Staff
Pastor Kendra Holcomb-Densmore
Growing up as a preacher’s kid in Michigan, Kendra “Kendi” Holcomb-Densmore dreamed of becoming a middle school choir director. This passion for music education blossomed into a call to ministry, but the lessons learned singing in choirs never left her. For example, “what we accomplish together is far more satisfying than done alone.” Kendi is attending Saint Paul School of Theology, working toward a Master of Divinity and pursuing ordination in the UMC.
During her leisure time, Kendi is an avid reader, loves hanging out with family, and follows the Detroit Redwings and Kansas City Chiefs. Her favorite book is Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden, and her favorite movie is “The Red Violin.” “I am moved by the violin maker’s love for his wife and how his expression of that love leaves a legacy far beyond his imagination,” she explained. “It reminds me that God’s love and plan for me is bigger than my dreams.”
Karolyn Dawley, Administrative Assistant
Hello!
My name is Karolyn Dawley. I live north of Morrice, so my drive here is much shorter (and more enjoyable) than my previous commute to Flint. I enjoy my shorter workdays, as now I have more time to spend with my horses or doing chores outside. I have two grown children, who live in the area, and four grandchildren. I wear a number of hats at my church, Owosso First UMC; I am chair of the Missions Team, a Stephen Ministry leader, and a liturgist. I sing in the choir, play handbells and lead a small children's choir.
I have been the Administrative Assistant here since 2014. Working in a church is the retirement job I had hoped for, and I feel very blessed to be here at LUMC. I am sure that God has placed me here for a special purpose. If you are a visitor reading this, please know that the members here are very kind and welcoming, and you will soon feel right at home, just as I do.
John Peck, Lay Leader
John Peck serves as the official Lay Leader for Laingsburg UMC. In this capacity, he oversees a team of lay readers who assist the pastor with parts of the Sunday worship services. He also has a standing position on all committees and work areas of the church. In addition to all of this, John provides leadership to other leadership within the church, many of whom have undergone training for certification in Methodist lay ministry.
John was raised in Upstate New York, where he was baptized in and became a member of the Seneca Castle United Methodist Church. He received a BS in Chemistry from Alma College and later an MS in Administration from Central Michigan University. He met his wife, Joan, while working for the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources and has worked in several other departments. They have one son, Joshua. John started attending the Laingsburg United Methodist Church after moving here about twenty years ago. He is currently enjoying retirement
Chong Zheng, Worship Pianist
I am from Hubei Province, a city in the south of China, which is a lovely place close to the Yangtze River. Now I am pursuing a Doctoral degree in Piano Performance at Michigan State University. I received my Master of Music degree at Jacobs school of music, Indiana University Bloomington in 2013. Before and during my studies, I successfully performed several solo, piano duet recitals and chamber concert in Beijing, Chicago, Bloomington and East Lansing, and was invited to participate in a recording on the WFMT 98.7 radio, Chicago. I won the Virginia Geyser Behrendt Scholarship competition in 2013. I worked as a piano accompanist in the Ballet Department of Indiana University from 2011 to 2013. In 2015, I was hired as church pianist in Laingsburg United Methodist Church.
