Join Rev. Timothy C. Murphy and Plymouth members at 5:30 pm every Wednesday in an online discussion of the upcoming Sunday’s scripture and how we can apply those lessons to our daily lives and world. Those unable to join by video can also call in at 1-253-215-8782, then enter the code 978-5908-1418#, then enter # when asked for a password.

It’s hard to believe but Rev. Ruth Phillips is retiring in three weeks. As church members, we need spaces to grieve all that we will miss once she retires. The next opportunity to meet with Rev. Timothy Murphy and other church members will be today at 11:30 am. This will be a space to discuss what she has meant for us and Plymouth Church. This gathering will be via Zoom; please use the button below to join in this transition process.

Many of you have asked for an update on the search to find and call an associate minister for Plymouth. While much of our work requires confidentiality, we also feel it necessary to let everyone know where our search stands. To date we have received 12 profiles of potential candidates to view. Of those 12, the task force decided not to extend interviews to 6 candidates - and 6 candidates have been granted a first and second interview. Of the 6 we have interviewed, 1 candidate has completed a neutral pulpit in Fort Wayne and we have extended the opportunity to another candidate (the details are still being discussed).

Our discernment continues and we hope to offer a candidate to the congregation very soon. We feel it would be inappropriate to put an exact timeline to it. While Reverend Ruth’s upcoming retirement date is on our minds, we are careful not to let that rush the process of discerning where God may be leading our task force. Please rest assured that we continue to work diligently to find the best possible associate ministerial candidate to serve Plymouth Church into the future.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve,

Beth Walker & Bill Vrabel - co-chairs

Roger Eversole

Linda Hite

Dee Hoffman

Kristen Miller

Kyle Miller

Sandy Moliere

Chris Randolph

Concrete Cowboy is available on Netflix for you to watch at your convenience, and then, join us for lively discussion on May 23, 2:30 to 3:30 pm. Email Rev. Ruth E. Phillips [email protected] by Sunday, May 23, 11 am, and she will send you the Zoom link, meeting ID and Passcode.

Inspired by the YA novel Ghetto Cowboy by Greg Neri, the movie tells the story of a troubled teen, Colt (Caleb McLaughlin), who spends the summer in Philadelphia with his estranged father, Harp (Idris Elba). While Concrete Cowboy itself is fiction, the film is heavily inspired by the real-life riders of North Philly, which date back to the 1800s. Both the novel and film took inspiration from the Fletcher Street Riders, a community of Black horse-riders throughout North Philadelphia.

Join us on Sunday, May 23, at 9:00 am, to hear the latest news about redistricting using the 2020 Census results. Peg Maginn and Lucy Hess, representing the League of Women Voters, will give us the update, discuss how this might impact our communities, and give ideas of how we might influence and even participate in the outcome. Join us on Zoom with this link.

If you can, please make a donation to the Music Series; it will definitely help us plan more such concerts in the future! Go to www.Plymouthfw.org/donate and choose “Music Series"

The Peace and Justice Committee is happy to announce the recipient of the 2021-2022 “Richard C. Hess Peace Studies Scholarship.”

Ms. Sanelisiwe Ncube, from Zimbabwe, is working toward a Master of Arts: Theology and Peace Studies from the Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Theological Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana. The forthcoming Bell will carry the complete announcement.

Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. The pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in our safety net and food systems. Child hunger in both the U.S. and abroad has skyrocketed. Specifically, we want Congress to:

1) Make the Child Tax Credit (CTC) in the American Rescue Plan permanent and available to all children regardless of immigration status. The CTC expansion would move millions of children out of poverty, as well as help reduce hunger and narrow the racial wealth gap exacerbated by unemployment as a result of COVID-19.

2) Increase U.S. leadership and funding for global nutrition programs without which an entire generation may be denied of their God-given right to flourish.

Letters to Congress supported with prayer are a bold witness to God’s justice and mercy. If you want to help with writing 3 letters, one each to, Senator Braun, Senator Young and Representative Banks, please contact Lucy Hess at: [email protected] or 484-4430. Letter templates and legislators’ addresses will be provided. These letters can be sent via snail or email. Your letters can be the difference to convince our legislators to make these nutrition programs possible this summer and fall.

The state of Indiana has opened COVID-19 vaccination eligibility to anyone 12 and older. You can click the button below to schedule an appointment. If you have difficulty registering online, you can dial 211 from any phone for assistance.

In order for the office to better serve you, please submit a separate check for each donation made whether it be for pledges, special offerings or any other donation. Checks should be made payable to Plymouth Church. Thank you!

If you have a need to visit the office, we’d love to see you. Remember to schedule an appointment at least 24 hours in advance. No one is at the front desk, so please arrive on time so a staff member is available to greet you and unlock the door. Please wait at the Berry Street entrance and be prepared to sanitize, sign-in, and wear a mask. Please contact Tina Puitz at [email protected] to make an appointment. Thank you.