Rev. Murphy will be continuing the four-part series on Christian perspectives on war and violence this Sunday. We will examine a variety of traditions including holy war, just war and just revolution, pacifism, Christian realism, and just peacemaking. Join us at 9:00 am on Sunday, January 29 in person or on Zoom. The passcode to attend via Zoom is 063060.

This is a reminder that our next WELCOMING GROUP will meet Sunday, January 29, 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.

On Sunday, January 29 at 2:00 pm, the Reproductive Rights Action Team will be screening the documentary film The Janes. This is a 2022 documentary about the underground network of women, doctors and clergy who provided a way for women to access safe, affordable abortions before Roe v Wade became the law of the land. We will be watching the film and then hosting a discussion afterwards. Light snacks will be provided. All are welcome and encouraged to bring friends!

Please join us after worship for the Environmental Action Team after worship service Sunday, January 29 in the Folsom Room. Anyone interested in joining our committee is invited to attend. This is open to members and nonmembers of the church.

Friendly reminder that E&M will host Tapping Into Faith at Mad Anthony’s on Monday, January 30, as usual, but this time at 7:00 pm. It’s a wonderful chance to get to know fellow Plymouth folks a little better and sometimes welcome folks from the community into fellowship. Loosely guided conversation and story-sharing, good food & drink, and good people – what more could you want?!

We will provide appetizers for all to share, and you are welcome to buy whatever meal or beverage you’d like. Come on over! At 7:00 pm this time.

Wednesday Night Live programming continues this Wednesday, February 1. Those who want to join the Bible study virtually can join via Zoom at 5:15 pm. The passcode to join the Zoom is 805552.

Rev. Sara’s book study will continue on Wednesday, February 1, with a discussion on Dear White Peacemakers: Dismantling Racism with Grit and Grace by Osheta Moore. It’s not too late to join! Wednesday night book study is part of Wednesday Night Live activities, and meets from 6:45 pm to 7:30 pm, following Wednesday Night Live dinner. All are welcome!

The Environmental Action Team invites you to an after-church program on Sunday, February 5 at 11:15 am to learn more about recycling in Allen County. We will hear from guest speaker Shelby Nichter, Communications and Outreach coordinator for the Allen County Department of Environmental Management, about what can and cannot be recycled, what happens to items after they are processed, and how our program compares to other programs nationally. Bring your questions, as there will be time for Q&A after the presentation. Hope to see you there!

Indiana Center for Middle East Peace hosts Baktash Ahadi, "Welcoming our New Afghan Neighbors," on Thursday, February 9 at 6:30 pm in the Folsom Room.

ICMEP is delighted to host Terry Dougherty’s good friend, Baktash Ahadi. Baktash’'s most recent documentaries deal with the US exit from Afghanistan (August 2021) and with the life of Afghan refugees as they arrive in the USA. Executive Producer of the National Geographic documentary "Retrograde," he explores the lives of US soldiers and Afghan military and civilians during and after the US exit from Afghanistan. He is currently editing another documentary, “No Place Like Home,” dealing with his own family's history as refugees in America and how their experience led them to help with the arrival of Afghans in the USA since the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. He hosts the chart-topping “Stories of Transformation” podcast, is writing a memoir about his service in Afghanistan, and directing a film about the lives of refugees in America. The recipient of numerous awards, Baktash is particularly drawn to stories around issues of forced migration, refugees, and vulnerable and underrepresented communities. Free, open to the public. Masks encouraged.

In February, Plymouth's Women's Book Study will be reading The Choice: Embrace the Possible, by acclaimed psychologist Dr. Edith Eger. As a teenager she experienced the horrors of Auschwitz. Now in this book she shares her life's journey, from trauma through healing. In addition, she invites her readers to join her in their own dance of freedom. We will be meeting on Tuesday, February 21 at 12:00 pm.

As always, anyone who self-identifies as a woman is welcome to drop in to join our discussion. We meet on the third Tuesday of most months from 12:00 pm until 1:15 pm in the Amistad Room. If you have any questions, please contact jrbeineke@yahoo.co.uk

(In case you are interested in reading ahead, our March book will be Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.)

Each year during Lent, Rev. Murphy’s Wednesday Bible Study is replaced with a book study. For this year, the book is The Powers That Be: Theology for a New Millennium by Walter Wink. We will be discussing the spirituality of systems and institutions, breaking cycles of violence, and Jesus’ third way, among other topics covered in the book. The series begins Wednesday, February 22 and runs through March 29, meeting in the Chapel at 5:15 pm weekly. Participants are encouraged to order their books ahead of time (Note: there is more than one book with that title so doublecheck the author).

Through the month of February, Evangelism & Marketing will be collecting items to help keep our friends at Fairfield Elementary in good shape into the spring. You can place donations in the Folsom Room bins on Sundays during February, or anytime during the week you happen to come to Plymouth!

Our list of requested items is pretty straightforward: Kleenex, Clorox Wipes, Sweatpants/Leggings in kids’ sizes 5-10.5, and, if anyone happens to have some kids’ shoes in good shape but no longer fitting the kiddos in your family, their shoe supply is low and could use a boost (they don’t need snow boots).

The final Sunday for donations will be February 26. Thanks in advance for your love of neighbor!

The Grants and Scholarships Committee has the pleasant responsibility of awarding scholarship grants for tuition and fees for academic credit from the earnings generated by several endowed funds.

​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.

Applications for the following 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.

Completed applications for grants/scholarships for tuition and fees for academic credit with all supporting materials must be received in the church office by the respective due dates. Incomplete applications are ineligible for consideration.

​To request application packets for these funds or to receive additional information, call the church office (260) 423-9424 and leave your name, phone number, and email address so a member of the Grants and Scholarships Committee can respond to your request.

Registration is still open for the 1st and 2nd grade Our Whole Lives - the UCC’s comprehensive sexuality education program. The class for 1st and 2nd graders will meet after worship on Sundays from February 5 to March 26. These classes are free and open to kids at Plymouth and in our wider community. Students are expected to attend all classes. Please contact Katie Watson with any questions or to register your student.

The Indiana Kentucky conference of the UCC is hosting General Synod in June 2023, and it has been a tradition for the hosting conference to provide prayer shawls for delegates and others in attendance. Would you be willing to help by knitting or crocheting one or two shawls? Let Rev. Sara (smo@plymouthfw.org) know if you would like to commit to making one (or three!).

The following links can be found on our Linktree:

• Grant and Scholarship Opportunities
• Donate
• Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Sign Up
• Chancel Flower Dedication Sign Up Form
• Study Connection Volunteer Sign Up
• Plymouth Google Calendar
• Plymouth's Social Medias