Hello
Leadership Team
Our Team works together to shape the vision and direction of the Gathering Table. Welcome to the Lord's Table. All are Welcome.
The Team
Eloise Downs
Eloise Downs
Eloise Downs
Eloise retired from Park Hill school District as Library Media Specialist. She enjoyed 30 years of teaching and is now enjoying retirement. Eloise has two daughters and three grandchildren in town so she is blessed to see them often. As a family she attended Children’s Memorial in the early 90s and feels a close connection to the church.
Eloise retired from Park Hill school District as Library Media Specialist. She enjoyed 30 years of teaching and is now enjoying retirement. Eloise has two daughters and three grandchildren in town so she is blessed to see them often. As a family she attended Children’s Memorial in the early 90s and feels a close connection to the church. She now enjoys being a volunteer and Pastor Ann’s side kick. It is also fun that Ann and Eloise are cousins who grew up together, Kansas Swedes.
Lynn Fleming
Eloise Downs
Eloise Downs
Lynn graduated with honors from Kansas State University with a degree in business management and volunteers as the Gathering Table Treasurer. Lynn is currently the Executive Director of the Great Bend Housing Authority since 2009 which provides 200 low-income individuals and families with HUD funded housing. A $16 million renovation of
Lynn graduated with honors from Kansas State University with a degree in business management and volunteers as the Gathering Table Treasurer. Lynn is currently the Executive Director of the Great Bend Housing Authority since 2009 which provides 200 low-income individuals and families with HUD funded housing. A $16 million renovation of the facility was completed in 2023 where Lynn collaborated with multiple agencies to provide the funding. Previously Lynn was the Assistant Director of the Salina Housing Authority. In addition, Lynn is a small business owner and serves as the Treasurer for the Kansas Music Hall of Fame and a board member of the Beloit Country Club. Previously she served on the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. Lynn has been a life-long parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church and has served as member of the St. John School Board and the St. John Memorial Trust Fund Treasurer.
Dan Glamann
Eloise Downs
Dan Glamann
Dan is retired from Central States Synod, where he served as Director of Communications and coordinator for the synod's disaster response. Before becoming synod staff he was Parish Assistant at First Lutheran in Mission Hills. He also served nearly eight years on staff as Parish Assistant Children's Memorial. Dan is a native Kansas Citian
Dan is retired from Central States Synod, where he served as Director of Communications and coordinator for the synod's disaster response. Before becoming synod staff he was Parish Assistant at First Lutheran in Mission Hills. He also served nearly eight years on staff as Parish Assistant Children's Memorial. Dan is a native Kansas Citian and grew up in the Northeast area, his family making Children's Memorial their "home church" in 1957.
Lori Harvey
Sharon Johnson
Lori Harvey
Lori is an Iowa farm girl who grew up attending Zion Lutheran in Ruthven, IA where her family has worshipped for more than 5 generations. Lori has lived and worked in Kansas City for 35 years at Hallmark Cards. She and her husband Chris have three grown children and one grandson. She is an active member of St. James Lutheran where she
Lori is an Iowa farm girl who grew up attending Zion Lutheran in Ruthven, IA where her family has worshipped for more than 5 generations. Lori has lived and worked in Kansas City for 35 years at Hallmark Cards. She and her husband Chris have three grown children and one grandson. She is an active member of St. James Lutheran where she has volunteered in many capacities, currently helping with the St. James Food Pantry, leading the annual Back to School fair partnering with Northland MLM, participating on several committees, and of course her favorite is cooking and serving lunch at The Gathering Table! Lori also helps with the Ronald McDonald House garden. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, shopping, sports and volunteering.
Ann Hauser
Sharon Johnson
Lori Harvey
Ann Hauser retired as a school psychologist after twenty-seven years serving students with special needs. She also taught part time in the CLEAR program at Johnson County Community College for over ten years. Prior experience as a board member include membership on the Kansas City Symphony Alliance Board and the Kansas City Lyric Opera G
Ann Hauser retired as a school psychologist after twenty-seven years serving students with special needs. She also taught part time in the CLEAR program at Johnson County Community College for over ten years. Prior experience as a board member include membership on the Kansas City Symphony Alliance Board and the Kansas City Lyric Opera Guild Board. She currently serves on the committee responsible for the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition Kansas City District. Ann volunteers at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Ten Thousand Villages, the Gathering Table, and in the summer at the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival. She is a member of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection and the Prairie Dulcimer Club.
Sharon Johnson
Sharon Johnson
Sharon Johnson
A lifelong resident of the Kansas City metropolitan area, Sharon attends Lutheran Church of the Resurrection where she has served on the church council and many other capacities. Sharon has spent over 30 years working with a small advertising agency specializing in Industrial Marketing. She is married to Robert Dona who is involved in s
A lifelong resident of the Kansas City metropolitan area, Sharon attends Lutheran Church of the Resurrection where she has served on the church council and many other capacities. Sharon has spent over 30 years working with a small advertising agency specializing in Industrial Marketing. She is married to Robert Dona who is involved in several volunteer organizations as well. Sharon is currently semi-retired and filing her time volunteering at her church, the Gathering Table, Kansas City Workers Justice, Midwest Chamber Ensemble, Greater Kansas City People to People, and the Harriman Jewell Series Advisory Council.
Pastor Barb Jones
Pastor Barb Jones
Pastor Barb Jones
A cradle-Lutheran, Rev. Barbara Jones began her work in the church at First Lutheran in Maquoketa, IA as a teen-aged organist. Earning a BA in Christian Education from Wartburg College, she then taught at St. Paul’s Lutheran Day School in Michigan City, IN. Twenty-nine years she was in Pella, IA, raising her three daughters, teaching kind
A cradle-Lutheran, Rev. Barbara Jones began her work in the church at First Lutheran in Maquoketa, IA as a teen-aged organist. Earning a BA in Christian Education from Wartburg College, she then taught at St. Paul’s Lutheran Day School in Michigan City, IN. Twenty-nine years she was in Pella, IA, raising her three daughters, teaching kindergarten/first grade and being a church musician at Peace Lutheran. Barb finally heeded the life-long call to ordained ministry by earning an MDiv from Wartburg Theological Seminary. Currently on-leave from call, Barb is working part-time at the Central States Synod office and is doing occasional pulpit supply. She loves being Nana to her five grandchildren, all in the KC Metro.
BJ Laven
Pastor Barb Jones
Pastor Barb Jones
B. J. retired from Commodities Trading Industry in July 1994 and began volunteering at Gathering Table in the Fall of 1994. He is a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Missouri where he has served on their Council and numerous committees. B. J. also volunteers at the Kansas City Golf Association as a Rules Offici
B. J. retired from Commodities Trading Industry in July 1994 and began volunteering at Gathering Table in the Fall of 1994. He is a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Missouri where he has served on their Council and numerous committees. B. J. also volunteers at the Kansas City Golf Association as a Rules Official for amateur tournaments throughout the Kansas City area.
Kitty Long
Pastor Barb Jones
Kitty Long
Kitty Long is a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, in Kansas City, where she is involved with church music, worship team, and former youth leader. A retired elementary teacher, she still tutors children part time. Kitty got involved at the Gathering Table when she moved here, about 16 years ago. She and her family have moved all over
Kitty Long is a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, in Kansas City, where she is involved with church music, worship team, and former youth leader. A retired elementary teacher, she still tutors children part time. Kitty got involved at the Gathering Table when she moved here, about 16 years ago. She and her family have moved all over the country where they gained a variety of life experiences. Her passion is working with those in need and helping others. On the Gathering Table team, Kitty is able to use her passion, skills, and faith to serve others in our community.
Pastor Jealaine Marple
Pastor Jealaine Marple
Pastor Jealaine Marple
Rev. Jealaine Marple (she/hers) is the current interim Pastor at First Lutheran Church in Mission Hills, KS. "Pastor J" (as she prefers to be called) is a Missouri girl, born and raised. She is a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University and Wartburg Theological Seminary (in Dubuque, IA). From 2014-2021, she served the people of Elv
Rev. Jealaine Marple (she/hers) is the current interim Pastor at First Lutheran Church in Mission Hills, KS. "Pastor J" (as she prefers to be called) is a Missouri girl, born and raised. She is a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University and Wartburg Theological Seminary (in Dubuque, IA). From 2014-2021, she served the people of Elvira Zion Lutheran Church in Clinton, Iowa. Pastor J is thrilled to return home where she is closer to family. She is beyond excited to serve on the board for The Gathering Table; feeding people is a right, not a luxury. Pastor J is married to Dr. Chris Marple who is the Director of Choral Studies at Missouri Western State University and they have 1 daughter, Ellen (EJ) who is 9. Pastor J is the official walk-giver and treat-sneaker to two dogs, Sasha and Brinkley. In her spare time, she enjoys podcasts, movies, current events, and local sports.
Pastor Ann Rundquist
Pastor Jealaine Marple
Pastor Jealaine Marple
Rev. Ann Rundquist is the only paid staff member. She serves as Gathering Table’s pastoral leader, mission developer, executive director, liaison with other community organizations and fundraiser, receiving only a part-time salary. Pastor Ann graduated from Kansas State University and Wartburg Theological Seminary. Prior to ministry, she
Rev. Ann Rundquist is the only paid staff member. She serves as Gathering Table’s pastoral leader, mission developer, executive director, liaison with other community organizations and fundraiser, receiving only a part-time salary. Pastor Ann graduated from Kansas State University and Wartburg Theological Seminary. Prior to ministry, she worked as a bank vice president in Prairie Village, Kan., as the director of the Kansas Governor’s Office for Children and Families, as ombudsman for Central Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services and as director of a housing authority. You may find Pastor Ann preparing food, doing laundry, praying with a child of God who is overcome with despair, or preaching the Gospel as she is assisted by the constituents she serves. God and the Central States Synod called Pastor Ann to the right spot!
Pastor Donna Simon
Pastor Jealaine Marple
Pastor Donna Simon
Donna Simon serves as pastor of St. Mark Hope and Peace Lutheran Church and Director for Evangelical Mission of the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In both capacities, she is focused upon mission, service, and justice for all persons.
St. Mark Hope and Peace is a new urban congregation, engaged in a pr
Donna Simon serves as pastor of St. Mark Hope and Peace Lutheran Church and Director for Evangelical Mission of the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In both capacities, she is focused upon mission, service, and justice for all persons.
St. Mark Hope and Peace is a new urban congregation, engaged in a process of intentional renewal which centers upon engagement with what God is doing in the midtown area of Kansas City and beyond. The congregation worships in a beautiful old stone church on Troost Avenue, but their ministry is located in many places. They have formed many fruitful ecumenical relationships, and partnerships with organizations working to create a more just and equitable world for all. Donna lives in the parish she serves with her wife, Colleen, their son Dominic, and several cats and dogs.