Rev. Murphy will be leading a three-week Chapel Class series starting this Sunday on the resolutions discussed at last summer’s UCC General Synod. They cover a range of topics and issues, from electrifying church buildings and reparations for African Americans, to ending solitary confinement and advocating for plant-based diets. We will talk about the content of the resolutions, what they call for, and the role of resolutions in our denomination. Fun fact: Not every resolution was approved; come to learn which one! This series will run from Sunday, January 14 through Sunday, January 28. You can review all the resolutions here.

Chapel Class begins at 9:00 am on Sunday mornings and is open to all adults in person or on Zoom. The password for Zoom is 063060.

Each year, Plymouth hosts a service of music and quotes remembering the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s work and legacy. The service this year will take place on Sunday, January 14 at 4:00 pm. Several other congregations and clergy from the community will be in attendance and participating in the program. We hope to see you there!

Women's Book Study will be meeting on Tuesday, January 16 at 12:00 pm in the Amistad Room to discuss Cobalt Red: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives by Siddarth Kara. How do we change our participation when we know about the uncomfortable facts described in this book?

"Cobalt is an essential component to every lithium-ion rechargeable battery made today, the batteries that power our smartphones, tablets, laptops, and electric vehicles. Roughly 75 percent of the world’s supply of cobalt is mined in the Congo, often by peasants and children in sub-human conditions. Billions of people in the world cannot conduct their daily lives without participating in a human rights and environmental catastrophe in the Congo."

As always, we invite anyone to join us who self-identifies as a woman. If you would like to join us by Zoom, please email Laura McCoy. In February, our book will be Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver.

Wednesday Night Live programming continues Wednesday, January 17. At 5:15 pm there will be adult choir rehearsal, children’s choir rehearsal, and Bible Study with Rev. Timothy, followed by dinner at 6:00 pm. The Bible Study with Rev. Timothy can be attended in person or via Zoom using the link below. The passcode to join via Zoom is 648589. All activities are open to anyone in the church, regardless of membership status. Come for activities, or just come for dinner and fellowship! The suggested cost for dinner is $10 per person, though no one is ever turned away due to inability to pay. If you plan to come for dinner, please sign up in the Folsom Room in advance so our caterer knows how much food to prepare. Hope to see you there!

There will be a memorial service for Ruth Anne Sprunger this coming Saturday, January 20, with a visitation at 10:00 am in the Folsom Room, service at 11:00 am in the Sanctuary, and a lunch reception to follow. Any members or those impacted by Ruth Anne’s life are invited to attend.

Save the date! There will be a board training session following the worship on Sunday, January 21. This training is for all board members and chairpersons. Our aim would be to finish in about 45 minutes. If you are on one of our 2024 boards, your attendance is requested. Childcare will be available. Thanks!

The next Film and Faith will be Sunday, January 21 at 2:30 pm. This will be combined gathering for young adults and anyone over 40. We will be watching the 1966 classic Battle of Algiers. It is in Arabic and French and is one of the most influential war films of all time. Running time is 2 hours. We will watch it in the Choir Room. Please enter through the Folsom Room side entrance. Please RSVP to Rev. Murphy at [email protected] if interested.

Our Annual Business Meeting will be Sunday, January 28 after worship. This congregational meeting is where we will vote on the 2024 annual budget, approve the October meeting minutes and Annual Report, hear some updates and brief presentations. All members are eligible to vote and are encouraged to attend. Non-member participants are invited to attend as well but are not able to vote. A lunch will be provided by the Youth Group after worship and we will have the meeting in the Folsom Room.

Are you interested in becoming a member at Plymouth Church? Our next Welcoming Group will meet Sunday, February 11, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm in the Amistad Room. If you have been attending Plymouth for six months or longer, and your faith journey 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. Please RSVP to Rev. Sara Ofner-Seals at [email protected] if you would like to attend.

Completed applications for the following scholarships are due in the church office by February 15:

• The Richard Nelson Kent Memorial Fund provides educational grants for tuition and fees for academic credit for members of the United Church of Christ in the Northeast [Indiana] Association and other qualified applicants who are at least 16 years of age and entering into or continuing ecological studies, conservation biology, or other environmentally related studies.

• The Van Gorder Scholarship is awarded annually for tuition and fees for post-secondary education leading to a degree, certificate, or license for a graduating senior who is a member of Plymouth Church.

Completed applications for the Richard C. Hess Peace Studies Scholarship are due in the church office by April 15:

• The Richard C. Hess Peace Studies Scholarship provides a $1,000 tuition and fees scholarship for a college student majoring in peace studies or a related program.

Contact Linda Balthaser at [email protected] with your name, email address, 

and the name of the college/university in which will be enrolled in the 2024 fall semester.

Masks are optional in worship and church programming. If you are feeling under the weather or prefer to wear a mask around others, it is an ongoing option. A high-quality mask provides good protection against infection even if others around you are not wearing one. We will continue to offer livestreamed and recorded worship services for anyone unable to attend services in person.

Plymouth Church is looking for volunteers to cover the 1:00 pm Staff Meetings on Tuesdays. If you would like to assist, please sign up with Jake in the office or sign up by clicking the button below.

The following links can be found on our Linktree:

• 2024 Stewardship Campaign Website
• Study Connection Volunteer Sign Up
• Plymouth Directory Login
• Chancel Flower Dedication Sign Up Form
• Donate
• Past Chapel Class Series
• Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Sign Up
• Plymouth Google Calendar
• Plymouth's Social Media