New arrival in Plains brings her own voice to the pulpit

PLAINS – The new pastor at the United Methodist Church in Plains has only been in town for about a month but already the congregation is warming up to their new guide. According to the new member of the clergy, the fact that she is a woman has not affected how her flock responds to her teachings.

Amanda Stamp did not just move to Plains to provide guidance to a new congregation. Her fiancé happens to also be a pastor in Plains at the First Lutheran Church. After the recent departure of Pastor Thomas Hall from the Methodist church, Stamp was able to join fiancé Grant Applehans in Plains.

Stamp began her road to Plains several years ago even before entering the seminary. Stamp was a teacher but after restrictions on how she could assist students in need of guidance prevented her from effectively helping them, she decided to go a different route.

She entered the seminary to begin a path that would allow her to discuss with troubled youth topics that would not be allowed under secular circumstances. While she has not encountered any negative attitudes because of her gender in a traditionally male role within the church, Stamp said there would be a period of adjustment for some members of the community.

“It feels like something where people aren’t sure what it means to have a female pastor. I haven’t had any negative reactions,” said Stamp. “I think having a female voice as part of preaching and as part of religious expression is important to women and men to see how someone else sees the text.”

According to Stamp, being able to tap into stories and teachings through a woman’s eyes can provide a unique perspective on teachings within the scripture. She also said that she is not the first woman to provide the Plains congregation with a feminine viewpoint. There have been at least two other women pastors at the Methodist church in Plains.

Feedback from the community is key to how Stamp develops her sermons. She indicated that listening to community members and being involved with outreach activities determines what she decides to teach.

“Knowing what the community needs to hear is very important,” said Stamp. “It’s all about knowing what’s happening in their lives. I try to make it so everyone will hear what they want to hear.”

The new United Methodist pastor for Plains said she had received several comments from the congregation about how excited they were to have a young, new voice in the church. She indicated the appeal of ministering in a small town is the ability to reach people on a personal level.

“You can get involved in everything in a small town,” said Stamp. “People know who you are and when they need something, they can stop you and talk. That sort of opportunity you only have in a small town.”