“What about the [Jericho] road? It is important to take care of people. It is important to be a good neighbor. But somebody needs to fix the road . . . I’m sick and tired of poor religion.”
—Bishop Yvette Flunder
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Enfleshing Good Religion
Rev. Dr. DeWayne L. Davis
I attended the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM) biannual leadership conference this past week. TFAM is a radically inclusive, trans-denominational fellowship of churches and ministers founded by Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder in 2000 to propagate “a radical social ministry, reaching to the furthest margins of society to serve all in need without prejudice and discrimination.” We gathered again at a time that is far more politically, culturally, and economically fraught for women, the poor, and LGBTQ people. The theme of the conference was “Have We Got Good Religion?” a provocative riff off the lyrics of the Negro Spiritual Certainly Lord, which asks, “Have you got good religion?” and “Do you love ev’rybody?” The theme set out an intentional contrast with the churches, theologies, and religious collectivities that have used their authority and influence not to liberate and empower the poor, the oppressed, or the marginalized seeking justice but to serve their own power and political interests by controlling the levers of governmental power. It is an acknowledgment that there is bad or poor religion, which is not a force for good in the world.
Bishop Flunder set the frame for considering what “good religion” looks like in her sermon at the opening worship and plenary, using the parable of the Good Samaritan from the Gospel of Luke as her preaching text. In describing the dangerous Jericho Road and the laudable response of the Samaritan in demonstrating the good religion of love and care for a suffering neighbor, Bishop Flunder lamented that the most visible manifestation of faith in our current culture and politics is “where the religious cross the road” to avoid serving their neighbors in need and never work to fix dangerous roads where people get hurt.
At a time when people of faith are searching for ways to be a constructive force for collective action in a toxic political environment, this conference issued a prophetic call on people with a progressive faith to engage a public hungry for proactive religious responses to the betrayal of women and their right to reproductive justice, retrenchment from voting rights and multiracial democracy, and backlash against racial justice and LGBTQ rights. Every prophetic word prompted us to consider how we may enflesh and manifest “good religion” that sees, loves, and affirms all of God’s beloved. Although bad religion appears to be winning the day, and even if the politicians who seek our votes and support are failing to meet the moment, we have an opportunity to enflesh and manifest a “good religion” that works on both serving our neighbors and fixing systems to which too many of our neighbors remain vulnerable. I pray we show the world good religion.
DeWayne L. Davis
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July 17, 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
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
Hold Fast
Laura Caviani
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Coffee and Social Time
in Jones Commons
Church School
Chapel
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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 Solo Quintet and Philip Brunelle.
Anthems
UNION
Edward Barnes
DEEP PEACE
Andrew Carter
The prelude will begin at 10:45
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Sundays at 5 services are on hiatus. We plan for it to return on Rally Sunday, September 11. And stay tuned for special summer worship opportunities! |
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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 Ralph Colby at the fifth anniversary of his passing by his wife, Ruth, and family.
In-Depth with Beth and Seth is on hiatus until October.
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Upcoming Memorial Services |
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A service for Jerry Gale will be held at Plymouth on Saturday, July 23, at 10 a.m. In-person attendance is welcome, and the service will be livestreamed (available here).
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Contemplative Prayer is offered:
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Sunday Forum
July 17, 2022
Art, Meditation, and Finding Our Inner Story
This event focuses on the “Minnesota Impressions” Exhibition by Gabe Jewell of over 80 works in the Plymouth Conn Art Gallery and on how many of these works of art also are featured in www.Meditationary.org, an online meditation dictionary. Art tells a story, and one of the functions of meditation is for each of us to find our own truest and most real story and the storyteller in the midst of it. Join Meditationary author and Plymouth member Richard Jewell in person in the Gallery with his son, artist Gabe Jewell, in person in the Gallery, and on Zoom, for a discussion of the storytelling connection between art and meditation.
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Minnesota Impressions - Conn Gallery Art Exhibition
July 17-September 30
Reception July 17, 10 a.m.
We are privileged to be hosting Minnesota Impressions, an exhibition by Gabe Jewell, whose paintings also serve as contemplative companions in support of meditation in collaboration with his father Richard Jewell, www.Meditationary.org.
Gabriel Jewell is a Minnesota artist based in Rochester, Minnesota, who grew up as a member of Plymouth Congregational Church, attending Sunday school in the 1980s-90s.
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Rebuild Ukraine
July 19 at 7 p.m.
Plymouth Congregational Church
Sanctuary
The humanitarian crisis created by the Russian War of 2022 in Ukraine is immense and will last for decades. To contribute to the resolution of this crisis, REBUILD UKRAINE was established. Its mission is to work directly with partners in Eastern Europe to provide immediate humanitarian aid to Ukraine, its refugees, residents, and children.
Dr. Paul Gavrilyuk will speak to the ways in which REBUILD UKRAINE is responding to the urgent needs of Ukrainians—the day-to-day crises for those still in Ukraine, the crushing exodus of refugees into neighboring countries, and the plight of traumatized children.
Pianist Ora Itkin, University of Saint Thomas Music Faculty member, will perform works of Bach, Schubert, Silvestrov, and others.
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Would You Help Our Children & Youth Programs?
We need volunteers! Please take a moment to complete this survey and see how you can help support our children and youth programming throughout the summer and fall. Our events and programs cannot continue to grow, expand, and welcome in new families without widespread support!
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Meaning, a Podcast
“Finite Disappointment and Infinite Hope”
The summer of 2022 has not been an easy one for people in progressive spaces. We’ve seen the overturning of Roe vs Wade, multiple mass shootings, more instances of police killing of unarmed Black men, the congressional hearings on January 6, the war in Ukraine. . . all significant steps backward in terms of the struggles for peace and social justice. I sat down with Plymouth’s Lead Minister, DeWayne Davis, to talk through the question: given the immense challenges presented by this moment, how does one avoid sinking into cynicism, despair, and pessimism? Where is the enduring wisdom that can help us meet this moment? If you’re DeWayne, you find wisdom in our not-so-distant past. . . and on Netflix.
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Dr. Cedric Alexander,
Nominee Commissioner of Community Safety
Dr. Cedric Alexander, newly nominated Commissioner of Community Safety, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey visited Plymouth Congressional Church on Sunday, July 10, to discuss their plans to strengthen public safety for all. Our own Dr. Rev. DeWayne Davis, who co-chaired the Mayor’s Community Safety Work Group, facilitated the discussion.
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Children, Youth, & Families
and Church School
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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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Building a City for All of Us
Come together using our collective voices for change in support of affordable housing. No one should have to choose between food or rent and risk becoming homeless. Join us for this important event on July 28, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. at
Bethlehem Lutheran Church 4100 Lyndale Ave South Mpls, MN. 55409
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New Member Spotlight
On June 5, Plymouth welcomed seven new members into our congregation.
Joan Deming
jdeming7@gmail.com
I grew up in Wisconsin, the oldest of five kids, involved in church, school, music, and summer camps. I spent my college junior year in Nairobi, Kenya. Having discovered that I liked being far from home, I got my M.Div. in Berkeley, CA, then returned to Wisconsin to be ordained and serve in United Methodist ministry. After 28 years, I left the local church for nonprofit work. In my last ten years before retirement, I worked with Pilgrims of Ibillin, a nonprofit supporting schools founded by Archbishop Elias Chacour for Palestinian students in Ibillin, Israel. My work included leading groups to meet Peacemakers in Israel/Palestine. Since retiring in 2018, I have continued leading similar tours. Don and I moved to Minneapolis to be near our daughter, Anna Cavallo, and her family. We are choosing Plymouth Church not only because of family ties but also for its progressive theology, social justice commitments, and friendly members and staff.
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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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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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