To develop a sense of black consciousness and peoplehood does not require that we scorn the white race as a whole. It is not the race per se that we fight but the policies and ideology that leaders of that race have formulated to perpetuate oppression.

         - Martin Luther King, Jr.

This Sunday, October 11, Toby Watson will share about his recent experience with the UCC D.C. Office. During his time there, Toby learned how the office works and had the opportunity to put that knowledge into practice by speaking with the offices of different U.S. Representatives. Join us to hear about his experience and what he learned about the UCC’s work in our nation's capital. The following Sunday, October 18, we are pleased to have Chris Lahr from Alive Community Outreach sharing with us! Alive Community Outreach works to build communities of nonviolence through education, relationships, survivor support, and peacemaking. Rooted in agape love and restorative practices, ACO seeks to build a Beloved Community through the courageous practice of nonviolence.

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, October 17 from 9-10:30am. 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!

The Anti-Racism Action Team is hosting "Faces of the First Nations" art event on Sunday, October 18th, immediately after the service. It is being brought to us through BIPOCA Incubator and Gallery, and will feature the art of Catherine Nagy Mowry, of the Myaamia. Come prepared to learn the indigenous way, ask questions, and take in all that Catherine will have on display. Although her art will remain in the Folsom Room for a couple of weeks, you won't want to miss speaking with her. Light refreshments will be provided.

Rev. Ofner-Seals and Rev. Murphy will be co-leading a five-week series on Wednesday evenings on progressive Christianity starting Wednesday, October 21. The gatherings will meet for one hour starting at 6:30 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, and the death and resurrection of Jesus, 3) different conceptions of God, and how we understand other religious traditions 4) the connection of social justice with our understanding of the gospel, and 5) sin and salvation. We look forward to seeing you there!

There will be a congregational meeting on Sunday, October 25, following worship. At this meeting we will be presenting the slate of nominations for board members and officers for 2027, to be approved by the congregation. We will also recognize those board members and officers whose terms end this year. All Plymouth members should plan to attend. For the full slate of nominations, please click the link below. 

The Plymouth Players are excited to present a cabaret-staged production of Godspell during the Lenten season, culminating on Palm Sunday weekend, March 19–21, 2027.

We’re looking for actors and singers for featured roles as well as ensemble singers to help bring this beloved musical to life. Whether you’re a member of Plymouth or part of the greater Fort Wayne theatre community, all are welcome to audition!

Auditions: Sunday, November 1 at 2 PM

Location: Plymouth Church

Rehearsals will begin in January 2027 and are designed to be a manageable commitment, generally meeting 2-3 evenings per week from approximately 7:30–9:30 PM.

Performances:

March 19 & 20 at 7:00 PM

March 21 at 2:00 PM — Palm Sunday

(In this stewardship season, Stewardship & Finance Board wants to highlight examples of how the church is being a good 'mutual steward.' What does that mean? We are actively trying to maximize every dollar given and minimize every expense necessary to carry out Plymouth's missions.)

Mutual Stewardship Thought of the Week: to help supplement the church budget, Reverend Sara applied for and was awarded three grants from:

• UCC Neighbors in Need and the Patricia Adsit Foundation (mission: to feed members and folks from the community who can't afford to pay for Wednesday Night Live meals); and
• The Lilly Foundation to cover the cost of her sabbatical (mission: to provide restorative sabbaticals for our pastors).

Indigenous Peoples' Day is being celebrated this month on October 12^th. The library has numerous books by minority authors, which includes several provocative indigenous writers. You are invited to browse through our selection to see what may pique your interest.

The Anti-Racism Action Team has expanded our indigenous theme to include one of several local artists. Catherine Nagy Mowry, will display a variety of her art work in the Folsom Room from Sunday, October 18 until November. She will share her treasured heritage through her art in the Folsom Room following worship on the 18^th. Join us for a memorable experience.

The food locker in our parking lot is visited often by those currently unhoused. This is a gentle reminder that donated items will be most helpful if they are easily opened, do not require other ingredients to complete (like boxed macaroni and cheese), and do not require heat to be enjoyed. Examples include: peanut butter, canned stew, meat, poultry, or seafood in pouches or with pull tabs, single containers of fruit (applesauce or pudding cups), jerky, peanut butter or cheese filled crackers, granola or protein bars. If you want to donate, please put the items directly into the locker. Thanks for your support of this important mission to our community.

Our weekly Bible study meets in person and online at 4:45 pm each Wednesday. We discuss the scripture for the coming Sunday, what resonates with us, what concerns us, and where we see good news. Whether you’ve been coming for years or just starting out in exploring scripture with others, we’d love to have you join us in the Chapel! For those joining online, use the following required passcode: 773232.

Next week’s scripture will be 1 Thessalonians 5:15-24.

Here we come a Wassailing!

Who’s ready for the 50th annual Boars Head and Yule Log Festival? We are!

Casting has begun, and it’s time to start talking to your kids and families about this year’s Festival, if you plan to be involved, and what roles everyone would like.

Festival services are the same each year. December 29th and 30th. Rehearsals are December 26th, 27th and 28th, with the Dress Rehearsal on the 28th. Please take a peek at your calendars to see if the dates work for you. If you have questions or concerns please let me know.

The All Cast Meeting is scheduled for Sunday November 8th at 1pm. This meeting will include BH information, rehearsal schedules, merch ordering opportunities and costume fittings! 

There is so much going on this year! 

We will have BH Merch available for purchase. Samples will be available, and orders may be placed in November to get those in time for Christmas. Stay tuned for more details!

Interested in volunteering? Leave a reply below and we’ll get back with you! We need people to help in the Kitchen, help with our younger cast members/kids ages 2-10 years old, security coverage at multiple doors and hospitality/greeters to help show people where to go.

On behalf of the Production Team, we thank you, the fine people of Plymouth Church for helping to make Boars Head magical year after year!

-Kara Jaurigue, Director

Plymouth will be collecting blankets for Food not Bombs, which they will distribute to unhoused residents of Fort Wayne later this fall. Fleece blankets are preferred, but any blankets in good condition will be accepted. We will be collecting blankets until Halloween. Donations can be left in the labeled bin in the Folsom room.

We are seeking volunteers for our welcoming task force! Task force members are intentional about seeking out newcomers at coffee hour and in worship to help them feel welcome at Plymouth and assist them in getting connected. Task force members are on duty about once a month. If you would like to volunteer, or if you have questions, please talk with Rev. Sara Ofner-Seals or email her at smo@plymouthfw.org.