During October, Rev. Sara Ofner-Seals has been leading a study of Sister Joan Chittister’s book, The Time is Now – A Call to Uncommon Courage. From the book jacket, readers are told it’s “for the weary, the cranky, and the fearful, this energizing message invites us to participate in a vision for a world greater than the one we find ourselves in today.”

Christian Education has a limited number of copies of the book available for use in upcoming Chapel classes. The books will be available for sign-out in the church office. Rev. Sara will loosely use this text for study and conversation throughout October as together we grow in the wisdom and direction of prophetic scripture.

The next meeting of Plymouth’s Women's Book Study will be on Tuesday, October 19, from 12:00 pm to 1:15 pm in the Amistad Room. Any reader who self-identifies as a woman is welcome, whether you've attended before or not.

We shall be discussing American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. A widow and her young son are forced to flee their home in Acapulco and we follow their journey. The book caused controversy in some circles, because the author was not herself Latina.

For further information, contact Judith Beineke at jrbeineke@yahoo.co.uk.

Wednesday Night Live has returned for its regular weekly programming. The schedule and some locations have changed slightly from previous years.

5:15 pm: Children’s Choir (TBD)

6:00 pm: Dinner (Folsom Room and/or Shedd Park)

6:45 pm: Plymouth Bell Ensemble (Sanctuary Balcony)

Sign-up sheets are in the Folsom Room to indicate if you will be there for the weekly dinner. Please write your name, number of members of your household, and mark if you are requesting a vegetarian option. Masks will be required indoors except when eating. Plans are fluid based on local COVID cases so watch for e-blasts on any changes of plans. We look forward to seeing you there!

During the month of October, Rev. Sara will be leading a centering prayer group in the chapel as part of Wednesday night live activities. The group will meet in the chapel from 6:45 pm to 7:30 pm. Centering prayer is a form of silent, contemplative prayer meant to open the heart to God’s presence and action within. Whether you are new to centering prayer, or practice it regularly, all are welcome to join this group. We will be working loosely with the book The Heart of Centering Prayer by Cynthia Bourgeault, though purchase of the book is not required for participation.

Each year, we elect our slate of officers and board members who will serve for the upcoming year. We will have a congregational meeting after worship on Sunday, October 24. A link to the roster is here.

Additionally, we will be voting on a bylaw change regarding how terms for the Treasurer position will work. Specifically, in Article 6 Section 1 Part C. Executive Council is recommending the following addition, “The Treasurer is expected to serve two consecutive terms and then one term as the Assistant Treasurer.”

Finally, we will be voting on a proposed Safe Church Policy focused on preventing and responding to sexual harassment, exploitation, or abuse against youth and children. A link to that policy is here. This is obviously a sensitive topic for many people, and we strongly encourage you to read the proposed policy in advance of the meeting.

 All members are encouraged to be present and vote on these important decisions.

With COVID numbers declining, E&M has decided it is time to get back into the fun of monthly Tapping Into Faith events at Mad Anthony Brewing, at Taylor and Broadway. This casual gathering of Plymouth folks and sometimes neighbors from the community is a great chance to enjoy good company, good conversation about different questions and topics in faith, and, of course, a tasty snack and beverage. Appetizers to share will be provided by Plymouth, and you’re welcome to purchase whatever food you like. If you do not drink alcohol, you can enjoy Mad’s home-brewed root beer or red cream soda, as well as the usual iced tea and sodas.

Please know that we cannot demand or enforce vaccination status or mask-wearing for this event and make your decision accordingly. You are more than welcome to wear a mask yourself, of course – at least while you aren’t eating or drinking.

We will be meeting on the last Monday of the month, October 25, at 7:30 pm, in the Mad Room, and hope to see you there!

E&M will be collecting to help provide necessary items for the Afghan refugees being resettled in Fort Wayne. Catholic Charities here in Fort Wayne is overseeing the outfitting of the homes of our new neighbors, so we will deliver what we collect to them. Our supply drive for October will be Saturday, October 30, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, at the Folsom Room entrance. You may, of course, drop items in the Supply Drive bin in the Folsom Room all month, until October 31.

As of this writing, Catholic Charities cannot yet accept furniture donations, but we will update you as their capacity increases. For a list of necessary kitchen items, linen/household items, cleaning supplies, and toiletries – as well as volunteer opportunities – please visit this page.

Please note that donated items should be new.

Join the Indiana Center for Middle East Peace (ICMEP) and Huwaida Arraf for our 2021 Gala on Saturday, October 30 from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm at the Orchard Ridge Country Club 4531 Lower Huntington Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46809. The event will have heavy appetizers, a silent auction, music, and more. Individual registration is $85.

Huwaida Arraf is a Detroit-based Palestinian American human rights lawyer, co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement (a Nobel Peace Prize nominee), chair of the Free Gaza Movement, where she was aboard the 2008 and 2010 Gaza Freedom Flotilla boats, and a charter member of the Palestine Feminist collective.

COVID Protocols: Limited outdoor seating available, vaccination and masks are required, and food will be served by club staff.

For more information, such as benefactor levels and registration, visit the ICMEP website here or contact Linda Kerr at linda.kerr72@gmail.com or (260) 341-2796.

We are in need of volunteers to assist with children’s fellowship time during the 10:00 am worship service. Volunteers will lead children into the Amistad room after the lighting of the peace candle and supervise them as they engage in activities such as arts and crafts and general fellowship. We would like to have enough volunteers so that no one is required to serve more than once a month, and to have at least two adults in the room at any given time. Volunteers are required to have been attending Plymouth for at least six months and will be required to fill out a background check. To express your interest in volunteering, or to get more information, please contact Rev. Sara Ofner-Seals at smo@plymouthfw.org.

As we prepare to send invitations to apply for Benevolence Grants to various organizations in Fort Wayne and abroad, the Benevolence Committee would love to hear your recommendations for non-profits that may not know about this resource. A regular Benevolence Grant may be up to $2,000, and a Capacity Building Grant may be up to $20,000.

Organizations must be 501(3)c non-profits, and their work should align with at least one of our four covenants (although the more the merrier).

Invitations will go out no later than November 1, so please be sure to let us know your recommendations by October 29. Please send the name of the organization and, if possible, the name, phone number, and email address of a contact there, to pfwbenevolencegrant@gmail.com. Thank you!

Any submissions for the Sunday digital bulletin must be sent to Elizabeth Pruitt (edp@plymouthfw.org) by 4:00 pm on the Wednesday prior. We cannot guarantee announcements sent after this time will appear in that Sunday's bulletin. Thank you.

The E&M Board is delighted that a community pantry now lives in Plymouth’s parking lot! At this pantry, the people who share this community, including us, will have the chance to give when they are able, to take what they need when they need it, and to help maintain the cleanliness of the pantry and the area.

The great news is that this pantry is getting used! Keeping up with demand in our location is turning out to be some work, which means it is needed by many. If you would like to donate some items to the pantry, that’s fantastic! For the health and safety of our neighbors, please keep in mind the following guidelines.

Thanks for being the church, friends!

Now that events and meetings are returning to the building, it is important that you contact Tina Puitz, Office Manager, to make sure the time, date and room for your event is available. You may also be asked to complete a building use form. By contacting the office, your event will be entered onto the calendar and your meeting space will be ready when you arrive. Even if your event is returning after the long break due to the pandemic, you must still contact Tina. Also, if you will be selling anything or money will be coming to the office, please coordinate with Tina so office preparations can be made. Contact Tina at 260-423-9424 or tmp@plymouthfw.org. Thank you.

Due to numerous requests, Plymouth has decided to open our sanctuary on Thursdays from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm for a time of personal prayer. Please enter through the Berry Street Office entrance and check in with our receptionist. Contact our receptionist Jake Slone at (260) 423-9424 or jss@plymouthfw.org with any questions.

If you have a need to visit the office, we’d love to see you! Our office is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Appointments are no longer necessary to visit the office during these days. On Fridays, our office will be open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm by appointment only. Contact the office at (260) 423-9424 or office@plymouthfw.org with any questions.