On Sunday, January 8, chapel class resumes as Rev. Sara Ofner-Seals continues her series on the prophetic message of the mystics for two more weeks. These two weeks will focus on modern-day mystics who have been influential in the world of contemporary social justice issues. Join us at 9:00 am, either in person or on Zoom. The password to attend via Zoom is 063060.

Wednesday Night Live programming continues this Wednesday, January 11. Those who want to join the Bible study virtually can join via Zoom at 5:15 pm.

Wednesday night book study resumes on January 11, 2023 with the book Dear White Peacemakers: Dismantling Racism with Grit and Grace, by Osheta Moore. Written in the wake of George Floyd’s death, Dear White Peacemakers draws on the Sermon on the Mount, Spirituals, and personal stories from author Osheta Moore’s work as a pastor in St. Paul, Minnesota. Rooted in the life, ministry, and teachings of Jesus, this book is a challenging call to transform white shame, fragility, saviorism, and privilege, in order to work together to build the Beloved Community as anti-racism peacemakers. 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!

Indiana Center for Middle East Peace presents Dr. Michael Spath "Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet at 100" on Thursday, January 12 at 6:30 pm at Plymouth Congregational Church

January 2023 marks the 100th anniversary of Kahlil Gibran's beloved The Prophet. Dr. Michael Spath discusses the spiritual classic, connecting it with larger themes from Gibran's life and work, and asks what it means for us today. Bring a favorite Kahlil Gibran quote to share. Free and open to the public. Invite a friend! Masks strongly recommended.

Young Adult Film and Faith (ages 24-39) will have its next film viewing and discussion on Saturday, January 14 at 2:30 pm. We will be watching the 1997 classic Princess Mononoke. It is a Japanese fantasy adventure film focused around the themes of the environment, feminism, non-violence, and modernity. Rated PG-13. Running time: 127 minutes. We will be using the English dub. Please enter through the Folsom Room side entrance. Folks are encouraged to RSVP to Rev. Murphy at [email protected]. Then the following week on Sunday, January 22 at 2:30 pm, those 40 & over are invited to watch the same film and have a time of discussion afterwards.

All board chairs, committee chairs, and board and committee members, whether new or returning, are invited to attend a leadership training session on Sunday, January 15, immediately following worship in the Folsom Room. This is a time to learn about the governance structure at Plymouth and the vital contributions that board members make for the healthy functioning of our church. This session is required for board chairs, and strongly encouraged for all board members. If you are serving on a board in 2023, please make every effort to attend.

The Plymouth Women's Book Study's next book will be Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann and we will meet on Tuesday, January 17 from 12:00 pm to 1:15pm in the Amistad Room. It describes how In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Indian Nation in Oklahoma. After oil was discovered beneath their land, the Osage rode in chauffeured automobiles, built mansions, and sent their children to study in Europe.

Then, one by one, they began to be killed off and virtually anyone who dared to investigate the killings were themselves murdered. As the death toll surpassed more than twenty-four Osage, the newly created F.B.I. took up the case, in what became one of the organization’s first major homicide investigations. But the bureau was then notoriously corrupt and initially bungled the case. Eventually the young director, J. Edgar Hoover, turned to a former Texas Ranger named Tom White to try to unravel the mystery.  

As always, anyone who self-identifies as a woman is welcome to drop in for one or more of our sessions if the chosen book interests them. We meet on the third Tuesday of most months from 12:00 pm to 1:15pm in the Amistad Room.

Beginning on Sunday, January 22, Rev. Murphy will be teaching a four-week series on Christian perspectives on war and violence. We will examine a variety of traditions including holy war, just war and just revolution, pacifism, Christian realism, and just peacemaking. For week one, we will focus our discussion on understanding and defining violence. Join us at 9:00 am in person or on Zoom. The passcode to attend via Zoom is 063060.

Plymouth’s Annual Business Meeting will be taking place after worship on January 22. Action items will include approval of past congregational meeting minutes and approval of the 2023 budget. The youth will be cooking and providing lunch. Please note that this meeting will be available to watch via livestream, however voting and participation can only be done in person. See the attached agenda for more information.

Our next WELCOMING GROUP will meet Sunday, January 29, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. 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. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Rev. Sara Ofner-Seals at [email protected].

Registration is now open for two classes of Our Whole Lives - the UCC’s comprehensive sexuality education program. A class for 1st and 2nd graders will meet after worship on Sundays from February 5 to March 26. A class for 8th and 9th graders will meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm to 8:00 pm, from January 11 until May 3. 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 ([email protected]) know if you would like to commit to making one (or three!).

The following links can be found on our Linktree:

• 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