Who Are We?
Anyone is welcome to be a part of Kinship Plot. There are many ways to be connected, whether you attend an event, join a learning cohort, or take a more active role in co-shaping or leading a Kinship Plot offering. Most of our offerings are local to the Charlotte community, but we often offer virtual opportunities to connect as well. We serve anyone who experiences dissatisfaction with the disconnections and divisions in contemporary life and has a longing for resonant relationships. Rather than serving a particular demographic, therefore, Kinship Plot serves a particular psychographic of people who share similar dissatisfactions and longings.
Co-Shapers of Kinship Plot
The co-shapers of Kinship Plot are people of Christian faith who eagerly work with others across other (or no) faith traditions. We care deeply about reimagining and embodying resonant relationships and are committed to bringing our 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!
Rev. Stephanie and Rev. Dr. Wesley Vander Lugt
Co-Founders
Stephanie is the Executive Director of Kinship Plot, a minister, and a social worker. 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.
Kim Summerrow
Board Member / President
Head of Payable, Platform Transformation, at Wells Fargo in Charlotte. Builder of community, church leader, and social justice advocate.
Michael Gray
Board Member / Vice President
Head of engineering at Method in Charlotte. Bridge builder, conversation starter, and passionate about second chances.
Melanee Marshall
Board Member / Secretary
Founder and Chief Creative Liberator of Closet Creatives in Charlotte. Multi-passionate hyper-creative and educator.
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.
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.
Elizabeth Bridges
Kate Lingbeek
Board Member
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.
Program Officer at the Cornerstone Trust, avid gardener, and currently exploring how to incorporate cover crops which are appropriate to Michigan's cold climate as a way to nurture those living in the garden soil. Alongside her 2 young children, currently enamored by chanterelle mushroom foraging, wild berries, and an earth of foxes living in the backyard.
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.
Ranika Chaney
Oddkin Unite Facilitator
Certified Mental Health Coach, mother, and arts advocate passionate about the intersection of art and faith, the power of story, and helping others heal from the trauma of narcissistic abuse.
Anna Robinson
Garden Apprentice / 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.
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.
Karen McNary
Board Member Emeritus
Human Resources professional and Director of Social Engagement with expertise in diversity and intercultural competency. Passionate about her family, teaching, and uncovering overlooked jewels at the thrift store.
Bob Gluck
Board Member Emeritus
Finance and Facility Director at Warehouse 242. Loves to spend time with his wife Terry, their grandchildren, listening to music, and entertaining friends on their patio. Passionate about the spiritual kinship of the church.
Devon Abts
Wisdom Council
Assistant Professor and Assistant Director, Henry Luce III Center for the Arts and Religion at Wesley Theological Seminary. Theologian with a passion for curating community through the arts and enthusiastic gardener learning to cultivate wonder one plant at a time.
Dr. James Krohn
Wisdom Council
Theological educator, former pastor, founder-director of KRUX in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Enthusiast of learning, hospitality, and spiritual transformation.
Angelica Garnett
Wisdom Council
Educator, church leader, and immigration advocate in Charlotte. Passionate about radical welcome, equity, bridge-building, and immigration justice.
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.
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.
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.
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.