Special Congregational Vote: August 18
Our search committee has been hard at work looking for our Pastor of Faith Formation and Social Justice and they are excited to introduce Pastor John Tyson to Plymouth.
The search committee found John thoughtful, a good listener, and someone who can speak and act with conviction and pastoral care. The search committee was also compelled by John’s vision for intergenerational faith formation, his enthusiasm for leading the Confirmation program, and his heart for social justice. John is already a leader in the community and has experience working with AMOS and other groups throughout Greater Des Moines. In the coming weeks, John will spend time with Plymouth members, students, boards, and committees.
John will be visiting Plymouth Aug. 14-18:
Wednesday, Aug 14: Teaching Wednesday Morning Bible Study at 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 17: Preaching in worship at 5 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 18: Preaching in worship at 10 a.m. and following worship there will be a Q&A and congregational vote
Special Congregational Vote
A special congregational vote will take place in-person on Sunday, August 18 at 11:15 a.m. in Waveland Hall. If approved by the congregation, Pastor Tyson would begin as the Pastor of Faith Formation and Social Justice immediately. Below is the agenda for the special congregational vote and more information about Pastor Tyson.
Plymouth Church Special Congregational Meeting
Call for Pastor of Faith Formation and Social Justice
August 18, 2024
11:15 a.m. in Waveland Hall
I. Call to order and determination of a quorum: Darrel Mullins, Moderator
II. Invocation: Rev. Dr. Jared Wortman, Senior Pastor
III. Introductions and Purpose of the Meeting: Darrel Mullins
A. Appointment of Tellers: Jane Hemminger, Sally Pederson, Jack Sullivan
B. Appointment of Secretary: Amy Elbert, Church Secretary
C. Appointment of Parliamentarian: Dave Nelson
IV. Report of Search Committee: Darrel Mullins, Moderator/Chair of Search Committee
V. Introduction of Pastor John Tyson
VI. Remarks by candidate Pastor Tyson followed by Q&A
VII. Vote by ballot by those in attendance:"That Plymouth UCC Congregational Church call Pastor John Tyson for the position of Pastor of Faith Formation and Social Justice."
VIII. Tellers Report from Chief Teller
IX. Concluding Remarks and Benediction: Jared Wortman
XI. Adjournment
About Pastor John Tyson
Pastor John Tyson (he/him) came to Des Moines in 2018 to serve as the pastor of Des Moines Mennonite Church in the Merle Hay neighborhood. In this role, John continued to expand his gifts for pastoral ministry, especially his core passions of facilitating faith formation for children, youth, and families, the task of preaching, and helping the church become a more vital presence in the city through the work of community organizing and other means of serving our neighbors. He has come to admire and appreciate Plymouth’s commitment to justice through his work with AMOS.
John grew up in the Greater Philadelphia area and was raised in a large evangelical Nazarene church but, through important friendships and an interest in peacemaking, began to identify as a Mennonite Christian in early adulthood. After discerning a call to pastoral ministry in his mid-20’s, John completed his Masters of Divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary (Princeton, NJ), where he was awarded for his work in the field of Christian Social Ethics. Prior to coming to Des Moines, John served for four years as the Associate Pastor for Faith Formation at Bethel College Mennonite Church (North Newton, KS). John’s faith and theology continue to be shaped by many ecumenical and progressive influences.
John enjoys connecting with people of all ages and helping them to discern God’s presence in their stage of life. He cares deeply about fostering intergenerational relationships, furthering the social witness of the church, and helping the church adapt to our rapidly changing culture. John is married to Amy (she/her), a native Iowan and social worker at Blank Children’s Hospital, and they have two young children, Levi and Asher. In his spare time, John enjoys playing and coaching basketball, listening to podcasts about politics, being disappointed by the Philadelphia sports scene, and enjoying life in and around Des Moines.
