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Co-Shapers of Kinship Plot

The co-shapers of Kinship Plot are people of Christian faith who care deeply about reimagining and embodying resonant relationships and are committed to bringing their various gifts, loves, passions, and expertise to the table. The board of directors has governing and fiduciary responsibility for the organization. The wisdom council provides encouragement, wisdom, and insight based on their particular knowledge and expertise. Additionally, we are building a global "kinship network" of people who co-shape this vision and action in diverse and compelling ways. We hope YOU will co-shape with us, too!

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Rev. Stephanie and Rev. Dr. Wesley Vander Lugt

Co-Founders

Stephanie is the Executive Director of Kinship Plot, a minister, and a social-worker-in-training. Wes is Operations Director at Kinship Plot, a minister, and a professor at the intersection of theology and the arts. Together they are enthusiasts for community, reflection-on-action, transformation, beauty, gardening, and gathering eclectic groups of people around a table.

Co-Shapers: Meet the Team
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Kim Summerrow

Board Member / President

Head of Payable, Platform Transformation, at Wells Fargo in Charlotte. Builder of community, church leader, and social justice advocate.

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Michael Gray

Board Member / Vice President

Head of engineering at Method in Charlotte. Bridge builder, conversation starter, and passionate about second chances.

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Melanee Marshall

Board Member / Secretary

Founder and Chief Creative Liberator of Closet Creatives in Charlotte. Multi-passionate hyper-creative and educator.

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Parker Esoda

Board Member / Treasurer

Freelance accountant for film and TV production and passionate about social justice and the church’s role in reconciliation with a focus on issues of human migration and asylum seekers.

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Kerrie Stewart

Board Member

Social researcher in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at UNC Charlotte and NC Justice Center board member. Advocates for civic engagement and effectuate social and economic justice for Black women and girls.

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Elizabeth Bridges

Board Member

Musician, worship leader at The Grove Church, youth mentor, avid hiker, certified Forest Therapy Guide. Passionate about  family and friends, connecting humans and nature, meditative walks, fostering community, and contemplative practices.

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Bethany Gunnink

Oddkin Unite Project Coordinator

Nature-lover, theology student. Passionate about co-creating and co-laboring with others and cultivating deep conversations and relationships.

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Anna Robinson

Garden Intern / 2023

Student at Warren Wilson College in Swannana, NC, and passionate about creating community, the power of language, and the importance of ritual and rhythm.

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Rev. Steve Smith

Wisdom Council

Spiritual director, former pastor, writer and founder of The Potter's Inn retreat center. Cultivator of companionship and soul care for global ministry leaders in North Carolina.

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Dr. James Krohn

Wisdom Council

Theological educator, former pastor, founder-director of KRUX in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Enthusiast of learning, hospitality, and spiritual transformation.

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Angelica Garnett

Wisdom Council

Educator, church leader, and immigration advocate in Charlotte. Passionate about radical welcome, equity, bridge-building, and immigration justice.

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Dr. Daniel Gutierrez

Wisdom Council

Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, and an Associate Professor in Counseling and Special Education at Virginia Commonwealth University. Passionate about kinship, contemplation, soulful living, and answering the yearnings deep inside.

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Dr. Barbara Peacock

Wisdom Council

Author, spiritual director, teacher, and founder of Barbara L. Peacock Ministries in Charlotte. Passionate about soul care and the disciplines of prayer.

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Rev. Helms Jarrell

Wisdom Council

Contemporary mixed media folk artist, collaborative change maker, minister, and non-profit leader in Charlotte, NC. Passionate about cultivating beloved community through practices of hospitality, creativity, and prayer.

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Joel and Sarah Donohue

Wisdom Council

Geologists by training, lovers of all things outdoors, and the stewards of Waterfall Hollow Ranch in Tahlequah, OK, where they cultivate hops and honey, deep friendships, and a deliberate life of listening and observing.

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Bob Gluck

Former Board Member

Director of Finance at Warehouse 242 in Charlotte, NC. Lover of numbers, music, and the spiritual kinship of the church.

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Karen McNary

Former Board Member

Director of Global Cultural Engagement at Bible Study Fellowship International. Church leader, Bible teacher, and consultant for intercultural competency in Charlotte.

Co-Shapers: Meet the Team
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