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Puppets Speak To All Ages

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By DEREK MAUL

Tribune correspondent

Published: July 16, 2008

PLANT CITY - Lynn Helms and her husband, Richard, moved to Plant City from Connecticut in 1998. They soon discovered First Presbyterian Church of Plant City.

Lynn knew right away she had come home.

Before long she was director of Christian education. It was during her tenure that Helms launched the creative Puppets With a Purpose ministry.

Q. How long have you been in town?

A. Since 1998; we've been at First Presbyterian nine years. I immediately loved the church. I like the idea that Communion is open, and everyone who believes is welcome. It's a very simple service.

Q. Why Plant City?

A. We started in northern Florida and worked our way down until we came to Plant City. We love trains and liked the way Plant City is keeping the integrity of the town. We're very happy here.

Q. How did you get involved with puppets?

A. When I started as director of Christian education, there was a kid who said there wasn't anything at church for her; she was about 11. So I investigated puppets, and it was an immediate hit. We started out purchasing a few and then we've made some, too. They're $100 to $150 apiece.

Q. How many puppets do you have?

A. Thirty-five to 40, a whole wall of them, four to five deep. There are 15 of us, and we each have two hands, so we can have as many as 30 moving at one time.

Q. What's the purpose?

A. To serve the Lord, to bring God's glory to others and to give young people opportunities in ministry. We're a strong little group; we have 12 kids and three adults. Mainly middle school. In high school, they become junior advisers.

Q. What do the kids do?

A. Operate the puppets, help with props and then put together programs.

That's what keeps them. Today we do drama, illustrations, use sticks, a little music and sign language.

Q. Where do you perform?

A. We go where we're asked. Baptist Children's Home in Lakeland, the Presbyterian Home, all the nursing homes in town, schools, learning centers, military - we even did a bank opening - and many area churches. Then we do summer mission trips - last year to Tifton and Valdosta Georgia.

Q. How do people react?

A. They love it. Everything is Bible-based, and puppets are not just for kids. It brings out Bible teachings in a lighter setting. Following Christ's teachings can be a lot of fun. When we do "Showers of Blessings," the puppets have raincoats and umbrellas. We shoot water pistols. At the Catholic church, we had the nuns shower the audience.

Q. What Bible verse inspires this ministry?

A. If we had one, it would be Matthew 22:37-38. Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself."

Q. Where were you raised?

A. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. I was born in 1942. My husband, Richard, and I went through confirmation together and graduated from Myers High School together. We married in 1965.

Q. Where have you lived?

A. We lived in Michigan, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, New Jersey and then Connecticut. Richard's career was in finance and management. Now he teaches at Everest University formerly Florida Metropolitan. We have a daughter, Susan, and our grandchild, Abigail, is 8.

Q. Did you go back to school?

A. I was a late bloomer. I took my associate's and bachelor's at Post College in Waterbury, Conn. Then I earned my master's at the University of New Haven in 1988. I did it all in six years.

Q. How do you feel about the future?

A. These kids are a good group. They're normal kids, but when it comes time to buckle down, they're right there. They're not afraid of work.

To me, these kids are what's right about Tampa Bay.

Q. How can people contact your group?

A. Through the church office at First Presbyterian. We'd love to have new members; they'll find they'll get hooked pretty fast. I love the openness of being a Presbyterian. Faith to me is very simple; you just can't do bad when you know the love of Christ.

This is an occasional series spotlighting faith leaders. Lynn Helms heads Puppets With a Purpose, a ministry at First Presbyterian Church of Plant City, 404 W Reynolds St. The church's telephone number is (813) 752-6874. Derek Maul can be reached at derek

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