Welcome to Southminster Presbyterian Church!
Southminster Presbyterian Church is a community of individuals who believe that God calls us together to love God and serve our neighbors. We worship Jesus and care for others just as Christ would. We are committed to relevant, meaningful worship, life-long learning and growth, and serving others with the hope of creating communities of justice, compassion, and peace.
Southminster Presbyterian Church believes that all people are beloved in God’s sight and fully welcomes and affirms all people into our life together regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, physical or cognitive ability, or age. We are committed to the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in our congregation.
When we say “all are welcome” we do our best to practice what we preach.
What to expect
What is worship like at Southminster?
Our services include prayer, music, scripture readings, and a sermon. Our worship services might be described as traditional in nature, meaning we usually read our prayers from a bulletin, sing our hymns from a hymnal accompanied by an organ, and the pastor wears a robe (sometimes). Our 8:30 service is an intimate and relaxed service in the chapel, while our 11:00 service includes the choir and special music offerings, opportunities for children’s participation, and an expanded liturgy.
Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of each month and everyone is welcome to participate. Baptism is celebrated upon request. Please email the pastor, Rev. Caroline Barnett, if you are interested in being baptized or having your child baptized.
When do you worship?
We worship at 8:30am and 11:00am on Sunday mornings. The 11am service is also live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook and can be watched live or viewed anytime after 11am.
If worship is traditional, does that mean I need to dress up?
Not at all! While our worship is traditional in nature, we are a relaxed group of people and you are welcome to wear whatever makes you feel comfortable.
What else goes on at Southminster on Sunday mornings?
From 9:30 – 10:30, we have Sunday school classes for children, youth, and adults. The adult class ranges in content from Bible studies to current events concerning Christians to guest speakers. The youth and children classes provide age-appropriate opportunities to learn about the Christian faith. The nursery is open from 9:30 – 12pm for our littlest friends.
Between the two services, different church groups rotate hosting a coffee hour for socializing. If you’d like to make a new friend, stop by for a cup of coffee and a snack after or before worship.
I still have questions…
Great! We love questions. We hope you’ll stop by and try us out and we can tell you more about this congregation. But if you have a specific question, you can email pastor Rev. Caroline Barnett and she’d love to connect.
Who We Are
Southminster Presbyterian Church is a community of individuals who believe that God calls us together to love God and serve our neighbors. We worship Jesus, and serve others just as Jesus would. When we say “all are welcome” we do our best to practice what we preach.
Southminster Presbyterian Church believes that all people are beloved in God’s sight and therefore fully welcomes and affirms all people into our life together regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, physical or cognitive ability, or age. We are committed to the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in our congregation.
Southminster Presbyterian Church is a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Heartland Presbytery. We are also members of More Light Presbyterians and the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, two organizations which work for justice for LGBTQ+ people in the church. We have joined the Matthew 25 Initiative which encourages and challenges us to pursue opportunities that will develop vital congregations, eradicate systemic poverty, and dismantle structural racism.,
Staff
Rev. Caroline Barnett is a Presbyterian Minister who has served congregations in Alabama and Missouri. From 2019 to 2023, Caroline served as a pastor and campus minister for First Presbyterian Church of Auburn, Alabama. Prior to coming to Southminster she served multiple congregations in Kansas City, Missouri. Wherever she serves, Caroline is passionate about creating communities where all people can feel God’s presence. Prior to becoming a pastor, Caroline worked as an editorial assistant for Sojourners magazine. Her writing has been published in The Presbyterian Outlook, Sojourners magazine, and as a chapter of the book Hipster Culture: Transnational and Intersectional Perspectives. Caroline attended Kalamazoo College in Michigan and later earned her Master of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Texas where she was awarded the David L. Stitt Fellowship for her academic scholarship. In her free time, Caroline enjoys reading, hiking, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family. She lives in Kansas City with her dog Bessie.
Joshua Hearn began his church music ministry twenty-five years ago. As a native of central Illinois, he earned a Bachelor of Music degree with distinction in organ performance from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His teachers at Illinois included Dana Robinson, DMA (organ) and Chester L. Alwes, DMA (choral literature and conducting). Joshua came to Kansas to pursue the Master of Church Music degree (organ) at the University of Kansas where his teachers included Michael Bauer, DMA (organ, choral conducting, and church music) and Kevin Vogt, DMA (church music and organ improvisation).
He also holds the Associate Certification (AAGO) of the American Guild of Organists and is a member of the Lawrence Community Handbell Choir. When not on the bench, Joshua enjoys traveling and experiencing the many wonderful arts opportunities Kansas City has to offer.
David Shoemaker works with our Youth Group. He worked with the Youth in a volunteer role for 18 years before recently transitioning to the Youth Director Role. David lives in Olathe with his wife Kate and two children Sabella (12) and Dalan (10). Beyond working with the Youth, David is an 8th grade math teacher in Olathe. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, watching his kids participate in their various activities, and rooting for the Chiefs, Royals, KU, and Liverpool Football Club.
Before joining Southminster, Paula grew up in Winfield, KS and is a lifelong resident of the Midwest. She has held various roles in her career, predominately in bookkeeping and most recently as a successful real estate agent with ReeceNichols Realtors.
Paula currently resides in Fairway with her husband Stephen and her son Leo, a student at Rockhurst High School. In her free time, Paula enjoys working in her flower beds, taking long walks with her dogs, and spending time with her family.
Rev. Caroline Barnett is a Presbyterian Minister who has served congregations in Alabama and Missouri. From 2019 to 2023, Caroline served as a pastor and campus minister for First Presbyterian Church of Auburn, Alabama. Prior to coming to Southminster she served multiple congregations in Kansas City, Missouri. Wherever she serves, Caroline is passionate about creating communities where all people can feel God’s presence. Prior to becoming a pastor, Caroline worked as an editorial assistant for Sojourners magazine. Her writing has been published in The Presbyterian Outlook, Sojourners magazine, and as a chapter of the book Hipster Culture: Transnational and Intersectional Perspectives. Caroline attended Kalamazoo College in Michigan and later earned her Master of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Texas where she was awarded the David L. Stitt Fellowship for her academic scholarship. In her free time, Caroline enjoys reading, hiking, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family. She lives in Kansas City with her dog Bessie.
Joshua Hearn began his church music ministry twenty-five years ago. As a native of central Illinois, he earned a Bachelor of Music degree with distinction in organ performance from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His teachers at Illinois included Dana Robinson, DMA (organ) and Chester L. Alwes, DMA (choral literature and conducting). Joshua came to Kansas to pursue the Master of Church Music degree (organ) at the University of Kansas where his teachers included Michael Bauer, DMA (organ, choral conducting, and church music) and Kevin Vogt, DMA (church music and organ improvisation).
He also holds the Associate Certification (AAGO) of the American Guild of Organists and is a member of the Lawrence Community Handbell Choir. When not on the bench, Joshua enjoys traveling and experiencing the many wonderful arts opportunities Kansas City has to offer.
David Shoemaker works with our Youth Group. He worked with the Youth in a volunteer role for 18 years before recently transitioning to the Youth Director Role. David lives in Olathe with his wife Kate and two children Sabella (12) and Dalan (10). Beyond working with the Youth, David is an 8th grade math teacher in Olathe. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, watching his kids participate in their various activities, and rooting for the Chiefs, Royals, KU, and Liverpool Football Club.
Lisa Short serves as the church administrator. She hails from St. Louis, MO and moved to Lenexa, KS with her husband in 2008. Her roles at Southminster include publishing the newsletters, creating bulletins, and giving support where needed. Lisa is a dedicated animal advocate and shares her home with her rescue dog and cat. She has a passion for helping others and assists with care for her Mom who lives in the area. Lisa enjoys nature, reading and gardening.
Rev. Jeff Light is a retired Presbyterian minister, having served churches in Joplin, Missouri, Lawrence, Kansas, Lake City, Colorado, and most recently as interim pastor at Central Presbyterian Church in Kansas City. Most of Jeff’s career though, was in Leadership Development for Sprint, IBM, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Jeff’s two children the Rev. Jessie Light-Wells, and Josh Light grew up at Southminster. Jeff enjoys reading, theater, running, and travel. As a part-time parish associate, Jeff supports Southminster’s ministries through worship leadership, pastoral care, and teaching.
Leadership
We value community discernment and leadership. Members of the congregation serve as leaders, called ruling elders, for three year terms.
Class of 2025
- Susan Anderson
- Susan Fiser
- Bill Robinett
- Mary Jorgenson
- Jenny Troutman
- Madeline Dasch
Class of 2026
- Denise Blinn
- Ginny Lyon
- Amy Bagnall
- Kärin Forsburg
Class of 2027 (Elders-Elect)
-
Mark Jorgenson
Julie Miguel
Josh Thiele
Don Milligan
Rick Newkirk
Alisa Kozlowski
Deacons
Deacons are leaders responsible for the care of others. They oversee our ministries of mission.
Class of 2025
- Brad Amstein
- Rick Blinn
- Tom Owells
Class of 2026
- Bob Baker
- Amy Herring
- Larry Williams
Class of 2027
- Abigail Singleton
-
Marilyn Lake
Katy Thompson