“You come up with ingenious modes of denying and evading and avoiding the underside of things. But there is some suffering here; there is some sadness and sorrow and heartache and heartbreak”—Cornel West
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Liberating Ourselves
Rev. Dr. DeWayne L. Davis
In the introduction to the 50th Anniversary edition of James Cone’s Black Theology and Black Power, philosopher and activist Cornel West sets the context for what prompted Cone to write in 1969 the first systematic treatment of Black theology. Witnessing the death of Martin Luther King, uprisings in several major cities since 1964, and the persistent, intractable evil of racism that oppressed and killed Black people, Cone confronts what West describes as white America’s penchant for “denying and evading and avoiding the underside of things.” I am disappointed to observe that, while there has been no shortage of conversation and confrontation about the impact of white supremacy on all of us, we remain a nation willing to deny, evade, and avoid not just the suffering of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) but also how we got here.
Cone’s work was disturbing to many because he was willing to wrest God and Jesus from the clutches of Christian tradition, rhetoric, and theology to see God as actively engaged in the liberation of Black bodies and the affirmation of Black humanity. Even with this groundbreaking challenge to the church and theology, in the years since, we are witnessing ever more sophisticated ways to deny, evade, and avoid the underside of things that perpetuate the sorrow and sadness of our current racial order. The church has not been immune to minimizing the impact of history and politics on the pain and suffering within communities of color. People of faith have been just as willing to justify unaccountable police killing unarmed Black people as the partisan ideologue. We have mastered the rhetoric and symbols that forecast racial and economic justice commitments that often falter when we are personally inconvenienced.
I started thinking about Cone’s work again a few days ago when a friend told me how Cone’s work had impacted him. Cone forces us to think seriously about what it would look like in our witness and theology to act with Jesus to defeat evil. What are we willing to risk or lose to see people liberated from oppressive social, economic, and political structures? What are we holding onto that shrivels our imagination about what it means to love, affirm, and liberate those whose bodies and humanity have been denied and distorted by white supremacy? If we do not want to succumb to the denial, evasion, or avoidance of the suffering and damage that years of white supremacy and plunder of the labor, land, and autonomy of BIPOC have wrought, perhaps it begins by seeking liberation for ourselves from the safe, familiar stories and certainties that we’ve relied on for far too long.
May it be so.
DeWayne L. Davis
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June 12, 2022
"Under the Big Top"
Outdoor Worship at 9 a.m.
Masking is not required outdoors.
11 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary
Masking in the church building is strongly recommended.
There is a "Mask Only" Section available in the Sanctuary and marked for those wishing for extra security.
Schedule
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9 a.m. Worship
"Under the Big Top"
Outdoor Worship Returns!
9 a.m. worship will not be offered virtually
Masking is not required outdoors.
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Features music from the Jazz Trio
Musical Response
In God's Hands
Laura Caviani
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Sunday Forum
Meet the Laura Caviani Trio
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Coffee and Social Time
in Jones Commons
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In the sanctuary
and online
Masking in the church building is strongly recommended.
There is a "Mask Only" Section available in the Sanctuary and marked for those wishing for extra security.
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Features music from the Plymouth Choir, Solo Quintet, and Philip Brunelle.
Anthems
ANTIPHON and LOVE BADE ME WELCOME (from Five Mystical Songs) Ralph Vaughan Williams
The prelude will begin at 10:45
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Sensing the Sacred (2nd Sundays) – a time for resting in centering prayer/meditation; participating in the sacred reading (lectio divina) of word, art or nature; and the sharing of group prayer. |
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Worship in the Sanctuary this Sunday; the congregation is welcome in person or to watch via Livestream on Facebook, YouTube, or Plymouth.org/worship.
Chancel Flowers are given in loving memory of her husband, Paul, and her grandson, Dr. Daniel Cooper, by Dorothy Noreen.
In-Depth with Beth and Seth will be on hiatus until October.
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Contemplative Prayer is offered:
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Notice of Annual Meeting
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Plymouth Congregational Church of Minneapolis will be held on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at 12:15 p.m. at the church. To ensure that all who wish to attend will be able to do so, the meeting will be available via Zoom as well as in person.
Agenda
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Approve minutes from:
June 13, 2021 Annual Meeting
Reports:
Lead Minister
Moderator
Leadership Council
Nominating Committee
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Roll Call of:
New 50-year Members
Deceased Members
Staff Milestones
Action Items:*
Budget for Fiscal Year 2023**
Election of Church Leaders
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No other business may come before the meeting.
If you wish to attend virtually, you may register to attend via Zoom at the church’s website (www.plymouth.org).
Information regarding how to participate via Zoom will be provided to registrants in advance of the meeting. To participate via Zoom, you will need either a smartphone, electronic tablet, laptop, or computer.
*While observers are welcome, only Plymouth Church members may vote on the Action Items.
**Materials for the 2023 fiscal year budget are available at Plymouth.org.
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Summer Choir
If you are interested in singing on one or more June Sundays, please join Philip Brunelle in the choir loft at 9:50 a.m. for your music. This is a wonderful way to keep singing during the summer and enjoy some wonderful choral music! A choir folder and robe will be provided.
Thanks,
Philip
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Building the Beloved Community
Public Safety Project
Session #3
7 p.m.
Tuesday, June 28
In-person and Online
Please join us for our third police encounter dilemma and discussion. It is not necessary to have participated in the first or second discussion. All are welcome. We will hold our discussion live and in person at the church, but will also offer a Zoom streaming option.
Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington has given us our third police encounter dilemma scenario for feedback, a dilemma he faced as a young police officer, involving an encounter at night, answering a frantic 911 caller’s demand for police support.
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Amplify Love T-Shirt
Have you seen these around? We've been getting lots of questions about our new Amplify Love shirts. We're placing an order to arrive in time for Pride. Get yours by using the order form linked below today. The cost to produce and ship each shirt, made from recycled material is $18.
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CALL TO ACTION: WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GROW
Two types of volunteers are needed to help advance Plymouth’s marketing efforts:
Committee Members
As the committee is formalized, we’ll need help from members experienced in marketing, design, advertising, and data sciences to help bring campaigns to fruition and educate leadership and the congregation about how our goals and how our campaigns are functioning.
Ambassadors
We will need 10–15 people willing to participate in a new training curriculum and serve as a physical manifestation of our campaign—noticing, welcoming, coaching, and nurturing connections with church prospects. We'll provide training beginning this summer.
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Children, Youth, & Families
and Church School
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Sunday Forum
June 12
10 a.m.
Meet the Laura Caviani Trio
The Laura Caviani Trio will start our summer Forum series on June 12. Meet the very talented musicians Laura Caviani, Chris Bates, and Dave Schmalenberger and learn about their musical journeys, how they came together, upcoming individual plans and hopes, and, of course, a musical treat.
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Meaning, A Podcast
EJ Kelley has followed a unique path: in the midst of a successful career, he followed a persistent internal voice that kept telling him that he could do more to help the marginalized in our community. Instead of sticking it out until traditional retirement age and then devoting himself to philanthropy, he left his paying job and, as a way of recharging, started volunteering at the Groveland Food Shelf. As it happened, at the same time he began practicing meditation and centering prayer.
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Notes From the Shelf Elf
A new book in the library! Well, new to the library—it was published in 2013. “God Got a Dog” by Cynthia Rylant with illustrations by Marla Frazee. This book makes me so happy. It looks like a picture book for kids, but it’s really aimed at us stuffy older folk. God is pictured in all races and ages and genders, trying to decide how to fill her time. (Hint: this book was an extension of Cynthia Rylant’s earlier poem “God Went to Beauty School”.) It is lovely, with God choosing to try out and celebrate the things that make us human. Wow. Check it out.
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Donations for Third Wednesday Drop-in Bingo
Plymouth Drop-in for low-income adults who live with mental illness happens every Wednesday and Thursday, but third Wednesday is always bingo. Donations of practical prizes like toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, and soap are much appreciated and can be left in the Bingo Box in Jones Commons. Adult coloring and puzzle books are also great, as is almost anything "gently used" as they say at the thrift stores.
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March with CTUL Construction Workers
June 16, 2022
Noon - 3 p.m.
Plymouth Congregational Church
CTUL (Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha) members will publicly name three large multi-family housing developers that have a history of using problematic contractors on their job sites, inviting them to join the Building Dignity and Respect (BDR) Program.
Despite multiple attempts to communicate with the developers over the past six months, only one developer has agreed to meet but has not improved working conditions on their projects. We can no longer sit back as workers continue to face severe abuses of their workplace rights. CTUL members will bring our message to the broader public. We will name the three large multi-family housing developers that we believe have the most power and influence to change the industry.
Join us to win basic dignity and respect for all construction workers in the Twin Cities metro area.
See you in the streets!
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A Personal Connection to Ukrainian Refugee Relief
and How You Can Help!
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). |
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We Need More Bags!
We continue to offer hearty, warm to-go meals each Sunday at Plymouth Congregational Church. With our partners from other downtown churches, each Sunday of the month is covered, with all of the distribution occurring at Plymouth.
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.
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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.
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Plymouth Church Building COVID-19 Updates
Wearing a mask is strongly recommended for everyone.
The health, safety, and wellbeing 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!
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and ask to be removed from this distribution list.
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Plymouth Congregational Church
1900 Nicollet Avenue (at Franklin)
Minneapolis, MN 55403
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