“Knowing love or the hope of knowing love is the anchor that keeps us from falling into that sea of despair.”

 ―Bell Hooks, All About Love: New Visions

Speak Words of Love

Rev. Dr. DeWayne L. Davis

In the last few weeks, people have posed questions to me about issues of racial justice, faltering democracy, and growing disaffection with the church. In my answers, I am sad to admit that I came up short on anything new to say. While beating myself up for my failure in rhetorical prowess, I spoke with someone who wanted to make sense of the strange images and apocalyptic language in the Book of Revelation. I explained in response that Revelation is a prophetic vision that invites readers and hearers into an imaginative world awash in stark metaphors and vivid symbolic language describing radical evil that God will defeat in the final victory that “must soon take place” (Rev. 1:1). John of Patmos received a vision and wrote this apocalyptic tome to shock the persecuted faithful out of apathy and pessimism about the future.

Frustrated that we seem to have exhausted our ability to say something new or persuasive about our deepest, most intractable problems, I wondered if we are missing starker metaphors, like in Revelation, to get people’s attention and prompt them into action. What words could I use to expand the boundaries of our current language to stoke moral imagination and a renewed commitment to justice? And just when I thought I had a new project, some rhetorical push for starker metaphors to break the stalemate in religious and political discourse that keeps us too divided and combative to work together for the common good, I concluded that perhaps starker metaphors might exacerbate our problems. Given the violation of the ethics of words and debate in our current discourse, I am not sure starker metaphors will do the work of inspiring cooler heads or better angels to emerge.

And yet, despite my doubts, we already possess words with power and potential despite the metaphors—words of love, grace, and radical inclusion. Those genuine, empathic words of love, grace, and radical inclusion do not return void, and I have seen them move people and change systems. Yes, the chroniclers and historians of this age, in their prose and poetry, must be brave in their use of stark metaphors and vivid imagery to paint as reliable a picture as possible of the drama, horror, and difficulties of the world we created. But no metaphor alone can move a heart unwilling to be broken when confronted with a fallen world’s poverty, violence, oppression, and injustices. But accepting the call of the divine imperative to love God and neighbor has moved and transformed many and created life and possibilities amid death and destruction. No matter how frustrated or inarticulate I am about the power of words to change things, love will never lose its power.

Amen.

DeWayne L. Davis

Seth Patterson preaches, "Can You Imagine?"

October 16, 2022

9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary

Masking in the church building is strongly recommended.

Schedule

9 a.m. Worship

Worship is offered online or in person

Masking in the church building is strongly recommended.

Features music from the Jazz Trio

and Spoken Word Ensemble

Musical Response

What Matters to Us

Performers: Adella Jonson, Maddie Schmidt, Henry Cloutier, Charlie Cloutier, Eddie Cloutier, Rosa Smith, Heiko Bohnoff, Nery Patterson, Jimmy Hulse 

This piece was created by the youth in collaboration with spoken word artist Pierre Fulford. 

Sundays at 10

Church School 

9-12 graders do not have church school and should attend Sunday Forum or other activities

Coffee and Social Hour

Sunday Forum: Redistricting in Minnesota: What Happened and What Comes Next?

Small Group Discussion:

Meaning 

Also Open

Fireside Room for quiet contemplation.

Conn Gallery, Archives, and Library are open for exploration.

11 a.m. Worship

Worship is offered online or in person

Masking in the church building is strongly recommended.

Features music from Anthony Ross, cello, the Plymouth Choir, and Philip Brunelle

Anthems

SVYATI

John Tavener with Anthony Ross as cello soloist

SEE WHAT LOVE

Felix Mendelssohn

Chancel Flowers are given in loving memory of Edward “Ted” Leslie by his father, Jim Leslie. 

Due to MEA Break, Midweek Mingle will not take place on Wednesday, October 19.

Chapel Singers and Plymouth Choir will hold normal rehearsals

Contemplative Prayer is offered:

Thursdays at 9 a.m. - online

In Memoriam

Helen Conway (October 10, 2022), mother of Patrick Conway; mother(-in-law) of Kerry & Doug Hoverson; grandmother of Claire and Alex Hoverson; memorial will be held Saturday, November 5, at 11 a.m.

   James Simonson (October 10, 2022), husband of Carol Simonson; memorial will be held Monday, October 17, at 6 p.m.

Upcoming Memorial Services

Plymouth will be hosting a memorial service for

Jinny Humphrey (Saturday, October 15, at 11 a.m.).

In-person attendance is welcome, and the service will be livestreamed.

Cultivate Faith – Nurture Connection – Amplify Love: Make your annual commitment to support all the things you love about Plymouth! Because of your support, our impact on the community has grown, please consider making an increase to your annual giving so that we may provide more resources and programming to our community.

Spoken Word Ensemble 

9 a.m. Service

During Midweek Mingle, Pierre R. Fulford has been leading a group through a spoken word workshop. On October 16 at the 9 a.m. service, the culmination of that project and their work will be performed.

Minister Pierre R. Fulford is a native of St. Paul, MN. He comes from a legacy of faith and the arts—his parents are ministers and artists. He began rapping at the age of five and took up poetry in high school. He headlines as well as leads rap and spoken word workshops for community and faith-based organizations.

He has become known as a dynamic communicator with a sincere heart for God and the youth of the communities he’s a part of. With a truly inspirational aura, Minister Pierre, through his projects and workshops, has helped many to understand the power of voice and story, which he believes all humans have access to. 

The next Creative Quarterly is the Chime Time Handbell Choir. 

Learn more and register here: 

Meaning

October 16

10 a.m.

in the Conn Gallery

To introduce our guest, Tara Bauer, I need to do a little quick nerding out. If you were to click around Plymouth’s website to the Clergy and Staff page, you’d see that Tara is listed as a Covenant Partner. If you’re not a seminarian you’d be excused for not knowing what that means, but it’s rooted in how the United Church of Christ thinks about sending people out into the world to do ministry. Unlike some denominations, the UCC assigns ordination status through a local church body. So even for chaplains like Tara, who has served as an Air Force chaplain since her pastoral residency at Plymouth from 2011-2013, a covenanted relationship with a local church is required to stay in good standing with the denomination. But the huge importance of covenant in our church and in our denomination is a topic for another day. For now, let’s dive into my conversation with Tara and the meaning she finds in military chaplaincy.

Sunday Forum

October 16

10 a.m.

in the Chapel

Redistricting in Minnesota: What Happened and What Comes Next?

This spring marked the end of the every 10-year revision of district maps at all levels of government in Minnesota. We will discuss what happened and why, what this means for the next 10 years, and why redistricting should matter to every Minnesotan.

Anthony Ross

Sunday, October 16

This Sunday at 11 a.m., Anthony Ross, principal cellist of the Minnesota Orchestra, will be our soloist, playing prelude and postlude music of J.S. Bach, and soloing with the Plymouth Choir in the music of John Tavener and Felix Mendelssohn.

The Mendelssohns

music of Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn 

Saturday, October 15

7 p.m.

The opening concert of VocalEssence’s 54^th season featuring the Ensemble Singers, Chorus, and Singers of This Age at Bethel University, 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 15. Philip Brunelle and G. Phillip Shoultz will conduct.

Don’t miss it!

Want to encourage voting in November?

Please join us to write personalized, non-partisan letters urging sometimes Georgia voters to vote this November. Work with others at our table in Jones Commons 9:45-11 a.m. on Sundays, October 16 and 23. We will provide names, addresses, examples, and stamps.

Sponsored by the Racial Justice Initiative

Celebrating Mary Welfling

After 12 fruitful years as Plymouth’s archivist, Mary Welfling has retired. Please join us in thanking her for her years of service and her skill in bringing the archives collection and space into the 21st century.

We will gather in Jones Commons during the 10 a.m. hour on Sunday, October 23, to honor Mary and reflect on what she has accomplished on our behalf.

Whether you attend worship at 9 a.m. or 11 a.m., please be present for this opportunity to offer our gratitude to this dedicated servant.

Volunteers Needed for Hosting Downtown Coalition for Grief

The Downtown Minneapolis Coalition for Grief Support is a unique resource to help adults understand and express grief and then begin moving forward as they grieve the death of a spouse, child, family member, or friend. This group is an all-volunteer, nondenominational organization that offers encouragement, support, education, and comfort.

As a member of the Coalition, Plymouth Congregational Church will be taking its turn as host for the weekly, in-person sessions every Saturday through December 31, 2022. We need volunteers to help support this important work. Volunteer shifts run from 9:30- noon. A detailed checklist of duties will be provided to walk you through the shift. Responsibilities involve registering and welcoming participants, setting up the library books, opening the session by providing a brief meditation, and introducing the speaker.

If you are able to help, please follow this link to Sign-Up Genius where you can sign up for shifts. If you have questions, contact Tom Anderson (tompand@yahoo.com)

Contemplative Day Apart

Join the Plymouth Contemplatives for a day apart in the woods near Lake Pepin, on November 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We’ll share in centering prayer, conversation, and a meal, followed by forest bathing along the river with Johanna Schussler. All are welcome.

ICOM Vigil

November 8, 7 p.m. 

Join the Plymouth Immigrant Welcoming Working Group and Rev. DeWayne Davis at the ICOM Vigil at the Whipple Federal Building at 7:30 on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, to stand with our immigrant neighbors who are facing deportation and to stand in opposition to ICE's dehumanizing practices. There will be an opportunity to attend Court Watch afterward for up to 10 people. For more information, contact Karen Canon: kjcanon57@gmail.com or Jerry Davis: fandjontheroad@gmail.com

Hurricanes 2022 Emergency Appeal

The United Church of Christ has issued an appeal to support the immediate needs of families and communities affected by Hurricanes Fiona and Ian. We don't know what the rest of hurricane season will bring, but we know these storms have been incredibly destructive. Learn more about the partner organizations the UCC is working with and donate online here. 

If you prefer, you may mail a check payable to the United Church of Christ, PO Box 71957, Cleveland, OH 44194. Please be sure to note “Hurricanes 2022 Fund” in the memo section.

Bridges to Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton

a New Small Group

The Bridges to Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton small group leads participants on a journey toward spiritual transformation. Over eight sessions, we will be introduced to Merton and contemplative living through prayers, readings from Merton and other spiritual masters, and contemplative dialogue. We’ll begin with Book One: Entering the School of Your Experience. 

In-person in South Minneapolis, every other Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m., beginning November 3.

A Prairie Homeless Companion

Join our partners Beacon and zAmya Theater Project for the performance of "A Prairie Homeless Companion" on October 14 at 7 p.m. This is a unique theater performance by actors who have lived experience of homelessness. Register at www.beaconinterfaith.org/event/prairie-homeless-companion

Ongoing Tuesday Vigils for Justice

Racial Justice Initiative justice vigils are now being held from noon to 12:30 p.m. every Tuesday. Please join us when you are able. We always meet by Door 1 near Jones Commons.

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.

Thank You For Your Support

The clergy and staff at Plymouth are continuing to work to care for and support you—our congregation—and, as mentioned above, our essential building tenants. Our need for your support continues. Please consider making a gift online (click here), texting your gift to 612/999-2874 or sending in a check (1900 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis 55403). Mail is being collected securely and safely each day. We are so grateful for you!