Please be sure to join us in worship on Sunday, July 7, when Rev. Timothy Murphy returns from his three-month sabbatical. There will be a moment of recognition during worship as well as a reception in the Folsom Room following the service. All are invited as we welcome back our senior minister!

No-one will be surprised that the book selected for the July Women's Book Study, Horse, by Geraldine Brooks, is an equine tale. Based on the remarkable true story of the record- breaking thoroughbred Lexington, the book is "a novel of art and science, love and obsession, and our unfinished reckoning with racism" - also of a discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and many unusual personalities.

You are invited to drop in for the discussion on Tuesday, July 16 at 12:00 pm in the Amistad Room. We welcome anyone who self-identifies as a woman. If you would like to join via Zoom, please email Laura McCoy. 

In August we'll be reading Death and the Penguin by the Ukranian, Andrey Zukov and in September, Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult.

Have you always been interested in a solidarity tour to Israel-Palestine, but have not been able to make the trip, for one reason or another? Are you interested in hearing from Palestinians on the ground about the current crisis in Gaza? Please consider joining this summer's virtual delegation to Palestine. The Indiana Center for Middle East Peace is hosting a series of webinars this summer with Palestinians on the ground and other human rights activists around the world. To see the full schedule of webinars and information on how to register, click the link below.

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