Great Scott! Daylight Savings Time begins at 2 am on Sunday, March 9, when clocks will "spring forward" one hour.

Remember to set your clocks ahead. Fellowship Hour may feel a little extra early, but we'll still have plenty of coffee.

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 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.

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 bring a copy of the book with them.

Join Michael Spath and three Nobel Peace Prize nominees for Zoom interviews this week!

Three activists for Palestine have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize this year, all three close friends of Indiana Center for Middle East Peace. Mazin Qumsiyeh (Palestine Museum of Natural History, Palestine Institute for Biodiversity & Sustainability) has been nominated by Nobel Laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire.

Issa Amro (Youth Against Settlements, Friends of Hebron) and Jeff Halper (Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions) were jointly nominated by Ingrid Fiskaa of the Socialist Left Party in the Norwegian Parliament.

Starting on Sunday, March 16, Rev. Sara Ofner-Seals will be leading a chapel class series entitled, 'To Pray Twice,' on hymnody and congregational song. This will be a three-week series for March 16, 23 and 30. Rev. Ofner-Seals will cover the history of congregational song, the meaning and power behind it, and will bring in examples of different kinds of hymns and songs for analysis and discussion. The final week of the series, participants will be invited to bring a copy of their favorite hymn or worship song to share with the class.

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).

Are you interested in becoming a member at Plymouth Church? Our next Welcoming Group will meet Sunday, April 6, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm in the Amistad Room. If your journey of faith is leading you to explore becoming a member, this is a one-time required session. Whether you are confident, confused, or curious, our time together is focused on orientation, conversation, interpretation, and exploration. It is an opportunity for you to ask questions and to meet others who are considering affirming their formal relationship with Plymouth Church, UCC. A light lunch will be provided, and childcare is available upon request. Email Rev. Sara at smo@plymouthfw.org if you would like to attend.

It’s time to order Easter flowers! Each year, we offer the opportunity to dedicate flowers on Easter Sunday. You can pick between Easter lilies or daffodils (or feel free to order both). Lilies are $10 each and daffodils are also $10 each. To order, click the button below or pick up a form from the receptionist's office and return it no later than Monday, April 14. We encourage you to take your flowers with you following worship on Easter Sunday.

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.

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!