“There are not sacred and profane things, places, and moments. There are only sacred and desecrated things, places, and moments—and it is we alone who desecrate them by our blindness and lack of reverence. It is one sacred universe, and we are all a part of it”
—Richard Rohr
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One Sacred Universe
Rev. Dr. DeWayne L. Davis
As we welcome the singers and artists of Beyoncé Mass to Plymouth Church, I have allowed my imagination to run wild about the possibilities that people who attend the performance would re-think worship and reconsider church as a part of their spiritual journey. I grew up in a religious tradition that thought art and music that were not explicitly biblical were theologically empty and, thus, profane. With that easy dichotomy imposed on our imagination, so much beautiful prose, poetry, and music were verboten in the church of my youth. But in the music and lyrics of Beyoncé shared in the context of corporate worship, the lives, bodies, and voices of Black women and other marginalized populations become the witness to the sacred worth of all. It is a reminder that the current church has moved far afield from the approach of the peasant rabbi who pronounced blessings on the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the persecuted, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. So, although I have yet to see it, I sense the sacred in the performance.
I love Father Richard Rohr’s conclusion that “there are not sacred and profane things” and that we are all part of “one sacred universe.” If the faithful could see all God’s children as part of one sacred universe, the church, worship, and the beloved community would be seen, more than anywhere else, as the places that affirm the lives, bodies, and voices of all those who have been relegated to the margins. Can you imagine what the world could be like if we beheld each other with eyes of recognition? Recognition that God is present in, through, and around us; that the Divine spark is always there to ignite the powerful presence of love and peace among us. It means letting that love flourish and inspire transformative change that overcomes hate, venom, and murder that crouch at the door to destroy life. It is the recognition that nobody is ever outside or away from the presence of Divine Love, and therefore, we ought never to be un-reconciled to those who are beloved of God.
So, I invite you to join us in the singing, dancing, worshipping and affirming one another as God’s beloved as we hear and sing the works of a Black woman exploring her questions, struggles, and journey to wholeness. I pray that the experience will affirm your life and lift your spirit, letting the presence of Divine mercy, love, and grace always fill us with love, compassion, and grace for our neighbors.
May it be so.
DeWayne L. Davis
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May 15, 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 and Chapel Singers
Musical Response
Gonna Get Through This World, Lisa Gutkin
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Coffee and Social Time
in Jones Commons
Church School
Education Wing
Sunday Forum
Chapel
How the Streets Were Made
Group Discussion Hour
Sharing Our Sacred Stories
Hearing From the Heart
Fireside Room
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Features music from the Plymouth Choir, the Solo Quintet, the Handbell Choir, and Philip Brunelle.
Anthems
My Beloved Spake Unto Me, Thomas Tomkins
Tempus Adest Floridum (Spring Carol) Piae Cantiones, 1582
The prelude will begin at 10:45
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Celtic Weavings (3rd Sundays) – a service that celebrates the cycles of land, sea, and sky, affirming our connection to and the presence of Mystery within it. |
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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 John “Jack” Parsons, Jr., by Joan Parsons and family.
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Contemplative Prayer is offered:
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Upcoming Memorial
Plymouth Church will host a memorial service for Ann Manning Tuesday, May 17, at 10 a.m.
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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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Help for Ukraine
Together the beloved community of Plymouth Congregational Church raised $17,380 for the United Church of Christ Ukraine Relief Fund.
Uniting in prayer, action, and giving, we stand as a people of faith in love and compassion with the people of Ukraine and all who are affected, and with our global partners who are welcoming those driven from their homes.
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Sunday Forum
How the Streets Were Made: Housing Segregation and Black Life in America
Explore the creation of “the streets” not just as a physical space produced by housing policies, but also as a sociocultural entity that has influenced our understanding of blackness in America for decades.
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New Members Inquirer's Class
Would you like to know more about what it means to be a member of Plymouth Church? Please attend our Inquirer’s Class on May 15 at 10 a.m. Session includes the sharing of our stories, a history of Plymouth, and relevant information on governance, programs, and activities, and vision for the future. Attendance does not obligate you to church membership. Those who are interested will be invited to participate in Membership Sunday on June 5. Please contact Beth Hoffman Faeth if you plan to attend.
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Immigration Immersion Trip Opportunity
A trip for Plymouth members and friends is being planned for Feb 18–25, 2023, to the Tucson, AZ/Mexico border. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about and witness the social and political realities of immigrants at our southern border. Please contact Nancy Siska at npsiska@gmail.com for more information. Space is limited and there is much enthusiasm, so please inquire as soon as possible if you are interested! |
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Come worship with us at this groundbreaking service that uses the music and life of Beyoncé as a tool to cultivate an empowering conversation about Black women—their lives, their bodies, and their voices. Beyoncé Mass creates a space of story, scripture, and song that calls for the liberation of all people.
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Admission is FREE.
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Deepening Our Roots: Plymouth Land History Presentation
The plots of land upon which Plymouth has resided during its procession down Nicollet Avenue were sacred ground long before our forebears laid the first cornerstone at 4th and Nicollet in 1857. We now have a unique opportunity to learn the history of that land thanks to a project by Twin Cities researcher Jessica Intermill, who is working with several religiously affiliated groups in the area to explore this history.
Pease join in on one of three identical sessions during which Ms. Intermill will present her fascinating study and lead a Q&A session. Sponsored by the Deacons, the presentation is offered as a learning opportunity to enrich our understanding of our roots.
Hold one of these dates now and watch for more information:
- May 15, 12:15 p.m. in person in the Chapel
- May 17, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
- May 19, 10:00 a.m. via Zoom
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Campus Task Force Round Tables
Join other members at the Round Table conversations. We are eager to hear your thoughts and dreams about how we can make our church, property and land more hospitable to our neighbors and guests and to create a stronger sense of community.
One-hour discussions will be held on Sundays, May 15 and 29, at 12:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room, and on Sunday, May 22, at 10 a.m. in the Parson's room.
Zoom conversations will be held on Tuesdays, May 17 and 24 at 6:30 p.m. and on Wednesdays, May 18 and 25 at 10 a.m.
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The Agitators
On May 20, 2022, The Carleton Choir and Jazz Ensemble will premiere a new work by Laura Caviani, Director of Jazz Area and Senior Lecturer at Carleton College. The work is entitled: “The Agitators”, and was commissioned by the College’s Choir, under the direction of Matthew Olson. A year in the making, this 40–minute work sets to music the inspiring words of historically significant social activists from our country’s past: Fredrick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, Emma Lazarus, and Carleton's own Paul Wellstone, who was also a United States Senator for Minnesota.
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Habitat for Humanity
Join other Plymouth members and friends as a Habitat for Humanity volunteer for one or more days during the week of May 24-27. We will be working on a home at 3921 24th Ave S, Minneapolis.
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Want to help out?
We need volunteers to help people find their way around the building during the Life Skills Fair time commitment 9:45 a.m.- 11 a.m., and volunteers to help serve lunch 11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. Email Nina to help out!
For the Life Skills Fair, we need GIFT CARDS! Grocery stores, Trader Joe's, Target, Five Below, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Thrift Stores, Home Depot, and Lowes--cards in all amounts are gratefully accepted! We are also looking for other giveaways, including potted succulents and other small potted plants, colorful throw pillows, fleece blankets, toolsets, etc. All donations can be brought to Nina's office, at the top of the stairs in the education wing.
Items are needed by Thursday, May 19!
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Children, Youth, & Families
and Church School
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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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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. We will be together for 90 minutes beginning with a presentation followed by a time for questions and comments.
Please join us on May 23, 2022, at 7 p.m. in or on June 5, 2022, at 3 p.m. in Guild Hall. Leadership Council hopes by the end of this program year, June 30, 2022, to amend the 2019 Embroidery Action Plan by deciding whether to exhibit or rest the Summer Embroidery: Summer of the First Amendment.
Nancy Gores, Chair, Leadership Council.
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"Sofas and Tables and Chairs...Oh MY!"
Furniture Drive May 14, 2022
9 a.m.–noon at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church
(511 Groveland Ave, Minneapolis)
Donations of gently used furniture will be accepted and will then be given to guests of Align MPLS’s network of outreach programs to assist in furnishing new apartments in a dignified and safe manner.
Questions? Contact Julia at 612-317-3413 or jfreeman@mary.org.
No beds, appliances, large desks or construction materials, please.
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Senior Violin Recital
Spencer is graduating from St Paul Academy this Spring. Beginning Fall 2022, he will attend Berklee College of Music, studying Music Production and Violin.
Spencer has grown up in the Plymouth community and in its loving support. All are welcome to attend and celebrate this milestone with Spencer.
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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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