“Male power over women means a denial of women’s right to control their own bodies. Denial of reproductive decision making is fundamental to this control.”
— Rosemary Radford Ruether, Sexism and God-Talk
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What Justice Demands
Rev. Dr. DeWayne L. Davis
Throughout my years working on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, I regularly saw anti-choice activists converging on the Capitol grounds, advocating for overturning the landmark case Roe v. Wade, which protected women’s constitutional right to have an abortion. These activists were often religious people, carrying placards and flyers with religious messages and Bible passages steeped in normative constructs of male sovereignty and denigration of women’s agency and autonomy. Now that the Supreme Court has overturned the precedent, I wonder how much of a role theology played in this ultimate betrayal of a woman’s right to control her body. If it’s just politics, we respond with better ideas, organizing, and mobilization to restore a right. But a scarier thought is that our religious rhetoric is still shaped by normative and essentialist constructions of sex, gender, and sexuality that continue to threaten women’s agency and autonomy.
I am convinced that the overturning of Roe is not a religious or theological victory. It is a political victory resulting from years of organizing, fundraising, and mobilizing people using a Christian tradition that “denies, diminishes, or distorts the full humanity of women.” And yet, we are stuck with a destructive, oppressive theological paradigm of sex, love, and desire that privileges male power, concerns, and intrusion in matters having to do with a woman’s choices about her life, body, and pursuit of happiness. So, this is a justice issue, requiring the ongoing work of liberation from the patriarchal dictates of religion so that the human dignity and the equal humanity of women are affirmed and celebrated.
There can be no justice for women when mostly male judges and politicians substitute their will and preferences for women in law and the Constitution. A religious and political-institutional tradition that has historically silenced, dominated, and ignored women’s voices, agency, and dignity is wholly inconsistent with the biblical vision of justice in God’s acts of liberation. My belief in justice leads me to affirm the right of all women to consult with the God of their understanding and the medical professionals of their choosing when making decisions about their own reproductive health care. My belief in justice leads me to respect the right of women to fully engage their faith on questions of moral direction and consult their doctors for their health care without sanction or interference by the government or any other institution. As we embark on the political enterprise to restore a woman’s right to choose, I pray that we are led by the liberating power of a gracious and generous God in whose image and likeness the women of the world reveal what is good, right, and just.
May it be so.
DeWayne L. Davis
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July 3, 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
INNOCENCE
Keith Jarrett
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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 Solo Quintet with guest organist Melanie Ohnstad.
Anthems
A SONG OF JOY
Stephen Foster
THY WORD WITH ME SHALL
ALWAYS STAY
Jean Berger
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 Ellen Bauer, Christine Hoy, Nicole Lavallee, and Bill Brown by Martha Brown.
In-Depth with Beth and Seth is on hiatus until October.
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Upcoming Memorial Services
A service for Charlie Lloyd will be held at Plymouth Saturday, July 2, at 2 p.m. In-person attendance is welcome, and the service will be livestreamed (available here).
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A service for Ruth Steimle will be held at Plymouth Saturday, July 9, at 1 p.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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Sabbatical Minister Rev. Cynthia Riggin
We are pleased to introduce Sabbatical Minister Cynthia Riggin, who will be filling in for Beth Hoffman Faeth July–September. Beth and Cynthia will co-lead Sunday worship on July 3, providing an opportunity for you to meet and welcome her.
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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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Community Safety Work Group Report
Plymouth’s Racial Justice Initiative and the Reimagining Community Safety Committee urge you to review the report of the group DeWayne has been co-chairing for several months. Mayor Frey’s Community Safety Work Group’s set of recommendations to the Mayor will be of interest to all of our members who live and work in or near Minneapolis.
This 22-member Work Group was truly grassroots, a virtual “team of rivals” drawn from many diverse communities in our City. At his press conference on Monday, June 27,
Mayor Frey called their report "robust" and said that he fully supports their recommendations and in fact already is working on some of the recommendations.
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Young Voices Sample Class
July 10, children ages 0-5 are invited to join Marie for a sample Young Voices music class. During the 10 a.m. hour children will play instruments, sing, and move - please meet Marie following the 9 a.m. service next week.
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Young Voices Sample Class
July 10, children ages 0-5 are invited to join Marie for a sample Young Voices music class. During the 10 a.m. hour children will play instruments, sing, and move - please meet Marie following the 9 a.m. service next week.
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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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Meaning, a Podcast
How do you think about the study of history? Many of us were conditioned to think of history as a set of dates and names to memorize: a static set of facts that suggest the story of the past. But according to longtime Plymouth member Annette Atkins, one studies history to bring today into contact with other times and populations. In the process, new questions emerge that lead to new understandings of both the past and the present.
A retired professor of history at St. John’s University and the College of St. Benedict, as well as the author of “Creating Minnesota: A History from the Inside Out,” Annette reflected with me about how she has made meaning out of the study of Minnesota’s past, as well as her search for meaning and self-identity in a post-teaching time of life.
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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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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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