If
you have had occasion over the past fifteen years to drive down Black Avenue
and glance across the street from the Aquatic Center you would have noticed a
continuous and significant change. Fifteen years ago Lynnewood United
Methodist Church held its services in the building it shared with a preschool.
The folding chairs were brought out to seat a handful of dedicated worshippers
who attended at that time. Since then a large and beautiful worship
center was completed which could seat several hundred people. Even more
recently an office addition was completed on the worship center and a new multi
room education building was added. Now Lynnewood has 2 morning worship services
and a large array of Sunday education classes to choose from. It has
grown and prospered.
But, in addition to the changes you can see in the physical structure, Lynnewood is changing on the inside as well. A new minister was appointed to lead Lynnewood in its continued growth. Rev. Paul Henshaw began his service to the Lynnewood congregation on July 1, 2001. He comes to Pleasanton from Los Altos where he served the Methodist church there since 1991. This is his fifth church to serve, but only the second in California. His earlier experiences were in Ohio.
Paul Henshaw is a quiet, unassuming man with a deep devotion and dedication to his “calling”. His convictions are based on extensive education and study. He has a B.A. in Humanities, a Masters in Divinity and an M.A. in Curriculum and Foundations as well as a Ph.D. in Education. When asked how he wants the congregation to address him, he modestly says, Paul - the only one who uses his other titles is his very proud mother! Paul started his journey to the ministry as a young man. His mother was a minister’s kid as well as his own father. He felt the call to ministry as early as the seventh grade and through a long, gentle process and growing awareness he found his way to his ultimate profession.
Paul
comes to Pleasanton with his wife, Barbara. She has been his partner and
supporter through his many years of study and church service. She is
active and supportive of church activities and has already joined many groups.
She participates in a Prayers and Squares quilting ministry, attends Soul
Sisters Sunday school class and goes to a variety of social functions including
being a cheerleader at the church league softball games. She has been
hired as a home Economics teacher at Foothill High School for the 2001 - 2002
school year. Paul and Barbara have 2 adult children who did not make the
move with them to Pleasanton. Their daughter is married and teaching
first grade in Los Altos and their son works for the city of San Jose.
The future Paul sees for Lynnewood is to “discover God’s vision” together with the congregation and church membership. He has no preconceived notions of where that might lead. He wants to listen, learn and move forward as a team. He calls himself a lectionary preacher and will use the pulpit as an educational venue to continue to teach, study and question. He was very happy in his previous position but was willing and ready to make a change to come to Pleasanton. His goal is to meet the membership and love each and every member and nurture them in their faith journey.
If you haven’t been aware of the changing faces of Lynnewood in the past perhaps you’d like to be part of the Lynnewood changes of the future. If you’re looking for a place to make friends and be loved and accepted just the way you are why not try Lynnewood? It prides itself on being a friendly church so why not stop by, check it out and see what’s happening at 4444 Black Avenue.
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Lynnewood United Methodist Church
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