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 are having a pulpit exchange on Sunday, August 25 with Pilgrim Baptist Church. Rev. Timothy will guest preach at their 10:00 am service, while Pastor Raymond Dix, Jr. will guest preach at Plymouth. Please give a warm welcome to Pastor Dix and any members of Pilgrim who happen to visit on Sunday!

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!

Join ICMEP on Thursday, September 5 at 1:00 pm for an interview with Wendell Griffen. Wendell Griffen is a retired judge; Baptist pastor; Co-Chair of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, a national network of African American religious leaders working for social justice. In 1984, he became the first lawyer of color admitted to the partnership of a major Arkansas law firm. In 1985, Gov. Bill Clinton appointed him to Chair the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission; in 1995, appointed to Arkansas Court of Appeals. Wendell and the Proctor Conference have been very strong in their support of full Palestinian civil, political, and human rights. Register by clicking the button below.

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!

On Tuesday, September 17 at 12:00 pm, the women's book study group will be discussing The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride.

"This novel offers the reader literary fiction, historical fiction, and mystery. The story is set in Pottstown, Pennsylvania in the 1920s and 1930s and follows the lives of Black and Jewish residents of the Chicken Hill neighborhood. It focuses on the Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, owned by Moshe Ludlow and his wife, Chona, and on the events that affect the people connected to it. Redemption, forgiveness, healing, community, respect, all play their part."

We welcome anyone who self-identifies as a woman to drop in to join us in the Amistad Room at 12:00 pm. In October, we'll be reading The Book Woman's Daughter, by Kim Michele Richardson and in November, A Fever in the Heartland, by Timothy Egan.

Plymouth Church is developing a digital devotional booklet for the 2024 Advent season. We are looking for 20 individuals who would write a short article based on a scriptural passage. Each devotional in this project would include the following: a title, the key verse of the text, the devotion itself (the writer’s reflection), a question for further reflection, and a concluding sentence prayer. The entire article, which includes all the elements listed above, should be no more than 300 words. 

Your unique perspective and personal experience can greatly enrich our Advent Devotional, making it a meaningful resource for our congregation. If you would like to participate in this project or would like more information please see Garrett Pogue, or send an email to Plymouth.Advent@gmail.com. 

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