Plymouth Union is the organization of women in the church, with a history of service of over one hundred years. We invite every woman in the church to participate in our fellowship and service.

The program theme this year is “Justice for All”. We look at issues which may concern members personally as well as issues that concern the larger community. Our programs are scheduled both during the day and in the evenings to accommodate various schedules. We have included a field trip meeting away from the church next spring.

In addition to the program meetings, two circles which meet in homes offering opportunities for friendship and study. Circle II meets for dinner and fellowship in homes on the first Mondays; Circle IV meets in the afternoon in homes for study. This year Circle IV is studying the book Jesus and Buddha: Parallel Sayings edited by Marcus Borg. We will reference the book by Thcih Nhaf Han, Living Buddha, Living Christ.

Plymouth Union serves the congregation. We sponsor the Pilgrim Heritage dinner, formal coffee hours, and the Rummage Sale. We serve receptions upon request for memorial services, weddings, and other special occasions.

Plymouth Union supports local agencies which serve important needs in our community. We gave money to the United Christmas Fund, Church Federation Ministry at the Indiana Correctional Facility for Children, Horizon House, Gennesaret Free Clinic, the Julian Center, Gleaners Food Bank, among others. We supported three UCC agencies: the Altenheim Community Life Enrichment Fund, Crossroad Children's Home, and Merom. We sponsored the Tools of Hope collection for Church World Service, and furnished them with health kits for distribution in refugee camps. Our main fund raiser for these missions is the fall Rummage Sale.

We also purchase non-budgeted items for the church. This year we are purchasing a frost-free freezer and giving a substantial amount to the Memorial Garden. P.U. belongs to Church Women United. We are involved in the women's activities of the Southeast Association of the Indiana-Kentucky Conference of the United Church of Christ.

Plymouth Union Goes to the Movies

This is the fifteeenth year for the Heartland Film Festival, and we will join them. "Heartland Film Festival recognizes and honors filmmakers whose work explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life." I have always been pleased and moved by the films. The movie we will see is a documentary, The Towers and the Cross. This will be preceded by 'Queen of Cactus Cove', a dramatic student short that received the Jimmy Stewart award, and 'Emily's Song,' another award-winning short. The movies will be shown at the Indiana History Center (IHC) at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 26 (note this is not our usual week). Afterwards we will discuss the movies and eat at the Café on the Canal in the IHC. The IHC is on Ohio and West streets; parking is free in their lot behind their building. Enter the lot from New York, which is one-way eastbound. I have bought a couple of books of 'generic' tickets, which will save you a little money. You can get your ticket from Marion for $5.00. When you get to the theater, you have to exchange your 'generic' ticket for a ticket for this specific performance. No problem, except you have to get there a little earlier. My experience is that morning performances are not crowded. Those of you who would like to carpool from the church can do that. We will leave the parking lot at FCC at 9:20. We should be back at the church before 1:15.

-- Marion Harcourt