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03. THE VIEW FROM HERE 04. PLYMOUTH’S NEW OPERATIONS MANAGER 05. YOUTH & CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES SNO-CONE SOCIAL! 06. THANK YOU, SUSAN ANDERSON ! RUN & NATURE WALK 07. ADVOCACY PROCESS DISCERNMENT TEAM 08. SUPPLY DONATION DRIVE 09. DADS & LITTLES 10. CONFIRMATION CLASS 11. YOUTH LATE NIGHT! 12. YOUTH HANDBELL CHOIRS 13. VIRTUAL AUCTION 2021 14. WELCOME SUNDAY! 16. NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION 17. PLYMOUTH ACADEMY 18. PLYMOUTH SERVICE CORPS 19. PUB THEOLOGY 20. BACK TO SCHOOL: HOW TO MAKE THE TRANSITION FOR CHILDREN EASIER 22. COVENANT GROUPS 23. CARE MINISTRIES 24. PLYMOUTH HISTORY COMMITTEE REPORT: THE FIRST JULY 4TH IN LAWRENCE, KANSAS 26. CAN’T MAKE IT TO CHURCH? TUNE INTO OUR VIDEO BROADCASTS 27. VIDEO TECH VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

growing pain that leads to new understanding. Maturing in faith is a life’s work. I believe it’s the kind of work that’s best undertaken in community. That’s why we’re launching a new community of learning at Plymouth this fall. Faith Foundations is a ten-week experience for people seeking a deeper grounding in Christian faith and practice. Over fifteen sessions, including an overnight retreat, participants will be invited to encounter God in ways that challenge the mind, restore the soul, and draw us closer to one another.

Requirements for participation:  

A desire to grow in the love of God and neighbor. Commitment to attend Wednesday evening sessions from 9/15 – 11/17.  Commitment to weekly worship attendance for the duration of the course.  Participation in an overnight retreat (Friday evening through Saturday afternoon, 10/1-10/2). If you’ve reached a transition point in life where the old answers just don’t fit the questions you’re asking now, Faith Foundations may be the right next step. If you grew up in a religious community that left you with some scars, Faith Foundations might offer a path toward healing. If it seems like it’s finally time to gain some clarity about what you believe in and why, Faith Foundations is definitely for you. I’m looking forward to a rich conversation with the Faith Foundations community this fall. Of course, it will be even better if you’re part of it.

“I

Stay tuned to future church communications for more details. If you’re ready to sign up to join Faith Formations this fall, send us an email today!

thought I knew what I believed about God but after this year, I’m not so sure...”

“Why would a loving God permit my world to fall apart like this?’ “The Bible scares me sometimes. Does that mean I’m not a real Christian?” “Jesus lived a long time ago. What could he teach me that’s relevant now?” Questions like these are on a lot of people’s minds. I hear them all the time. What always surprises me is how often the people asking these questions think they’re alone. Trust me. If you have real questions about Christian life and practice, you are in excellent company. Smart people ask questions. Sometimes we come to doubt the assumptions we’ve held for a long time. That might feel uncomfortable and disorienting, or it might feel as if your heart’s just not in it anymore. I don’t believe these are signs that you’ve outgrown Christianity. Consider this: in more than two thousand years, is it really likely that you’ve stumbled onto a question no one’s ever asked before or a doubt so deep it has no answer? I suppose it’s possible. But, much more likely, you’re experiencing the kind of spiritual

t is our great joy to introduce a new member of the Plymouth staff. We welcome Tim Russell as Plymouth’s Operations Manager. This newly created role for the church aims to strengthen the core of our shared community life. As Plymouth’s Operations Manager, Tim will refine the church’s operational processes, manage human resources, sharpen our project management skills, and ensure that all our public-facing events are planned and executed to a high standard of excellence. Tim is a seasoned professional in nonprofit management with significant experience in leading arts organizations. He has a bachelor’s degree in Theater from Baker University, which he put to considerable use in theatre management, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration focused in non-profit management from Park University. Welcome, Tim!

e have fantastic faith formation opportunities for children, youth & adult mentors this fall.

ming (including 6th-8th grade confirmation) for the 2021-2022 year!

5:30 pm – Gather in the Mayflower Room.

Invite a friend or neighbor to learn more about our transformative faith formation opportunities for all ages.

5:45 pm – Break out in small groups (PreK/ elementary, middle & high school).

Join us on Sunday, August 15, in the Mayflower Room at Plymouth Congregational to learn more about children's programming, choirs, handbell choirs, and youth program-

6:10 pm – SnoCones and Funnel Cake in the Courtyard! Grab your sno-cone "to go" or stay for fellowship and funnel cake.

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In Susan’s Own Words Dear Plymouth Friends,

ur beloved and gifted Director of Christian Education, Susan Anderson, is preparing to transition out of her role over the following months. Susan stepped up to serve as Interim Director of Christian Education six years ago. She’s generously shared her heart and her remarkable skills for leadership with children and families for much longer than she probably anticipated at that time. Susan’s given us an extraordinary gift, one which many families have received with deep gratitude. Thank you, Susan. We hope to call a new staff member into service this fall. In the meantime, Susan’s not going anywhere. She’s preparing for all fall programming, including Sunday School and Plymouth Academy, for a smooth handoff when the time comes. Susan and her family will continue to be active members of Plymouth, and she plans to continue volunteering with the children – so we’ll still see a lot of her!

I wanted to let you know that I have decided to step down from my position as Director of Christian Education at Plymouth Church. I have loved working at Plymouth, and it will continue to be my church home. Stepping down was a very hard decision, and I am proud of the CE board and staff members' work during the six years I served as director. During that time, we accomplished so much: we started the summer Sunday School program, a valentine outreach program, the middle school service trip to Heifer Ranch, organized trips to the United Church of Christ National and Regional Youth events, took the youth to Germany, provided at-home curriculum for all ages, and outdoor events during the pandemic, trained many new OWL teachers and maintained existing Christian Education programs. Working with the Plymouth staff has been wonderful, and I am so thankful for the years we have spent together carrying out Plymouth's mission. I will especially treasure time spent with the Sunday school kids, youth and collaborating with colleagues. I am looking forward to continuing to volunteer with the children and youth programs. With Love, Susan Anderson

rom active partnering with local service groups to our justice-seeking Working Groups, we strive to live out our faith in community with others. Often compromising the effectiveness of this work can be the policies and proposed legislation at the local and state levels. Community partners have realized considerable change at the local level, but we have not had a concentrated effort at the state level. Since 2020 the Plymouth Mission and Service Board has been examining this gap and considering possible solutions. This past March, the Kansas Legislature proposed - and came very close to passing - bills discriminating against our transgender children. The need for effective, immediate responses to issues that do not align with our mission and faith was pushed to the forefront. Our Open and Affirming working group wrote a beautiful statement telling our children that God and the people of Plymouth accept them as they are and for who they are, but we had no mechanism in our Church governance to share the statement publicly. Thus the creation of the Advocacy Process Discernment Team (APDT). We seek to define a procedure and rubric that will allow Plymouth to identify and take action on a position for or against an issue. We both welcome and seek your input. In the next few months, we will schedule listening sessions between the services and in Zoom meetings. Some of our questions for the congregation include the following: 

Should Plymouth take positions on issues happening in our community, state, country, and world?



What process should be followed in determining positions?

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Who will be responsible for discerning if requested actions are in line with Plymouth positions?

On Sunday, August 8, Devon Kim provided the Mission Moment during both services to introduce the APDT, the goals being defined, and the questions being asked. The APDT also lead a Fellowship Forum between services in the Chapel to gather immediate feedback from the Mission Moment sharing. On Wednesday, August 11, the APDT held its first Zoom listening session. Look for information on more zoom meetings to come.

he Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA), a multi-faith legislative advocacy organization, will present the Moment for Mission on Sunday, August 15. During that time, Rabbi Moti Reiber will share information about how KIFA “puts faith into action” by educating, engaging, and advocating on behalf of people of faith and the public regarding critical social, economic, and climate justice issues. We hope you will join us!

e are calling all Plymouth Dads! A new group is forming where Dads and their littles will meet up at playgrounds around Lawrence on the first Saturday of each month. The intended age range for littles is 0 - 6, with older siblings more than welcome to tag along. So dads, bring your kiddos out for some fun and fellowship with other Plymouth members. We hope to see you at future gatherings. Coffee and donuts will be provided. If you have any questions or want information on upcoming gatherings, feel free to contact Ben Miller-Coleman.

o you know families with Middle School students who need extra support & resources this year? Help spread the word about our amazing, inclusive, and transformative Confirmation Program. During Confirmation (6th-8th Grades) at Plymouth Congregational Church, we will explore our faith together and learn about the Christian tradition in an open-minded, inclusive environment. We allow our students to articulate what they believe and how they feel called to live out their own unique faith expression in this season. Sign up here or email Rev. Caroline Lawson Dean with any questions!

What if my student is in the 8th grade and signs up? Our 8th-grade students will get extra curriculum/experiences this year since their confirmation programming year will run one year (instead of multiple years).

At the end of the confirmation program (in the spring of 8th grade), the students are given the opportunity to join Plymouth Church during the confirmation ceremony officially. In addition, our 8th-grade class will receive supplemental curriculum/programming since they have Confirmation for one year.

What if we have a friend who wants to attend the middle school youth programming? They are welcome to participate in our upcoming Youth and Families Orientation on August 15th at 5:30 p.m. to learn more about the program. Friends are also always welcome to try out Confirmation throughout the year to see if they want to sign up. In addition, our monthly Youth Service Corps Projects and “Late Nights” are also open to friends! See next page. The Late Night sign up is here!

The confirmation program is robust and offers each student a rich small group opportunity, alongside dynamic small group leaders. We will also explore local service opportunities to help us connect with Plymouth’s mission partners and service-learning opportunities that fuel our faith. Our confirmation program also emphasizes worship attendance, and families will receive regular communications, including discussion guides for their own conversations at home.

or almost 50 years, the handbell choirs have been a musical tradition at Plymouth Church. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we were unable to start new middle school ringers. This year, all middle school students will have the opportunity to start ringing handbells simultaneously and progress together. Playing handbells is a fun team-building musical ensemble. Each person plays different handbells, so every person’s part is important. New ringers do not need to be able to read music to play. Lee Ann Thompson and Kim Manz will teach everything: rhythm, note values, ringing techniques, and more. It would be wonderful to have a large middle school handbell choir at Plymouth. We have a newly renovated Bell Room and an enormous number of handbells that want to be played. Please consider having your middle school student give handbells a try. Rehearsals will be from 4-4:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoons before Confirmation. Please contact Kim Manz, Minister of Music and Fine Arts, if you have any questions. We look forward to meeting and working with your middle school youth.

e invite all high school students to join the existing High School Handbell Choir. New ringers are always welcome and do not need to be able to read music to play. Lee Ann Thompson and Kim Manz will teach everything: rhythm, note values, ringing techniques, and more. Playing handbells is a fun team-building musical ensemble. Each person plays different handbells, so every person’s part is important. Rehearsals are Sunday mornings from 11-11:30 a.m. in the Bell Room on the second floor of North Church. So join your friends in ringing! Please contact Kim Manz, Minister of Music and Fine Arts, if you have any questions.

et's stock our Auction with your choice goods! Have items stored in your garage, attic, or spare room that you were going to get rid of someday? Do you have a talent, event, art object, vacation home, or timeshare to offer? Of course, everyone has gifts that are valuable to others. Now is the time to donate them to the 2021 Plymouth Virtual Auction so their value can be translated into financial support for our mission partners. We ask that the items have a value of at least about $20, and as a general rule, we are not encouraging donations of books, electronics, shoes, or clothes. If you promise an item to the Plymouth Virtual Auction, please refrain from shopping this same item on other sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace until our auction is complete. We can make a meaningful difference when we work together.

MAKE YOUR DONATIONS RIGHT HERE!

he Auction will run September 5th September 19. At the end of the auction our auction volunteers will send you the name and contact details of the buyer to arrange for pick up.

o you have friends or family looking for a church home? Do you know someone (anywhere!) that wants to attend church online? Do you want to share your love for Plymouth with others? August 22nd will be Welcome Sunday at Plymouth Church! We will kick off fall programming and Sunday School for the year. Bring someone along!

n August 22, at 10:40 a.m. (between services) in P l y m o u t h ’s ro o m 201N, come to Discover Plymouth, meet our pastors, and ask any questions you have about Plymouth. Discover Plymouth is a short, low-key gathering for anyone new to our church and wants to learn more.

f you believe you’re ready to take the next step and covenant with Plymouth Church as a member, sign up here! We hold membership orientation several times throughout the year and would love to have you join us at our next gathering, Sunday, September 12, from 1-3 p.m. Even if you’re not sure if you’re ready to join, you are still welcome! This class is a great place to learn about the history of Plymouth, the theology of the United Church of Christ, and our church’s various programs and ministries. Direct any questions about this class to Plymouth Welcome and Care Coordinator Liz Smith. 16

he Plymouth Church Service Corps Teams will meet once a month in Lawrence, Kansas, to perform direct service in our wider community. These groups will engage in various service projects such as gardening, trash pick-up, painting, small construction projects. In addition, we will work with mission partners throughout our community, including Family Promise and Just Food. Anywhere we can make an impact, that's where we want to be! Sign up today, and invite a friend to check out this transformative opportunity. Join us as we build a small group community and put our faith into action in our Lawrence community!

Anticipate Some Anxiety and Nerves

t still makes me a little nervous about getting back into something after a break. Are you a little uneasy about going back to school and seeing all your friends in person again? Heading back to school can be challenging, especially during a pandemic. But there are things parents and families can do to make the transition for children easier.

Being around people again may come with anxiety or nerves for children who have been worried about getting sick. If you’re able to anticipate these nerves, you can develop some ways to cope with them when they arise. Practicing reframing negative thoughts as more positive ones can be helpful to do in advance. For example, if your child says they are worried that they will get sick, practice more positive self-talk that counters the worry. Say things like, “I know I’m worried I will get sick, but I also know I’ll be wearing a mask and keeping distance from others, so I am doing what I need to do to keep myself healthy.” You can also practice deep breathing techniques with your child. Those breaths send signals to your brain that are calming and lower stress.

Talk About Their Worries Have a family meeting where you talk to your children about their worries, fears, and excitement. What are they looking forward to most? What are they worried about? Give your children a safe space to synthesize their thoughts, hone awareness of their own feelings, and share what’s on their minds, so they aren’t holding it all in. You may discover that the fears you think they have are only your own, and your child is purely excited, looking forward to seeing people again in person and learning in that environment. Whatever it is, this will be a big transition, and it deserves a dedicated space to talk about it. Keep the line of communication open between you and your children and between the school and other parents. Once school begins, talk with your child about how school is going and about interactions with classmates and teachers.

Proactively Check-In About Mental Health The pandemic was a collective societal trauma, and we don’t yet know the impact that it’s going to have long-term. Professionals have reported that rates of anxiety and depression have been soaring in kids and teens as their usual structure, guidance, coping mechanisms, and, for many,

even basic needs like food security have been ripped out from under them. Parents should proactively watch for behavior changes in their children. Watch for things such as excessive crying or irritation, excessive worry or sadness, unhealthy eating or sleeping habits, difficulty concentrating, or lack of enjoyment of normal activities, which may be signs of your child struggling with stress and anxiety. Talk to a healthcare provider if your child’s symptoms are severe or persistent. When in doubt, ask your pediatrician.

Be Consistent Children need stability during times of change. Make sure your child has a daily, predictable routine, with regular times for healthy meals, physical exercise, naps, and night sleep at home. Having a rested body and knowing what to expect at home helps children cope.

Be Present Try your best to be present, predictable, and consistent. You might be the only part of their lives- and minds- that feels that way right now. So be there for them and follow their lead as much as you can. Above all, remember to put on your own oxygen mask first. Take care of yourself so that you can take care of others. Be a role model for your child by practicing self-care:      

Stay calm and reassuring Take breaks Get plenty of sleep Exercise Eat well Stay socially connected

It’s easy to feel isolated and alone. But the truth is, all parents are finding preparing for back-to-school highly stressful this year. You are not alone in your feelings, and you are not expected to manage these challenges without support. If you need it, please reach out to the Plymouth Mental Health Resource Team.

eeking to connect with our Plymouth community on a deeper spiritual level? Desiring meaningful connections after a time of social isolation?

Join a Covenant Group! These intentional small groups of 8-10 meet twice a month to grow in faith and connect on a deeper level. Your group will decide on your meeting times and what to study together; the Plymouth Pastoral team will provide some thoughtful discussion-based materials to choose from. Please fill out the survey to the right to help us connect with you.

f you are interested in caring for folks in the Plymouth Community, become part of our prayer and care ministries! If you have questions, contact Plymouth's Welcome and Care Coordinator Liz Smith.

lymouth's Fellowship Board invites you to be there with food for people in our congregation who need care. Whether a family is welcoming a new baby or someone is dealing with severe illness or grief, we want to make sure that they experience the love of the Plymouth community. If you are interested in participating in this ministry, sign up here! Whenever we have a need for a few meals, we will send out a signup sheet and invite you to contribute. Thank you for your support!

lymouth's Prayer Team is for those who already know the impact of prayer and those who would like to grow deeper in their faith. The Prayer Team meets in the chapel on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month for intentional intercessory prayer and meditation for persons named in Sunday worship. The team also prays for other congregational concerns, our pastors and staff, and community issues. Sign up here if you are interested in joining for prayer or receiving a weekly email list of people to pray for. The only requirement for both is to hold in confidence the personal information that is provided. Blessings!

his ministry knits and crochets lovely prayer shawls to pass on to people that are struggling or experiencing grief. The shawls are blessed by the congregation and serve as a hug from the community and from God. If you are interested in making prayer shawls to pass on to people in the congregation who are in need of care, sign up here.

his ministry works with families to host a small reception after funerals at Plymouth. Their mission is to create an intentional space for people to gather, share light refreshments, and remember the person they love. If you would like to be a part of this beautiful and vital ministry, sign up here.

either abolitionists, Free Staters, or both, it was assumed their persuasion would prevail in the election. Instead, thousands of slave state Missourians poured over the border in the absence of a list of eligible voters, intimidated local voters, stuffed ballot boxes, and elected a pro-slavery Territorial Legislature. One report noted that there were an estimated 369 qualified voters in the Lawrence election district and 1,034 votes cast. Legitimate residents labeled the result the "bogus legislature." Most Lawrence residents were Free Staters who knew reaction stakes were high. Rebellion would border on treason. Acquiescence would violate their hopes and plans for a new "free" state. Eagerly awaited direction on how to proceed was thought to be addressed by the main 4th of July speaker, Charles Robinson. Robinson was an influential leader of the Emigrant Aid Society that selected the location and the 1854 founding of the new city of Lawrence. His post-election advice would be persuasive. But, while his sentiments were well known, it was uncertain how bold he would be in urging action. This speech was one of many reasons Robinson is a historic Kansan. Following the bogus election, he was selected as extra-legal Territory Governor. Years later, in 1861, he was elected first legal Governor of the State of Kansas and is the only Kansas Governor ever impeached. In addition, of local interest, he left a legacy of land on which much of the University of Kansas campus now stands. When Lawrence's first church, Plymouth Congregational, was founded in October 1854, Robinson, though not a member, served on the governing body that handled its business matters. Thus, while most events described herein occurred prior to the 1857 arrival of Richard Cordley, the 38-year pastor of Plymouth and noted Lawrence historian, it is likely he and Robinson were colleagues in activity and persuasion.

uly 4, 1855. Excitement and anticipation were running high in Lawrence. Not only was it the city's first Independence Day, but the celebration was to feature a speech on the topic of rebellion or acquiescence. This was the setting. On March 30, 1855, an election mandated by the U.S. Congress was held in the new Kansas Territory to elect members of the first Kansas Territorial Legislature. This body would then make plans for Kansas statehood as either a free state or slave state. Since many Territory settlers were

What was that first 4th of July like in Lawrence? In her book Kansas: Its Interior and Exterior Life, Sara Robinson, Charles' wife, described it as a festive mixture of settlers

and Native Americans. Following short speeches and presentation of the Flag in downtown Lawrence a procession formed on Massachusetts Street and was escorted by the military present ..." to a fine grove about a mile from town. Here in one of nature's grand old forests, seats had been provided and a platform raised for the orators....singers, and musicians." The time for the main speech was at hand. Robinson wasted little time making his call to action clear: a resounding rallying call for renunciation and rebellion. These rousing words are from his speech's conclusion (Sara Robinson Book): "...it is for us to choose...what institutions shall bless or curse our beautiful Kansas. Shall we have freedom of all the people, and consequent prosperity, or slavery for a part, with the blight inseparable from it? Choose ye this day which you will serve, --slavery or freedom-and then be true to your choice. ...the entire nation is agitated upon the questions of our rights; the spirit of '76 is breathing upon some...I seem to hear the millions of freemen, and the millions of bondsmen....the spirits of the revolutionary heroes, and the voice of God, all saying to the people of Kansas. 'DO YOUR DUTY.'" The speech was widely publicized nationwide. Subsequently, Robinson was selected extralegal Territorial Governor by Free-Staters, indicted for treason, jailed four months in Lecompton, and then released pursuant to a pardon by President Pierce. The speech ushered in an era of violence labeled "Bleeding Kansas," including the Pottawatomie Massacre, the Battle of Black Jack (which some historians consider the first battle of the Civil War), the Battle of Osawatomie, and frequent unrest and conflict in Lawrence.

Charles Lawrence Robinson

Later, passions cooled, pro-slavery sentiment declined, subsequent Territorial Legislatures were dominated by Free-Staters, and a Constitution was drafted for statehood. Finally, in 1861, with a new U.S. Congress in Washington, Kansas was admitted to the Union as a Free State. Lawrence's own Charles Robinson, the author of the July 4, 1855 speech that led to so many historic events, was elected its first Governor.

News story about Kansas’ Constitutional Convention.

id you know that Plymouth has a dedicated crew of volunteers who serve as sound technicians, without which we could not have our Sunday services broadcast on the radio? With Plymouth’s newly installed video broadcast system, we are now looking to assemble a crew of video technicians to film and stream our Sunday service broadcast. It’s easy and fun! We will train you on every-

thing you need to know. Ideally, we’d have a crew of four or five volunteers so that no one would have to film the services more than once a month on a rotating schedule, just like our volunteer sound technicians. If you are interested in volunteering for this crucial aspect of our Sunday Services, don’t hesitate to contact Plymouth’s Director of Communications. 27