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!

You can find the whole day's schedule here. Hope to see you there!

As Rev. Ofner-Seals continues into day 32 of her hunger fast (Rev. Timothy concluded his fast on June 12, 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.

Plymouth Congregational Church has been nominated in this summer's Readers' Choice Contest at Fort Wayne Newspapers, for best place of worship.

Voting Round 1 will begin June 21 when the Nominees booklet is published in the Journal Gazette and voting opens online. To vote, click fortwayne.com/readerschoice, and scroll down to "Place of Worship". Voting Round 1 ends June 29 at 11:59pm, narrowing the nominees down to the Top Five Contenders.

You can vote every day and from any email address you use. This is a great way to boost public recognition for how great it is to worship at Plymouth. 

The Plymouth Music Series is here for the summer! Our first concert will be on Sunday, June 29 at 2:00 pm with New Orleans Jazz.

All Music Series programs are free and open to the public. An ice cream social follows every Sunday performance. You can see information about all of our summer concerts here!

Our next week to serve dinner at Just Neighbors shelter is coming up starting on Sunday, July 6. Plymouth folks are encouraged to sign up to bring either a main course, side dish, salad or desert on any night that week. If you would like to help, you can sign up online at the link below. Thanks in advance for your help in this important ministry! 

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!