“And so they gazed nakedly upon their own fear transferred; a fear of the black and the old, a terror of the unknown as well as of the deeply known. Some of those who saw her there on the church steps spoke words about her that were hardly fit to be heard, others held their pious peace; and some felt vague stirrings of pity, small and persistent and hazy, as if she were an old collie turned out to die.” —Alice Walker, The Welcome Table

I often revisit Alice Walker’s heartbreaking short story about an old black woman who shows up for worship at a church to which she neither belongs as a member nor belongs because it was for white people. It reminds me that the church remains challenged by culture and context. What we have learned in the home and our communities can be far more effective in shaping our feelings about and behavior toward the stranger than the Bible we read or the theology we profess. Is our welcome wide enough to include those who stoke within us “a terror of the unknown as well as of the deeply known?” In the name of peace, tradition, and proper order, it can be pretty easy to exclude the other or withhold the blessings of community to some of the most vulnerable people among us.

As I watch the powerful flood state and local communities with legislative proposals banning books, discriminating against transgender children, and harassing teachers and schools over teaching critical race theory, I worry whether the targets of these oppressive, discriminatory actions have a haven. Specifically, has the church filled the void or stood in solidarity with vulnerable people finding their schools, churches, and governments to be hostile territory? Perhaps, the church would do well to ponder how we can resurrect the metaphor of the welcome table to include all God’s children, especially in these hostile times. I grew up hearing church folk sing, “I’m gonna sit at the welcome table one of these days,” and “all God’s children are gonna sit together.” Oh, if the church embodied this song in its welcome and practices.

The prophet Micah maintained that people of faith already know what to do—do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. Unfortunately, competition, inequality, and oppression dominate our culture, economics, and politics. We are just as apt to fall in line supporting the status quo as we are to challenge it. But maybe that’s why the welcome table is a resonant metaphor for faithful living. Focusing on what’s on the table is probably less important than making sure that more people have a seat at the table. Having more people at the table, especially the most vulnerable, may reveal how best to expand what’s on the table. The God of justice and mercy sees us all as beloved and secures our place at the table. I pray we respond in kind. May it be so.

Masking is strongly recommended.

There is a "Mask Only" Section available and marked for those wishing for extra security.

It will feature music from The Jazz Trio

Home Again, Laura Caviani

in Jones Commons

Education Wing

Chapel

The Nature of Spirit; the Spirit of Nature

Conn Gallery

This I Believe|Racial Justice is Personal

Fireside Room

It will feature music from Sonja Thompson, the Adult Choir, and the Solo Quintet.

Thixo Onothando (God of Love), Traditional Xhosa Hymn

The Gift of Charity, John Rutter

Worship in the Sanctuary this Sunday; the congregation is welcome in-person or to watch via Livestream on Facebook, YouTube, or Plymouth.org/worship.

Thursdays at 9 a.m. - online

Clark Ohnesorge (April 21, 2022)

Kathleen “Kathy” Schulenberg (April 20, 2022), wife of Tom Schulenberg

Contact: Carrie Bassett carolinebassett7@gmail.com or 612-229-1937

There will be an information session Sunday, May 1, 12:30–1:30 in Jackman to discuss a February 2023 immersion/volunteer opportunity. We’ll share highlights from our 2020 trip and tentative plans for our next trip. Contact Nancy Siska at npsiska@gmail.com or Maureen Tanis at Tanis.maureen@gmail.com with questions.

The plots of land upon which Plymouth has resided during its procession down Nicollet Avenue were sacred ground long before our forebears laid the first cornerstone at 4th and Nicollet in 1857. We now have a unique opportunity to learn the history of that land thanks to a project by Twin Cities researcher Jessica Intermill, who is working with several religiously affiliated groups in the area to explore this history.

Many of you contributed to the Plymouth Green Fund last year, and because our “Carbon Footprints” never sleep, we are continuing the fundraising effort this year. Like last year, this year's contribution will go towards a Community Solar Garden subscription that will lower Plymouth’s electric bill, provide local jobs and reduce our campus carbon footprint. Unlike many other carbon offset programs, your contributions to Plymouth are fully tax-deductible. Volunteers from our Climate and Environmental Justice Committee will be handing out brochures to determine your footprint and provide instructions on how to donate.

Books will be available for Plymouth members to purchase Wednesday evening (May 11) and Sunday mornings (May 8 & May 15). You may also order any of the over 2000 titles (180 also in Spanish) online now through May 15 at www.NancyLovesBooks.com - Click on Academia Elze when shopping to credit the school. 50% of purchase price will go towards purchasing books for Academia Elze.

Uniting in prayer, action, and giving, we stand as a people of faith in love and compassion with the people of Ukraine and all who are affected, and with our global partners who are welcoming those driven from their homes. We are partnering with the United Church of Christ, which has established a Ukraine Relief Fund. Gifts made to the UCC Ukraine Relief Fund will provide shelter, food, and other care to war refugees and internally displaced people. It also will help refugees and asylum seekers from African, Middle Eastern, and other countries who had sought refuge in Ukraine and now are twice displaced, as well as other citizens of more than 125 countries living in Ukraine.

To support the Ukraine Relief Fund, please make checks payable to “Plymouth Church” and include “Ukraine Relief” in the memo line. You can learn more about this special emergency fund here:

Share your skills for our Life Skills Fair on May 21!

Here are some updated requests from our teens:

Email Nina to get involved in any of these opportunities!    

Members who wish to have items on the annual meeting agenda should submit the required information (resolution and signatures) by May 13, 2022, to either the Deacons (deacons@plymouth.org) or Annette Atkins, Clerk (aatkins@csbsju.edu).

Do you have some experience with marketing? Are you excited by telling the story of who Plymouth is and the impact we've had on the lives of people you know and in the community? Do you want to see Plymouth grow? The Marketing Task Force has wrapped up our recommendation and is in the process of building a committee. We start meeting soon. Please email Elizabethb@plymouth.org or jthennesen@comcast.net if you are interested.

Sign up at: http://Plymouthcongregational.tchabitat.volunteerhub.com/

Or contact Jim Christenson at christensonjim@msn.com/651-895-0644.

Peter and Jane Eichten’s daughter Katie and her husband Jared are working tirelessly for the refugees coming into Bulgaria. Click here to read a letter from Katie that explains what is going on and their involvement. Peter and Jane are collecting monetary donations through checks or Venmo to support Katie and Jared and their community as they shelter refugees and help them re-establish life in Bulgaria. 100% of the money will be going to the Ukrainian refugees. For more information on to how to offer your support, please contact Peter pjeichten@hotmail.com (612-708-7134) or Jane jeichten24@gmail.com (612-813-1831).

We hand out a lot of bags—more than 100 each Sunday! We need more large paper grocery bags with handles, and we hope you can help. Please bring your bags to the collection bin outside Plymouth’s Jones Commons each Sunday through Thursday from 8:45 a.m. to noon.

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!