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03. THE VIEW FROM HERE 05. FELLOWSHIP AT THE LAKE 06. PLYMOUTH ACADEMY 08. AID FOR AFGHAN REFUGEES 11. 2021 VIRTUAL AUCTION

12. DADS & LITTLES 13. NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION 14. YOUTH NEWS 16. JOIN THE PLYMOUTH WELCOME & FELLOWSHIP TEAMS

17. POST-PANDEMIC MENTAL WELLNESS 18. COVENANT GROUPS 19. PUB THEOLOGY 20. YOUTH HANDBELLS 21. MUSIC & FINE ARTS NEWS

22. BELL CHOIR WREATHS 23. INFANT STEPPING STONES CLASS

outh. But very soon, he moved to the south bank of the Wakarusa and founded the Wakarusa church. He was an alumnus of Yale, a surveyor, and he served on the County Commission. Pastor Lum brought his family to Kansas as an agent of the Home Missionary Society. They arrived at the same time as the second party of the New England Emigrant Aid Society settlers – in August 1854. He and Carrie brought three children with them, their son Harry and twin daughters Carrie and Minnie. Minnie didn’t survive the winter. It was Lum’s intention to plant new churches on the frontier rather than to remain the pastor of one. He relinquished the position of pastor at Plymouth early in 1857, although he remained a member for many years. He encouraged the formation of churches in Topeka, Manhattan, Eureka, along the Wakarusa, in Osawatomie, and many others. Joseph Savage came to Kansas with his brother, Forest, and two cousins. In the early days, he lost his wife and four of his five children. He was a nurseryman, musician, and interested in geology. He and his second wife, Mary, were early members of the Kansas Academy of Science. During Quantrill’s raid, Joseph crept into town from the country and cared for the wounded and dead until after dark. Lewis and Cora Litchfield came to Lawrence from Cambridge, MA. They owned the Pioneer House, a boarding house, and the Lawrence Market. Lewis died at the age of 40, on February 11, 1855, of pleurisy, and Cora died, soon after, in April. Their son, Lewis Timothy Litchfield, was 16 when they came and his sister, Harriet, was a toddler. Lewis T enlisted in the Union Army in June 1861 and was killed in the Battle of Wilson Creek near Springfield, MO, on August 10, 1861.

used to love Cooks Illustrated magazine. It’s still among my favorites, but a little bit of its heart went out when Christopher Kimball stepped down as editor. While he still helmed the ship, Cooks always opened with a nostalgic and meandering essay about his life in rural Vermont. You’d be hard-pressed to find the point of connection between the essay and the recipes, reviews of pots and pans, and creative ways with twine that filled the subsequent pages, but I loved those essays anyway. They were full of place. The mood and spirit of Kimball’s town and its people came to life in such a particular way. It opened up something universal.

Samuel Pomeroy was one of the leaders of the Massachusetts Emigrant Aid Society. He served in the Massachusetts house of representatives before he came to Kansas in 1854, and he was elected one of the first senators, along with James Lane, of Kansas in 1861. He supported citizenship for formerly enslaved people, and he introduced a constitutional amendment, “The basis of suffrage in the United States shall be that of citizenship, and all native or naturalized citizens shall enjoy the same rights and privileges of the elective franchise.”

I felt the same way about our Founders Day celebration at the end of August. Telling the particular stories of our charter members in worship opened up a line to something that feels transcendent. We often tell the story of Plymouth’s history in broad strokes. We say we were an abolitionist church. We point to Richard Cordley and let his life and character sum up our founding identity. The deeper truth is finer-grained than that. In case you missed it, here are the stories we told on Founders Day.

Franklin Haskell came to Kansas with the second New England Aid party leaving his family behind temporarily in Massachusetts. His wife and son Dudley joined him less than a year later. Haskell’s son John became an architect and designed the Kansas state capitol along with many other noteworthy structures, including Plymouth Congregational Church.

were ten original founders of Plymouth Con“ There gregational Church: Charles H Dickson, Sy and Carrie Lum, Joseph Savage, Lewis and Cora Litchfield, Samuel C. Pomeroy, and Franklin Haskell, Oliver Hanscom, and Anna Tappan, Charles Dickson was the moderator of the meeting that founded Plym-

Oliver Hanscom and Anna Tappan Hanscom were known for their care and hospitality. Anna served on the Committee for the Sick and Destitute, was an active member of both the Ladies Social Circle, which raised money for upkeep of the church and the Women’s Missionary Society, which studied mission issues and raised money for both home and foreign mission work. Oliver served for a long time as church clerk. His obituary read in part, “… no night was so dark or stormy that the Hanscom buggy did not make its way with its swinging lantern through the dark, unlighted streets to the evening services of Plymouth Church.” These men and women signed the charter, which brought this congregation into being. They are our ancestors in faith and what they began is now ours to carry forward in that same faith.

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he Plymouth Fellowship Board invites you and your family to a fun Fellowship Gathering on Sunday, September 19, from 4-6 pm at the Clinton Lake Overlook Shelter 1. This event will take place instead of the annual picnic this year to provide a safe gathering for everyone. We will play games and have activities for kids! Please bring your own chair and enjoy fellowship with Plymouth friends. Plymouth will provide popcorn, watermelon slices, and snow cones. Masks will be required at this outdoor event except when eating. Please make plans to join this fun event and let us know you're coming by making your RSVP by clicking the Clinton Lake Button to the right or visiting the Featured Ministries Table in the Narthex on Sundays, September 12 and 19.

ed by Rev. Dr. Valerie Miller-Coleman, Faith Foundations is a ten-week experience for people seeking a deeper grounding in Christian faith and practice. We invite participants to encounter God in ways that challenge the mind, restore the soul and draw us closer together. Requirements for participation include a desire to grow closer to God & neighbor, a commitment to attend the Wednesday evening sessions, participate in worship on Sunday mornings during the course, and in an overnight retreat from Friday evening - Saturday afternoon, October 1 and 2. This class meets for 10 Wednesday nights from September 15 – November 17.

ach fall, Plymouth gives Bibles to our 3rd graders at a special ceremony. This year we will give our 3rd and 4th graders Bibles since we postponed it last year. We invite your child to attend a Bible education class led by Plymouth member, Kathy Bowen in preparation for this event. Kathy has taught this class several times, and it is a wonderful addition to your child's religious education. This class will meet for six Wednesday nights from September 15 – October 20. If you have already signed up on the previous form, you do not need to sign up again.

hat does God promise us? And what is our part of the bargain? During this five-session course led by Liz Smith, we will gather to study various covenants God has made with us, as described in the Hebrew Bible. Ancestral figures from the Bible contribute to our understanding of how humans can and should relate to God and what God offers to those who choose to live into this covenant. This class will involve some moderate academic reading and calls for a willingness to think deeply and differently about our historical and ongoing relationship with the divine. This class meets for five Wednesday nights, September 15 – October 13.

e invite you to join Plymouth’s Open and Affirming Committee for a five -week LGBTQ+ 201, a class led by Plymouth member and KU Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies instructor Elise Higgins. In this class (which will begin in person and move online as the pandemic dictates), we’ll explore the history and present of queer and trans identities. In addition, we will reckon with the complicated role the Christian church plays in LGBTQ+ lives, learn about local struggles for queer and trans liberation, and understand queer and trans justice as a part of connected racial, class, and disability struggles. Finally, we’ll hold all of this knowledge as we discern what steps Plymouth can take to support the LGBTQ+ community following the addition of pronouns to name tags. Classes meet weekly on Wednesdays from 6 - 7 pm, starting on September 15 and ending on October 13.

ffered by The Plymouth Mental Wellness Resource Team, this course is led by various teachers and mental health professionals from the Plymouth Congregation. We will hold a series of workshops on issues such as Mindfulness, Resilience, and Self-Care. This course is an excellent opportunity to check in with your own mental health as we head into another challenging winter. This class will gather for five Wednesday nights from September 15 – October 13 and then repeat for another five Wednesday nights from October 20 – November 17.

HOW YOU CAN HELP LOCALLY (IN LAWRENCE, KANSAS) Ahmad "Baset" Azizi grew up in Afghanistan with a loving, open-minded family. His primary school was in front of the Afghanistan Ministry of Internal Affairs, a favorite target of the Taliban. He sometimes saw blood and body parts in the streets and inside the school, a sight that is hard for a child to comprehend. Fearing for his safety, his parents asked if he wanted to attend music school. Baset started studying at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music in Kabul. At the time, Baset had never seen a trumpet. Yet, by 2013, he was the principal trumpet in the National Orchestra. With the support of many generous people and Baset's hard work, he attended Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. Baset graduated with honors on May 27, 2017, and was accepted by the University of Kansas School of Music. He is close to finishing his degree at the University of Kansas.

n response to the humanitarian need in Afghanistan, the Plymouth Immigrant and Refugee Alliance (PIRA) is providing links to vetted organizations providing aid. In addition, there is one local family seeking help with a GoFundMe campaign. Nationally, there are multiple vetted organizations you can support. Of note, these links were active as of August 27, 2021, but some situations may have changed as the situation in Afghanistan deteriorates.

Baset's father served and assisted the United States and NATO military efforts in Afghanistan over the past 20

years. Due to the recent pullout of the United States military, Baset's father immediately became a target for Taliban retribution due to his cooperation with the United States and NATO. On August 24, 2021, Baset's parents and three sisters (ages 14, 18, and 27) escaped Afghanistan through evacuation efforts at the Kabul airport.

Emergency Assistance in the Balkh province, where about 800 children supported by the foundation live. According to its website, it has raised $15,000 to feed 300 families. The organization is accepting contributions. GlobalGiving, a crowdfunding network that connects nonprofits to donors, launched the Afghanistan Emergency Fund to support families, activists and journalists who are “particularly at risk.” It said donations for this initiative will be distributed to GlobalGiving’s local partners in the country.

They left everything (house, furnishings, clothing, bank accounts) behind and are starting a new life in Lawrence, Kansas. We invite you to generously support this GoFundMe project to help Baset's family get established and settled in their new home.

In partnership with Afghan Journalists Safety Committee, International Media Support is collecting donations to protect journalists who remain in Afghanistan, providing shelter, food and support.

The average refugee resettlement process often requires two years to allow the individuals to learn a new language, adjust to the different norms, find a job sufficient to support their family, and establish permanent housing, etc. Baset's family needs help to cover the following expenses: their travel from Dubai to the United States (approximately $10,000), housing, furnishings, clothing, transportation, and the many costs related to daily living. We estimate these costs over the next one year to total approximately $70,000.

Also aiding members of the news media, the Committee to Protect Journalists is providing resources to Afghan journalists and urging the United States to ensure their safety “by facilitating safe passage out of the country and providing emergency visas.” The organization is accepting donations. Vital Voices Global Partnership is a Washington-based organization that “invests in women leaders who are solving the world’s greatest challenges,” according to its website. It created the Afghan Women’s Fund to support the safety of women’s rights activists in Afghanistan and those who have been evacuated from the country.

Donate to the family's GoFundMe page right here.

HOW YOU CAN HELP PEOPLE STILL IN AFGHANISTAN As the situation has escalated, organizations have launched initiatives to aid refugees. Some are providing aid to those remaining in the country.

Two organizations serving Muslim Americans have launched initiatives to aid displaced families in Afghanistan. Islamic Relief USA is accepting donations to help families struggling with hunger in Kabul, Balkh, Herat and Nangahar provinces. Muslim Aid USA is providing meals and hygiene kits to displaced people in Kabul and Konar province.

The International Rescue Committee is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to aiding people displaced by war, persecution or natural disaster. The organization has worked in Afghanistan since 1988, providing “displaced families with shelter, clean water, sanitation and other basic necessities,” according to its website, as well as education and cash assistance. The organization is accepting financial contributions for its relief efforts.

HOW YOU CAN HELP THOSE TRYING TO LEAVE AFGHANISTAN No One Left Behind is a U.S.-based nonprofit devoted to “ensuring that America keeps its promise to our allies and their families who risked their lives for our freedom.” The organization aids Afghan interpreters trying to get visas and resettling in the country. It is accepting donations.

The International Medical Corps has operated in Afghanistan since 1984, providing medical training and services in the country. It is accepting donations to its emergency relief fund. Women for Women International — a nonprofit that aids female survivors of war and conflict — established an emergency campaign in Afghanistan. According to its website, one donor is matching up to $500,000 in contributions for that program.

Miles4Migrants accepts donated airline frequent flier miles, credit card points, and cash to help people reunite with loved ones or resettle in a new country after fleeing their own that’s imperiled by war, persecution, or disaster. Hearts & Homes for Refugees is an advocacy group for people who have Special Immigration Visas, including Afghan translators, engineers, security guards, embassy clerks, logisticians, and soldiers who helped the U.S. efforts. It is accepting financial contributions. Human Rights First is seeking pro bono lawyers to assist Afghan evacuees. The human rights organization also offers resources to protect Afghans’ online identities from the Taliban. According to the group, they are “now likely

Women for Afghan Women, the “largest women’s organization in Afghanistan,” according to its website, is also accepting donations to help provide “safe shelter, resources, and aid to the thousands of women, children, families, and staff.” The Child Foundation, which helps impoverished children access education, created the Afghanistan Crisis Fund for

to have access to various biometric databases and equipment in Afghanistan, including some left behind by coalition military forces,” according to the group. In addition, it is collecting donations for its relief response.

HOW YOU CAN HELP AFGHAN REFUGEES COMING TO THE U.S. The Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is looking for volunteers to assist Afghan refugees with airport pickups, housing, and meals. While efforts are focused on the Washington, D.C., region, Washington state, and Texas, individuals can sign up for its general standby list. The group is also accepting donations. Church World Service resettlement offices provide housing, job training, and social services to Afghan refugees in the United States. The nonprofit organization is accepting donations and offers of rental units and sponsorships for arriving families. Interested people are asked to email refugeewelcome@cwsglobal.org.

idding has begun and requires an account. To create one, simply click on the "Online Registration" button at the top of the Auction website. Enter your information, including a credit card, and you're ready to bid! Note: If you sign out, you will need your password or access code to sign back in to bid. Registered bidders can place a bid by clicking the item in the catalog to open its item page, entering a bid amount in the 'Amount' box, and clicking the 'Bid' button. Winners will be charged automatically at the close of the auction on Sept. 19 at 5:00 pm -no need to pay for your treasures manually! 100% of the funds raised support our Church Mission and community organizations. Items will remain with the donor until the end of the auction, Sept. 19, at 5 pm. At that time, auction volunteers will virtually introduce the winning bidder and donor via email, and the winning bidder will arrange for pick up from the donor. If you have any questions, please contact us.

SHOP HERE!

A NEW GROUP FOR DADS WITH LITTLES AGES 0-6 TO GATHER IN FELLOWSHIP AND FUN AT LOCAL PLAYGROUNDS! NEXT PLAY DATE: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 @ 9 a.m.

PLAYGROUND: JOHN TAYLOR PARK 200 N. 7TH ST. IN NORTH LAWRENCE Contact Ben Miller-Coleman for more information.

f you believe you’re ready to take the next step and covenant with Plymouth Church as a member, let Plymouth Welcome and Care Coordinator Liz Smith know. 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.

ow that we’re gathering in person, we need many Sunday morning volunteers to make things go. We ask each volunteer to commit to 6 months at a time; if you ever need a substitute, we will help you figure that out! We will also have Covid-specific training for all volunteers. We need your help to extend a radical welcome to everyone who wants to worship and be in community with us here at Plymouth. Let people know that no matter who they are or where they are on life’s journey, they are welcome here.

Become a Fellowship Hour Host! The time between the first service and Gathering of Grace is a sacred space for laughter and fellowship. We need people to set out materials and help clean up afterward (there is a designated staff person to help). Time commitment is from about 10:15-noon, once a month.

Join a Plymouth Welcome Team! Once a month, serve as an usher or greeter and show folks hospitality as they move from the doors to the sanctuary. We ask each team to show up 20 minutes before their service; you're able to attend worship as usual.

uring this fall’s Plymouth Academy, a course on Post-Pandemic Mental Wellness will be offered by the Plymouth Mental Wellness Resource. See below for specific workshops. This class is an excellent opportunity to check in with your mental health as we head into another difficult winter. This class will happen once for five Wednesday nights (9/15-10/13) and repeat for another five Wednesday nights (10/20 to 11/17).

Mental Health Resources and Self-Help Tools One of the most common things people feel is that they don’t know where to turn for help with mental health concerns. This class will share some local and online resources to find hope and assistance. Facilitator: Derrick Hurst

Anxiety and Depression in a Post-Pandemic World

Self-Care Many of us don’t make time to take care of ourselves, especially during times of stress. In this class, we will discuss healthy ways to nurture ourselves physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Facilitator: Mari White

Many of us faced feelings of heightened anxiety and depression during the pandemic. We continue to do so even now as we try to find our way to a new “normal.” We will talk about the realities of dealing with these issues for yourself or a loved one and learn about ways to find help and hope. Facilitator: Linda Hoopes

Mindfulness One of the best ways to find calm and focus amid our busy lives is the practice of mindfulness. In this class, we will cover various ways to develop your own practice. Facilitator: Linda Hoopes

Building Resiliency It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed by our busy lives, and the pandemic and subsequent quarantine brought out an even greater sense of helplessness for many people. In this class, we will talk about ways we can build our resilience to be able to handle difficult times. Facilitator: Karin Denes-Collar

f you’re seeking a deeper connection with the Plymouth Congregation, try a Covenant Group! These intentional small groups of 8-10 meet twice a month to grow in faith and connect with one another 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. Contact Plymouth Welcome & Care Coordinator Liz Smith if you have any questions.

ub Theology is a relaxed, informal space where we talk about different theological questions. Plymouth’s seminarian Intern Phillip Kroh’s goal as the moderator is to promote a space where people can explore with a group out loud. It is a place where you can take some time to get it out, find the words, and have help from others as they share with you. Conversations tend to begin with a round of storytelling and sharing beliefs, thoughts, and experiences related to the topic, then focus on one aspect that comes up looking more broadly or more deeply at a piece of the issue. Come check it out some Thursday evening and join the discussion.

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.

JOIN THE CHANCEL CHOIR!

he Chancel Choir is the longest continuous musical ensemble at Plymouth and provides music at the 9:30 worship service. Each year, the choir sings two major choral works accompanied by orchestra or appropriate instruments and participates in community musical events. The choir welcomes all singers from 9th grade through adults and rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7-8:30. We are always looking for additional voices, so come and try us out if you love to sing! Please contact Kim Manz, Minister of Music and Fine, for more information.

MAJOR CHORAL WORK

he next major choral work will be presented on Sunday, December 12. Rehearsals will start in midSeptember. If you do not regularly sing in the choir but enjoy singing in the major work, come join us. Contact Kim Manz for a rehearsal schedule.

GOD IN ME AND GOD IN YOU ART SHOW

he Music & Fine Arts Board at Plymouth will host the art show to be held on October 24-31. This non-juried show is open to all members and people who attend Plymouth. All submitted artwork must be original (no kits, please) and may be of any medium. The art show is a wonderful opportunity for all Plymouth artists, both amateurs and professionals, to exhibit their work. If you have taken a Plymouth art class this summer or fall, please consider submitting your creations. Submissions are to be delivered to the church by noon on Friday, October 22. Please contact Kim Manz, Minister of Music & Fine Arts, for more information.

A PLYMOUTH PLAYERS DINNER THEATER EVENT IS COMING IN NOVEMBER. STAY TUNED!

ign Up for the Plymouth Infant Stepping Stones class, a three-session mini-course on raising a healthy baby. Study the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of your little one. Share joys and struggles with others going through the same phase of parenting. The class will gather on September 25 and October 2 and 9 from 9-10:30 a.m. in the Althaus Chapel. Nursery care is available. Please contact Ben MillerColeman if you have any questions. Enroll here!