“Unfortunately, the United States has never learned to listen to itself as if it were the enemy speaking”—Thomas M. Franck and Edward Weisband
“May our tears swell into a revolution” —Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis
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Revolutionary Tears
Rev. Dr. DeWayne L. Davis
I am writing this reflection on the second anniversary of the day that police officers murdered George Floyd. The day after an 18-year-old armed with an automatic rifle walked into an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, and killed 19 children and two teachers. The day after I shared with everyone in our weekly staff meeting that I have become accustomed to the flow of tears and the stubborn accompaniment of grief over the last couple of years. In my conceit, I assume that if I find the right words and sentences to write or preach, somehow, I could convince our elected officials, our friends and neighbors, and our siblings of faith to show enough will and courage to do something about guns and racism. But in my anger, I don’t want to hear any more words at all, not even my own.
I hope no one assumes that our tears mean nothing can be done or imply that we are impotent to make a change. I was heartened when I saw the post from Rev. Jacqui Lewis on social media when she prayed, “May our tears swell into a revolution.” I also recall the prophet Jeremiah’s oracle about “Rachel weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more” (Jer. 31:15). Located as it is in the mouth of a prophet, Rachel’s weeping is not because her hopelessness cannot be turned into hope. Instead, I see her tears as a desperate prayer for healing and restoration arising out of the realization that nobody appears to be doing anything to stop the impending calamity of death from occurring. We grieve the losses from these acts of terror in our communities, yet we refuse to see that we are the enemy we fear. Our lack of a will to change means that we must brace ourselves for the next time a gunman goes into a school, church, mosque, synagogue, or subway and break our hearts again. But today’s tears are a call to action.
How will we answer the prayers lifted up in the inconsolable crying of too many families grieving the loss of their children? How will we answer the cries of “Black lives matter!”? Let the resources of our faith—the lament songs of the psalter and the suffering faithful, the prophetic oracles of God’s messengers, and the good news of God’s presence in our midst—move us into a proactive, prophetic response to hate and violence. Without knowing if or how the Spirit of God may use us, let’s be bold enough to step out in faith and risk everything we have to gain our humanity and allow God to reward our work. May it be so.
DeWayne L. Davis
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May 29, 2022
Masking is strongly recommended.
There is a "Mask Only" Section available and marked for those wishing for extra security.
Schedule
Worship will be held in person and available online.
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Features music from The Jazz Trio
Musical Response
Song of Peace
Laura Caviani
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Coffee and Social Time
in Jones Commons
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Features music from the Plymouth Choir, the Solo Quintet, the Handbell Choir, and Sonja Thompson.
Anthems
ARIA AND CHORUS FROM “MESSIAH” George Frideric Handel
I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU COMFORTLESS Everett Titcomb
The prelude will begin at 10:45
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There will be NO Sundays at 5 service on Sunday, May 29, due to the holiday weekend. |
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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 Tom Heller on his birthday (May 29) by his wife, Mary Heller, and children, Sarah Grace Heller, Rebecca Heller, and Benjamin Heller.
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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 will be available at Plymouth.org.
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Contemplative Prayer is offered:
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Looking for Leadership Nominations
Plymouth’s Nominating Committee is seeking nominees for our Boards, Deacons, and Leadership Council (Chair-Elect). As soon as you can, please nominate yourself and/or others by clicking the button below. Plymouth has six Boards: Community Life, Finance and Administration, Fine Arts, Outreach, Spiritual Formation, and Worship. If you have any questions, contact a Board Chair or Eric Olson, Chair-elect. Thank you for your help.
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Leadership Council Discussion Regarding the Summer Embroidery
Plymouth's Leadership Council and Clergy invite Plymouth members into a conversation about the intention, images, and impact of the summer embroidery, Summer of the First Amendment. We will be together for 90 minutes beginning with a presentation followed by a time for questions and comments.
Please join us
June 5, 2022, at 3 p.m. in Guild Hall
We prefer to be in person, yet we understand that doesn't work for everyone. This presentation will also be made available as a webinar on the same date and time. A link to join the webinar is below; no registration is required.
Leadership Council hopes by the end of this program year, June 30, 2022, to amend the 2019 Embroidery Action Plan by deciding next steps for the summer embroidery, including whether to exhibit or rest it.
Nancy Gores, Chair, Leadership Council.
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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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Theater 45° presents
What We Hold: Plays of Black Healing
Theater 45° presents What We Hold: Plays of Black Healing. Commissioned two years ago, these three plays by Antonio Duke, C. Michael Menge, and Atlese Robinson are rooted in an experience of reading My Grandmother's Hands together. Directed by Kymani Kahlil, this performance is free of charge with no registration required. Monday, June 6, at 7 p.m. in Guild Hall at Plymouth Church, Minneapolis.
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Meaning, A Podcast
At Plymouth, like everywhere, groups form for all kinds of reasons: to work on projects, to learn about specific topics, to work on boards and committees, and often just for fun. But is there something that makes small groups formed in a spiritual community unique? I talked about it with Plymouth’s Minister for Congregational Care and Worship, Beth Hoffman Faeth, and it may not surprise you to hear that her answer is that yes, big things do happen in church-context small groups. In fact, for Beth, small groups are at once an anchor to community, a gateway to authenticity, and an invitation to transformation.
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Fill Lydia's Closet
Lydia Apartments will welcome 40 new residents starting in June. Let's help them out with items they need to make a home. The Beacon Leadership Task Force has set up a registry at Target where you can purchase items and they will be sent directly to Lydia.
Let’s fill Lydia’s closet!
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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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