First
Congregational Church
A United Church of
Christ Church
Seeking, Serving, and Sharing Christ
A Church of Small
Groups
Dear FCC Friends,
Small groups give us an opportunity to make new friends and grow in our faith through study, prayer, and loving action. No matter where we are in our lives we need to belong to a group of people who really know us. We also make a tremendous difference in knowing and caring about others.
We are a small group church. Look through these pages and you will be surprised at how many groups exist in our church. New ones are being formed every year. If you find yourself thinking, “these groups are great, but I wish we had…(such and such group),” you may be experiencing a “call” to begin something new. So many of the groups we now have initially began with someone seeing the need and doing something about it. So if that happens to you, call the church office and talk to us.
You will notice that the groups are broken into three types: Growth groups, Serving groups, and Fellowship groups. The journey of being a follower of Christ involves an inward journey of learning and experiencing the faith (Growth groups) and an outward journey of being a servant (Serving groups). It also involves the joy of fellowship with our friends and neighbors (Fellowship groups).
We hope you will enjoy looking through these groups and if you are interested, call the leader for more information.
Many blessings!
Allen Mothershed, Senior Pastor
First
Congregational Church Small Groups
Growth Groups:
Opportunities to Grow in Faith
Children and Youth
Ministry
Nursery
Heidi Hulme 309.762.0787 heidi@fccmoline.org
Nursery is available on Wednesday nights and during Sunday worship services to provide care for our youngest children of God, from newborns to five-year-olds. To ensure safety, all children must be signed in and out by an adult. The church has a detailed “Safe Church” policy – ask the office for details.
Day: Wednesday Evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., and Sunday Mornings from 8:45 to 12:15 p.m.
Location: Church Nursery, Lower Level Education Wing
Church School
Heidi Hulme 309.762.0787 heidi@fccmoline.org
The Church School program is the mainstay of our educational ministry from birth through adult. Our program is a lectionary-based curriculum that allows all to encounter the same Bible’s stories that they are hearing in worship each week. .
Day: Sunday Mornings
Time: 10:10 – 10:50am
Location: See room assignments
Opend
Heidi Hulme 309.762.0787 heidi@fccmoline.org
The purpose of Opend is to engage our high school youth (9-12 grades) in thoughtful and faithful open-ended discussion of theological value. As we study current issues and reflect on the week’s Bible message, the aim is to create a safe and trusted community where members challenge each other and faith is encouraged.
Day: Sunday Mornings
Time: 10:10 – 10:50 a.m.
Location: Mitchell Youth
Room, Second Floor
Confirmation
Heidi Hulme 309.762.0787 heidi@fccmoline.org
Available to all church youth 8th grade and above who wish to reaffirm their baptism. Our confirmation program is built to help youth grow in their spiritual journey as they learn about Christian faith and the history of the United Church of Christ. Confirmands will explore their own beliefs and those of others in preparation to take responsibility of their own faith formation and relationship with God. Leadership is by Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries, Heidi Hulme, Pastor Jackie Perry and Pastor Allen Mothershed, along with church member mentors.
Day: Contact Heidi Hulme
Time: Contact Heidi Hulme
Location: Church Parlor
Youth Group
Heidi Hulme 309.762.0787 heidi@fccmoline.org
All junior and senior high school students are invited to attend youth group events and meetings. We gather to enjoy each others company and grow with one another in faith through fun and games, service work, and faith discussion.
Day: Contact Heidi Hulme
Time: 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Varies
Acolyte
Heidi Hulme 309.762.0787 heidi@fccmoline.org
Participate in worship without having to
speak! Light the candles for either the 9:00 or 11:00 service, or both. Family
or friends are invited to participate.
Day: Sunday Worship
Time: 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
Location: Sanctuary
Flamingo Teams
Heidi Hulme 309.762.0787 heidi@fccmoline.org
Help flamingo a yard for this on-going Youth Group Mission Fundraiser. Someone will request to have a person “flamingoed”, and we will do all the work! We meet at the church between 8:30 and 9:00 p.m. so everyone can go to the site together. We will flamingo any day of the week during the summer, and Friday or Saturday nights during the school year. Come join us and don’t forget to wear black and be quiet!
Day: When requested
Time: Around 8:30 or 9:00 p.m. (dusk)
Location: Meet at the Church parking lot
The Early Word
Heidi Hulme 309.762.0787 heidi@fccmoline.org
The Early Word is a chance to get the young churchgoers involved in worship. We take time to explain what the morning’s Bible lesson is in language they can understand. We invite anyone who is interested in helping out to participate.
Day: Sunday Worship
Time: 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
Location: Sanctuary
Adult Spiritual
Formation and Bible Study
Wednesday Morning
Bible Study
Rev. Jackie Perry 309.762.0787 jackie@fccmoline.org
If you want to get a head start on the Sunday morning sermon scriptures and go deeper in your understanding of the scriptures in the company of friends, then try this study group. Optional lunch follows the study.
Day: Wednesday Mornings
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Childcare: No
Location: Church Parlor
Practicing our
Faith
Rev. Allen Mothershed 309.762.0787 allen@fccmoline.org
Join us in a journey through the book Practicing our Faith by Dorothy C. Bass as we examine our own faith. We are meeting the first Wednesday of the month to discuss specific chapters. All are welcome and books are still available. Please consult the schedule below as we are changing the order of the chapters.
Time: First Wednesday of the month through September 2011
Time: 6:00 pm
Locations: Colonial Parlor
December Chapter 8 Discernment
January Chapter 2 Honoring Body
February Chapter 5 Saying Yes/No
March Chapter 11 Healing
April Chapter 10 Forgiveness
May Chapter 13 Singing Our Faith
June Chapter 3 Hospitality
July Chapter 6 Keeping Sabbath
August Chapter 12 Dying Well
September Chapter 7 Testimony
Service
Opportunities: Living the Faith in Action
Visiting Friends
Sara McLees, Parish Nurse 309.762.0787 sara@fccmoline.org
You are invited to join caring individuals who are dedicated to keeping members in touch with the church community. This is done through visiting, listening and sharing with our members who are unable to come to church. This group is structured to meet the needs of people who are visited. Friends visit members in hospitals, nursing facilities and in homes.
Day: Flexible/monthly rotation
Time: Varies
Location: Varies
Music Ministry
Chloë Stodt 309.762.0787 chloe@fccmoline.org
Do you love to make music? Looking for a way to share this love and your musical gifts in prayer and praise with your church family? FCC has five regularly rehearsing choral/handbell ensembles, plus new opportunities for those who are unable to commit to weekly rehearsals for an entire program year: The choirs meet September through May.
Cherub Choir gathers the littlest ones (age 3 – grade 2) on Sunday mornings led by Chloe Stodt.Choristers is our elementary choir (grades 3 – 6), rehearsing Wednesdays at 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. in the Music Room, and led by Chloë Stodt.
Singspiration, our junior-senior high choir, also rehearses Wednesdays in the Music Room, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. under Chloë’s direction.
Chancel Choir, our “life after high school” choral experience, rehearses Wednesdays at 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the Music Room and is directed by Paul Renaud 563.324.4170.
Campanella Ringers is a handbell ensemble for high-schoolers through adults with some musical background, rehearsing in the lower level education wing Wednesdays from 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. and is directed by Gail Glockhoff-Long 563.355.5664.
Cantors/Songleaders participate in a ministry of musical hospitality by facilitating and supporting congregational singing in worship, both vocally and visually. Requirements are an ability to sing on pitch, ease with public singing, and a spirit of servant leadership. Training is provided; call Chloë if you feel led in this direction.
Guitar Ensemble - The goal for this group is to gather the guitarists among our membership to practice accompaniments for congregational singing (primarily for 5:30 p.m. Saturday worship). Individual guitarists may also volunteer to assist Singspiration and/or Choristers in their worship leadership. Rehearsals are Saturdays from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. with Chloë’s guidance, and will begin after definite interest has been expressed.
Instrumental Support for Hymn Singing. FCC has purchased a set of instrumental parts for hymn accompaniments in order to enable our many student and more experienced instrumentalists to participate musically in worship more often. See the Newsletter and the Bulletin Announcement page for more specific information.
Ushers
David Hulme 563.514. 1456 d.hulme@mchsi.com
Russ Armstrong 309.736.1083 russcella@earthlink.net
Welcome and assist worshippers as they
enter the sanctuary for worship on Sunday mornings, facilitate the offering of
our gifts, and pass out worship bulletins. Ushers give the first impression of
our church to both guests and visitors and facilitate both worship and a safe
environment. Training is provided.
Day: Sundays
Time: 8:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. (starts a half hour before each service)
Location: Sanctuary
Communion
Preparation Ministry
David Hulme 563.514. 1456 d.hulme@mchsi.com
Be a part of preparing the elements of Holy Communion for God’s people for our worship services. Members of this team prepare and set up the elements before worship. You may help at either service; detailed instructions are provided.
Day: First Sunday of each month
Time: 8:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. (starts a half hour before each service)
Location: Sanctuary
Communion Servers
David Hulme 563.514. 1456 d.hulme@mchsi.com
Servers have the honor of assisting with serving Holy communion during our worship services. Training is provided. You may serve at either service
Day: First Sunday of each month
Time: 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m.
Location: Sanctuary
Lector/Worship
Leaders
Rev. Jackie Perry 309.762.0787 jackie@fccmoline.org
Lectors/Worship Leaders assist in leading the congregation in worship (Saturday or Sunday) by reading scripture, leading liturgy and assisting with sacraments and rituals. Lectors/Worship Leaders assist with special services such as Christmas Eve and during Holy Week. This is a short-term commitment. Training is provided.
Day: Saturday Evening service (5:30 p.m.) and
Sunday Morning services (9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.) and Special Services through out the year.
Location: Church
Prayer Group
Sunny Moorhusen 309.654.2492
An hour of quiet, meditative prayer and worship where sharing leads to deeper friendship.
Day: Thursday mornings
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Parlor
Van Ministry
Mike Bealer 309.799.7740 mdb41550@aol.com
Provide rides to the 11:00 a.m. worship service Sunday morning to those unable to drive. Several drivers are needed for a rotating schedule.
Day: Sunday Mornings
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Quad Cities area
Hospitality Team
Sonja Miller 309.496.9947 babylv1111@aol.com
The hospitality teams practices the spiritual discipline of welcoming guests to our church in a way that makes them feel at home and gives them the opportunity to make connections and friendships in the church. The team both greets and makes follow-up contacts on Sunday morning to our guests. You may choose which Sundays to work. You may simply be a greeter or also be on the planning team. The team meets monthly on Sunday mornings.
Day: Greeters meet Sunday mornings before services, Sanctuary
Monthly team meetings are the 3nd Sunday of each month, one your before the first service, in the parlor.
Baptismal Gift
Cross Stitchers
Each child baptized in our church receives a framed gift that has a cross-stitched verse and is personalized with the child’s name and baptismal date. Work is done individually; schedule is flexible depending on when baptisms occur. Cross stitchers are encouraged to join this ministry; guidance and support is available.
Card Ministry
Jan Bjurstrom 309.762.8994 janb@att.net
Beautiful handmade cards are sent to people in our community and all over the country to those who need encouragement and support.
Day: Every other Thursday, or as called
Time: 9:30 a.m.. – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Church parlor
Worship Arts
Rev. Jackie Perry 309.762.0787 jackie@fccmoline.org
Explore your artistic side, enjoy creating with others while serving worship and church life through the arts. This has included making banners for worship and exploring different designs for the liturgical paraments. Ministry is project driven and may be expanded to include flowers/altar creations, bulletin covers, prints, drawings, art exhibitions, poetry or dramatic readings and the like.
Day: Call for details
Time: Call for details
Location: Church
Warm Fuzzies
Kathy Harris 309.797.5939
This group uses donated yarn and supplies to craft mittens, hats, scarves, and other items to give to those in need. Those interested come when they can to work on items, learn new techniques, and enjoy lively conservation. Items are also sold at the Mission Fair (usually in October or November) to benefit that committee’s projects.
Day: Wednesdays (September through May)
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Childcare: No
Location: Large Dining Room
First Friends
Michele Panicucci, Chair 309.797.4527 gpanic@mchsi.com
Be a friend to our guests before and after they join our church.
Introduce them to other members, invite them to church activities
and inform them of ministry opportunities. Help “show them the
way” into the life of First Congregational Church.
Day: no set day
Time: no set time
Location: no set location
Mission Ministries
Churches United
Meal Sites
Rev. Jackie Perry 309.762.0787 jackie@fccmoline.org
Prepare and serve a meal at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in East Moline, a Churches United meal site. . Our church commits to serve 8 to 10 times throughout the year. Why not start a family tradition of service, or ask a friend to serve with you? Sign up at least one week ahead of time. Helpful guidelines are located with the sign up sheets.
Day: see sign-up sheets in Church Library
Time: see sign-up sheet
Location: Mt. Zion Baptist Church (East Moline)
Winnie’s Place
Corinne Potter 309.788.4854 pottercorinnej@sau.edu
We work with Churches United to help women in transition from homelessness to a self-supporting lifestyle. Assist through donations to the shelter.
Day: Varies
Time: Varies
Location: Varies
Thanksgiving
Baskets
Mike Walters 309.794.0926
Distribute food baskets to local families in need. Last year 96 local families receive two large baskets of food each to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for their families. Help put the baskets together and deliver them.
Day: Saturday and Sunday before Thanksgiving
Time: TBA
Location: Church dining rooms
Mission Fair
Assist the Mission Board in raising money
and raising awareness of the challenges faced by people throughout the world. A
wonderful variety of quality and unique items from around the world are sold at
the fair. A fair
price is paid to those who make craft and food items; proceeds from the sale go to world missions. Buy your Christmas gifts here and enjoy Saturday’s fair with our Chili Cookoff!
Day: October or November
Location: Church Dining Room
Giving Tree
Brenda Duckett 309.797.3662 bduckett@gmail.com
Provide Christmas gifts for persons in need. Local agencies provide names and wish lists and volunteers choose names and purchase the gifts. Last year 115 people received gifts.
Day: Sign-up times provided
Time: As scheduled
Location: Deliver to the church
Boards and
Committees
Church Council
Mary Newcomb, Chair 309.793.0647 illini81@mchsi.com
Council is the group that is responsible for the overall direction and ministry of the church on a month-by-month basis. Its membership is elected by the congregation at the annual meeting and is made up of at-large members and the chairpersons or representatives of all church boards. Members of Council are nominated and voted on at the annual meeting. If interested in serving a 3-year term commitment, or completing a partial term, contact Steve Schippers, chair of nominating committee. All Council meetings are open to interested observers
Day: 2nd Tuesday of each month
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Board Room A, Lower Level Education Wing
Board of Trustees
Dan Neff, Chair 309.797.1997 dneff@aquent.com
The Trustees oversee building and grounds, financial management, budgeting, stewardship, fund raising, investment of the church’s endowments, and wills and bequests. This committee is broken into subgroups of each of the above areas. Members of this board are nominated and voted on at the annual meeting. If interested in serving a 3-year term commitment, contact Dan.
Day: 3rd Monday of each month
Time: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Board Room A, Lower Level Education Wing
Diaconate Board
Dave Hulme, Chair 563.514.1456 d.hulme@mchsi.com
The Diaconate is responsible for overseeing the elements of worship, and monitors the membership of the congregation. This includes all matters related to worship (communion serving, ushers, evaluating worship, etc.) and the formation of programs that tend to the wellbeing of the congregation. Members of this board are nominated and voted on at the annual meeting. If interested in serving a 3-year term commitment, contact Dave.
Day: 4th Tuesday of each month
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Church parlor
Church Life and
Growth Board
Jeff Newcomb, Chair 309.793.0647 jjnewcomb@yahoo.com
Our goal is to develop ways for all members to make friends, identify gifts and talents, and find a meaningful place of ministry. Help us build pathways of belonging including small groups so we can connect and involve members in our congregation.
Day: 2nd Tuesday of each month
Time: 6:00 p.m
Location: Jr. High Classroom, Lower Level
Music Board
Kristi Bailey, Chair 563.340.6531 kristi.bailey@mchsi.com
At First Congregational, music is
inspiring and worshipful as we use our talents and gifts to give praise and
glory to God. The purpose of Music Board is to assure that the music programs
of the Church are of the best possible
quality. It is not necessary to be musically talented to be a member of this board.
Day: 1st Tuesday of each month
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Church Parlor
Red Wagon Board
Laura McCormick, Chair 309.762.2045 brentmccormick@mchsi.com
Our Board works with Wendy Simmon, Director of Red Wagon Daycare & Preschool to help facilitate the needs of Red Wagon students and staff. Talk to Sheila if you are interested in being nominated to serve.
Day: 4th Monday of each month
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Church Parlor
Board of Christian
Education
Michele Duckett, Chair 563.340.9791 pumpkintzu@gmail.com
The CE Board oversees children, youth, and adult educational ministries in our church including Church School, Vacation Bible School, and special events and studies. Each member of the Board serves on a subcommittee overseeing one aspect of Christian Education in our church. Talk to Michele if you are interested.
Day: 1st Tuesday of each month
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Board Room A, Lower Level Education Wing
Personnel Committee
Carol Freeman, Co-Chair 309.762.7894 beardieone@mchsi.com
Nancy Ulrich, Co-Chair 563.359.5704 nancyulrich@firstmidwest.com
Personnel has the responsibility for visioning staffing needs, hiring staff positions (except pastors), evaluating staff, establishing and maintaining personnel policies, and making recommendations regarding budget needs to cover the expense of staff salaries. This committee is nominated and voted on at the annual meeting. If interested in serving a 3-year term commitment, contact the committee chair.
Day: 1st Monday of each month
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Senior Pastor’s
Office
Youth Board
Heidi Hulme 309.762.0787 heidi@fccmoline.org
This board is represented by 6 junior/senior high students and 4 adult leaders and is responsible for planning and approving the Youth Group schedule, along with learning how to be leaders within the church.
Day: Second Sunday of each month
Time: 4:15 – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Church Parlor
Wellness Committee
Sara McLees, Parish Nurse 309.762.0787 sara@fccmoline.org
This committee serves to promote wellness
of body, mind, and spirit within the congregation. It is to assist, guide, and
promote the parish nurse program.
Day: Quarterly, to be announced
Time: To be announced
Location: Parish Nurse’s Office
Fellowship Groups:
Friendship and Support
Men’s Association
David Hulme, Chair 563.514.1456 d.hulme@mchsi.com
Make connections with men, young and old, who get to know each other through recreational activities and service projects. Fall plans include a best ball golf tournament, cookouts, work on repairs to the church after the flood, and rehabbing houses in the church neighborhood. Call David for details.
Day: No set day
Time: No set time
Location: No set location
Women’s Connections
Shirley Morton, Co-chair 309.797.8605 morton2720@yahoo.com
Mary Curry, Co-chair 309.797.9283 currcott@mchsi.com
This is a great way to make connections with both young and older women in the church through fellowship opportunities and service projects. There are planned meetings and programs throughout the year, preparing and serving funeral luncheons, and other various requests.
Day: Varies
Time: Varies
Location: Various locations within the church
Church Bridge Group
Ginny Larsen, Chair 309.797.8371 ginnylarsen@gmail.com
All bridge players are invited to come for an afternoon of cards, fun, and fellowship on the first Tuesday of each month. Three rounds of 6 hands each are played each time. New players are always welcome.
Day: 1st Tuesday of each month
Time: 1:00 – 3:15 p.m.
Location: Church parlor
Retired Folks
Come join us for breakfast and fellowship as we share laughs and memories with each other. We are always looking for more people to join us!
Day: 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesday of each month
Time: 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Location: Village Inn Restaurant, 2122 53rd Street, Moline 309.797.5556
Congregators Dining
Group
Buck and Coralie Wendt 309.797.3320
Join the Congregators for food and
conversation. This is a great way to meet and fellowship with other adult
members of the church. This group has been meeting for many years and is always
an enjoyable fellowship. The group is predominantly retired individuals and
couples, but all ages of adults are welcome.
Day: 2nd Thursday of each month (April, May, June, September, October, November and December)Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Church unless otherwise announced
Dinner Club
Hosts for Dinner Club rotate 309.762.0787
The Dinner Club is a monthly fellowship group attended by many of the active members of our church. Join the group for great food and conversation.
Day: Varies
Time: Varies
Location: Varies