Karen Jennings:
Karen was born in Augusta but grew up in Readfield where she was active in the Readfield United Methodist Church, an experience that has continued to be formative in Karen's faith even today. Some of her warmest memories are from Sunday School, youth group and children's choir. She also attended Camp Mechuwana for five summers and volunteered there as a counselor in her 20's. Karen is now serving in Sunday School, fostering such experiences for younger generations.Karen worked in Yarmouth as a 2nd/3rd grade teacher for nine years. Her husband, Shawn, is chief engineer on the McFarland, an Army Core of Engineers dredging ship. They have three children: Kelty (age 6 in kindergarten), Callie (age 4 in preschool) and Seamus (age 1-1/2). Karen has left teaching to stay home with the children but keeps her teaching certificate current! Karen says, "The girls love dress-up, singing, dancing, and arts & crafts. Seamus is into everything and is very busy keeping up with his sisters. They are an unbelievable joy in my life."
Karen loves to scrapbook. She has books of her travels, wedding in Costa Rica, and books for each of the kids' first year of life and beyond. She also loves to make cards. She hopes to get back into mountain biking and running, as well as playing the piano. For now the kids are keeping her very busy!
When asked why she wanted to become a member at Peoples, Karen said, "I wanted to join a Methodist Church where I felt comfortable, welcomed and cared for. I wanted my children to be part of a Sunday School program and feel a sense of belonging. I wanted to feel that my children were welcomed and appreciated. I found all of these at Peoples. I knew when Marlene had baked gluten free cookies for the Church Fair that I had found my Church Family!"
Betty Splettstoesser:
Betty was born and raised in Portland. She works at Gorham High School kitchen, and has also worked for Hannaford in Windham, and worked as a hairdresser for 20 years. Her husband, Wes, was in the U.S. Coast Guard for 24 years. Her son Guy works on a tug boat in Portland, and her son Erick works on a tug boat in Staten Island, NY. When asked what she enjoys doing, Betty says, "Reading all spirituality books, walking to Bug Light or on any beach, holding my husband's hand and watching TV."
Betty started off as Methodist, but was most recently a member of the Westbrook Warren Church United Church of Christ where she was very active in women's groups and Sunday School. She feels that Peoples is home for her now, having come full circle from Methodism as a youngster. Betty says, "Peoples Church makes me happy."
Betty is active at Peoples in the walking group, serving at the Wayside soup kitchen and Root Cellar, serving in children's ministries such as the nursery and Sunday School and has already volunteered for VBS! You might be served some drinks by Betty at the monthly bean supper. Wherever you find Betty, she's working, with a smile on her face that can't help but make others smile.
Betty is on a waiting list for a liver transplant due to a rare genetic disorder. Many Peoples Church folks are on her list to stay with her around the clock when she recovers from this surgery sometime in the future.
When Betty first attended Peoples when she moved to South Portland a few years ago, everyone knew her as "Barbara Nelson's sister." At some point though Betty has become "Betty" and has truly become part of the Peoples family, along with her sister Barbara and all her other sisters and brothers here!
Betty's membership sponsors were Barbara Nelson and Becky Gotlieb who stood up with her and took vows to support her in her faith journey. Karen's sponsor was Pastor Gwyneth. The congregation also took vows to disciple these new members, and Betty and Karen also took vows to profess their faith in Christ, to reaffirm their baptism, remain loyal to the United Methodist Church, and to support Peoples with their prayers, presence, gifts and service. Each of them signed a membership covenant which spells out these vows in more detail. Churches have found that serious membership requirements brings serious members. If you are interested in attending our next series of Inquirer's Classes, please contact the pastors. The next scheuled series will be in the Fall, but if there is enough interest to host an additional one this Spring or Summer that would be wonderful.
Karen loves to scrapbook. She has books of her travels, wedding in Costa Rica, and books for each of the kids' first year of life and beyond. She also loves to make cards. She hopes to get back into mountain biking and running, as well as playing the piano. For now the kids are keeping her very busy!
When asked why she wanted to become a member at Peoples, Karen said, "I wanted to join a Methodist Church where I felt comfortable, welcomed and cared for. I wanted my children to be part of a Sunday School program and feel a sense of belonging. I wanted to feel that my children were welcomed and appreciated. I found all of these at Peoples. I knew when Marlene had baked gluten free cookies for the Church Fair that I had found my Church Family!"
Betty Splettstoesser:
Betty was born and raised in Portland. She works at Gorham High School kitchen, and has also worked for Hannaford in Windham, and worked as a hairdresser for 20 years. Her husband, Wes, was in the U.S. Coast Guard for 24 years. Her son Guy works on a tug boat in Portland, and her son Erick works on a tug boat in Staten Island, NY. When asked what she enjoys doing, Betty says, "Reading all spirituality books, walking to Bug Light or on any beach, holding my husband's hand and watching TV."Betty started off as Methodist, but was most recently a member of the Westbrook Warren Church United Church of Christ where she was very active in women's groups and Sunday School. She feels that Peoples is home for her now, having come full circle from Methodism as a youngster. Betty says, "Peoples Church makes me happy."
Betty is active at Peoples in the walking group, serving at the Wayside soup kitchen and Root Cellar, serving in children's ministries such as the nursery and Sunday School and has already volunteered for VBS! You might be served some drinks by Betty at the monthly bean supper. Wherever you find Betty, she's working, with a smile on her face that can't help but make others smile.
Betty is on a waiting list for a liver transplant due to a rare genetic disorder. Many Peoples Church folks are on her list to stay with her around the clock when she recovers from this surgery sometime in the future.
When Betty first attended Peoples when she moved to South Portland a few years ago, everyone knew her as "Barbara Nelson's sister." At some point though Betty has become "Betty" and has truly become part of the Peoples family, along with her sister Barbara and all her other sisters and brothers here!
Betty's membership sponsors were Barbara Nelson and Becky Gotlieb who stood up with her and took vows to support her in her faith journey. Karen's sponsor was Pastor Gwyneth. The congregation also took vows to disciple these new members, and Betty and Karen also took vows to profess their faith in Christ, to reaffirm their baptism, remain loyal to the United Methodist Church, and to support Peoples with their prayers, presence, gifts and service. Each of them signed a membership covenant which spells out these vows in more detail. Churches have found that serious membership requirements brings serious members. If you are interested in attending our next series of Inquirer's Classes, please contact the pastors. The next scheuled series will be in the Fall, but if there is enough interest to host an additional one this Spring or Summer that would be wonderful.
Welcome Karen and Betty!
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