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For more information, contact:
Karen Quance Jeske
Director of Transition into Ministry Program
Plymouth ChurchPlymouth Church
Karen Quance Jeske
Director of Transition into Ministry Program
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Title: Admin Assistant for Music & Fine Arts
Ext: 12
Boards, Committees, groups: Board of Music & Fine Arts, Gallery Committee, sometimes Chancel Arts, Children’s Choir Guild, Chancel Choir Council, to name a few…
Pronouns: She/Her
When did you start at Plymouth: November 2013
What do you do at Plymouth? All clerical support for Pre-K – age 101 Music & Fine Arts. Help fill in the weekly bulletins. Whatever is needed. Music library, instrument organization & storage, ensemble attendance, Gallery signage, Still learning new things! Currently also supporting Child & Family Ministries, Flowers, etc.
Birthplace? Ames, Iowa
Family? Retired hubby, 6 adult kids (his, mine, & ours) 3 of which are married. 5 grandkids, 3 granddogs, & a grandcat.
Pets? None, but the neighbor’s chickens sometimes come sit on our porch swing!
Education? Urbandale High School, BMus Simpson College, MMus Northwestern University
Hobbies? Knitting, sewing, bread baking
Bucket List Item? Visiting the UK and Germany again
Why Plymouth? Because my job and I are a good fit, I like my boss, and I really enjoy all the people I work with.
Anything else? Sunday mornings find me at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, where I’m in the choir, and am a member of the Chapter (think “Episcopal version of Church Council”).
Title: Associate Pastor
Ext: 27
Pronouns: He/Him
When did you start at Plymouth: October 2021
What do you do at Plymouth? Youth Ministry, Wednesday Evening Bible Study, Stephen Ministries
Birthplace? Granby, CT
Education? Undergrad at Franklin & Marshall, Graduate at Yale Divinty School
Hobbies? Painting, Drawing, Reading, Athletic Training, Cooking, Hiking
Bucket List Item? Go to Antarctica
Why Plymouth? Being at Plymouth allows me the opportunity to walk with God in a new place and with a new congregation.
Anything else? I am a Chaplain Candidate in the United States Navy
Title: Executive Assistant
Ext: 14
Pronouns: He/His
Started at Plymouth: June 2021
What do you do at Plymouth? Provide administrative support to the Senior Minister, pastoral staff, and Director of Operations and Finance.
Birthplace? Fort Dodge, Iowa
Pets? Francis, English Springer Spaniel
Education? BBA – University of Iowa, MTS – St. Paul School of Theology
Hobbies? Watercolor, Cooking, Books
Carl is a graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. He earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in organ performance.
Carl began playing the organ at the age of 10. He held his first permanent church position at 14. A church organist for more than 35 years, Carl joined Plymouth in 1992, after service as an organist at a church in Clearwater, FL for more than a decade
Carl has won prizes in many competitions and have preformed extensively in retail on both the organ and the carillon. As an accompanist, Carl is a perennial favorite of Plymouth kids who travel on the annual Matins tour.
Title: Accountant
Ext: 18
Boards, Committees, groups: Finance Committee
Pronouns: She/her
Start: November 2010
What do you do at Plymouth? Accounting
Birthplace? Des Moines, Iowa
Family? All grown children
Pets? One dog, Stanley
Education? University of Iowa; CPA
Title: Communications Assistant
Ext: 15
Pronouns: She/her
Start: September 2019
What do you do at Plymouth? I organize Plymouth’s regular email offerings and the monthly Contact Magazine. I also help maintain the Plymouth website.
Birthplace? Marshalltown, Iowa
Family? Husband, Aaron. I’m the oldest of 3 and he is the youngest of 5. Also an auntie to 5 wonderful kids.
Pets? Orange tabby, Latte
Education? AAS in design from DMACC, BA in Graphic Design and Photography from Grand View University
Hobbies? Video games, painting, and listening to audiobooks.
Bucket List Item? Take a trip to Europe
Why Plymouth? I’m a life-long church-goer and it was my goal to work for a church in my career. I also love the progressive theology here at Plymouth.
Title: Director of Operations & Finance
Ext: 19
Boards, Committees, groups: Trustees, Council, Stewardship, Foundation
Pronouns: She/Her
Start: November 2019
What do you do at Plymouth? budget, stewardship campaign, building maintenance
Birthplace? Des Moines, Iowa
Family? 1 son birth year 2012
Pets? 2 cats
Education? Bachelors of Business Administration from University of Iowa; Masters of Accountancy from the University of Iowa.
Hobbies? Knitting
Anything else? I love to attend the opera
Title: Interim Senior Pastor
Ext: 17
Boards, Committees, groups: Membership; Stewardship; Deacons; Trustees
Pronouns: She/Her
Start: October 2020
What do you do at Plymouth? As an interim pastor, I preach, teach, manage the staff, and work with church leaders to explore the congregation’s future.
Birthplace? Lancaster, WI
Family? Two sons, Christjahn and Daniel
Pets? Two cats, Addie and Bader
Education? BA in Political Science from Truman University; MDiv from Yale Divinity School
Hobbies? Reading, embroidery
Bucket List Item? Live at the beach
Title: Pastor of Care and Welcome
Ext: 13
Pronouns: she/her
Birthplace? Glendale, California
Family? Married to Tracy. Two wonderful step-sons. Parents in Pheonix. Only sibling and his family live in Holland, MI.
Pets? Home is currently shared with Grizly, a mini golden doodle and Mellie, a mini Bernie doodle.
Education? B.A in Art Education (K-12) from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM. M. Div. from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, CA
Hobbies? Being in nature, cooking from scratch, reading cookbooks
Title: Pastor of Vitality & Outreach
Ext: 46
Boards, Committees, Groups: Board of Benevolences, Board of Christian Social Action (and all committees that fall under them), Confirmation.
Pronouns: she/her
Start: September 2016
What do you do at Plymouth? I oversee all things related to our UCC relationship, community partners, and things that grow justice & kindness in the world. Also things that contribute to a vital (living & growing) faith: like leading our confirmation program and encouraging people to see their own stories as part of God’s story and to share them!
Birthplace? Le Sueur, Minnesota
Family? Lucas (husband)
Pets? Chet Barker (supermutt)
Education? MDiv from University of Chicago Divinity School; BA from St. Olaf College in Interdisciplinary Fine Arts (storytelling!)
Hobbies? Swimming, reading (in the hammock is best!), stress baking, gardening, walking with Chet!
Bucket List Item? Cappadocia!
Why Plymouth? The Spirit called and I answered! Team ministry is a gift. The witness of progressive Christian faith is a gift. The people of Plymouth are a gift!
Title: Associate Pastor
Ext: 49
Boards, Committees, Groups: Board of Christian Stewardship, Board of Trustees, Board of Christian Social Action, Board of Benevolences.
Pronouns: he/him
Start: June 2020
Birthplace? Orlando, FL
Education? Master of Divinity from Emory University / BA International Studies from the University of North Florida.
Hobbies? I like to go hiking, camping, rafting, and go on walks around Des Moines. I also like to experience a new city through food.
Bucket List Item? I want to visit all 50 states and 5 territories.
Why Plymouth? Plymouth is an open and affirming congregation and committed to social justice.
Title: Director of Music & Fine Arts
Ext: 24
Boards, Committees, Groups: Board of Music and Fine Arts, Chancel Choir Council, Children’s Choir Guild, Board of Deacons, all arts committees and musical ensembles
Pronouns: he/him
Start: September 2017
What do you do at Plymouth? I administrate the Music & Fine Arts programs at Plymouth Church, including directing the Chancel Choir, Chancel Chorale, Instrumental Ensemble, and assisting with the Matins Choir. I work with 30+ gifted professional musicians and directors on staff at Plymouth and over 300 volunteers in our Music and Fine Arts programs.
Birthplace? Knoxville, TN
Family? I’m an only child. My extended family live in East Tennessee.
Pets? Three cats: Louis, Sam, and Miss Kitty.
Education? Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Wind Percussion Emphasis (cum laude) from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Doctoral Candidate in the Doctor of Worship Studies program at the Robert Webber Institute for Worship Studies, Jacksonville, Florida.
Hobbies? I play clarinet in the Central Iowa Wind Ensemble and the Thornwood Clarinet Quartet. I also enjoy playing tennis recreationally, cooking/baking, walks/hiking, travel, men’s style, and personal finance.
Bucket List Item? I hope to travel more in the next five years.
Why Plymouth? I was attracted to the Music and Fine Arts program at Plymouth and willing to move from coastal Georgia to be in ministry here. I find Plymouth people to be thoughtful, conscientious, curious, open to new experiences, and appreciative of music and the arts.
Title: Director of Transition into Ministry Programs
Ext: 48
Boards, Committees, Groups: Transition into Ministry
Pronouns: She/her
Start: April 2017
What do you do at Plymouth? I help equip pastoral residents and members of the congregation to effectively use their gifts, time, interests, and talents to grow and serve in meaningful ways at Plymouth Church and beyond. In other words, I help members and our TiM Residents explore and fulfill their unique calls to ministry.
Birthplace? Ames, Iowa
Family? Married to Doug. Auntie to eight nieces and nephews.
Pets? Wellington, our beloved West Highland White Terrier
Education? B.S from Iowa State in Distributed Studies, Masters in Urban Planning, Ph.D. in Sociology
Hobbies? Reading, Writing, and Learning the Piano (Former Hobby: Cooking)
Bucket List Item? Parasailing, Writing a Novel, Seeing the Northern Lights
Why Plymouth? I’ve been a member since 1998, Plymouth is my community and has helped me grow in love of God and neighbor in the most surprising ways. More than anything, I desire helping others to do the same.
Title: Director of Communications
Ext: 22
Pronouns: she/her
Start: March 2010
What do you do at Plymouth? I oversee all internal and external communications at Plymouth so we present a consistent voice and brand.
Birthplace? Southeast Kansas
Pets? Two toy poodles and two border collies
Education? BA in English and Psychology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City
Hobbies? Painting, showing and training dogs
Title: Interim Child and Family Ministries
Boards, Committees, Groups: Board of Christian Education
Pronouns: She/her
Start: April 2020
What do you do at Plymouth? Some activities I oversee are favorites: Church School, Vacation Bible School and the Kid’s Cart that has started showing up at worship services. An added bonus to my work at Plymouth has been getting to know children, their families, Church School teachers, Board of Christian Education members and so many Plymouth members who have offered to help with child and family programming!
Birthplace? Biloxi, Mississippi
Family? My husband, Rick, and I live in Urbandale. Our daughter and her wife live in La Crosse, Wisconsin, our daughter-in-law lives nearby and we have extended family across the U.S.
Education? My degrees from Radford University (VA), Western Illinois University, and Indiana University- Bloomington have focused on early childhood, special education and speech pathology.
Hobbies? Cooking, gardening, travel, and recently, downsizing!!
Why Plymouth? Plymouth has provided a church home that has challenged us to think about our faith and our faith-in-action for over 20 years. Our church family including ministers, staff and members has celebrated our joys and has been a source of strength and support during difficult times. We are blessed to have Plymouth church in our lives.
Anything else? My dad was in the Air Force and we moved A LOT! I attended five different schools in 1st grade!