 One of the truest blessings of my mornings recently has been the sunrises. For anyone who hasn’t witnessed the incredible light show each day, it is actually difficult to put into words how amazing sunrises have been. Pinks, purples, reds, yellows, blues - it is almost like God is painting with the brightest oils available. Even this morning, it took my breath away as I drove to my office in Old Town. After what felt like an eternity of freezing cold weather (which was actually only a few days), the sunrises have ushered in a renewed sense of hope for me; an assurance that winter won’t last forever and spring will certainly come.
That hope has also been with me during the last few months of being Moderator. As I've sat through Leadership Council meetings, attended the Congregational Conversation, and been a fly on the wall during other budget conversations, the news for our Church has generally been full of hope and joy. This coming weekend is our annual church meeting, where we will preview a little of what the year has in store, celebrate the volunteers who dedicated so much time and talent in 2023, and welcome those who are jumping in for 2024. We will also discuss the budget, which is probably not everyone’s favorite topic. For many, discussing money is fraught with stress and anxiety. It isn’t always comfortable to talk finances, but what I have taken away from the seemingly endless conversations that have been had, is that we are so BLESSED. We are blessed to have a congregation that is involved and cares; a congregation that asks questions and makes suggestions; a congregation that values each other. And what I ask as we approach the annual meeting is that we keep our blessings in mind. May we continue to value those who dedicate so much to our Church, and those involved in important decisions that impact Plymouth, and those who strive to understand. Because we are in this together and 2024 is going to be an amazing year! Also, who doesn’t love a church potluck? Thank you for being part of Plymouth and part of our amazing community. I look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday! Heather Heather Siegel, Plymouth's 2023 Moderator View flip book on web page below,
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Ministry Highlights for January 2024
Our first ever Youth for Change was a huge success.
We had over 160 people in attendance, including representation from six faith communities and 13 different groups working against housing injustice.
We are so grateful and proud — Plymouth showed up!
We had over 160 people in attendance, including representation from six faith communities and 13 different groups working against housing injustice.
We are so grateful and proud — Plymouth showed up!
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1/21 at Prost Brewing, Plymouth Social club = Gen X, Millennials and older Zs. Quite the range but super fun!
Our cross-generational Epiphany service on 1/7 included a pray-ground with "aha" stars.
The Colorado Bach Ensemble performed on the afternoon of 1/21, preceded by a lecture.
Do you have a ministry highlight to share?
Be part of the 4th Tuesday email. Visit plymouthucc.org/shine
Be part of the 4th Tuesday email. Visit plymouthucc.org/shine
Hi all!
Here is the link to Adult Christian Formation.
Please take note of an upcoming book study: Who Will Be a Witness by Drew Hart. To begin, you can listen to the Jesus Has Left the Building podcast episode Get Your Blue Jeans On! [9/26/2020] You can access the podcast on Spotify (earlier link) or Apple podcasts. The group will gather on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. in the Forum Room and we hope you join us.
Don't hesitate to reach out if you need help getting the book or listening to the podcast. I'd be happy to get you set up.
Stay warm and cozy and light that candle!
Marta
Here is the link to Adult Christian Formation.
Please take note of an upcoming book study: Who Will Be a Witness by Drew Hart. To begin, you can listen to the Jesus Has Left the Building podcast episode Get Your Blue Jeans On! [9/26/2020] You can access the podcast on Spotify (earlier link) or Apple podcasts. The group will gather on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. in the Forum Room and we hope you join us.
Don't hesitate to reach out if you need help getting the book or listening to the podcast. I'd be happy to get you set up.
Stay warm and cozy and light that candle!
Marta
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Over the last several months, I have been working with the youth on an amazing, transformed venture, rooted in the deep history of compassion and love that Plymouth has displayed for decades. This weekend, all of that work is culminating in our Youth for Change weekend.
What is Youth for Change?
The Youth Board, comprised of 12 students from middle school and high school, have reworked the annual Sleep Out to End Homelessness into a homelessness prevention symposium. These students agreed that the educational component of the Sleep Out was the piece they wanted to center for the whole community. So they are hosting a dinner, catered by FoCo Café, and a program featuring presenters from our community, breakout sessions for people to engage, and a silent auction. All funds will still benefit Neighbor to Neighbor. For more details, you can visit plymouthucc.org/youthforchange.
This weekend, we will be joined by several different faith communities and nonprofits, and every little element has been so intentional about supporting other groups who engage the complex work of fighting housing injustice. You can see all of our partners on our website or you can meet them in person this Saturday at the event.
The same group of students has planned a deeply beautiful worship service that will not only ground our community with a spiritual foundation for this area of biblical justice, but it will also offer space for our worship experience to be re-imagined by our future leaders. This whole weekend is about giving the youth a chance to envision a future that is better than what we have now. I hope our whole Plymouth community will show up in supporting the hard and impressive work these young people have done.
Much love,
Brooklyn
What is Youth for Change?
The Youth Board, comprised of 12 students from middle school and high school, have reworked the annual Sleep Out to End Homelessness into a homelessness prevention symposium. These students agreed that the educational component of the Sleep Out was the piece they wanted to center for the whole community. So they are hosting a dinner, catered by FoCo Café, and a program featuring presenters from our community, breakout sessions for people to engage, and a silent auction. All funds will still benefit Neighbor to Neighbor. For more details, you can visit plymouthucc.org/youthforchange.
This weekend, we will be joined by several different faith communities and nonprofits, and every little element has been so intentional about supporting other groups who engage the complex work of fighting housing injustice. You can see all of our partners on our website or you can meet them in person this Saturday at the event.
The same group of students has planned a deeply beautiful worship service that will not only ground our community with a spiritual foundation for this area of biblical justice, but it will also offer space for our worship experience to be re-imagined by our future leaders. This whole weekend is about giving the youth a chance to envision a future that is better than what we have now. I hope our whole Plymouth community will show up in supporting the hard and impressive work these young people have done.
Much love,
Brooklyn
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
It’s January 2, 2024.
Are you one of those people who make New Year resolutions, or do you avoid doing so because they endure for about a week, leaving you feeling guilty, frustrated, and ashamed?
I’m in the second category. It just seems like there is always something that gets in the way at this time of year. Perhaps it is fatigue from the Christmas rush or maybe it’s that there seems nothing especially “special” about the coming of a new year that necessitates making changes. (Do I sound like a New Year Scrooge? Humbug!)
If you’ve launched a resolution this week, please don’t let me deter you!
Though perhaps a few intentions (not resolutions!) are worth considering. I’m not necessarily good at these, but here are some ideas I’m toying with:
For me, a key time for personal transformation is the season of Lent, which is coming up in about seven weeks, on February 18. (It’s definitely early this year!) Lent is a fixed period that invites us into a time of spiritual reflection. Unlike New Year’s Day, it gives us a five-week span to reflect on ways we need to follow Jesus more closely. It isn’t a day, but rather a whole season. And it provides an annual reminder to ask ourselves what is of deepest importance to us and how we want to bend and shape our lives to a more Christlike form.
Jesus has an amazing 40-day wilderness quest to help him clarify his mission and ministry, and during Lent we, too, can use intention to do the same. We have some interesting opportunities for spiritual growth that we’ll be sharing with you as Lent approaches.
In the meantime, hang in with your resolutions if you’ve made them. And if you haven’t, don’t worry; you’ll have your chance for change in seven weeks’ time.
As we transition from Christmastide into Epiphany may the light of Christ shine within you and all around you, and may you catch a glimpse of the light emanating from others as well.
Blessings!
Are you one of those people who make New Year resolutions, or do you avoid doing so because they endure for about a week, leaving you feeling guilty, frustrated, and ashamed?
I’m in the second category. It just seems like there is always something that gets in the way at this time of year. Perhaps it is fatigue from the Christmas rush or maybe it’s that there seems nothing especially “special” about the coming of a new year that necessitates making changes. (Do I sound like a New Year Scrooge? Humbug!)
If you’ve launched a resolution this week, please don’t let me deter you!
Though perhaps a few intentions (not resolutions!) are worth considering. I’m not necessarily good at these, but here are some ideas I’m toying with:
- Love first. In a world that drives toward success (however you define it), I’m going to work on being loving as my primary focus. Difficult in an election year!
- Take it easy on self-judgment. If you are your own worst critic (as I am), try exercising the kind of compassion you would afford other people you love.
- “Perfection is the enemy of good.” That’s Voltaire's take on letting go of perfectionism. I’m still working on this, and it’s a lifelong journey.
For me, a key time for personal transformation is the season of Lent, which is coming up in about seven weeks, on February 18. (It’s definitely early this year!) Lent is a fixed period that invites us into a time of spiritual reflection. Unlike New Year’s Day, it gives us a five-week span to reflect on ways we need to follow Jesus more closely. It isn’t a day, but rather a whole season. And it provides an annual reminder to ask ourselves what is of deepest importance to us and how we want to bend and shape our lives to a more Christlike form.
Jesus has an amazing 40-day wilderness quest to help him clarify his mission and ministry, and during Lent we, too, can use intention to do the same. We have some interesting opportunities for spiritual growth that we’ll be sharing with you as Lent approaches.
In the meantime, hang in with your resolutions if you’ve made them. And if you haven’t, don’t worry; you’ll have your chance for change in seven weeks’ time.
As we transition from Christmastide into Epiphany may the light of Christ shine within you and all around you, and may you catch a glimpse of the light emanating from others as well.
Blessings!
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