Co-President: Ann Spangler, First United Methodist Church

Ann is originally from western Pennsylvania and lived in both Wisconsin and Texas before moving to Lawrence in 2002. After completing an undergraduate degree at Westminster College in Pennsylvania, she attended the University of Wisconsin to complete graduate degrees in Child and Family Studies. She is retired from a career in early childhood education after teaching in numerous early childhood programs, teaching at the university level, and most recently working for the federal government supporting Head Start programs. Ann is an active member at First United Methodist Church where she is involved in the Justice Ministry Team and a regular volunteer for Jubilee Café. She also sings in the Chancel Choir and plays handbells with the Celebration Ringers. Ann is married to David Spangler, and is the mother of two children, Lane and Laura, step-mother to two sons, Jason and Lucas, and grandmother to Charlotte and Logan, and step-grandmother to Tate.

Co-President: Cynthia Eubanks, Ninth Street Missionary Baptist Church

Cynthia is married to Willone Eubanks and together they have five children, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. For most of her life Cynthia worked in the construction industry. She owned and operated Win Construction, Inc. for the final 15 years of her 40-year career. She has always been active in the Lawrence community on many levels, a small sampling of them being a member of the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission, Bert Nash board member, and officer in her Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. where the motto is “Service to all mankind.” She currently is the Church Administrator and acting Business Manager for Ninth Street Missionary Baptist Church which she says in the position of a lifetime! Being able to serve God, her congregation, and her community all at the same time is a blessing. Not retired but definitely slowing down, Cynthia hopes that the coming years will afford her the opportunity to focus on faith, family and fun.

Co-Vice President: Caroline Lawson Dean, Plymouth Congregational Church

Rev. Caroline Lawson Dean has served at Plymouth for the past two and a half years. She is a graduate of The University of Richmond & Duke University's Divinity School. In her current role as Associate Pastor she focuses on faith formation and mission & service engagement. Caroline works with both adults and youth in the congregation. She also plays a regular role in the general ministry of the church including preaching & pastoral care. Rev. Dean grew up on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay in Hampton, Virginia. The Deans appreciate any chance to get out in nature, and spending time with their large extended families (some of whom live in the Kansas City area). Caroline grew up in the Cooperative Baptist Church tradition but found her home in the United Church of Christ which resonates with her vocational call to work for social justice and the inclusion of all in church life. You can find Caroline journaling in coffee shops, leaving a local gym class, or taking various little creatures on long walks. Her current favorite hobby is eliciting giggles from a certain 1- and 4-year-old.

Co-Vice President: John Flynn, Vintage Church

John Flynn and his wife Jami relocated to Lawrence in 1986. At the time, he was working as a professional musician and guitar teacher. Lawrence was an artistic oasis where they immediately felt at home. In 1987 John took a job as a teacher and salesman at a small music store called Mass Street Music. He soon became the manager and later an owner. They grew to become a national and international presence for fine guitars. After 26 years John accepted an offer to serve at Heartland Community Health Center as the HR Director. Six years later, he took the position of Store Manager with Trek Bicycle in Lawrence. He still works there part-time. He now serves as the Community Life Pastor at Vintage Church, which is his dream job! He hopes to be in this role for a long time. John and Jami have 3 grown children, 4 grandchildren, and a dog. In addition, John still performs music professionally and loves to ride bikes, hike, and fly-fish.

Treasurer: Randy Weinkauf, Immanuel Lutheran Church (Retired)

Pr. Randy Weinkauf served as Parish Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church and University Student Center, Lawrence from 2009-2019 when he retired. Prior to serving at Immanuel, Pr. Randy served as pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Hilo, Hawaii (2003-2009); The Lutheran Church of Guam, Hagåtña, Guam (1997-2002); Redeemer Lutheran Church, Rolla, Missouri (1987-1997); and St. Peter Lutheran Church, Westgate, Iowa (1981-1987). He also served as mission coordinator/developer of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Independence, Iowa (1985-1987) and the Lutheran/Episcopal mission on Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (2001-2002). From 1988-1997, Pr. Randy served as a chaplain in the United States Naval Reserve. He has been a member of various Rotary clubs for over 20 years. He has been involved with Justice Matters since its very beginnings. Pr. Randy and his wife Nancy have 4 children and 6 grandchildren.

Secretary: Chelsy Larson, Trinity Lutheran Church

Chelsy is a Lawrence native, baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church where today she is a member of the choir and serves as one of the congregation’s two Justice Matters board members. Chelsy earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Kansas in May 2011 and currently runs a private practice as a mental health therapist here in Lawrence. Prior to her work as a therapist, she worked as an advocate at area domestic violence shelters, notably Lawrence's Willow Domestic Violence Center. Chelsy is also the mother to two daughters, ages 4 and 1. Pre-COVID, Chelsy also spent considerable time performing as a vocalist for several local bands.

At-Large Member: Hamideh Gerami, Islamic Center of Lawrence

Hamideh Gerami was born in Southeast Iran and grew up in the capital of the country, Tehran. There, she got her Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, before following her husband Hossein Gerami to the United States in 1997. Since then, they have been residents of Lawrence. She is a member of the Islamic Center of Lawrence and has been a board member of both the Lawrence Interfaith Connection and Justice Matters since their initiations. She is a full-time mom of three children, a part-time employee of Raintree Montessori School, and a part-time graduate student at the Center of Global and International Studies at the University of Kansas.

Staff:

Lead Organizer: Camille Debreczeny ([email protected])

Associate Organizer: Sarah Balzer ([email protected]) 

Associate Organizer: Adriana Flores ([email protected])