Leadership Nominations
Moderator
Karen Barstad
More than any time in its history, Plymouth Church needs to be creative in how it sustains the community. I hope to be a leader in that creativity. While many of us can use online tools to worship, conduct meetings, participate in social gatherings, stay abreast of church news, teach our children, support our neighborhood, and comfort our members, the yearning to do all of this in person is achingly strong. How can we ease the ache without endangering our members, visitors, and staff? In the coming two years as Moderator, I will collaborate with boards, committees, clergy, musicians, and teachers to innovate and engage. I have served on numerous boards and committees in my decades here. I’ve been a Deacon, chair of the Board of Worship, Chapel Singer, confirmation mentor, chair of the Sunday Forum Committee, BeFriender, member of the Legacy Giving Committee, Third Sunday Meal volunteer, and church school classroom friend. While I’m keenly aware that our children and youth are vital to the vibrancy and vision of the church’s present as well as its future, I also recognize that our elders hold much wisdom and long-term perspective. I’m eager to nurture the gifts of all age groups as we step into this challenging and exciting time.
Deacons
Scott Appelwick
Scott Appelwick joined Plymouth Church in 1985 at the midpoint of Reverend Vivian Jones’ tenure. Over the years Scott has served on various boards and committees and also served as a Deacon under the former governance model. He began his accounting career as a CPA and has spent the majority of his work life in non-profit finance. He currently works for the University of Minnesota where he is the Assistant Director of Financial Services for the College of Liberal Arts. He and his husband, Ed Sootsman, live in the southwest area of Minneapolis. It will be an honor and a privilege to serve Plymouth in this role as a Deacon during these challenging times.
Kelly Hugunin
Annette Atkins – Second Term
Leadership Council
Nancy Gores, Chair-Elect
I joined Plymouth in 1986, enriching my spiritual, personal and communal life. I met my now former husband in Guild Hall, and our son, Jacob Wood, thrived at Plymouth. Jacob is now a civil engineer living in Washington, DC. I played second base on the Plymouth Rocks co-ed softball team back in the day. I have served on the former Deacons; Trustees; as a member of Jim Gertmenian’s, Paula Northwood’s and Dan Wolpert’s search committees; on the Transition Task Force; and this past year as the Leadership Council Secretary. I am also on the Standing Nominating Committee and, to my surprise, was nominated as the Leadership Council Chair-Elect for 2020–2021. After 16 years on our local school board, I retired in 2020. I am retiring as civil litigation attorney this year. I thought I would be traveling, but the pandemic has changed expectations. If you choose to elect me as the Leadership Council Chair-Elect, I hope to do my part to remain open to where the Spirit takes us, to ease the path for the new Senior/Lead Minister, to keep the Growth Task Force report out of the drawer and on our action agenda, and to keep in mind we are on a Congregational covenant-journey together.
Anne Seltz, Secretary Nominee
Board of Community Life
Tom P. Anderson
Sara Bauer
Steve Cassellius
Bill Read
Board of Finance & Administration
Becca Norris
A native Southerner, Becca has been calling Minneapolis home for 26 years. Becca and her spouse, Lynn, joined Plymouth 13 years ago. Since that time, she has served as a Trustee, co-chair of the Membership Board, member of the Personnel and Legacy Giving Committees. Becca has also been involved with many aspects of worship, PCC’s community engagement, and connection with other members. She looks forward to further serving PCC with the Board of Finance and Administration.
Becca’s professional career has included executive and strategic business roles for hospitals/health systems and global healthcare companies. Volunteer work includes boards of a community health center for the underserved, a nonprofit counseling center, and being a leader for a Hmong Girl Scout troop. For fun, Becca enjoys creating and tending gardens, music, and time with family and friends.
Dobby West
I was fortunate enough to be married to Jane Haugen, a lifelong member of Plymouth—and the daughter of a lifelong member—in 1969 by Howard Conn. All three of our children were baptized and confirmed at Plymouth, and two were married here. In addition to being a Church School teacher and babysitter, I have been a Trustee (including chair of the finance committee and chair of the Trustees) and a Moderator. I have also been on at least two ministerial search committees and many other committees during my time as a member. I have served on a variety of for–profit and not–for–profit boards. Currently, I am a member of the board of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Minnesota State Arts Board. I am retired after a long career as a transactional business attorney and another career as a private equity investor. I look forward to the opportunity to serve on the Board of Finance and Administration.
Jen Glaeser – Second Term
Board of Fine Arts
Jenny LeDoux
Nominated for second term
Lynnette Black
Eric Hugunin
Brent Stahl
Rachel Walker
Board of Outreach
Gina Cassellius
My name is Gina Cassellius, and I am a senior at Richfield High School. I have been going to Plymouth since I was three and have been an active member in many activities: choir, bells, dance and more over the years. I have an interest in theater and art, as well as an appreciation for nature and a love for camping and backpacking. I enjoy travel and trying new things, especially food. I am excited to be serving on the Outreach Board and making a difference in our community.
Jim Christensen
My wife Sandy and I began attending Plymouth about ten years ago and became members about a year later. My first “non-Sunday morning” activity was working with Plymouth’s Habitat For Humanity group in 2011. I have continued to work with the Habitat group every year since. About four years ago, I joined the Habitat organizing committee and have led the committee for the past two years. In addition to Habitat, we have been regular participants in One More Chair activities, assisted with Third Sunday Meal, served at the Sunday morning Welcome Table, been involved with various Beacon activities, and gone on the Cuba Trip. At the request of the theater board committee, I led the remodeling of the Green Rooms and backstage hallway in the Howard Conn Theater. Prior to retirement a few years ago, I practiced commercial real estate law and Sandy was a professor at the U of Minnesota. We enjoy time at our summer cabin in Longville, Mn, and have had the good fortune to travel fairly extensively. I also fish, hunt with Ike, my yellow lab, get out on my bike, and play a little hockey. While Plymouth has many terrific attributes, I have always particularly appreciated it’s outward community focus and look forward to participating in the board’s outreach efforts.
Rusty Nelson
I have spent my entire career in various aspects of the food industry, from Research and Development to ingredient sales. My last job was with SuperValu in the private brands division, and I am currently retired.
My association with Plymouth Church began when I was in second grade. I was confirmed here and am a 50-plus-year member. I have served on the Board of Stewards and Board of Deacons and have been a member of the Benevolence/Plymouth Community Fund Committee for many years. I hope that my contribution to the Board of Outreach will benefit both this body and Plymouth.
Board of Spiritual Formation
John Gisselquist
I’ve been attending Plymouth for several years. My daughter Maria and I became members in October 2019. Shortly before the recent stay-at-home orders, I started serving as a greeter and usher. I’m seeking new ways to grow and serve at Plymouth. I enjoy worship, music, and all the educational opportunities. Serving on the Spiritual Formation Board would be a great way to work with others, support our education programs, and foster spiritual development.
Emily Moses-Thomsen
Board of Worship
John Bauer
I’m native of the Twin Cities but have lived in Mankato, Phoenix, and Seoul before finally settling back in Minnesota to start a family. You’re probably familiar with my wife, Sara Ohotto Bauer, and kids, Delilah (4) and Ozkar (8), who frequently appear on the Plymouth website and other promotional materials. From a faith standpoint, I grew up in St. Timothy’s Catholic parish in Blaine and decided, after confirmation, that Catholicism was not for me. I’ve spent time with Unitarians, Hare Krishnas, and a variety of different Christian groups throughout the twin cities before Sara and I discovered Plymouth. Ultimately, what got us to join (and continue to be active) is the social activeness of the community and our congregation’s willingness to “walk the walk” when it comes to serving those in need. Our family generally attends the first service and have really enjoyed seeing how the group has grown over the years.
Lisa Matre
I moved to Minnesota with my husband, Jay, and my son Ben, in 2008 and our family joined Plymouth Church in 2011. Professionally, I am the Director of Operations at True Talent Group, a staffing and recruiting firm here in the Twin Cities. I am responsible for everything from day-to-day office management, human resources, finance, and vendor management. At Plymouth, I have served as a Sunday school teacher, helped with the Christmas craft festival and Halloween party, and I was on the Board of Children, Youth and Families for a short time too. In 2015, I became very active at my son’s school and began serving on a school board committee. Then I was appointed as a member of the school board, eventually taking the reigns as chair for three years. My time on the school board will be ending in June 2020. Aside from that board, I am also an active committee member and supporter of Dress for Success Twin Cities. I am honored to have been nominated for a position on the Board of Worship. I was raised in the Catholic church, but also spent time attending a non-denominational church when we lived in Phoenix, AZ. I love the mix of tradition and progressive faith at Plymouth and I am proud of the way we have tackled tough conversations as a congregation recently. I believe that my past board service and attention to detail will be put to good use as a member of the Board of Worship at Plymouth Congregational Church.
