605-225-2557 | Worship every Sunday @ 10 a.m.
605-225-2557 | Worship every Sunday @ 10 a.m.
Get to know your church leaders and staff.
Rev. Blair Kirkpatrick was born and raised on a ranch outside of Ainsworth, NE in the Sandhills area of the state. After completing his undergraduate studies at Kearney State College (now University of Nebraska at Kearney) with a BA in English Language Arts, Blair taught for a year at a small middle and high school in rural Nebraska. He felt called more strongly to ministry and attended seminary at Boston University School of Theology in Boston, MA. Following seminary, he spent a year serving as area coordinator of A Christian Ministry to the National Parks and working at the Old Faithful Area of Yellowstone National Park. He then pursued ordination and was called, ordained, and installed as pastor of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Burwell, NE. After serving in Burwell for four years, he was called to be an Associate Pastor at the Neighborhood Church UCC in Palos Verdes Estates, CA where he served for nine years. Blair then took a few years away from ordained ministry and served as a factory worker, GED teacher, and volunteer coordinator for hospice in Ogallala, McCook, and O’Neill, NE respectfully. He again felt the call to ministry and served as pastor for four churches in northern Nebraska for two years, chaplain for a drug and alcohol treatment facility in Norton, KS for three year and pastor of two churches in Lenora and Stockton, KS for three years. In January, 2020, Blair began his current ministry as pastor at Plymouth and continues to finish a Doctor of Ministry degree from Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, OK. He enjoys reading, writing, cooking, and avidly following University of Nebraska sports.
Laura Bunke grew up near Leola, SD. She went to Stewarts School of Cosmetology and worked on nails and hair in Aberdeen for 20 years. She has two boys and two grandchildren. When she stopped doing hair, she had the opportunity to illustrate 2 children’s books and still does artsy things from time to time. She enjoys gardening, fishing, playing darts and loves hanging out with her children, nephews and all her family.
Rev. Sheila Apland-Ottenbacher was born and raised on a farm outside of DeSmet, SD. After graduating from the University of South Dakota with a BA in Speech Communication and English she attended seminary at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Upon graduating from seminary, Sheila took a year to serve as pulpit supply in and around Brookings, SD while searching for her first call. That first call led to her moving to Aberdeen, SD to become the campus minister at Northern State University for United Campus Ministries. While serving at NSU, Sheila also served the Congregational Christian United Church of Christ in Columbia, SD as their pastor for 13 years. After the campus ministry position was dissolved Sheila continued working as a Certified Pharmacy Technician at KMart alongside the ministry at Columbia. She then took a few years away from ordained ministry and began working as a Customer Service Representative at Dacotah Bank. In June of 2023, Sheila began her official ministry at Plymouth as the Minister of Church and Family Life. Prior to that she had served in a volunteer capacity wherever needed. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Gary, and son, William, and their cats, as well as sharing her love of Kermit the Frog.
Missy Nguyen was born and raised in Aberdeen, SD. She graduated from Aberdeen Central High School and then received degrees from Northern State University in music education as a piano major and a masters in classroom teaching. She has shared her love of music with Plymouth Congregational UCC since 2001. She enjoys accompanying the Aberdeen Area Men’s Chorus and the Yelduz Chanters; along with playing for musicals as needed at Northern State University and the Aberdeen Community Theatre. Missy married Koos O’Kennedy in 2013 and then they welcomed their twins, Francine and Wilhelmina in 2017. She feels the deepest connection with her faith when she is listening to music in church, singing along with hymns, or helping others share their love through music.
Consists of 7 members with the pastor as Ex-officio
