Thinking about Church Membership?  Please attend our Inquirer’s Class

Are you interested in learning what church membership looks like at Plymouth Congregational Church? We provide unique ways to explore and experience progressive Christianity, personal spirituality, the arts, and social justice, all within a supportive congregation. It is a special blessing to know the care and concern of others during the times we live in, and feeling rooted within a spiritual community can be life-affirming.

Is this the time for you to consider church membership?

This spring our membership classes will be spread out over several weeks:

• On Wednesday, May 1, at 6:45 p.m., we will offer an informal, informational dessert gathering. This is a time to share our stories, ask questions, and receive general information about Plymouth.
• Our “Inquirer’s Class” will be held on two consecutive Sundays, May 12 and May 19, at 10:00 a.m. In this two-session series, we will share some history of Plymouth, along with relevant information on governance, programs and activities, and vision for the future. While attending the Inquirer’s Class is an important step in the new member process, participating in the series does not obligate you to church membership. Following the classes, for those who are interested, you will be invited to participate in Membership Sunday on June 2.

The hope is that if you are pursuing membership at Plymouth you will attend all three new member opportunities. I also know that schedules are complicated, so if one or more of these gatherings are not possible for you, let me know and I will do my best to accommodate.

Please email me to let me know of your interest in participating in the New Member process and ask any questions you might have. I look forward to hearing from you . . . and to creating community with you!

Blessings,

Beth Hoffman Faeth
Minister for Congregational Life

Published in UCCmn.org, April 12, 2023

Original article here: https://www.uccmn.org/2023/04/12/an-easter-call-to-resurrecting-action-prevent-gun-violence-now/

Gun violence will continue to wreak havoc on communities and families until we determine to make a substantive change in policy and cultural norms. There are things we can do right now to make our voices heard and mobilize for change. This list offers a start, including some immediate action needed in Minnesota to effect policy change.

• Watch this April 11 press conference with Protect Minnesota and Attorney General Keith Ellison to learn more about the bills being considered and the urgency to the issue.
• Contact your state Senators to express your support for these bills. Find their contact info here. Consider a letter-writing campaign in your congregation.
• If you’re a pastor, consider signing this letter written by the Interfaith Alliance of Protect Minnesota directed to Senators about the hearings and related bills this week.
• Reach out to Jared at Protect Minnesota to learn more about their Interfaith Alliance and be part of the ongoing movement in Minnesota to reduce gun violence.
• Download the Congregational Toolkit from Protect Minnesota to help you have conversations about gun violence and take action for its prevention in your congregation and in your community.
• Join the momentum toward a federal assaults weapons ban. The House of Representatives narrowly passed such a ban in 2022; it’s time for the Senate to do the same. Reach out to our Senators easily using this form from March for Our Lives, telling them to vote YES to an assault weapons ban.
• Lift personal and congregational prayers: for grieving victims’ families and friends, for traumatized communities, for medical and law enforcement personnel and chaplains who respond, for a nation and a state to find the will and the means to meaningfully change gun safety policy and prevent gun violence in our time.