Annual Report 2024-2025 - Flipbook - Page 6
PASTOR OF FAITH FORMATION & SOCIAL JUSTICE
JOHN TYSON
Sticking to the transportation theme, I look forward to feeling
less like I’m building the plane while flying it next year. Creating
a culture of consistency is a priority for our programs that
serve Plymouth children, teens, and families. I am grateful for
Samantha Whalen and Barb Godwin’s partnership, and I’m
excited for Ted Brimeyer to begin his new role as Director of
Children, Teens, and Families in June. There is much good
ministry ahead of us in the years to come!
When I began my role on September 3, I felt like I was jumping
aboard a moving train! The new program year was launched,
and it was full steam ahead. Writing this annual report is the
first time I’ve had an occasion to look back and reflect on a busy
beginning to my time as a pastor at Plymouth.
With Plymouth being the third congregation that I have served,
I’ve learned that it takes a year to truly feel like you have
your “sea legs” – that feeling of having adjusted your sense of
balance to the motion of a moving ship. I’m not feeling totally
balanced at sea yet. Plymouth is a large and fast-moving ship!
However, it has been a productive year of learning the rhythms
of congregational life and adapting accordingly. I’m grateful to
fellow staff and church leaders who have worked patiently with
me during this program year.
As the pastor who stewards the work of faith formation and
social justice, I shift between two vibrant aspects of the
congregation. I serve as the pastoral liaison to the Board of
Children, Teens, and Families, the Board of Social Action, and
the Board of Spiritual Growth. These three dedicated boards,
and their respective committees, have been responsible for
leading a multitude of successful initiatives this year that you
will read about in this report. A few personal highlights for me
have include directing and teaching the Confirmation program,
becoming more involved in supporting the Matins Choir, and
facilitating a conversation about Christian Nationalism last
October. Additional activities like helping to lead our vibrant
worship services, coordinating Forum speakers, several book
studies, numerous retreats, and collaboration with many ministry
partners in Des Moines also standout as I reflect on the past year.
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I’m honored to serve a congregation that takes Jesus’ call to
love our neighbors with utmost seriousness. We do this with
generous acts of charitable giving to many long-standing local
agencies, forming connections with friends at Corinthian Baptist
Church, careful learning through book studies on subjects like
anti-racism, and by showing up for justice, whether it is a protest
at the State Capitol, an AMOS civic academy, folding creation
care practices into congregational life, or caring for a refugee
family who has recently arrived in our community. With added
staff joining our faith formation team soon, I am eager to be more
intimately involved in our social justice work in the year ahead.
Finally, I want to sincerely thank the congregation for the warm
welcome that me and my family have received at Plymouth.
Amy and I love to see our children involved and enjoying
church school, choir practices, and making new friends. It feels
good to be part of the Plymouth community, and I can’t wait to
see where our travels will take us!
