Plymouth hosts other outside events not listed here. Please visit our Calendar of Events or call the Church Office for schedule information.

What You Need to Know about This Sunday's Annual Meeting

This Sunday, May 20, at 12:30 in Hillis Hall, the Plymouth congregation meets for its Annual Meeting, a time to focus on essential church business. All members of the church are encouraged to attend.

On the agenda:

Two Delicious All-Church Events!

After Memorial Day weekend (right around the corner, May 26-28!), Plymouth prepares for the summer season with two special events, both delicious. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us.

Friday, June 1: Ice Cream Social

Children's Christian Education hosts our much loved, once-a-year "Sundae Service," a multi-generational event welcoming ice cream lovers of all flavors. We'll be scooping in Beecher Garden from 6:00 to 8:00, rain or shine (moving to the Gym if it gets wet). Everyone in the community is welcome to get scooped -- with toppings! -- so be sure to invite a friend. Admission is $5 per person, free to children age 2 and under. All proceeds benefit the Mission School of Hope in Cameroon. To volunteer (teens especially welcome!) or get more information, please contact MFC Director Julia Rassmann.

Sunday, June 3: All-Church Picnic

BBQ is in the air! After the worship service on June 3, the Plymouth congregation will gather at 12 noon in Beecher Garden for our annual church picnic. We'll be serving delicious grilled food and potluck dishes (customary guidelines apply: please bring sides, salads and/or desserts to supplement the meal). As always, we're grateful to receive RSVPs, potluck confirmation, and offers to volunteer with grilling and set-up. Please contact Amy Talcott in the Church Office.

Film Screening and Conversation with ECPAT on June 9

Plymouth's Christian Spiritual Development ministry will soon offer the community an opportunity to learn more about ECPAT's mission to fight child exploitation. On Saturday, June 9, beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the Reception Room, Plymouth hosts An Evening with ECPAT featuring a screening of the short documentary, "What I Have Been Through is Not Who I Am." Our guest speaker is Carol Smolenski, Executive Director of ECPAT USA, based in Brooklyn Heights.

A newly named Christian Help partner for 2012-2013, ECPAT is a global network of organizations and individuals working together to eliminate the commercial exploitation of children. Based in Thailand, with affiliates in over 75 countries, ECPAT seeks to encourage the world community to ensure that children everywhere enjoy their fundamental rights free from all forms of commercial sexual exploitation. Learn more at www.ecpat.net.

An Evening with ECPAT is open to the public and free of charge. Please join us to learn more about the life-saving, critical work of ECPAT.

Stewardship Annual Giving: Giving That Lives On

This Sunday at Plymouth

This Sunday's worship service begins at 11:00 in the Sanctuary. The Rev. David Fisher will be preaching.

Plymouth meets for its Annual Meeting at 12:30 in Hillis Hall. All members are encouraged to attend. Read more in preceding article.

Make Your Commitment to the 2012-2013 Stewardship Campaign: How does the act of giving help faith grow? Find out as the Stewardship ministry offers information and insights on Plymouth's new campaign. Visit the Stewardship table at Fellowship Hour to learn more.

New Church Directories Now Available: The May 2012 issue of the Plymouth Church Directory, featuring a complete list of members and active friends, addresses, phone numbers and emails, is hot off the presses. Pick up your copy during Fellowship Hour in Hillis Hall.

The May 6 Communion Offering Continues Support for East New York ICCD: As with our April offering, Plymouth will continue to support ICCD, the International Center for Clubhouse Development.
ICCD's mission is to create solutions for people with mental illness. They help communities around the world build ICCD clubhouses, which are community centers that give people with mental illness hope and opportunities to reach their full potential. Read more at www.iccd.org.
Please support this worthy charity with your Communion offering. Cash may be put in a Communion Offering envelope. Checks may be put in the offering plate or sent to the Church Office with "East NY ICCD" in the memo line. You may also make your offering at our secure Online Donation Page at the Plymouth web site. When you select "Make a One-Time Donation," fill in the Special Account memo field with "East NY ICCD," then continue with your credit card payment.

Last Change to Donate to The Hope Program Suit Drive. Your gently used business attire supports new opportunities for local job-seekers. See the following Announcement for details.

Shop the Underground (and Drop off Spring & Summer Donations): The Underground Thrift Store -- Plymouth's bargain boutique for savvy shoppers -- is open every Sunday from 12:30-4:00 in the upper level of the Gym (street entrance is at 65 Hicks).

Take a Tour of Plymouth at 12:30: The History Ministry offers free tours every Sunday after the worship service. Those interested are invited to gather at the Lincoln pew (no. 89) in the Sanctuary at 12:30. Questions? Please contact Director of History Ministry Services Lois Rosebrooks at the Church Office.

As always... Large-Print Versions of the Order of Worship are available at every worship service. Please ask one of the ushers for a copy. Don’t forget to wear your Nametags at Fellowship. And keep in mind that Parking Validation Stickers to cover up to three hours at the Central Parking Systems garage (75 Henry Street at Orange Street) are available. Park your car at the garage and ask an usher for a voucher immediately before or after the service.

On the Plymouth Calendar

Congregational Budget Meeting TONIGHT at 7:00: In preparation for the Annual Meeting, interested Plymouth members are invited to a presentation this Thursday evening, May 17, to preview the 2012-2013 budget being presented for approval at the Annual Meeting. Please join us at 7:00 p.m. in the Reception Room.

Plymouth Opens Its Doors This Saturday as a Landmark "Sacred Site" On Saturday, May 19, Pymouth joins 33 churches and synagogues in New York City, and more than 70 statewide, in opening our doors as part of the New York Landmarks Conservancy's Open House event. The Conservancy launched Open House last year, offering neighbors and visitors an opportunity to explore landmark houses of worship. In giving the public access to local history, art and architecture, the Conservatory hopes to ensure the future of these irreplaceable community landmarks. Plymouth participated in 2011, and organizer Lois Rosebrooks is delighted to be open our doors again to Brooklyn neighbors and visitors. Plymouth's Sacred Sites Open House is set for Saturday, May 19, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. Enter through the Sanctuary at 57 Orange Street. Church volunteers will conduct on-going tours of the National Historic Landmark Sanctuary, Hillis Hall and the Arcade. For information on the Sacred Sites program and other Open House participants, check out the Conservancy's Sacred Sites web page.

"The Heart of the Matter" for Women Meets for Its Third Session This Saturday: The Plymouth's women's ministry hosts the third and final session of "The Heart of the Matter: A Conversation on How the Gospel Changes You, Your Heart, and Your Worldview" with guest speaker Rev. Dr. Karen Fisher Younger. We meet on Saturday, May 19, from 8:30 to 12:00 in the Reception Room. A continental breakfast will be served, and childcare provided with advance reservation. There is a fee of $20 per session. All women are welcome to join us, even if you did not attend either or both of the preceding sessions. To RSVP, please contact Amy Talcott ASAP at the Church Office.

Cardona Opera Performs "Cavalleria rusticana" This Sunday: Encore! The Martha Cardona Theater, last seen at Plymouth this March for performances of "Tosca," returns for a presentation of Pietro Macagni's "Cavalleria rusticana." The final performance takes place this Sunday, May 20, at 4:00. "Cavalleria rusticana" will be fully staged and costumed, with English subtitles and chorus. Cast and staff include conductor Keith Chambers, baritone Jason Stearns, stage director Daniel Cardona, and our own Bruce Oelschlager as organist. Learn more about the Cardona Theater's production at www.theMarthaCardonaTheater.com. Tickets are $25 (opera singers, students and seniors @$15), available at the door. A portion of ticket proceeds help support Plymouth's music program.

Memorial Day on Monday, May 28: Memorial Day arrives at the end of the month. Please note that the Plymouth office, preschool and buildings will be CLOSED.

Church Announcements

VBC 2012 Registration Now Open: Vacation Bible Camp is on its way! From August 20-24, DiscoveryLand kids and young church teens will have the opportunity to experience an exciting, educational and inspirational week at Plymouth. This year, the Children's Christian Education committee has put together a custom curriculum called "The Armor of God." We'll be teaching about the biblical principles of the spiritual armor described in Ephesians 6:10-18: "Be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand...with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit." How does The Armor of God translate into summer fun and adventure? Well, expect to see the Gym transformed into a castle with plenty of knights and princesses in residence! Everyone's day will begin at 9 a.m. "Nearly Camp" for the 3 and 4-year-olds will be dismissed at 12 noon (these children may stay for free play if accompanied by parent or caregiver). Children between the ages of 5 and 13 will be dismissed at 3. And the oldest class -- those entering 6th through 8th grades -- will once again go on daily field trips to such sites as Alley Pond Park, the Cloisters, and Coney Island. Keep in mind that VBC is for registered DiscoveryLand families only. Questions? Contact Julia Rassmann at the Church Office.

Suit Drive thru May 20 Supports HOPE: Spring cleaning? Set aside your professional attire for HOPE! Plymouth has launched our 2012 Suit Drive for The HOPE Program, a Brooklyn-based organization that helps poor New Yorkers thrive in the job market through intensive training, job placement assistance, and ongoing support to help them stay in their jobs. HOPE also helps out with daily meals and transportation, and provides jobseekers with professional wardrobes (read more about their life-changing work at www.thehopeprogram.org.) For the Plymouth Suit Drive, HOPE is requesting donations of these items: ties, gently used men's and women's suits and other professional attire (all sizes welcome, especially plus sizes), and professional shoes. Please make sure your donations are clean, in good condition, and ready to make a favorable impression at a professional interview. Donations will be accepted through Sunday, May 20, and can be dropped off at the rack in the Church House lobby. Receipts are available from the receptionist at the front desk. (And don't forget that Plymouth's Underground Thrift Store is a great place to donate your other fashion attire!) Questions? Please contact Plymouth organizer Halley Love Bysshe (917-741-6847).

To contact a member of the Plymouth Church Staff, please visit the Staff Directory on our web site.

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