The Youth are heading to a TinCaps game on Sunday, August 18, with game time at 1:05 pm. All youth in grades 6-12 are welcome!  

For the month of August, the Women's Book Study will be reading Death and the Penguin by Andrey Kurkov. This story of a writer and his penguin took the Eastern Block by storm a few years after the Berlin Wall fell as many countries, finding themselves struggling with their "freedom", appreciated its surreal setting and dark humor. Kurkov is currently a prominent author and continuing commentator in Ukraine. One reviewer wrote, "I would recommend this book to gain an insight into a very different literary tradition..."

Anyone who self-identifies as a woman is invited to drop in to discuss this book on Tuesday, August 20 at 12:00 pm in the Amistad Room. In September, we will be discussing Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult.

The next session of the Stones Cry Out summer webinar series will be on Wednesday, August 21 at 1:00 pm. Michael Spath will interview Josh Ruebner, political analyst, activist, and Policy Director for Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU).

Register for this Zoom session by clicking the button below.

ICMEP welcomes Steve Sosobee, the founder of HEAL Palestine, on Thursday, August 22 at 6:30 pm in the Folsom Room. HEAL Palestine is a nonpolitical, nonprofit humanitarian organization with leaders with more than three decades of experience -– building hospitals and clinics, providing surgeries, health care, pediatric cancer treatment, and other projects throughout Palestine. Through Health, Education, Aid, and Leadership, HEAL Palestine provides urgent and long-term solutions to Gaza’s youth where they are needed most. 

On Sunday, August 25, we will be welcoming Elaine Zoughbi to share with our adult Chapel Class. Elaine is married to Zoughbi Zoughbi, the director of the Wi'am Center in Bethlehem, one of our global mission partners. Elaine will be sharing with us about the difficulties she faces as an American citizen married to a Palestinian, and how their family copes. All are encouraged to join us at 9:00 am on Sunday, August 25 to hear her powerful and enlightening story.

As part of our fellowship with other siblings in Christ, we have organized a pulpit exchange for Sunday, August 25 with Pilgrim Baptist Church. Rev. Timothy will guest preach at their 10:00 am service, while their pastor, the Rev. Raymond Dix, Jr., will guest preach at Plymouth that same day. We also hope to have several people from each congregation attend the other service to experience a different worship style, so we may have some additional guests here then. If you are interested in going with others to represent Plymouth and attend Pilgrim’s worship service on August 25, please email Rev. Timothy in advance at tcm@plymouthfw.org. We are looking to send 8-12 people if possible.

The Stones Cry Out webinar series will continue on Wednesday, August 28 at 1:00pm with an interview with David Wildman, Executive Secretary for Human Rights & Racial Justice for the Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church (UMC). Known to be the most knowledgeable staff member in the UMC about Israel/Palestine, David is also the Middle East Liaison and UN Representative for the UMC. He was an early proponent of and active in Kairos Palestine, United Methodists for Kairos Response, and Global Kairos for Justice. Register by clicking the button below.

Wednesday Night Live returns on Wednesday, August 28 at 6:00 pm, with dinner, trivia, and activities for kids. The main dish of pulled pork will be provided by our pitmaster, Barrett Seals, and participants are asked to bring a side, salad, or dessert to share. Please sign up in the Folsom room if you plan to attend.

After the kickoff event on August 28, regular Wednesday Night Live programming begins on Wednesday, September 4. At 5:15 pm there will be adult choir rehearsal as well as Bible Study with Rev. Timothy, followed by dinner at 6:00 pm. (The new Eat, Pray, Play program begins the following week; see the announcement below.) Handbells will meet at 6:45 pm. All activities are open to anyone in the church, regardless of membership status. Come for activities, or just come for dinner and fellowship! The suggested cost for dinner is $10 per person, though no one will be turned away due to inability to pay. If you plan to come for dinner, please sign up in the Folsom Room in advance so our caterer knows how much food to prepare. Hope to see you there!

On September 8, we will have a resource faire after worship in the Folsom Room. There will be tables set up on the different ministries and programs that occur in the life of the church. This faire gives the congregation the opportunity to see what all is going on, find where they might want to plug in, and ask volunteers from that ministry any questions. There is a sign-up sheet in the Folsom Room that we’re asking the various ministries, committees, etc. to fill out to indicate they will be present and need to reserve a table. We look forward to seeing you there!

We are introducing new intergenerational programming starting Wednesday, September 11 from 5:15 pm to 6:00 pm. The program will focus on Christian faith practices, and for this first unit we will be focusing on the practice of hospitality. We explore this theme through storytelling, scripture, free play, and prayer, with activities that all ages can participate in. The first unit of Eat, Pray, Play will run from September 11 to October 2. Families and individuals are welcome to come to as few or as many sessions as they are able. Come check it out!

This Sunday, there will be postcards in the Folsom room, advocating for an end to the war in Gaza. These postcards will be hand-delivered to members of congress in Washington DC in September. Please consider singing a card and making your voice heard for a just peace! 

Volunteers for the 12th year of Study Connection at Plymouth Church are needed! You can be a tutor or a substitute to fill in on the few days when a tutor must be away. Contact Lucy Hess for more information on what is expected of a tutor and sub at lrh22@frontier.com or (260) 484-4430. Study Connection is offered at Plymouth every Wednesday from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm starting early October to mid-May.

To apply, click the button below to complete the volunteer sign up form. All volunteers must have a background check which is done by the FWCS. Everyone is welcome to be a special friend to an elementary age child. Providing support and encouragement is the main task for each tutor and sub. Being a tutor is a great way to make a difference in a child’s life.

Do you have some time available on Tuesdays and are looking for something to do? Would you like to aid your favorite Plymouth Receptionist in making sure that everyone is greeted with a kind and smiling face? Do we have the opportunity for you! Plymouth staff are looking for volunteers to cover for the receptionist during the staff meetings every Tuesday from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. It’s a quiet time for the church, the most you may have to do is answer a phone or two, maybe complete a small project. 

To sign up as a volunteer, speak with Jake in the office or click the button below.

Masks are optional in worship and church programming. If you are feeling under the weather or prefer to wear a mask around others, it is an ongoing option. A high-quality mask provides good protection against infection even if others around you are not wearing one. We will continue to offer livestreamed and recorded worship services for anyone unable to attend services in person.

The following links can be found on our Linktree:

• Plymouth Directory Login
• Study Connection Volunteer Sign Up
• Chancel Flower Dedication Sign Up Form
• Donate
• Past Chapel Class Series
• Plymouth Google Calendar
• Plymouth's Social Media