This Week at Plymouth

May 18, 2023

Guest Preacher Rev. Dr. Jessica Chapman Lape preaches,

"Where Have We Come From? Where Are We Going?"

Seeing God at Work

Rev. Dr. DeWayne L. Davis

“Is it possible to see God at work beyond our walls? And receive it with joy rather than dread?”—Anna Carter Florence

Over the last several days, Plymouth clergy and members have been attending the 31st Festival of Homiletics. With the theme of Preaching Hope for a Weary World, more than a thousand preachers and attendees have gathered for worship, study, and preaching about hope in response to the recent years of the pandemic, protests, and polarization. On the first night of the festival in the opening worship, the preacher for the evening, Dr. Anna Carter Florence, preached from a rarely used text from the Book of Joshua, featuring the biblical heroine, Rahab, a Canaanite woman, and prostitute, who comes to the rescue of the Israelites in defiance of the ruler of Jericho. Dr. Florence powerfully demonstrates that Rahab is to be commended for seeing God working beyond the walls of her city and for the liberation of people not of her own tribe and city.

An arresting proclamation, the preacher’s sermon foregrounded the question: “Is it possible to see God at work beyond our walls?” I have not stopped thinking about it ever since. The question compels my reflection and interrogation and reminds me of how timely and consequential the recently completed work of Plymouth’s Campus Task Force is. The report invites us to discern how Plymouth can become one with the surrounding community. Rahab responded to the plight of the oppressed Israelites with courage and imagination, choosing compassion, solidarity, and accompaniment rather than fear, anxiety, and suspicion. Our Campus Task Force has invited us to act with similar courage and imagination.

We face many challenges in this neighborhood, including persistent poverty and concerns about community safety. We are expending additional resources to ensure the safety of our members, visitors, and tenants. Our neighbors routinely look to us for help, advice, and leadership, only to find us as concerned and frustrated as they are. And yet, the other night, the preacher challenged me to see God at work in our collective struggle. But seeing God at work also requires figuring out how I will respond, how we can be agents of love, peace, change, and neighborliness, and join God in the work of liberation for the oppressed. Our conversations about what it means to be a church in this neighborhood are only beginning. It will be uncomfortable, ambiguous, and contested. But Rahab inspires me. Yes, we live in a tension between difficulty and possibility. With God’s love and help, we can overcome the fear, anxiety, and suspicions that plague us and our neighbors and respond to their needs and aspirations with courage and imagination.

May it be so.

Campus Task Force Final Report

View the Report

Worship

Racial Justice Sunday will feature worship services at 9 and 11 a.m. with a racial justice theme. Rev. Dr. Jessica Chapman Lape—a womanist pastoral theologian, chaplain, and doula rooted in faith, love, and reproductive justice—will speak at both services. The Asiginaak Singers, a hand drum and singing group, will perform at both services.

9 a.m. Worship

Worship is offered online or in person

Music from the Chapel Singers and the Jazz Trio

The Storm Is Passing Over

Charles Albert Tindley

Sundays at 10

Sunday Forum

Kenya McKnight-Ahad founder and CEO of Black Women's Wealth Alliance

Small Group Discussions

Aiysha Mustapha, Intergenerational Conversation about race.

Coffee & Social Time

The Library, Gallery, and Archives are also available at this time.

11 a.m. Worship

Worship is offered online or in person.

Music from the Plymouth Choir and Philip Brunelle

I Will Not Leave You Comfortless

William Byrd

How Lovely Are the Messengers

Felix Mendelssohn

Bulletins & Announcements

Watch @ Plymouth.org

Watch on YouTube

In Memoriam

James Armin Jenkins (May 5, 2023), stepfather of Kristin Makholm, grandfather of Lila Franklin and Leo Franklin. Celebration of life for James and recently deceased wife, Dolores Lenore, will occur at Covenant Living of Golden Valley, Friday, July 14, 3 p.m.

Ronald “Ron” Palosaari (February 14, 2023), husband of Audrey Palosaari. A memorial for Ron has been held.

Chancel Flowers are given by Darrel Hildebrant in loving memory of former Plymouth minister Martha Gustuson Hendricks, whose birthday was May 17.

Contemplative Prayer is offered: Fridays at 9 a.m. - online

Forum

May 21, 10 a.m., Chapel

The Forum speaker for Racial Justice Sunday will be Kenya McKnight-Ahad, founder and CEO of Black Women’s Wealth Alliance (BWWA).

Black Women's Wealth Alliance

Watch Online

Full Description

Small Group Discussion

May 21, 10 a.m., Conn Gallery.

For children, youth, and adults. Young people have grown up in a very different society as it pertains to race, and they have perspectives that can challenge and change us.

Join co-facilitators Nina Jonson, Director of Children and Youth Ministry, and Aiysha Mustapha, Advancement and Equity Specialist in Robbinsdale Public Schools.

Ushers Needed in May

All are welcome to serve as usher at the 11 a.m. service in May! Please visit the online sign-up:

For more information call or text Andrea Bubula, 612-929-0804

New Member Inquirer's Class

The second session in this series will be held May 21 at 10 a.m.

New Members will be received in worship on

Sunday, June 4

Full Details

Meet & Greet with Madeline Severtson

May 23 at 6:30 p.m.

or May 24 at 10 a.m.

Now that we have a Director of Spiritual Formation, what are your hopes as we imagine new possibilities for Spiritual Formation at Plymouth?

Full Details

May 23

7 - 8:30 p.m.

Town Hall Forum

Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero & Justin Terrell from the Minnesota Justice Research Center. invite you to this In-person, Free and open to the public.

Full Details

Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III & Sounds of Blackness

Shifting the Spotlight

May 25

5:30-7:30 p.m.

Treats will be available from 5-5:30 p.m.

Learn More & Register

Volunteer to Help

Yoga Reset Retreat

June 3, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

A Day long immersive yoga retreat with Summer Hills-Bonczyk (and guests)

includes: Yoga Posture Clinics, Dharma Talk, Yoga Nidra (deep relaxation) and more.

Plymouth Church Members - $140

To register call

952-212-4847 Or email below.

Learn More & Register

Camp Plymouth

Friday, August 18 at 4 p.m. to Sunday, August 20, 2023, Noon

Learn More & Register

Youth Camps

Thank You!

We had such a great time participating in Doors Open. We made new connections, welcomed new guests, and experienced Plymouth from the viewpoint of a brand-new visitor. Thank you to all of our amazing volunteers who gave their time, talents, and dedicated hard work to make the weekend a success.

“What came to us as a seed may go to the next generation as a blossom,

and what came to us as a blossom may go to them as fruit.”

- Henry Ward Beecher

Ann Manning was beloved at Plymouth, and her impact extended into the community and beyond. A fierce witness for justice, Ann was the co-chair of our Racial Justice Initiative and one of the founding members of the Plymouth Presence Team. She was instrumental in beginning our weekly justice vigil at Franklin & Nicollet, which continues every Tuesday. Ann’s capacity for love and relationship was evident in her abiding commitment to friends and family. Generous in life and thoughtful upon her death, Ann’s estate blessed Plymouth Congregational Church with an abundant gift to our Legacy Fund. We thank God for Ann’s inspiring life, and may we honor her legacy and memory through her magnificent gift.

Summer Choir

Please join me in the choir loft during Sundays in June – for one or all or them! We will rehearse at 10 a.m. and sing for the 11 a.m. service. Music and robes will be provided. This will give you a chance to keep your singing voice in shape for the summer, and you will have an enjoyable time!

- Philip Brunelle

Join Theater 45° for its final performance of this program year! Being Black Outside by Vinecia Coleman will be performed Monday June 5 at 7 p.m. in The Conn Theater. More information and registration coming soon.

Ongoing Tuesday Vigils for Justice

Every Tuesday 12-12:30 p.m.

The Bulletin Board - What's Going On at Plymouth

Plymouth Church Building COVID-19 Updates

Wearing a mask is strongly recommended for everyone.

The health, safety, and well-being of all who use Plymouth Congregational Church is our top priority.

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