Midwinter: Winter Revival (ages 0–adult)
For the next two months, Sandy Spieler, our truly remarkable Children, and Youth Specialist will help us create a liturgy and performance around the importance of water in our lives. This performance, which will include masks, puppetry, music, and movement, is designed to be intergenerational.
There are two options to participate:
Wednesday
January 11, 18, 25,
February 1, 8, 15, 22
7:15-8 p.m.
Room 204
Sandy will be working with a core group of adults, teens, and children to create the performance that happens during the worship service on February 26.
People who sign up for this are committing to attend these 7 sessions with Sandy and will be creating masks of different animals that live by and interact with water, as well as a “liturgy” that will be used on Sunday, February 26. Register here!
Please note: participating on Wednesdays means you are committing to being part of BOTH the 9 and 11 a.m. worship services on February 26. We will present at both services; participants will be at church from approximately 8:30-noon on that Sunday.
Sundays, as you are able to
January 8, 15, 22, 29
February 5, 12, 19
10-10:50 a.m.
Rooms 205, 204, and 203
All ages are invited to come work on an art installation that will be put together as part of the worship service on February 26.
We will be making art for the worship service, including “box puppets,” where each puppet interacts with a river. All the boxes together will form a long river that will be incorporated into the worship service. Every young person ages three and up through high school who is present on Sundays from 10-10:50 will participate in this art-making, and any and all adults are invited to participate as well. Creating art alongside one another is a wonderful way to make new friends and acquaintances.
Plymouth Film Club: “Gold Fever”
Sun., Jan. 29. Guest Host—Immigration Welcoming Group
On Sunday, Jan. 29, Plymouth Film Club is showing “Gold Fever” (2013, 84 min., documentary) at 12:30 pm. Guest host Plymouth Immigration Welcoming Group chose the film and will lead a discussion afterward.
The film shows the impoverished lives of those controlled, says IMDB.com, by “gold, an obsession of men and nations; a symbol of wealth and power. For Diodora, Gregoria, Crisanta and the people living near the Marlin Mine in Guatemala’s highlands, gold represents oppression, intimidation, pollution and even murder. With the rising price of gold, the mine’s owner, Goldcorp, posts record profits, while these courageous women live in resistance to the mine’s unstoppable hunger.”
Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, well known in the Twin Cities as a pacifist author, Minnesota politician, and University of St. Thomas professor, and Noam Chomsky, the celebrated U.S. linguist and social critic, are among the cast who portray themselves. The film has been featured at several film festivals and well shows why immigrants leave their countries to pursue new lives in the U.S.
Film Club uses large-wall projection downstairs in Jackman Hall with wide spacing for seating and with the folding doors to the Lenmark Room open at its back. For the discussion, we may move into Lenmark.
Coffee and tea available. Lunch: Bring your own, go to Cajun Boiling (open at noon) for takeout (sandwiches et al.), or call Social House (Ethiopian) after 10 am for takeout. Tables in Jackman for eating. Be back by 12:30 for the start of the film!
Book Study. The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together
Book Study: Tuesdays at 10:30 am & Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
Led by Peter Eichten
The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, by Heather McGhee.
In the 1950s and 1960s, white officials in communities across the country opted to drain their public swimming pools rather than integrate them. Generations later, the United States still hasn’t recognized that racism has a cost for everyone. This book is an excellent analysis of how we arrived here: divided and self-destructing, materially rich but spiritually starved and vastly unequal. Our future can look different. This five-week course will dive deep into the material in the book and help us to learn what we can all do to prosper together. The course will be held in-person only on Tuesday mornings from 10:30 – 12:00 and repeated on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 – 8:00. The course will begin on January 17 and run consecutively for five weeks. Registration is required.
This offering is sponsored by the Racial Justice Initiative and is open to all interested individuals. Plymouth members are encouraged to invite friends and family to join you for this rich review and meaningful discussion.
Climate and Environmental Justice Speaker Series
Second Monday of the month from 6-7 p.m. Zoom
All are welcome!
Monday, January 9, 6:00-7:00
The Ukrainian and European Energy Crisis: A Personal View
What is the outlook for Ukraine and Europe’s energy? Join us to learn about Ukraine’s history and the current situation as the war with Russia rages on. Ukrainian Paul Jablonsky has studied the long-term history of Ukrainian-Russian energy dynamics. He will share his insights and answer questions.
Speaker: Paul Jablonsky, President, Ukrainian American Community Center, Mpls
Please register in advance via this zoom link –
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86546130120?pwd=eFMvL1A2S1JERGhKdks5K0hsTGRpUT09
Monday, February 13, 6:00-7:00
Stand Alone Battery Energy Storage: its role in the transition to a zero carbon economy and renewable energy.
How are large scale batteries helping to speed the transition to clean energy? Join us to learn about the work of Power Plus, a major standalone battery storage company working to support energy production from wind, solar and other green technologies.
Speaker: Rachel Walker, Plymouth member and Development team member at Plus Power, LLC.
Please register in advance via this zoom link –
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83570488944?pwd=V25RZXV1dUdGQWRhOGNXS1Bad1pPUT09
Monday, March 13, 6:00-7:00
Solar Opportunities for Your Home
Are you interested in shifting to solar energy for your home? Considering adding solar to your roof or possibly subscribing to a solar garden instead? Join us to learn the basics of solar energy, resources to determine if solar is right for your home and find out about financial incentives for installing solar.
Speaker: Diana McKeown, Metro CERTs (Clean Energy Resource Teams) Director
Please register in advance via this zoom link –
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89428555659?pwd=c3pQS01mVjVMTEh4MW1OUm1IRllZQT09
Now Hiring – Director of Spiritual Formation
Director of Spiritual Formation
Position Summary
The Director of Spiritual Formation will lead and supervise the spiritual formation activities and programming of Plymouth Congregational Church of Minneapolis by providing direction, vision, and oversight for a variety of developmental initiatives for members and visitors, including classes, workshops, retreats, and special events. The Director will also look to develop new opportunities to enhance the discipleship, personal development, and spiritual lives of members and guests of Plymouth Church. This position visions the arc of all spiritual formation with an explicit focus on programming for adults of all ages.
Plymouth Congregational Church is a progressive faith community grounded in the Christian tradition. In mutual care and respect for our diverse understandings of God, we seek to embody the radical love and justice found in the life, teachings, and spirit of Jesus.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary coordinator with the Board of Spiritual Formation on all aspects of spiritual formation for Plymouth Church.
- Direct, teach, and recruit teachers/facilitators for all classes/workshops/retreats for adults.
- Serve as liaison to the Board of Spiritual Formation plus necessary committees:
- Sunday Forum
- Contemplatives
- Library Committee
- Spiritual Exploration
- Manage, plan, and promote Sundays @ 10 activities.
- Recruit and manage volunteers for Spiritual Formation classes, activities, and programming.
- Work with the Clergy team to coordinate themes, vision, and church events.
- Manage and plan budget for all Spiritual Formation and Children/Youth expenditures
- Plan, coordinate, and teach Confirmation.
- Collaborate with the Director of Children and Youth Ministries to integrate young people into the life of the church.
- Collaborate with other Plymouth groups (e.g., Racial Justice Initiative, Climate & Environmental Justice Committee, Immigration Welcoming Working Group) to offer opportunities for experiential, intellectual and embodied learning.
- Help promote spiritual formation activities, programming, and opportunities beyond the walls of Plymouth.
- Attend Leadership Council meetings plus Board of Spiritual Formation and committee meetings.
- Support and assist in worship services as needed.
- Attend weekly staff meetings.
- Have availability on evenings and weekends, as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Education, Spiritual Direction, Spiritual Formation, Pastoral Care, Counseling, or related field.
- A minimum of three (3) years of experience in spiritual formation, professional ministry, higher education, or related experience.
- Ability to effectively reach and teach a diverse population of people.
- Outstanding supervisory skills.
- Outstanding written and communication skills.
General
- Fulltime, exempt position
- Salary: $65,000 – $68,000 with benefits
Application Instructions
- Please email a cover letter and resume as one document to BethF@plymouth.org.
Campus Task Force, Did You Know?
Our neighbors include people who live in the neighborhood, institutions that run non–profits or businesses, and those individuals who move in and out – who bus, work or are homeless. We have been able to meet with many individuals and groups of neighbors who responded to our questions about how we can be better neighbors and strengthen our neighborhood together. We’ve also had dozens of more casual, on- the-street conversations. Generally, they seem to trust our good intentions. We on the Campus Task Force are eager to help Plymouth move beyond intentions. We’re talking about transformational change.
Plymouth’s long, rich tradition of helping our neighbors and neighborhood by providing direct services to people with various needs has begun to morph toward changing the conditions that underly their challenges. Compassion has and will always matter. But as we prepare to make recommendations to the Deacons in December, we believe it’s time to strengthen and transform our commitment to racial and economic equity. We believe we should create a new model for concrete changes that will enhance the well-being of our neighbors and the neighborhood we share.
Fortunately, and not unsurprisingly, a growing number of more than 125 church and staff members inspired these themes above and added specific ways we might honor this path toward justice. But what do our neighbors say? In the most general of terms, they include the following:
- Might Plymouth create a community center, a hub that offers a continuum of services that help neighbors build more independent lives? Job-related, medical screening, and support services for teens are just examples.
- Could neighbors participate in programs Plymouth is already offering its members? Music and theatre programs, gallery exhibits, Helping Hand program on Wednesday nights are among those cited.
- Might neighbors use various spaces – theatre, sanctuary, library gallery for their own performances and exhibits, chapel for memorial services for people who don’t have or can’t afford their own spaces, safe inside spaces to relax with others?
- Might we host or co-host occasional social block parties, musical events at or outside Plymouth?
- Will our members become actively involved in our neighborhood and participate in their organizational events?
- Will Plymouth and its member advocate for public policies or recommendations that improve the neighborhood?
- Above all, will we partner with them in deciding what programs, services and assets might made at Plymouth and in the surrounding neighborhood?
Stay tuned as we come back with more thoughts in two weeks. Do you have ideas you want us to consider as we develop our recommendations to the Deacons? Please contact Sonia Cairns, scairns@mosscairns.com Thank you, members and staff, for your energy, creative ideas, and commitment to making the real and bold change on behalf of our neighbors and the neighborhood we share.
Campus Task Force Update
Did You Know?
Who are our neighbors? How can we work with them for sustainable change?
Our neighbors include people who live in the neighborhood, institutions that run non–profits or businesses, and those individuals who move in and out – who bus, work or are homeless. We have been able to meet with many individuals and groups of neighbors who responded to our questions about how we can be better neighbors and strengthen our neighborhood together. We’ve also had dozens of more casual, on- the-street conversations. Generally, they seem to trust our good intentions. We on the Campus Task Force are eager to help Plymouth move beyond intentions. We’re talking about transformational change.
Plymouth’s long, rich tradition of helping our neighbors and neighborhood by providing direct services to people with various needs has begun to morph toward changing the conditions that underly their challenges. Compassion has and will always matter. But as we prepare to make recommendations to the Deacons in December, we believe it’s time to strengthen and transform our commitment to racial and economic equity. We believe we should create a new model for concrete changes that will enhance the well-being of our neighbors and the neighborhood we share.
Fortunately, and not unsurprisingly, a growing number of more than 125 church and staff members inspired these themes above and added specific ways we might honor this path toward justice. But what do our neighbors say? In the most general of terms, they include the following:
- Might Plymouth create a community center, a hub that offers a continuum of services that help neighbors build more independent lives? Job-related, medical screening, and support services for teens are just examples.
- Could neighbors participate in programs Plymouth is already offering its members? Music and theatre programs, gallery exhibits, Helping Hand program on Wednesday nights are among those cited.
- Might neighbors use various spaces – theatre, sanctuary, library gallery for their own performances and exhibits, chapel for memorial services for people who don’t have or can’t afford their own spaces, safe inside spaces to relax with others?
- Might we host or co-host occasional social block parties, musical events at or outside Plymouth?
- Will our members become actively involved in our neighborhood and participate in their organizational events?
- Will Plymouth and its member advocate for public policies or recommendations that improve the neighborhood?
- Above all, will we partner with them in deciding what programs, services and assets might made at Plymouth and in the surrounding neighborhood?
Stay tuned as we come back with more thoughts in two weeks. Do you have ideas you want us to consider as we develop our recommendations to the Deacons? Please contact Sonia Cairns, scairns@mosscairns.com Thank you, members and staff, for your energy, creative ideas, and commitment to making the real and bold change on behalf of our neighbors and the neighborhood we share.