A Letter to Ms Gwen from Kristin Wooldridge

Gwen, I am thankful for this opportunity to express my gratitude to you. Our time at Second started a decade ago. In the door would tumbler a 6.5-year-old Ian, a 4-year-old Kaylee, and a 2-month-old Rhett. We were a hot mess of a bunch. You would greet each of us through the preschool entrance and we felt seen and loved. “Hello, Ian, Kaylee, and Rhett, so good to see each of you! And Mom and Dad too! Let’s get you where you need to be!” Then you would help get Rhett to the loving arms of a baby rocker and you would guide Kaylee to the Preschool area and let Ian know to take the stairs on up. It was comforting that we each had a place to go. And only once did we come inside in such a rush, that we perhaps left our burnt orange mini-van on and sliding door open in the loading zone by the Preschool for 2 hours of Sunday School and “Big Church.” We were sometimes more of a hot mess than we even knew. Thankfully no one stole our van and we had enough gas to get to the gas station. I remember the laugh you gave at our van being on that whole time. It was contagious. As a family, we have often laughed about that being our rock bottom of parenting.

Your welcome is still felt today. But in those early days, they were such a comfort. Amon and I were in the process of changing our lives. We had decided to leave the MO Synod Lutheran church I had attended for 33 years and we were considering moving to the Liberty side of the school district. Plus, we were learning how to have three kids! That year was a big one. You were there for us during it all. You made Second home for us. My people were loved and seen in your nursery and your Sunday School classrooms with loving church members. You can tell a lot about a new situation as an “outsider/newbie.” What we could see is the respect you gave to each caregiver and teacher. They had your support and would move mountains for you and Jesus.

The past ten years have been centered around the programming and love you have poured into your role and our church. The Wooldridges have soaked it all up.

  • Nursery Baby Rockers

  • Baby Dedications

  • Sunday School Teachers

  • Missions Teachers

  • Girls in Action Leaders

  • Boys in Action Leaders

  • Vacation Bible School Leaders and Teachers

  • Masterpiece Arts Camp

  • Easter Discussion Eggs

  • Yearly Tootie Ta Ta Singing at the Easter Egg Hunt

  • Parents’ Night Outs in December

  • Mothers of Preschoolers/Mentor Mom

  • Big Church Activity Bags

  • Candle Lighting Line Up during worship

  • Nine years of Wednesday Night planning and programming

  • Children’s Moment in Worship – that taught adults too.

  • Recruiting childcare volunteers

  • Your ordination

  • Creation of Many Hands Fair Trade Store

  • Supporting Ian’s Eagle Scout Project in the Annex

You have done much more for our family and our faith family than you will ever know. When I think how could Children and Family Ministries at Second ever go on without you in the role — I remember that what you truly have been doing is letting us witness how to serve Jesus by loving others. So, we are all charged with the same.

  • To love in our living and leading.

  • To include all, no matter how small or tall.

  • To give our attention to welcoming one another to our community.

  • To love all like Jesus.

Often when you say yes to serving with Gwen, she will tell you that your crown in heaven just got another star. Gwen, if that is the case, your crown will not be easy to lift up on your head. You have a star from each of those you have loved on for the past decade.

Blessings to you as you welcome the new chapter of God’s dream for you. Your crown still has some room.

Thank you, Gwen. Deeply! Truly! Fully!

Love your sister-friend in Christ,

Kristin Wooldridge

Janet Hill