Plymouth's May 2022 Rock Magazine

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST OF LAWRENCE, KANSAS

03. THE VIEW FROM HERE 04. 2022 CONFIRMANDS 06. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS 11. EARTH CARE FELLOWSHIP FORUM 12. YOUTH SPRING LOCK-IN

13. GRADUATE SUNDAY 14. FAMILY PROMISE 5K HOME RUN 15. SPRINGTIME COVENANT GROUPS 16. NAMETAG PRONOUN STICKERS 17. VOTE FOR PLYMOUTH! 18. PLYMOUTH PRIDE PARTY! 20. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 21. SERVICE CORPS WORK DAY: TENANTS TO HOMEOWNERS 22 TIME & TALENTS 23. PLANNED GIVING AT PLYMOUTH

to stay connected with the most important people to me.

It’s also very easy to lose track of myself in all that swirl.

That’s why it’s so crucial for me to notice how often I’m fully present at family dinner, on walks to school, and Saturday morning adventures. Getting a good night’s sleep, eating well, and getting enough exercise all fit into the “In” check-up.

Last but not least, “Out.” I observe how my life connects with people beyond my inner circle in this step. God moves through us, opening channels for love to pour out into our workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, and natural habitats. How am I offering grace and hope to my neighbors? Does our family budget reflect our values of peace-making and justice-seeking? Have I made a difference for someone I don’t know well recently? If I can answer those questions in the affirmative, chances are pretty good my public faith life is healthy. If not, there may be some growth opportunities.

Up. In. Out. It’s a great way to notice how we’re doing in our life with God. If any one of those elements is underdeveloped or out of sync, we can feel itchy, dissatisfied, or disconnected. That’s our spirit’s way of nudging us into action. If you give it a try, you might find more going on in your faith life. Maybe there’s a new adventure waiting for you as you enter a season of growth in one or more areas. I’d love to hear what you find.

Over the next several weeks, we’ll be applying the “Up. In. Out” lens to our life together as a congregation. It’s a worship series focused on the Acts of the Apostles. The early church had to figure out what it meant to follow the risen Christ with absolutely no roadmap. We’ll tell the stories of how they found their way and brought their shared life into spiritual balance. I have a feeling we’ll pick up some excellent tips along the way. You don’t want to miss this. See you in church!

Up. In. Out. I doodle those three words in the corners of legal pads, on the margins of worship bulletins, and surrounded by little squiggly lines and arrows on meeting agendas.

May I encourage you to do the same?

“Up. In. Out.” is shorthand for checking up on the health of my faith life. It’s a good way to think about our shared life too. Here’s how it works: First, I focus on how I’ve connected with God recently.

How often do I have transcendent experiences that open my spirit to something higher than myself? Soaring choir anthems, early morning sunlight through the trees, a wander through an art gallery, quiet time with scripture and prayer – all of these consistently put me in the way of transcendence. If I’m in balance, I regularly make sure those experiences are on my calendar. However, if I’m feeling dry or maybe a little bit overwhelmed by minutia (it happens), there’s a good chance I’m hungry for the transcendent. That’s “Up.” Next, “In.” In this step, I’m checking on connecting with myself and those closest to me. Our close relationships are some of the places God does the most critical work.

Believe it or not, even with a busy intergenerational family life and three children at home, it can be tricky

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2022 Confirmation Class Owen Michael Gerrish

Phoebe Rose Morris

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n Sunday, April 24, 2022, during our 9:30 am service, Plymouth celebrated the faith journeys of our class of 2021-22 Confirmands. We are so proud of them all.

Bennett James Nagel

Confirmation at Plymouth is a youth program for 6th-8th graders.

Students spend the school year (August to April) learning about and coming to a deeper understanding of their faiths and what it means to be a part of the Plymouth community under the guidance of Rev. Caroline Lawson Dean and Confirmation teachers and sponsors.

Students complete the Confirmation process in eighth grade with a special service in their honor.

For more information on Plymouth’s Confirmation program, please contact Rev. Dean at associatepastor@plymouthlawrence.com. Confirmation will begin again in August 2022.

Madi Pierson

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JENNIFER BONILLA Jennifer Bonilla (pronounced Bow-Knee-Ah) has lived in Lawrence for most of her life. She has been an educator for Lawrence Public Schools for sixteen years. Currently, she serves as the library media specialist for the Billy Mills Middle School learning community. Jennifer is looking forward to building community at Plymouth and participating in service projects alongside her children Amaya (19), Jude (16) Milo (12) and Bodhi (4).

THEA COSTELLO & SAGAN SMITH “My wife and I have been together for six years, married for almost three years, coming up in May. Sagan moved here to Lawrence in 2011 to get her Master's degree at KU. I moved here in 2016 to be with her. We have two boys: Alex (16) and William (12). Our family likes to travel, play games and be outdoors. We wanted to find a church accepting of my wife and me and our family that we have created. We also wanted a church with a sense of community and purpose for ourselves and our kids.”

CHRIS & BOB DETER Bob and Chris moved to Lawrence in June of 2021 from Red Oak, Iowa. Bob was the IT director for Red Oak Community Schools, and Chris ended her 40-year teaching career as a special education teacher for Red Oak Community Schools. Bob currently teaches technology classes at West Middle School in Lawrence. Chris enjoys her retirement and likes walking her dog, Jules, reading, and meeting new people in their neighborhood and Lawrence. After visiting several churches in Lawrence, they chose Plymouth because of how welcoming it is and how they have been embraced. They are eager to participate in some of the service opportunities.

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GAYLE & DONNA ENGEL Last June, Gayle and Donna moved from St. Louis, MO, to Shawnee, KS, to be nearer to their two sons and families. They are joining by letter of transfer from Parkway United Church of Christ in St. Louis.

Gayle is a retired United Church of Christ (UCC) minister, having served a local parish for six years in Missouri before entering a 35year career in conference ministries, including Arizona, Northern California, Kansas-Oklahoma (1979-1990), and Missouri Mid-South (1990 -2006). Since retirement, he has been a consultant for national ministries of the UCC. Donna taught elementary music before retiring in 2005. They have three children (two sons and a daughter) and two grandsons.

KRISTI EVANS “I moved to Lawrence a little over a year ago. Originally I come from Windsor, MO, where my family still lives. I graduated from Southwest Missouri State University (now MSU) with a BS in Early Childhood Education and Family Development. I also have an M.Div. from Phillips Theological Seminary. After taking a break from church life, I am looking to rejoin the community and find a church home.”

RACHEL & DUANE GOOSSEN Rachel and Duane Goossen live in Topeka and are joining by letter of transfer from Southern Hills Mennonite Church. Rachel is a professor of history and religion at Washburn University, and Duane is retired from a career in Kansas government and politics. They are the parents of two young-adult children, and their interests include woodworking, camping, hiking, and music. Duane and Rachel appreciate being part of Plymouth's vibrant, inclusive faith community.

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SACIE LAMBERTSON Sacie and David moved to town five years ago after living 23 miles north for about 22 years. Long retired from a life in the Foreign Service with David's assignments mainly in Asia, Sacie retains her interest in building projects, although it is likely the house they live in on New York Street, which they gutted and rebuilt, will be their last big job. These days, their greatest activity is walking, so they know this part of Lawrence very well. Both appreciate the open and affirming attitude of Plymouth Church.

PHYLLIS MALEY Phyllis moved to Lawrence in the summer of 2019 to live with her daughter, Melissa. Both had become widowed within a few months of each other. Melissa and her children are also attending Plymouth. Her grandson, Jackson, recently won the Chili Cookoff supporting the youth mission trip this summer.

Phyllis lived most of her life in Tennessee, where her husband was a pediatrician for 40 years, three in the Navy, and the remainder in private practice in Jackson, TN. Phyllis has a son, Chris, who is married with one child and lives in Nashville. Her daughter, Melissa, is a teacher at Deerfield Elementary and has two children.

Phyllis received her degree in accounting, and after three years in public accounting, she received certification in church administration. For the next seventeen years, she was the Church Administrator at First United Methodist Church in Jackson, a rewarding and fulfilling time for her. Phyllis looks forward to meeting more of the Plymouth church family and finding ways to be of service to the community.

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BRIDGETTE MURPHY & MAY WINEBRENNER Bridge was born and raised in Lawrence and has attended church most of her adult life. She is the mother of three wonderful children: Joe (22), Jamie (20), and May (17), and also two wonderful boxer dogs, Scarecrow and Ithaca.

“We started coming to Plymouth because we needed to find a church that would be welcoming and accepting of our family. We were not only accepted at Plymouth; we were welcomed with open hearts and open arms (as much as can be during a global pandemic).”

Bridge has an extensive background in the customer service industry and is currently working at the AAA office in Lawrence.

BRIAN & KRISTIN SALMANS Kristin and Brian and their kids, Jackson, Cooper, and Lily, have lived in Lawrence for about eight years. Before that, they lived in Virginia, Texas, Illinois, Alabama, and Germany with the Air Force. Brian teaches in the Business School at KU. Kristin teaches Pilates and volunteers with the League of Women Voters and other organizations. Jackson graduates from Free State High School in May and will attend Arizona State University this fall. The twins are finishing their sixth-grade year at Southwest Middle School. They love participating in the youth group and handbell choir!

BARBARA SIMPSON “I’m originally from Topeka. After graduating from KU, I lived in San Diego and Chicago. I moved back to Lawrence in 2015 and worked for the Office of Admissions at KU. I am currently a stay-at-home mother to my two-year-old son and 12-year-old stepdaughter.”

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LAURA STRATTON Laura moved to Lawrence from New Orleans in 2019 with her husband, Sam. Their twin toddlers, Jack and Charlie, were born in May 2020. Laura is a non-profit attorney and is passionate about social justice; she has been a stay-at-home mom during the pandemic, but she is very excited to get back to work soon! She enjoys writing, Crossfit, interior design, and anything that reminds her of New Orleans. Laura is the co-leader of the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group at Plymouth.

WENDY & JAMES TRAUL James and Wendy were both born and raised in Lawrence. Both graduated from LHS in 1986 but were only acquaintances until they started dating in 2007 and then married in 2009. Wendy works for The Douglas County Register of Deeds, and James works in the KU Landscape Department. James and Wendy enjoy traveling to Mexico and Jamaica during the winter months, and they spend their summers fishing at Clinton Lake. Wendy enjoys buying and selling second-hand items online, and James is an avid gardener and cook. James attended Plymouth as a child. Now he and Wendy are anxious to become reacquainted with the church and their walk with Christ.

MIKE WRAY Mike is originally from Shawnee, KS, having moved to Lawrence in 2020 to pursue a doctorate (PhD) in school psychology at the University of Kansas. Mike currently works for the Lansing School District but is soon transitioning to a graduate teaching position at KU to be full-time in the PhD program. Mike has attended Plymouth around eight months and decided to join because of its progressive theology and active role in the community, as well as its rich history and traditional worship options. Mike is an avid KU basketball and Kansas City Chiefs fan.

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lease join us for the Earth Care Fellowship Forum on May 8 between services. First, Jenny O’Brien will discuss the Climate Action Plan – our region’s response to climate change – and how you can get involved. Then, Margaret Kramar will advise how to create a habitat for wildlife in your backyard.

In tandem with the discussion, you will notice the Earth Promise Tree in the Mayflower Room, which needs your promises to green up this spring and summer. For example, you may decide to inscribe the leaf with a promise such as “I promise to bring my own bags when shopping,” “I promise to plant some native wildflowers in my yard,” or “I promise to become a climate ambassador.”

By participating in these activities and sharing our knowledge, we all become better stewards of the Creation.

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re you looking for a familyfriendly event for Memorial Day that gives you plenty of time to commemorate the holiday? And bonus points for one that supports a Plymouth mission partner? Then Join Plymouth members and friends for fellowship on foot at the Family Promise 5K Home Run! The 5K Home Run benefits Family Promise of Lawrence (FPL), which serves local families on the brink of experiencing or recovering from homelessness. FPL has remained open throughout the pandemic. Since March 2020, they’ve served more than 720 families – including over 1,600 children. That’s the population of Lawrence High School.

Walkers and runners of all ages, plus strollers and dogs on a leash, are welcome. Participants receive a race Tshirt, and in-person runners can vie for medals rewarding the top three times in each age category. In addition, we’ll have lots of free kids’ activities at South Park that morning, including bounce houses, special guest appearances, face painting, bubbles, samples from Smoothie King, and more. Sarah Plake, KSHB-TV 41 reporter, will emcee the event.

want to help? Please consider donating to the 5K Home Run fundraiser. Our goal is $10,000, and you can donate quickly and easily through GiveGab.com or via check (write 5K donation in the memo line). Also, if you’d like to fundraise on behalf of the 5K, we can set up a page for you. The top fundraisers will earn gift cards from Lawrence Beer Company.

Let’s lace up those sneakers to help run family homelessness out of Lawrence! For questions, contact Brandy Ernzen at brandy@lawrencefamilypromise. org.

New this year: The largest youth team will win free meals from Hawaiian Bros!

We couldn’t put on an event this big without volunteers, either. From staffing check-in tables, passing out water and removing timing chips at the finish line, keeping runners safe at intersections, helping with kids’ activities, and more, there’s something for everyone. Sign up at plymouthlawrence.com.

If a 5K isn’t your thing, but you still

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ur Spring/Summer curriculum is about to begin. If 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, in person or on Zoom, 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 pastors will provide some thoughtful discussion-based materials to choose from.

See this article at plymouthlawrence.com on our News & Events page or the weekly church emails and fill out a survey to help us connect with you.

If you have any questions, email Welcome and Care Coordinator Liz Smith at welcome@plymouthlawrence.com.

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he United Church of Christ (UCC) recognizes the unfortunate reality that “Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people of faith often experience emotional and spiritual injury in churches that condemn their capacity to love and seek love.” They are afraid that “All Are Welcome” doesn’t actually apply to them or their families.

are, without the need to explain themselves. It will also show visitors in our church that “All are welcome” does indeed apply to them. We also hope that it will allow the children in our community to grow up knowing that their gender identity will never be used as a reason to exclude or judge them. They can express themselves fully, confident that they belong. We encourage all people to display their pronouns in support of inclusivity.

One way to create a welcoming community is to formally recognize the importance of gender identity. The UCC defines gender identity as “one’s own sense of self” and recognizes that our expression of gender affects every aspect of our daily lives.

We have an opportunity to create a space in which people of all gender identities can feel safe. Every week, we put on our name tags so that we may be known and know others. Our goal is to offer name tags with preferred pronouns for those who wish to use them. We hope that this will create a more welcoming atmosphere for several reasons. Firstly, it will allow transgender and gender nonconforming people to be known as they

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n Saturday, June 25, from 10 am - 2 pm, the Plymouth Service Corps will be working with the local group Tenants to Homeowners to help rehab a 15-unit apartment complex and improve low -income housing options in Lawrence.

Representatives from Tenants to Homeowners will be there to direct and assist Plymouth Service Corps volunteers in their work, whether it be cleaning, painting, or landscaping. Please bring masks and wear old clothing. Volunteers must be either 18+ or 12+ with a parent/guardian. Sign up at plymouthlawrence.com on the News & Events page or our weekly church emails.

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he missions and ministries of Plymouth Church only function because its members and friends give of themselves to further God’s work in the world. If you haven’t ever taken the Plymouth Time and Talent survey, or if you haven’t taken it in a while, fill it out online at plymouthlawrence.com on our News & Events page.

Rather than listing out every Plymouth event and group, which change from year to year, the survey asks what type of things you are good at, willing to help with, and passionate about.

As new needs arise, staff and lay leaders use this general information for the situation at hand.

For instance, people who can sew might be asked to help with banners one year and costumes for the children’s pageant the next.

People interested in “greeting and hospitality” might be asked to usher, or host coffee hour, or serve on the membership board. Writing down a skill or interest doesn’t commit you to every relevant project—it just means we have a place to start when looking for volunteers.

Thank you for sharing your time and talents with Plymouth church.

The continuing vitality of our church will be determined by our willingness to work together and build something great.

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lanned giving is a way to share your blessings beyond your lifetime through a variety of charitable giving options. We encourage you to reflect upon what Plymouth’s faith community has meant to you and your family, as well as your vision for the future of Plymouth Church. There are gifts that pay you income during your lifetime and gifts that help reduce or avoid income and estate taxes.

The Plymouth Endowment and Planned Giving Committee Gene Puckett Elaine Schmidt Gene Bauer

Becky Foster Sue Himes Don Low

Dick Orchard, Chairperson

The Endowment and Planned Giving Committee of Plymouth and the United Church Funds staff of the UCC (ucfunds.org) are available to inform you of the many options available in making a lasting gift to the church.

To find out more, visit plymouthlawrence.com and hit the yellow “Give” button at the top of the page and then the “Learn More” button under Endowed Giving.

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VISIT US! 925 VERMONT STREET LAWRENCE, KANSAS, 66044

CONTACT US! 785-843-3220 ⚫ ADMINISTRATION@PLYMOUTHLAWRENCE.COM

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