Welcome
Welcome to our website. We’re glad you found us! Southminster Presbyterian Church is an intergenerational community of disciples seeking to follow Jesus in our lives. We are committed to relevant, meaningful worship, life-long learning and growth, and serving the goal of creating the beloved community of justice, compassion, and peace both locally and globally. We welcome you to join us on a mutual journey of faith!
What to expect
Sunday summer morning worship through September 15 is at 9:30 in our sanctuary (live-streamed on our Facebook and YouTube channels). Starting September 22 we will return to our traditional schedule where Sunday morning worship is at 8:30 in the Chapel and at 11:00 in the Sanctuary (live-streamed on our Facebook and YouTube channels). During the summer our faith formation (Sunday school) is held at 10:45. Our services are more traditional in nature, but there is often a variety of music on any given Sunday. Folk guitar, djembe, jazz as well as traditional hymnody are a part of worship at Southminster. You will find people dressed in a variety of ways. Suits or jeans, wear what makes you comfortable. We are just glad you are here.
In between worship services there is a time for faith formation for children and adults as well as a time for fellowship. At 9:30, preschool through 5th grade begin upstairs to open the Sunday school time with singing, liturgy, and the theological word for the week. Sixth – 12th grade meet in the youth room for conversation about topics of faith. There is an adult Sunday school class that meets weekly as well. The class format varies from a Bible study to a forum that looks at a variety of issues and is led by members of the congregation, and occasionally outside speakers.
Who We Are
Southminster is a mid-sized congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Children of all ages find Southminster to be a place to laugh, play, learn, and grow. We have many longtime members, multiple generations of families, as well as new members in our community. We come together to care for one another, worship the Lord and serve God by showing love and concern to those in need.
As a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA) denomination, we are connected to sister congregations throughout the region through Heartland Presbytery, the Synod of Mid-American and to our national denomination. Our Session (governing body) along with our pastors share leadership in making decisions for the church as to where God is calling us to serve. As part of the larger denomination we are a member of the Matthew 25 Initiative. This national initiative seek to develop vital, flourishing congregations that work to eradicate poverty and eliminate systemic racism in our society.
Southminster is also a member of More Light Presbyterians and the Covenant Network of Presbyterians. With these affiliations, we are committed to working for the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ persons in the life and leadership of our congregation.
Staff and Leadership
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.
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.
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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.
Session
Class of 2024
- Anna Girod
- Kathy McKee
- Kerm Dyer
- Paul Fast
- Abigail Singleton
- Doug Mitts
Class of 2025
- Ruth Ann Unruh
- Susan Fiser
- Bill Robinett
- Mary Jorgenson
- Jenny Troutman
- Madelin Dasch
Class of 2026 (Elders-Elect)
- Susan Anderson
- Ginny Lyon
- Amy Bagnall
- Erin Thornburgh
- Karin Forsburg
Deacons
Class of 2024
- Devin Blinn
- Tim Thomas
- Joy Warner
Class of 2025
- Brad Amstein
- Rick Blinn
- Tom Owells
Class of 2026
- Bob Baker
- Amy Herring
- Larry Williams
Commitees
Building and Grounds – Southminster’s Building & Grounds (“B&G”) committee members oversee all things related to the church building and property. This includes maintenance/repair of the physical structure, building systems and grounds. B&G committee members also provide project management for capital improvement projects to the physical structure, building systems, and exterior grounds areas, including project identification, project design, bidding, and oversite of construction activities, and other related activities. B&G monitors and approves budget expenditures for utility billings, maintenance/repair costs, contract service payments, and other related activities.
Christian Education – Committed to helping people of all ages grow in their discipleship, the Christian Education is responsible for faith formation for all ages at Southminster. Adult Sunday school classes as well as classes for children and youth meet on Sunday morning at 9:30. Youth and older elementary (Club 456) meet on Sunday evenings, weather permitting or on Zoom, for a time of fellowship, recreation and formation through community.
Engagement – Southminster’s Engagement committee works to grow and maintain community connection through welcoming and assisting visitors, advertising upcoming events, and participating in community work in support of More Light Presbyterians and full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ persons in church life.
Family Life – The Family Life committee is responsible for the care and nurture of the congregation at Southminster. By reaching out by phone we have sought to stay connected through the pandemic. Cards are sent to those who are sick or who have suffered loss and often food is taken to those in need. For our homebound members, we have an “Angel” program that sends items for holidays as reminders of the care from the church family. Weather permitting, small groups gather for Dine In, Dine Out to enjoy food and fellowship together and the congregation is invited to join in for periodic fellowship gatherings at the church. With the pandemic, this has been a challenge, but the Family Life committee continues to look for ways to care for one another.
Stewardship – The Stewardship committee of Southminster helps keep track of finances and manages our endowment fund which provides a substantial amount of financial support for one time grants. This committee oversees the creation of the budget each year and working in conjunction with the church treasurer and the staff works to keep Southminster fiscally on track.
Worship – Southminster’s worship committee is responsible for a variety of aspects of the worship life of the congregation. Worship is central to who we are as a church and the committee works to enhance our worship together. Whether there is need to look at liturgical arts and the settings for worship, special services, or the transition between virtual and in-person worship, the committee tries to consider the needs of the congregation as well as what God is calling us to do in and be in this time and place.
