...it’s enough to sit back and rest a moment in the golden light of fall. Enjoy the cool mornings, the purples and reds and amber tones, and welcome the gift of this lovely season. God is surely with us here. I’m glad you ’ re here too.
Rev Dr Valerie Miller-Coleman
Rev. Dr. Valerie Miller-Coleman
As a Kansas transplant, I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of shoulder seasons. In Kansas, the heavenly spring weather and flowers begin in March and stretch into June some years. The deep breath of the first days of autumn comes as pure relief Finally, finally, we’re free from the heat.
October might be the best month of the year for that very reason.
It’s certainly one of the best seasons of life at Plymouth Church. Plymouth Academy is in full swing, music and youth programs are operating on all cylinders, and it just feels like time to gather in and be church together. All the traditions of fall return like familiar friends By the time you read this, the Plymouth Women’s retreat will have just wrapped up as will the Faith Foundations retreat.
We’ll be preparing for a season focused on cultivating the spiritual discipline of generosity. That begins with our annual
budget brunch on October 13th. Quiche will meet calculators as we spend a morning studying our church family budget for the year ahead. It’s one of the nerdiest, best things about fall at Plymouth Church.
You’ll take home the packet lovingly prepared for you by our annual appeal team, including more details about how Plymouth’s mission, to unite for the worship of God and the service of all, comes to life through our gifts. A commitment card for each household will be included along with a giving guide to help you calculate your fair share of the family budget.
I like to challenge myself to grow in generosity each year, setting a new goal that feels like a healthy stretch. Kind of like choosing a fast or spiritual practice for Lent, the fall brings an opportunity to make purposeful strides in the practice of generosity. It all begins on October 13th, so mark your calendars and bring an appetite! Childcare will definitely be provided.
On October 27th, this year’s 3rd Grade Bible Stepping Stone class will receive their bibles and a blessing in worship. Don’t blink though, because before you know it they’ll be transformed into robots and lions and ghosts parading around the block in our annual Halloween Parade! All ages are welcome to join the parade departing right after children’s choirs let out at 11am.
Whew! That’s plenty. There’s so much more going on and you’ll be hearing more about all of it but for now, I think it’s enough to sit back and rest a moment in the golden light of fall. Enjoy the cool mornings, the purples and reds and amber tones, and welcome the gift of this lovely season. God is surely with us here I’m glad you’re here too
See you in church,
Rev. Dr. Valerie Miller-Coleman Senior Pastor
My husband and I recently watched Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca and at one point the unnamed female main character turns to her would-be husband and says (paraphrased) that someone should invent the ability to bottle memories and when you want to return to them, you could just uncork the bottle and go right back to that time. The dialogue is meant to show her naivete, her lack of understanding that memories can haunt and torture. However, I stand with the second Mrs. de Winter; I think the practice of noting core memories to metaphorically uncork and return to in the future is a good one.
The memory I keep wanting to return to in my present involves my grandfather. When I was a child, I would often spend several weeks every summer at my grandparents’ home. I would spend the day playing, exploring or swimming with my cousins, but at night it would be just me and my grandparents.
After dinner and bath, I would sit with my grandfather at a laminate kitchen table in a modest ranch home and, while I read my book or wrote in my notebook, he would do church business. Sometimes this involved actual business; he was an Elder in the church and was responsible for things like the budget Sometimes he would write a sermon Other times, he would be read and study his Bible. With the sound of the dishwasher humming in the background, I would watch him work. No podcast in his ear. No TV on in the background.
This memory brings me peace, which is just part of why I want to return to it. Serving in the Moderator role, I find myself not only wanting to return to the memory, but to talk to him and ask him questions. There was no man, except my own father, that I thought higher of at the time, and current me would love to know his thoughts about church and theology. And a not small part of me hopes that he would ask me questions—that he would be interested in my thoughts on church and theology. We could share with each other what we’ve learned, and we could look at the similarities and the differences between our experiences.
I’ve learned much more than I ever thought I would in my time as Moderator, and yet, I feel as though I have barely scratched the surface of what there is to learn about Plymouth Church. So here is just a small sampling of what I would share with him.
There is a vibrancy that can get lost in the grind if you are not diligent towards it. When you are two-hours into a Tuesday night Council meeting, feeling tired and bleary-eyed, it can be easy to lose sight of the vibrancy of our church. I find it helpful to do a practice of re-framing. A long agenda is a blessing it means we are doing things Reviewing the Youth Service trip is a blessing it means we have youth engaged in the outside world. Reviewing a detailed draft budget is a blessing it means we’re growing and have cheerful givers. Plymouth Church has a vibrancy to it right now that is hard to deny, but it can be easy to lose sight of if we do not practice gratitude for it.
Have faith in good people to do good work to fill your deficiencies. I am not a lawyer. I’m not an accountant, an architect, an HR professional, or a musician. I have a never once worked for Bob Dole. Luckily, I do not have to be all of these things, because the people of Plymouth bring such a diverse range of skill sets, professions, and perspectives that I can put my faith in our collective effort. At least once a month, if not more, I feel gratitude for the decades of expertise that are freely given by our members to Plymouth Church
The best example of this is the draft budget and starting of the Annual Appeal. As you will see in the next few weeks and months, the draft budget represents an astounding amount of work and expertise from our various boards and committees. I am proud of the work done thus far and am excited to see it move forward with diligence from both the Annual Appeal & Fundraising Committee and our dedicated members.
The congregants are the heart and the soul of the church. Never have I seen a better embodiment of the phrase “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” than Plymouth Church. Less than one year ago, our congregation voted to move forward with new by-laws enacting a new governance structure. However, it was not a unanimous vote and many felt in good faith that it was not the right path forward. Despite this difference in opinion, I have seen time and
time again that people have come together to continue to serve and to work to make Plymouth the best version of itself it can be.
There have been challenges with the transition to the new governance structure Questions like ‘Should this be a consent item or a full report?’ or ‘Does this go to Finance first or Council?’ demonstrate the uncertainty of transition. However, every time one of those challenges arises, I see people who are committed to learning together to figure out the best path forward.
I do not know what my grandfather would make of my thoughts on these issues. My hunch is that he would relate to some of them and not others And, unfortunately, I cannot ask him as he passed away in 2011. However, I have faith that I will get to have this conversation with him one day. Until then I will continue to uncork my memory of him and find inspiration in his dedication to his church and our God
Plymouth Church Front Office Hours
Monday-Thursday
9:00-3:00 pm
10:40-11:20 in the Mayflower Room
Childcare provided!
Plymouth Church is a vibrant, growing community with tremendous potential for greater generosity, both spiritual and financial, as we move forward in faith.
Please join us in reflecting, praying, and preparing to renew our shared commitment to the mission and ministries of Plymouth Church in the coming year. Your commitment is vital, wherever you are on your giving journey. Let’s move forward in faith together!
Janet was born in Lawrence and was baptized at Plymouth Congregational Church. Her parents were married at Plymouth in 1956. Frank grew up Catholic in Topeka with a family of six sisters and a brother. Both have undergrad degrees from KU, and Janet also has an MBA from KU. Both Janet and Frank have two daughters from previous marriages. Combined, they have five grandchildren Frank and Janet were married in their backyard in June 2023. After long careers in the business world, they currently volunteer for various causes and also spend time caring for elder family members
Jeff Geiger, Emily Kemp, Tobias (14) and Sahalie (11) are a family of explorers - Emily has traveled in pursuit of her passion as an educator, Jeff as an author, and Tobias and Sahalie as creative, curious individuals growing into themselves. After a long stint in Eugene, Oregon the family was gearing up for a one-year trip to Granada, Spain Instead, they moved to Lawrence (In this family, that sort of thing happens.) Jeff and Emily felt called to Plymouth to be closer to God, and hope to grow in their faith with fellow explorers and those who endeavor to serve and seek.
Hannah is a Kansan, raised Presbyterian She earned her Art degree from KU and then moved to the UK. She earned her Master’s in Directing. Matt is South African, raised Catholic. He earned his Library Science degree from Cape Technikon then moved to the UK. They met in London when Hannah was working as a Casting Assistant and Matt a Librarian in a private school They married a year later and had Agatha two years after! In 2018 the three of them immigrated to Kansas, having Edith a year later. In 2021 they bought their first house in Lawrence. The girls both attend local schools, Hannah works part time at the Senior Resource Center and Matt works for the Johnson County Library System. They enjoy exploring new things, cooking, creating, going on walks and learning.
Marilyn and Ken Epperson recently moved to Lawrence from Topeka to be close to family. Marilyn retired from the United States Postal Service Until now, she had lived her entire life in Topeka. Ken is retired from Santa Fe Railroad. He was born in Mena, Arkansas, lived a few years in Lawrence as a teenager, and then settled in Topeka where he met Marilyn whom he has been married to for 67 years. They have three adult children, six adult grandkids, and two great-grandkids. Ken and Marilyn were both baptized in the American Baptist church and were life-long members of North Topeka Baptist until its closure in 2022. Both enjoy meeting new people and have many stories to share. Having lived in Lawrence during WWII, Ken has interesting memories of a German POW camp in Lawrence.
Steve and Jenni grew up in Lawrence and Stafford, KS respectively. Both have degrees and careers in health care management The couple met over 50 years ago and have lived in several communities around the country before retiring and returning to Lawrence several years ago.
The Kogers travel frequently to spend time with their daughter (IA) and son (IL) and their families. They began attending Plymouth Sunday worship services in 2024 and have been made to feel warmly welcomed by pastors and members. Steve and Jenni look forward to joining Plymouth and becoming involved in the Church’s ongoing mission to grow and serve its congregation and the community within which it exists.
George and Lauri moved to Lawrence in February to be closer to their family, especially their granddaughter. They are joining by letter of transfer from Lowman UMC in Topeka. George is a family physician who retired from his practice at Stormont Vail in Topeka. Lauri is a librarian whose last position was at an elementary school in Topeka. After graduating from KU, they were married at First Pilgrim Congregational in KC, Kansas. They were members of Eutaw UCC in Fayetteville, NC while George completed his residency. They enjoy traveling and sailing their boat, Ad Astra, at Lake Perry. They are excited to join this open-hearted faith community.
I’m Shari Miller, a native of KS, in Lawrence since the holidays. I am a beloved and significant Daughter of God and Sister in the family of Christ My greatest joy is learning to love in intimate relationship with YHWH—my Abba Father, My Lord Jesus by His Spirit within, my daughters and others whom I have a close connection with. Nearly 6 years ago, Jesus rescued (and is still rescuing me) from over 5 decades of my selfishness and the lies of the world and western religion about God Since then, by placing my trust in the grace and goodness of God by following His transformative ways and teachings in and through His witness in Scripture and wisdom for an eternal flourishing abundant way of life embodied in all Christ is, has done, is doing, and promises He will accomplish I’ve been learning and growing (and want to share) in how His greatest desire is for us to increasingly and intimately know Him by seeking and depending upon Him for everything, how to have real true loving relationships, His purposes for us in BEing His people, and together as one family by the indwelling Spirit of the eternal enduring love power of Christ, to selflessly and sacrificially love and care for each other and his gift of creation. In all of this I have experienced and witnessed changes in ways of thinking, desires, and ways to live and love that has brought healing, joy, wholeness I was not able to do in any other way But I’ve also increasingly witnessed this, especially recently, in the family of Plymouth and in Lawrence. This is why I’m choosing to covenantally commit to this family by prayer and the Spirit of Christ.
Support the Handbell Choirs! The Plymouth Handbell Choirs are selling fresh greenery, wreaths, swags, garlands, and centerpieces to provide funds for purchasing music, mallets, stands, folders, polish, and upkeep on the handbells.
Purchased items will be delivered to Plymouth for pick up before Thanksgiving. All items may also be shipped directly to distant relatives or friends, making a nohassle early Christmas present that can be enjoyed throughout the season!
Please visit the handbell table between services in the Narthex. The last date to order is Sunday, November 3.
For more information, please contact Kim Manz music@plymouthlawrence.com.
In December 2021, Plymouth’s Chancel Choir sang Magnificat by Taylor Scott Davis. Published in 2021, Plymouth was one of the first choirs to perform this work.
Now our choir has been invited to sing in a performance of this work at Carnegie Hall on April 7, 2025. The trip dates are April 4-8, 2025.
The trip is open to anyone in the congregation who would like to go and support the choir. Reservations to travel with the choir are due on October 15. Please contact Kim Manz at music@plymouthlawrence.com for more information
This is a costly undertaking for individual choir members And for many, a once in a lifetime opportunity In addition to airfare, hotel expenses and meals, each choir member as part of their package is assessed fees to help cover the following:
Rehearsal space rental
Carnegie Hall rental
New York City Chamber Orchestra
Conductor Soloists
Manhattan Concert Production staff
Broadway Show Ticket
Top of the Rock Observation Deck
Transit Passes
After Concert Buffet Reception
If you would like to financially support the choir in making this trip, you may give a gift and designate it “Carnegie Hall.”
A musical revue of songs known and loved by young and old alike. Join the Plymouth Players for an evening of food, fun, music and fellowship
Plymouth Players Dinner Theater
Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2
Social Time 5:30pm • Dinner at 6pm
Ticket sales are open now until Sunday, October 27 (the last date to make reservations)
Adults $20
Ages 12 and under $10
Menu: Vegetable Lasagna, Roast Beef, Roasted Red Potatoes, Roasted Vegetables, Salad, Roll, Apple Crisp
Advanced Reservations and Payment are required
We can always use kitchen help! Please let Kim Manz know if you could help on Friday or Saturday: music@plymouthlawrencecom
Magnificat was premiered in 2016 and received its UK premier and recording by the acclaimed Voces8. Taylor Scott Davis’s music has been described as “lush and artful ”
The five movements are meant to capture the sound of Mary going from typical teenage child to God’s chosen one, complete with all of the accompanying emotions
PlymouthYouthServiceCorps
October12at9am
Joininthefunforagoodcause!PlymouthYouthwillsupportJustFood,ourlocal foodpantry,throughaspinonafooddrive:Trick-or-Treating Onlythistime,not forcandy…butfornonperishablefoods!
Wewillmeetatthechurchtobreakintosmallgroups.
Wewillneedlotsofadultsupport!
Thesmallgroups(withanadultdriver)willdispatchintothecommunitytogo door-to-dooraskingourneighborsiftheyhaveanynonperishablegoodsthey wouldliketodonatetoJustFood
GroupswillreturntoPlymouthchurchby10:45amandmeetintheMayflower Room
YoutharewelcometowearaHalloween-themedoutfitiftheywant(Totally optional,butpleaseusegoodjudgementoncostumessinceweareachurch group!)
TheCongregationiswelcometobringtheirown donationsonSunday
Whenever we experience loss, transition or change in our lives, there is the possibility for grief Sometimes, we need the help and support of others in these times. This fall, Plymouth will offer a grief group, led by Rev Marc Giedinghagen and Rev Heather Coates. A place where you can come and share your story, learn about grieving, get support and support others as they walk in their grief.
This group will start Oct 23rd, and last for five weeks, meeting on Wednesday afternoons at 2:30pm. If you are interested or have questions, contact Heather: welcome@plymouthlawrence.com. Sign up here!
Many of us feel a calling to live into our faith in the wider community.
Citizen's Academy brings together a variety of local and national organizations working to make our world a better place. These organizations need us!
Each week, we’ll learn about the goals of various organizations, and how we can join in. Whether it's serving meals at LINK, phone banking with Loud Light, volunteering for Family Promise, or rallying at the capital with KIFA, there are so many ways to help!
October 13th - League of Women Voters Local Representative October 20th - LINK Plymouth Team Leaders
October 27th - Rabbi Moti Rieber, Kansas Interfaith Action
Citizen's Academy sessions will take place between services in the Heritage Room.
We are excited to announce that Colton Pasquale will be joining our staff team to work with our children, high school youth, and their families.
He will also support the Youth Service Corps community.
Colton brings valuable experience as an educator and middle school football coach from De Soto, Kansas. He has spent the past decade working with youth at Tall Oaks Retreat Center, where he directed their middle school camp the past few summers Colton holds an undergraduate degree from Pittsburgh State University
Join us as we welcome Colton during worship and fellowship hour in the Mayflower Room on this Sunday, October 6th. His official start date will be October 21st
Colton feels called to ministry in a community where everyone is accepted. With years of experience working with elementary and middle school students, he aims to apply his skills in a faith formation setting. In his interview, Colton expressed his desire to help children and youth recognize God’s presence in all aspects of their lives.
by Stacy England
Just like congregations across the country, members of Plymouth adapted to the pandemic by participating in online worship services from home. Barbara Brand and her daughter, Betsy Six, started watching together while working on a jigsaw puzzle and began the tradition of “Puzzle Church.”
Nearly 70 years before that, Barbara and a friend from the youth group joined Plymouth Church. It was 1951 and the setting was the chapel, which was at the back of the balcony. “The youth minister just had a little ceremony and I think it was just the two of us at the time,” said Barbara.
She attended worship services sporadically but was a regular in the youth group on Friday nights. “When I was in junior high, Dale Turner was the one who got all of us there.”
Barbara graduated from high school in 1955. She attended grade school north of town at Midland and then Lawrence Junior High. She started high school at Liberty Memorial and during the spring semester of her junior year, she and her classmates began attending class at the new Lawrence High School.
She met Jack Brand four years later in 1959. Barbara had graduated from KU with a degree in education. Jack had finished his
law degree and had started work the day they met. Barbara and Jack were married in 1960 at Plymouth in a ceremony officiated by Paul Davis.
She taught at Pinkney for a year while they were dating. After their marriage, she taught for another half a year until she became pregnant with their oldest daughter. At the time, the policy required that teachers could not continue to teach while expecting.
She did what married women did at the time. She was a homemaker and a mother of three. “I spent the rest of my life just doing that and volunteering That’s just what you did back then ”
Paul Davis persuaded Jack to serve as head usher for 10 years. During that time, Barbara taught Sunday school or worked in the nursery, serving where she was needed. “I was on a search committee for John Felible in the late 1960s.”
Barbara’s volunteer work in the community has been significant. She was a Girl Scout leader while her daughters were young. She also became one of many who worked with Petey Cerf to establish the Ballard Center. Barbara dedicated 15 years to leadership at the Shelter, established in 1981 to provide unlocked residential care for children placed
there, often due to law enforcement or court action. The shelter merged with O’Connell Youth Ranch in 2021 and is now known as the O’Connell Children’s Shelter.
She was one of the volunteers who began the Festival of Trees which is the primary fundraiser for the O’Connell Children’s Shelter. Barbara also served on the Hospital Endowment Board, the Kansas Memorial Union Board, and as citywide chair of the United Fund.
She and Jack raised three daughters who graduated from KU and were married at Plymouth Becky and Jay Meschke live in Kansas City Kelly and Mike Pettit live in Irvine, California Betsy and Steve Six live in Lawrence. Barbara has 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
The Brands built the third house in the Alvamar area and have lived on the golf course since it was developed. Jack worked alongside Bob Billings and John McGrew who started Alvamar.
Barbara and Jack played tennis for many years and also golfed together. She and Jack took trips to the South in the winter to play golf. “It was great,” she said. Barbara loves to travel and the two went to Europe, China, Australia, and South America. They also loaded up their red station wagon and traveled throughout the U.S. with their daughters. They went to California often and also visited Washington, DC, the East Coast, and Mount Rushmore
After Jack died in 2015, she began to travel with members of her family who went somewhere different on each trip. They also go to Colorado in the summer and Palm Springs in the winter.
Jack and Barbara cheered for the KU football and basketball teams as season ticket holders. Barbara and her family continue to attend games together and she still plays golf at the Jayhawk Club, mostly with her kids.
Barbara also plays bridge. She likes to shop, eat out, and paint. “During Covid, I took up painting, with help from the people on the internet,” said Barbara, who calls herself a closet painter “It’s been fun ”
After our conversation, she was on her way to buy jars to make peach jam to have with biscuits. Barbara makes them for their communion on the first Sunday during “Puzzle Church.”
