2023 Plymouth Easter Offering

The Mission and Service Board has voted to donate this year’s Easter offering to three organizations doing important work in our community and in the wider world: the United Church of Christ’s Turkey and Syria Emergency Appeal, Head Start, and the Plymouth Language Program.

The Easter Offering will be open on Palm Sunday (mark your gift “Easter Offering” on the memo line or envelope). On Easter Sunday every gift given will go out the door in service to love.

You can also give online:

On February 6, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Turkey and Syria, causing devastating damage and leaving at least 50,000 people dead. Our hearts break for those who have been impacted. Through the United Church of Christ, we are able to help with disaster relief efforts in the area. The UCC works with partners on the ground, providing immediate and long-term support to those most in need. For instance, one partner, the Middle East Council of Churches, immediately began providing emergency aid in Syria and assessing what will be needed going forward. In Gaziantep, Turkey, a hospital the UCC helped establish will likely serve as a medical hub in the area. UCC partners with the Health and Education Foundation, which runs the hospital. The UCC has also issued public statements, including support for (successful) calls to temporarily lift sanctions on Syria to enable disaster relief efforts.

Easter gifts will also help support ECKAN Head Start, which is going through a difficult season. Staffing issues have led to suspended services at our Plymouth facility until at least May. Head Start is a beloved mission partner and has long been housed at Plymouth. We know that many Plymouth members have had the current situation on their hearts and minds, and we want to offer support to those affected.

We will also donate to the Plymouth Language Program, which has recently welcomed a new director. After growing rapidly during the pandemic, Plymouth Language Program continues to thrive, teaching English and Spanish to eager learners. Sessions remain online, so these services can be offered to people everywhere. Plymouth Language Program is offering some mentoring and community gatherings back in the Plymouth facility, but the classes remain online.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask Rev. Caroline Lawson Dean or a member of the Mission and Service Board.