Inner city dilemmas challenge Plymouth's next Women's Book Study meeting as they consider The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas. The young protagonist has to decide what to say to whom following the police shooting of her childhood friend. Anyone who identifies as a woman is welcome to join the group's conversation in the Amistad Room on Tuesday, June 18 at 12:00 pm.

The books chosen for following months are Horse by Geraldine Brooks and Death and the Penguin by Andrey Kurkov. Happy reading!

ICMEP and Plymouth Church are partnering to screen the brand-new documentary film, Where Olive Trees Weep, on Thursday, June 27 at 6:30 pm, in the Chapel. The film features Palestinian women who have been held as political prisoners by the Israeli military, and their journey towards healing and recovering from trauma. The screening is free and open to the public. 

Mark your calendars for the third annual Pride at Plymouth event on Saturday, June 29 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, at Plymouth Church. This year's event will be bigger and better than ever! Among the activities will be a drag story hour, facepainting, crafts and activities for kids, live music, a book reading and signing with the authors of Embracing Queer Family (available in the church library!), a resource fair, vendors, and of course, the day will culminate in a family-friendly drag show in the sanctuary! See the schedule below for more details:

10:00 am - Embracing Queer Family Book Discussion/Q&A and Signing (Chapel)

10:00 am - Resource and Vendor Fair begins (Folsom Room)

11:00 am - Drag Story Hour with Koko Licious (Nursery)

12:00 pm - Kid's activities begin

12:00 pm - Wolf Young performs (Sanctuary)

1:00 pm - Gabriel Kanka performs (Sanctuary)

2:00 pm - Home by 10 performs (Sanctuary)

3:00 pm - Family-Friendly Drag Show (Sanctuary)

The United Church of Christ Palestine-Israel Network recently released a statement urging church, civic, and political leaders to name Israel's war on Gaza as genocide. "Inspired by and consistent with our history," the statement begins, "the United Church of Christ Palestine Israel Network recognizes and acknowledges Israel’s war on Gaza as genocide. This reality requires bold action. Therefore, we call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages and prisoners, an end to the blockade of Gaza, and an end to the illegal Israeli occupation of the West Bank. We further call for Palestinians to be granted the rights to self-determination and statehood, in compliance with international law." Read the full statement at the link below:

An account has been set up through Plymouth Church to take donations for the Afghan Refugee Task Force, who assist many Afghan refugee families who settle in Fort Wayne. Anyone who would like to donate to the efforts of the Afghan Refugee Task Force may now do so via Plymouth’s online giving site. Simply select “Refugee Support” from the dropdown menu when making your donation. The Afghan Refugee Family Task Force, which meets regularly, will manage the use of the monies donated to this specific account.

In this horribly turbulent world we live in, it seems there will always be refugee families we need to support. If this is where you would like to donate some of any additional gifts you make throughout a year, we are grateful and thank you. Click the button below or visit plymouthfw.org/donate to make your donation. 

Rev. Murphy’s sabbatical runs from April 1 through June 30. During this time of rest and rejuvenation, Rev. Ofner-Seals is serving as the acting Senior Pastor. Rev. Murphy looks forward to communicating with and seeing Plymouth members and friends upon his return!

This Easter and beyond, United Church of Christ General Minister and President the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson is inviting the wider church to participate in an interactive season of prayer. The People’s Prayers for Peace initiative is an open invitation to read — and write — prayers, which will be posted daily on the UCC website. “As people of faith, I believe prayers are an important part of our discipleship and spiritual practice,” said Thompson. “The People’s Prayers for Peace is a call to the church to be intentional in praying together for the many places where we seek justice and change in our world. Our actions and advocacy follow on our commitment to pray — time set aside to be in conversation with God and to be present in the world with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.” The call for prayers comes amid ongoing war and violence globally as well as continued social issues and injustice in the United States. Click the button below to learn more.

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.

Plymouth Church is looking for volunteers to cover the 1:00 pm Staff Meetings on Tuesdays. If you would like to assist, please sign up with Jake in the office or sign up by clicking the button below.

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