Faces of Calvary: Meet Rachel, Deidre, & Maureen

Each month in The Stir, we will introduce you to some of the lovely women of Calvary as they answer questions about themselves and share photos.  When you see them around church, be sure to connect with them and introduce yourself if you’ve never met them.  One thing I know about all women at Calvary, from introverts to extroverts and everyone in between…they want to be known, appreciated, and connected.  We can provide that for each other!

Meet Rachel Bushre

1. Describe yourself in 5 adjectives.
unworthy, chosen, forgiven, redeemed, free

2. Share a core childhood memory and a bit about your younger years and places you’ve lived.
When I think back to my childhood, I have happy memories with my family, specifically my siblings whom I love so much. I am the oldest of 4, so my motherly instincts were practiced on them often – solicited and unsolicited! I was very close with my brother 2 years younger. We played together all the time in our backyard, with Legos, make-believe, etc. When my sister came along 9 years after me, I took on the caretaker role as often as I could and the same with my youngest brother a couple of years later. By the time it came for me to go away to college, the thing that made it hardest was the thought of leaving all of them.

I grew up in Kalamazoo, MI. My dad was on staff at a Baptist church in town, and I’d say I grew up in a bubble. I really didn’t interact, or want to interact, with the world. It was to be avoided. All of my friends were either in our church or in our homeschool group, with the exception of a few neighbors. In my middle school years, I started to attend a Christian school and my friendship base grew a bit. I was quite studious, but also enjoyed trying some sports and attending youth group. I had close friendships with a small circle of young women, some of whom I went on to college with.

I went to Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, MI — partly because of the close proximity to my parent’s home and partly because I grew up hearing about it in our church. It was a good time of life to branch out a bit and start to see some varied thinking. I was in the Elementary Education program and graduated with a minor in Early Childhood Education. It was my Senior year that I met a guy named Kyle. We started dating in October of 1999, he proposed in January of 2000, and we were married by December of the same year.

When we were married, Kyle had a few more classes to go, so we continued to live in the GR area. We moved to Plainwell, MI when he graduated, which was a midway point between our jobs. I was teaching Kindergarten at a small charter school and Kyle was a youth pastor. We soon went on to seminary in Deerfield, IL at Trinity and loved our time there. We lived on campus with many other young couples in our same life stage. Those were sweet years, and as we spent time there my eyes were opened all the more to grace. I saw others who loved Christ who were not bound by the same list of rules I grew up with and was puzzled. But with more understanding came the relief that I didn’t have to be good enough to maintain my salvation.

I really saw this more after we brought Samuel home from Ethiopia several years later as we were finishing up at our first church plant in Indiana. We read to him from The Jesus Storybook Bible. It was intended to teach Sammy about our Lord, but I saw more and more that I am lovely to my Rescuer, not for anything I can or ever will do, but simply because He loves me. Being a new parent really helped me understand such love.

We moved from Indiana to Chambersburg, PA where we lived for 5 1/2 years. Kyle was on staff at a large church as a missions pastor while I enjoyed every moment of being Mom to Samuel. We started the adoption process to bring our precious baby girl home right away, but it took about 3 years to do so – just shortly before we left to plant a church in Detroit, MI. That’s where we thought we’d live forever.  But the Lord had other plans for us. We’ve been here in Rochester since December, and as we continue to settle in I can say that our new church family has been the best! We’ve been warmly welcomed, befriended, and helped in so many ways.

3. Describe your average day:
Currently I’m at home full-time, trying to help our children finish out the school year. And of course, since we just moved, much of my time has been devoted to setting up house. Oddly, I don’t mind this because I find great satisfaction in making areas less cluttered and picked up. It’s a good thing since there’s a lot of that to do! Then there’s the new puppy we brought into the family a few weeks ago. I wipe up messes and work on training our new bundle of energy. Weeknights are spent taking my daughter to soccer practice and then cheering her on at her weekend games. And soon I’ll be at Sammy’s baseball games cheering on #39 and Coach Kyle!

I try to make home a place that’s comfortable to come back to, though I admit I often get lost in the details of tidiness and neglect the hearts I say I want to serve. I end up making cleanliness and my ideals my idols and I’m gently reminded by my dear family. Then I try again to serve more like Mary than Martha.

4. What is something that makes a welcoming home?
A welcoming home leaves the lights on to come home to at night, has the sound of calming background music playing, and the pleasant smells of homemade delicacies. But mostly it is full of love. Home is a place where memories have been made, where growth has taken place, and where one can truly relax.

5. If you had no limitations, what would you like to be doing right now?  
I’d love to get away with Kyle for a good chunk of time, and thankfully we’ll be doing just that this summer while the children are away at camp. We’re looking forward to it.  Additionally, I look forward to having the opportunity to really explore our new surroundings: restaurants, attractions, history, industry.  Even the city of Rochester proper has not really been explored, save those places we need to go.

6. Do you have any regrets?
Absolutely, I do. I’ve done things I’m ashamed of and said things I shouldn’t have said. I’ve had motives in my heart that were not pure. I struggle against sin every day. Sometimes I give in and fail and sometimes I have victory through my Savior. While I don’t want to wallow in self-loathing, it’s good to remember who I am without Him so that I fully appreciate His forgiveness and have more grace with those around me.

7. Name 2 things you consider yourself good at.
Organizing, cooking

8. Do you have any hobbies?
I don’t collect anything or spend a lot of time doing any craft or sport. I do enjoy going for walks, dating my husband, good food, and doing puzzles (but I really try not to get started with them. Once I get started it’s hard to stop!)

9. What do you appreciate about Calvary?
The incredibly warm welcome I’ve received. Honestly, it’s a bit overwhelming! I’ve been “the pastor’s wife” before, but this is a completely different sized church and the outpouring of hospitality has been incredible. Thank you all for the meals, the gift cards & gifts, the walks, the coffee & chats, and so much more. I already have dear friends among you. I’m delighted to see where these friendships will take us. May we sharpen one another and spur each other on to love & good works. Please know that I am no different than any of you. I’m a sinner saved by grace.

Meet Deidre Cullen

Describe yourself in 5 adjectives:  Approachable, easy-going, friendly, honest, sincere.

Share a core childhood memory and a bit about your younger years and places you’ve lived:  Oh, I had such a wonderful childhood it’s hard to pick one memory. I grew up in Wabasha, Minnesota, right on the Mississippi River. I loved going fishing with my dad on the river. During the summer months, we went fishing almost every evening after he came home from work. I loved growing up in a small town where we ice skated during the winter and swam during the summer.

One of my core memories I have and appreciate is how my parents always encouraged me to engage with new individuals that would attend our local church.  It taught me an invaluable lesson in how to help someone new feel comfortable and also to seek out individuals that might need a friend.
Describe your average day:  I’m a homeschool mama of four children, ages 11, 10, 6, and 3. Homeschooling allows so much flexibility that my average day consists of whatever activities my kids are in, a few walks or bike rides, them asking for snacks multiple times a day, and listening to either For

King and Country or Silly Songs with Larry. Oh yeah, we listen to Encanto and Treasured VBS soundtracks as well.

My job as Sunday Kids Director has allowed me to have flexibility in my schedule to be able to put my family first as well as work professionally doing something I love, helping kids grow in a faith of their own.

What is something that makes a welcoming home?  Having an openness and being attentive to whomever is over is a great way of welcoming individuals into your home. Sitting down for coffee or tea and just sharing life with someone goes a long way to build a relationship. Also, cookies also can help anyone feel welcomed!

If you had no limitations, what would you like to be doing right now?  I would love to be a world traveling family, somewhat similar to the Bucket List Family. We have lots of friends and family all over the world, and I’d love to be able to travel to visit them all.

Do you have any regrets?  Recently, I had a best friend pass away.  I regret not spending more time with her the weeks before her passing.

Name 2 things you consider yourself good at:  Babysitting and baking!

Do you have any hobbies?  I enjoy walks, bike rides, reading, kayaking, and bonfires.

What do you appreciate about Calvary?  It might be cliche, but I very much appreciate the pastoral staff. The love and kindness they have for their congregation and for others in the Rochester area is evident. Since I have four children, I also appreciate how well Calvary conducts their children’s ministry programs. The staff and volunteers truly care about every child’s faith, and I’m so grateful to have others pour into my children’s lives.

Meet Maureen Johnson

Describe yourself in 5 adjectives: Compassionate, creative, sensitive, loving, and quirky

Describe an average day in your life:   I wake up for my job at Mayo Clinic as a staff sonographer in the obstetrics department. After work I hustle home to spend the evening with Jon (my husband of 22 years) and our daughters – we have 4. Truly, not very many dull moments at our house.

Can you tell us about your hobbies?  I have many hobbies – I love to read, hunt for cool rocks, make things with my hands, bake, hang out with my family, and play games.

Picture your life with no limitations: If I had no limitations I would be traveling the world with my family exploring God’s beautiful creation and learning about new cultures.

What do you appreciate about Calvary? The staff for sure! Every member of the staff at Calvary works hard and they have humble and serving hearts. I also appreciate the youth group which is where I love to serve as a youth group leader for a bunch of amazing high school girls.