“Life . . . is a struggle . . . an experience in both gain and loss, joy and sorrow. No life consists of nothing but success and satisfaction, security and self-gratification. Failure and disappointment, loss and pain are natural parts of the human equation. Then what?” —Joan Chittister
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Then What?
Rev. Dr. DeWayne L. Davis
Just as we rang in the New Year, the increase in new infections of COVID-19, including a new variant that appears to be easier to transmit, is forcing schools, churches, and theaters to cancel in-person gatherings or return to previous restrictions and protocols similar to the earliest days of the pandemic. It feels like we should be doing much better against COVID, given all of the effort and expense in addressing a global pandemic. It’s hard not to point the finger at the others whom we think aren’t doing enough or being careful enough for all of us to get back to normal. Confronted with potential exposures and infections in our community, we temporarily retreated from regular in-person gatherings.
It is unsettling to be thrown back into this place of uncertainty. I have been feeling some way about pulling back into quarantine. And just as I begin to give in to the exasperating question, “now what?” I remember Sister Joan Chittister’s meditation on the reality and acceptance that life is a struggle. Knowing that, “then what?” She invites us to search and experience the alleluia moments in life, “the awareness of another whole kind of reality—beyond the immediate, beyond the delusional, beyond the instant perception of things,” trusting in God’s presence during struggle. Just as this is a defining moment in how unsettling the times are, I have also experienced defining moments of love, joy, and gratitude that have inspired, fortified, and carried me through this time of increasingly bad news.
I pray we find our way to alleluia at this moment and resist the easy, elusive salve of normalcy or the immobilizing hopelessness that interferes with our imagination. I hope we take the long and lasting view that there are moments of revelation of love and good that helps us answer the question, “then what?” after we’ve confronted our loss and grief. There isn’t going to be normal anymore. We’ve lost too much; we remain at risk; more people will contract this disease. To overlook that reality to try to get back to some normalcy lends itself to missing out on the alleluia moments breaking through all the time. The inevitability of loss and pain should not lead us to assume that there won’t be alleluia moments in our future. There await us alleluia experiences that have the potential to endow us with a burst of new energy, a prophetic moral imagination, and a reservoir of new strength to seize the moment, drawing us closer to each other and to all that brings life. May it be so.
DeWayne L. Davis
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January 9, 2022
Online Worship Only
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The prelude begins prior to the service.
Music from the Jazz Trio
Music
LO, HOW A ROSE E'ER BLOOMING
"Es ist in Ros' Entsprungen," arr. Laura Caviani
Sundays at 10
Church School
Online Only
Sunday Forum
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The prelude begins prior to the service.
Music from the Solo Quintet and Philip Brunelle
Anthems
THERE SHALL A STAR COME OUT OF JACOB
Felix Mendelssohn
THE THREE KINGS
Catalan Nativity Song
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Chancel Flowers are given in loving memory of Mike Mattox by Jan Mattox; Tom Mattox; Leigh Mattox and Jimmy and Maggie Pfeffer; and Mindy Wichmann.
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Sundays at 5 is on hiatus for the Month of January.
Contemplative Prayer is offered:
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Update on Worship and COVID-19 as of January 5, 2022 |
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Dear Beloved Community,
I write today with unwelcome yet not surprising news. COVID-19 cases in Hennepin County and surrounding areas are exceedingly high, and the positivity test rate is above 10%. Additionally, experts suggest Minnesota will not reach its peak in Omicron-driven cases (a highly contagious variant) before the end of the month. Finally, COVID-19 has had a significant impact on our church staff, which is already stretched to capacity. Because of all these reasons, the Deacons approved recommendations by the Covid Advisory Group to offer livestream worship only through the month of January.
Both the 9 and 11 a.m. services will be livestreamed each week. Our choirs will also be on hiatus, so our quintet joins Philip Brunelle at 11 a.m., and the Jazz trio and Marie Scholtz will provide music at 9 a.m. On January 23, we will celebrate Confirmation with only one service at 11 a.m., and we will welcome Confirmands, their families, and mentors into the sanctuary to join the worship leaders that day.
We plan for a quiet January, hopeful that this will allow for reduced risk of exposure and spread, necessary healing amongst staff, and an improved situation in our community. In addition to changes in worship, here are other shifts in church programming:
- Sundays at 5 will continue to be on hiatus.
- Sunday Forum will be offered virtually only.
- All children and youth programming will be virtual only. This includes Sunday morning and Wednesday evening programming, as well as any other offerings.
- Boards, committees, groups, and gatherings will meet via Zoom.
- The building will be closed to visitors and volunteers.
- Staff will continue to work remotely as much as possible. Custodial and security staff will be onsite as needed.
We are committed to the missions of our church tenants, such as Academia Elze, Groveland Food Shelf, and the weekly Community Meal, and will support their operations and continue strong communication with them regarding current COVID-19 protocol.
I join you all in pandemic weariness. My oldest daughter, Ellie, who tested positive for Covid on December 23, has recovered and returned to her home in Boston. Unfortunately, my youngest daughter, Hannah, tested positive today and is very ill. This extends my quarantine, and I am grateful for all the ways to connect virtually, even in worship. Knowing we are all in need of signs of hope and long to grasp the promises a new year offers, I offer you this blessing:
The world now is too dangerous
And too beautiful
For anything but love.
Love is a blessing.
So may your eyes be so blessed that you see God in everyone
Your lips—so you speak nothing but the truth
Your ears—so that you hear the cry of the poor
May your hands be so blessed that everything you touch becomes a sacrament
Your feet—so that you run to those who need you
And may your heart be so opened
So set on fire
That your love
Your love
Changes everything.
—The Very Rev. Brian Baker
Love is a powerful force for good and can be offered and experienced even when we are not together. Let us open our hearts to love even in times of despair so as to be transformed and motivated by grace. May we be people of hope, may we be kind and caring, may we remain faithful in community.
Blessings,
Rev. Beth Hoffman Faeth
Minister for Congregational Care and Worship
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Children Youth & Families
Hi friends!
Right now, we are taking a break from in-person Sunday programs to help keep all of you healthy and in the place you need to be--school! Just because we are going back to virtual church school for a few weeks doesn't mean we can't do lots of fun things together. Stay tuned, because we are working on some zoom game days, Nighttime with Nina book reading is returning, and we are planning an outdoor fun day for the end of the month! MORE INFO AND MORE ACTIVITIES TO COME!
See the new schedule here!
Please keep washing your hands and wearing your mask, and we will see each other soon!
Love, Nina
P.S. Parents, we know that the constant changes and uncertainty that the pandemic brings is extremely hard on the mental health of oud young people. If there are things that would be helpful for your child/teen during this time, please reach our and let me know. I am here for them.
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Sunday Forum
January 9
10 a.m.
Homelessness and Housing Insecurity: A Spectrum of Needs and Responses
What portion of Plymouth’s neighbors are currently housing insecure? What do we mean when we talk about affordable housing? For those neighbors who do find themselves in crisis, what are some of the resources available, and what are the challenges to accessing and making full use of those resources? How do we meet immediate needs and create long-term solutions?
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New Member Introduction
On December 12, 2021, Plymouth Congregational was blessed with 10 new members. Each week we'll highlight a new member to introduce you to.
This week please welcome:
DeWayne L. Davis and Kareem Murphy
DeWayne Davis
DeWayne, Lead Minister of Plymouth Church, joined the congregation.
Kareem Murphy
Born in New England of southern heritage, I spent most of my adult life in and around Washington, DC. I’m married to DeWayne Davis (my college sweetheart) and a human parent to Eubie, a wonderful runt of a cocker spaniel. I love musical theater, photography, and 80s R&B music. Career-wise, I am a government affairs professional, currently running the Intergovernmental Relations program for Hennepin County. I’m a twin.
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As Seen on Plymouth.org
Plymouth is a vibrant active faith community full of many passions and many opportunities. This is reflected in all the activities, groups, and offerings at Plymouth Congregational Church and is visible in the depth of the content on our website, Plymouth.org.
Each week, we’ll highlight one thing you can find on Plymouth.org.
If one of your intentions for 2022 is to be more involved and help our community, you can find information about the many organizations Plymouth partners with under the “Act” menu selection. www.plymouth.org/act
From Plymouth.org, click on Act and scroll down to find information about community organizations under Serve, activism within our Church, or advertised volunteer opportunities.
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Church School!
Find out everything you need to know about what's going on with our Children, Youth, and Families here:
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Downtown Grief Coalition: Meeting on Zoom
We have transitioned back to Zoom for our Saturday morning meetings due to the uptick in COVID cases in our state and winter weather.
Meetings are every Saturday from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. and include a speaker and small group time. Please visit www.mplsgriefsupport.com for more information, schedule updates, and resources to help you grieve during these uncertain days.
Use the contact form on the homepage to use to inquire about Zoom credentials.
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Ongoing Tuesday Vigils for Justice
**** Note New Time: 12 Noon****
Racial Justice Initiative justice vigils are now being held from noon to 12:30 p.m. every Tuesday. Plans are to continue the vigils through the winter, weather permitting. 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
With growing rates of COVID-19 due to the Delta Variant, the number of breakthrough cases, and the extreme contagiousness of the variant; the PCC COVID Advisory Group has decided to re-implement the masking policy in the building.
As of Thursday, July 29, 2021: All Plymouth congregation members, staff, and guests, vaccinated and unvaccinated, will need to wear a mask inside the Plymouth building.
Our goal is to be proactive and preventative while our country gets a handle on the Delta Variant. Our COVID Advisory Group will continue to closely monitor the Delta Variant / COVID-19 and respond accordingly. 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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