“Only then did I turn to love. It, too, was an emotion about which almost no one agreed. I found it even more difficult and conflicted than anger”

—Barbara H. Rosenwein, Love: A History in Five Fantasies

When Love Is the Answer

Rev. Dr. DeWayne L. Davis

Love is the answer. That might be the least satisfying aphorism to me. It’s not that I don’t believe it. I have seen the power of love, personally and among many others. Still, it is a phrase that seems too quickly declared, especially as an answer to the menace of hate, prejudice, and violence, with little to no acknowledgment of how complicated it is to love or to get others to love. And when I reflect on it further, I suspect that the phrase “love is the answer” is so unsatisfying because we have been shaped to believe that reason is far more reliable than emotion.

During my time as a policy advisor attending conferences of faith-based nonprofits and religious organizations, the most powerful speeches, workshops, and presentations almost always concluded with a nod to the power of love. I recall many times hearing rigorously researched presentations and public policy papers on racism, immigration, violence, homophobia, and reproductive justice in these environments. And at that moment of truth, when the audience is waiting for the solution to the well-presented scope and depth of several intractable national dilemmas, we get some variation on the aphorism “love is the answer.” In the ongoing tension between rationality and emotionality, I crave as much certainty as possible, hoping that a preponderance of verifiable and falsifiable facts would inevitably lead us to the best answer to our most intractable problems. Perhaps the phrase doesn’t seem as serious as the conclusions of “objective” inquiry.

And yet, my emotions witness another truth. As uncomfortable and unsatisfying as it may be to assert it in response to the deep divisions in our society, even if it may not be forthcoming in the way we hope, sometimes love is the answer. Love is real, and if it is not the answer, it most often is an answer that might make a difference. The old saints in the church of my youth used to sing, “love lifted me, love lifted me; when nothing else could help, love lifted me.” That resonates with me now. I still resist the easy proclamation that love is the answer. However, I have seen the evidence of love. I am evidence of love. We are the evidence of love. Gathering as a community from different backgrounds and experiences, often without too much in common, we join in song, prayer, and connection as the body of Christ. We disagree, forgive, and return to being in relationship. I’m sure sociological research and psychological evaluations can provide a wealth of data and explanations for why we do so. But when nothing else can explain that, I am left with the conclusion that love is the answer.

DeWayne L. Davis

Living Our Faith: Justice for Immigrants

October 9, 2022

Featuring messages from Rev. Mary Kay Sauter, Nora Montañez Patterson, Sara Adams, and Barabara Read

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, Cherub Choir, Carlos Díaz and Donna McKirdy

Musical Response

COLOMBIA HERIDA

(COLOMBIA WOUNDED)

Carlos Díaz

Sundays at 10

Church School 

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

Information & Community Hour

in Jones Commons

• Representatives from programs supporting justice for immigrants
• Food from local immigrant-owned businesses

Sunday Forum: Being a Church in the Borderlands and Beyond

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 Plymouth Choir and Philip Brunelle

Anthems

¡CANTAD AL SEÑOR!

STRENGTHEN YE THE WEAK HANDS

Chancel Flowers are given in loving memory of Edward “Ted” Leslie  

by his father, Jim Leslie. 

Contemplative Prayer is offered:

Thursdays at 9 a.m. - online

Upcoming Memorial Services

Plymouth will be hosting memorial services for

Tim Sheehan (Friday, October 14, at 11 a.m.)

and

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

In-person attendance is welcome, and both services will be livestreamed.

Welcome Back, Beth!

We pray that your Sabbatical journey richly blessed you with physical, emotional, and spiritual rest and renewal. We missed you greatly. We anticipate, with excitement and in celebration, your return to our beloved community. We can’t wait to hear all about your discoveries and adventures. Welcome home!

Sunday Forum

October 9

10 a.m.

in the Chapel

Being Church in the Borderlands and Beyond

Featured Speaker Delle McCormick, a retired UCC minister who resides in Arizona.

Rev. Dr. McCormick will join Plymouth border delegation participants in a conversation about meeting Christ among migrants and asylum-seekers at the U.S.–Mexico border. The discussion will include a border update, migrant ministries in Nogales, Sasabe, and Douglas, AZ, and stories of the courage and connections on both sides of the border.

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.

Chancel Flowers

Would you like to honor a loved one's memory or celebrate a joyous event by sponsoring the chancel flowers on a Sunday? Dates available are October 16 and 30. Suggested donation: $75. Please contact Doug Freeman (dougf@plymouth.org) for more information.

Flower Volunteers

If you enjoy working with flowers, the Plymouth Flower Committee welcomes you! Volunteers are needed for Sundays after worship and planning for Advent and Christmas. Please contact Barb Souther at 952-905-9185 or bsouther@q.com. 

CEJ Speakers

Climate and Environmental Justice (CEJ) Speaker Meetings Second Monday of the month 6-7 pm - Open to All

Oct 10, 6-7 pm - How does the Inflation Reduction Act impact you?

Plymouth’s Climate and Environmental Justice team is hosting a live Zoom presentation by Jo Olson of Fresh Energy. The topic: “The IRA and You: Consumers, Decarbonization, and the IRA.” Space is limited. For additional details and to register click below.

Indigenous Peoples Day Sunrise Ceremony

Join members of the Presence Team on Monday as we attend the Indigenous Peoples Day Sunrise Ceremony at Bde Maka Ska. The gathering begins at 7 a.m. at Thomas Beach, on the southeast side of the lake by the parking lot, 3700 Thomas Avenue South. If you want to coordinate with other attending members, please contact Peter and Jane at pjeichten@hotmail.com.

EveryMeal

The Board of Outreach is excited to announce a brand new opportunity for Plymouth members and friends to help support children who live with food insecurity on weekends, summers, and extended school breaks.

The organization is called EveryMeal, and the board voted unanimously to become a partner by sponsoring Green Central Elementary School, just south of Plymouth Church.

EveryMeal is a full-service MN nonprofit specializing in equipping the community to implement weekend food programs in their local school. Every Meal provides the tools, resources, expertise, and food required to make an effective and significant impact on child hunger. Plymouth has pledged to support Green Central financially and, equally important, with volunteers to distribute the food at the end of each week.

Time commitment is Friday mornings for about 90 mins. Volunteers can commit to as many Fridays as desired. Starts on October 14.

Please reach out to Mary Jordan at maryjordan13@gmail.com/612-308-6170 if you are interested and want to learn more!

Campus Task Force Updates

Did You Know?



Who are our neighbors? How can we work with them for sustainable change?

They reside in the neighborhood, they work, bus or are homeless here, or they are institutions that run non-profits or businesses nearby. We’ve met many people and groups who had ideas about how Plymouth can be a better neighbor while strengthening our neighborhood. And we’ve had conversations with dozens more at casual, post-meeting, or on the streets. They seem to trust our good intentions. But we are eager to help our beloved church move toward transformational change.

Welcome Eric Kvasnicka, New Handbell Director

Plymouth’s new handbell director is Eric Kvasnicka, a graduate of St. Olaf College, where he was in bell choirs all four years. His handbell director at St. Olaf said: “I wish I could have a choir full of Erics”! He is now in his final year of law school at the University of St. Thomas. In his spare time he enjoys running, cross-country skiing and playing piano. He is excited to be part of the handbell program at Plymouth Church.

Handbell Choir

The Plymouth Handbell Choir is starting for the fall and looking for new ringers! No handbell experience is necessary; if you are interested and can read music, we'd love to have you ring with us.

Rehearsals are on Sunday mornings at 9:30. Contact Eric Kvasnicka at eric.kvasnicka@gmail.com for more information.

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

Health Insurance Fair

Did you know that 1 in 7 of our neighbors does not have health coverage?

Calvary Baptist is sponsoring a Health Fair

Thursday, October 13, from 2 - 6 p.m.

Can you help? 

They are in need of:

• Baked goods, snacks, and fruit
• Help with the distribution of invitations
• Volunteers on site to help greet and guide visitors through three events: Health Insurance Registration, Voter Registration, and Learning about the Minnesota Health plan

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 Sunday, October 16, and 23. We will provide names, addresses, examples, and stamps.

Sponsored by the Racial Justice Initiative

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!