The Rev. Dr. Otis E. Young,
Senior Minister Emeritus
(April 12, 1931 - December 10, 2009)
The Rev. Dr. Otis Young served First-Plymouth Church as Senior Minister from 1972 until his retirement in September of 2006. He's served on the national UCC staff and had pastorates in Connecticut, Chicago and St. Louis. He was a graduate of Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri and Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Connecticut in 1957.
Otis Young, pastor at First-Plymouth Church for 35 years, died on December 10, 2009. The number of lives he touched with his unique blend of common sense, compassion, faith and humor is beyond counting. We thank God for such a life.
Even though he has passed, we continue to follow his guiding principles and are directed by his spirit of inclusiveness and practical wisdom. He continues to shape the life of First-Plymouth Church. His memorial service was held on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. Click here to watch the video of the service.
Otis Young's book "Reach Out and Live" and audio CD's of his sermons are available for purchase at the Bishop Heights True Value Hardware store, (which his daughter Krista and son-in-law David Rickman own) at 4200 South 27th St. For more information call 402-420-0077.
Those wishing to honor and to continue Otis Young's legacy are invited to contribute to The Otis Young Lecture Series which annually features a national speaker at First-Plymouth Church and Doane College. Please write your check to First-Plymouth Church and send it to First-Plymouth Church, 2000 D St. Lincoln, NE 68502. Indicate your donation is for the Otis Young Lecture Series.
Recent Lincoln Journal Star articles:
The Rev. Otis Young: 'He believed in everyone'
Otis Young was inspiring influence
Your memories of the Rev. Otis Young
A short list of Otis Young proverbs:
Trust everyone, but cut the cards
Things do not have to be perfect to be good
The art of leadership is the art of knowing what to overlook
Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know
Most people do not know what they want in life but are sure they haven't got it.
One of the most time consuming things in life is to have an enemy.
Don't talk unless you can improve on the silence.
No matter how many alterations, cheap pants never fit.
Be kind. Everyone you meet is carrying a heavy burden.
You're getting old when you stoop to tie you shoes and wonder what else you can do while you're down there.
It is easier to act yourself into a new way of thinking than to think yourself into a new way of acting.
A smile is contagious. Be a carrier.
When possible always park in the shade.