“Every June the perennial question arises about the continuing need for Pride observances.”
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The Graced Opportunities of Pride
Rev. Dr. DeWayne L. Davis
Every June, as many of us in the LGBTQ community and our allies turn our focus to Pride parades, festivals, and celebrations, the perennial question arises about the continuing need for Pride observances. Of course, it primarily emanates from those of us with enough status and economic privilege to mitigate the negative consequences of ongoing anti-gay prejudice and discrimination. But I remember, for a gay Black boy whose family rejected him because of uncompromising, punitive theological constructs about sex and sexuality, to see not just people living fully and openly as LGBTQ but as people of faith at my first Pride celebration was life-saving. Amid the calls for civil and human rights and assertions of gay pride and visibility, I saw empowering messages of God’s extravagant love and unwavering grace toward LGBTQ people. These spiritual and religious expressions are the graced opportunities of Pride, in which LGBTQ people can encounter an unconditionally loving God often not found in churches.
When my family returned to a progressive, open, and affirming church after many years of absence, I met a 19-year-old young man whom I will call Marcus. Energetic and excitable, Marcus gravitated to my husband, me, and several other older Black men, looking for support and mentorship. We took him under our wing to protect him. We soon learned, however, that he had been traumatized by a rigidly religious family that rejected and condemned him because of his sexuality. I had assumed he was homeless because he often arrived at church appearing as if he’d slept in his clothes, or he could be seen walking around town without any apparent destination. I learned later that he still lived at home but often had to leave when his family trained their ire on him because of who he was.
The day after Marcus’s 21st birthday, he attempted suicide. When I visited him in the hospital and asked him how it had come to this, he replied, “I decided a while back that when I turned 21, and it had not gotten any better, I would end it.” He survived for a little over a week before he succumbed. By the time Marcus had encountered the graced opportunities of Pride, the damage of religious abuse and disregard had taken its toll. It was too late for a counter-message of God’s unconditional love for him to take root and sustain him. I remember Marcus often, especially during Pride. Whenever I assume we have overcome or doubt the need for Pride, I remember Pride began as resistance to oppression and the denial of our personhood. I remember there are still too many LGBTQ beloved who have not heard the good news of love and liberation for them just as they are. Pride is a reminder of the graced opportunities that remain before us because of love . . . love for ourselves, our partners, our friends, and our chosen family. Happy Pride!
DeWayne L. Davis
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June 26, 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
WE SHALL OVERCOME
Charles Albert Tindley
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Sharing Our Sacred Stories
with Sarah Lehman
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Church School goes to the Pride Parade
Gather at the tent.
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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 and Solo Quintet with guest organist Melanie Ohnstad and guest conductor Bert Pinsonneault.
Anthems
O PRAISE YE THE LORD
C.Hubert H. Parry
PIE JESU
Andrew Lloyd Webber
The prelude will begin at 10:45
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Due to summer scheduling conflicts and recent low attendance, our Sundays at 5 service will go on hiatus beginning this Sunday, June 19. 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 Terry and Ruth Hanold from Ruth, Doug, Cathy, and Mike Crane.
In-Depth with Beth and Seth is on hiatus until October.
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Upcoming Memorial Service
A service for Charlie Lloyd will be held at Plymouth Saturday, July 2, at 3 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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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 to attend. All are welcome. We will hold our discussion live and in person at the church, and we 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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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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Save the Date: Rebuild Ukraine
Tuesday July 19, 7 p.m.
An evening describing the present situation in Ukraine presented by Dr. Paul Gavrilyuk, with piano music of Ukrainian composer Silvestrov performed by Oral Atkin.
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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
What is your response to uncomfortable situations? How do you respond when confronted with a person or conversation that you disagree with, or that reveals a side of society or yourself that is hard to see? If you take your cues from social media or our popular culture, you might respond with anger, or defensiveness, or by distracting yourself from the source of the discomfort. But what does a spiritual path suggest as a more productive response?
I talked about this with Seth Patterson, Plymouth’s Minister for Spiritual Formation and Theater. He reflected on the constructive role that discomfort plays for him as a leader, as a performer, and as a community member.
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Notes From the Shelf Elf
Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents, is a beautifully written, eminently readable book by Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson. The 2020 title was born out of the research Wilkerson did on her first book, The Warmth of Other Suns. But make no mistake, Caste is not a sequel to Warmth. If anything, it might be considered a prequel or a foundation.
Caste is in our Elaine Marsh Library. It presents and compares the caste systems of American slavery, India, and Nazi Germany. Metaphor and story-telling are the bedrock methods used by Ms. Wilkerson to expand and deepen the reader’s understanding of caste systems. Among many other things, the book illuminates the relationship between American slavery and Nazi Germany and describes a momentous meeting of American and Indian “untouchables” in 1959.
The concepts of racism and caste are closely related, with caste being described as a skeleton upon which the skin of racism rests. Word pictures such as this help to provide greater visibility of a system that we know so intimately it’s virtually invisible.
Give Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents a try. Such an enjoyable read, you’ll be glad you did!
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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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