Plymouth Magazine-Summer26-DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 44
Gwen Pletcher plans to major in Communications at the
University of Iowa. Gwen sang in the children’s choirs and
Matins and was confirmed at Plymouth. Matins has was a place
for her to connect her passion for music with personal and
spiritual growth. She volunteered as a counselor at Plymouth’s
Creative Arts Camp and was inspired by the children’s curiosity
and excitement. A part of Plymouth since infant baptism, Gwen
noted that “growing up at Plymouth has given me a constant
foundation of faith: it has been a place of stability and guidance.
The people I have encountered there have deeply shaped the
way I experience the world, teaching me the importance of
compassion, community, and connection. Plymouth is a place
where I feel known, supported, and encouraged to grow.”
Sabine Carlson
Gwen Pletcher
Kalya Kothavale
Jamison Reinders
Jamison Reinders will major in Health Sciences at the University
of Iowa. She was involved in Plymouth choirs (Kinder through
Matins), Confirmation, the Our Whole Lives (OWL) programs,
and served on the Youth Leadership Team for Matins. Jamison
entered and completed Confirmation “with more questions
than answers.’ Reflecting on how Plymouth helped shape her
faith, Jamison said, “It was never about being Christian enough.
It was never about how many times I pray or read the Bible.
[It’s about] how I treat others and how I choose to live my life…
doing what Jesus would want; treating others with kindness;
doing everything with love; making meaningful connections.
I now know even if you don’t feel God, you can at least look
for God. Look at your loved ones, look at the strangers, look at
nature and animals, look at the beautiful sanctuary. God’s love is
woven through everything and everyone.”
Raleigh Smith will be seeking a Bachelor’s in English and
Creative Writing, as well as a teaching certificate. Since baptism
as an infant, Raleigh said Plymouth “has been a second home.”
His years in Sunday School, childcare while his mom rehearsed
with the Plymouth Bells, and Confirmation and Matins
experiences helped shape his character. Sermons, Scripture, and
musical lyrics have “accentuated my relationship with God.”
Raleigh was very involved in Matins for the last four years,
including singing at worship, volunteering for all fundraisers,
and serving/leading the Youth Leadership Team. Raleigh stated,
“I will always be grateful for how incredibly Plymouth and its
ministries have molded my character and given me relationships
I will always cherish.”
Sarah Wigton is headed to St. Olaf to study Sociology and PreLaw. Sarah was a part of the children’s choirs and Sunday School
since age four. Following her 2008 Confirmation, Sarah sang in
Matins and served on the Youth Leadership Team. She wrote
articles for Plymouth Magazine, choreographed the Matins
Variety Show three years running, worked in the Childcare
Room, walked with Plymouth in the Pride Parade, and attended
the Common Ground on the Border Conference in Arizona.
Sarah said, “Plymouth has given me a safe space to explore my
faith throughout every stage of my life. To me, God is love, and
I see God when Plymouth members serve meals at CISS…in the
tears of joy on the faces of the congregation when we sing…when
people gather around the tables in Waveland for cookies and
coffee. Plymouth is vibrant and full of love…I am always welcome.”
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Raleigh Smith
Sarah Wigton
