Rev. Allen Mothershed,
Senior Pastor
I have
always felt that the key to living an exciting life in faith is learning to
listen for the ways God is still speaking to us through worship, study, social
action, and in the people we meet. We are making a cultural shift in our
congregation to a church not lead from the top but guided, shaped, and formed
by the Spirit of Christ in all our members. We invite guest and members
to learn to listen and follow this spirit. When that happens, our fellowship
is a place where we have meaningful friendships and support, a place we find
support to grow in love and faith, and a place where we join others to make a
difference. I believe we all hunger to know God and to feel meaningfully
connected in community with others.
My central roles at the
church are as the primary preacher, teaching, pastoral care and counseling,
supporting the church in its visioning its ministry, overseeing the work of the
staff, and providing spiritual guidance to the Church Council, Trustees,
Personnel committee, Church Life and Growth, and Hospitality Team.
I was called to First
Congregational Church, Moline in June, 2005, where I began my ministry as an
United Church of Christ pastor. I previously served as the senior associate
pastor of Winnetka Congregational Church for 6 years. For several years I
worked with individuals, couples, groups, and families as a pastoral
psychotherapist at the Samaritan Institute and before that at the Life
Enrichment Center also on Chicago’s North Shore. I received my training
as a pastoral Psychotherapist at Loyola’s Institute of Pastoral Studies in
Chicago. In my years in Chicago, I was worked part-time as an on-call
crisis chaplain. My initial ministry was as a United Methodist pastor in Mississippi
where I served three appointments over a ten year period including being an
associate pastor at Tupelo First United Methodist Church. I received my
seminary training at Emory University’s Chandler School of Theology where I
graduated in 1983 and I received a Masters in Pastoral Psychotherapy at Loyola
University’s Institute of Pastoral Studies in Chicago, in 1996.
Rev. Jackie Perry,
Associate Pastor
As an
artist, I am intrigued by God’s creative activity in the world. Art can be a
powerful expression of our relationship with God. I use the term ‘art’ broadly
to include all forms of creativity such as painting, sculpture, music,
performance, and poetry etc.
Art can help us to experience
something beyond ourselves, and bring God’s message about how we are to treat
God and others. Images and symbols form and shape our identity as children of
God. For example, if we surround ourselves with images of a vine, we may grow
to understand that we are connected to Christ and one another, and that God expects
us to produce good fruit.
Art also builds up
imagination. Without imagination, hope is not possible. In order to hope, we
must be able to see beyond our present circumstances. Jesus often used art as
story and parable to “paint a picture” of God’s coming reign.
My parents raised me in the
United Methodist Church in a small town in Southeast Iowa. I studied painting
at the University of Iowa and Boston University. Much of my life has been spent
creating and exhibiting paintings and drawings.
In 2001, I joined the staff
as an archivist for the State Historical Society of Iowa in Des Moines, and I
discovered Plymouth Congregational UCC. Though I was effective in my job, I was
energized by worship, fellowship, spiritual discussions, and service to people
experiencing homelessness. It was during a period of mission renewal that I
answered the call to full time ministry, and applied to Eden Theological
Seminary.
While in St. Louis, I served
as a student chaplain at Alton Memorial Hospital and adjoining nursing home in
Alton, IL; and at Barnes Jewish Hospital as part of their Clinical Pastoral
Education (CPE) program. As Student Pastor at Carondelet Church UCC, I directed
the youth program. My experiences of teaching our faith to children and adults
through art at St. Peter’s Church UCC in Washington, MO, helped me to integrate
my passion for art and my service to the Church.
At First Congregational
Church, I have a broad range of duties: worship planning and leadership,
preaching, pastoral care, Christian Education, mission, and assisting small
groups and pre-marriage counseling. I am interested in building and
strengthening relationships through the Park Hill Neighborhood Association and
throughout the Quad Cities. It is an exciting time to be in ministry in the
Quad Cities and our wider world!
Heidi Hulme, Director of
Children and Youth
Being a youth in
today’s society has pressures that, as adults, we never had to deal with.
I can’t imagine having to worry about things like sports played with professional-like
expectations, drugs, bullies, guns, war, sex, immorality on every level, global
warming, making sure that they pass certain tests just in order to keep their
school off the “Hit List”. And those are just pressures at school, what
about at home? Both parents are having to work just to make ends meet,
friends who pressure them about everything from what clothes they wear, to what
their bodies look like. The expectation of our culture to make these kids
grow up earlier all the time is unrealistic. I believe that they need to
take time out of their lives to learn about not only themselves, but the
relationship that God wants to have with them through Jesus Christ. This
time of their life is so scary, unpredictable, and full of changes, that I believe
we need to teach them that God is there with them through all of this. We
need them to know that He is the one constant that they can count on. He
is not scary, he is predictable, and He loves us unconditionally.
I am fortunate enough to be
in a position where I feel I can make a difference in someone’s life. I
am an advocate for children and youth within the church, being a voice for and
with them, when sometimes they aren’t heard. As Director of Children and
Youth, it is important to me to provide the children and youth of this
congregation a place where they are welcomed, a place where they see themselves
as being needed, a place where they can continue to grow in their faith, a
place where they learn to accept each other for what each of them has to offer,
and a place that is safe for them to be not only physically, but mentally and
emotionally as well.
I grew up in a family where
my mother was the first female to be ordained into the United Methodist Church
in South Dakota. When I was very young, she was called to 3 very small,
rural churches on the White Earth Indian Reservation in northern
Minnesota. I have always been active in the church, but had other career
plans. I graduated from Upper Iowa University, Waterloo Campus with a BS
degree in 1994. I have worked as a Assistant Manager for a large shoe
store, Wedding Coordinator, Property Manager, and Preschool Teacher. When
an opportunity arose for me to take over a CE Director position in Denver, CO,
I took it, and found what I believe to be the career that God wanted me to be
in. I have held another CE Director position in Waterloo, IA, and was
hired here in May of 2006. I love working with the youth, and am so
thankful for everything they have taught me. I am married and the mother
of two sons. I am finishing up my LEARN classes through the Iowa
Conference of the UCC, which will make me eligible to become a licensed-lay
minister.
Sara McLees, Parish Nurse
I began
practicing nursing after graduating from St Johns Hospital School of Nursing,
Springfield College in Springfield IL, and later, University of IL College of
Nursing. Initially, I worked in Cardiac Nursing. As the concept of
managed care and DRG’s was beginning, I was drawn to Home Health
Nursing. What timing! The field was quickly growing and my
responsibilities grew with the company from Supervisor to Director of Nursing,
Administrator, and later District Manager. The company was sold to
a National Corporation and I continued as District Manager, later accepting
another district position in the Western States. In 1991, I resigned my
position to return to the Quad Cities to marry my husband Ted. I began
working for Franciscan Hospital as Administrator of Home Health and continued
until the merger with United, now Trinity. Olsten, my employer continued
to merge with other companies. After the third merger and birth of my 2nd
child, it was time to make what was for me, a quality of life decision.
Time to change my priorities. Time to slow down, experience
life and family. It was also time for spiritual growth.
Returning to work needed to
encompass wholeness and Spirituality before profitability. I hoped
to provide continuity and to help others throughout their life journey.
To teach, organize, administrate and advocate for others in the context of
family and the faith community. Historically, the Church was a place for
spiritual, emotional and physical healing. As time and technology
progressed, somehow, profitability intervened, and the church was removed from
the “system”. Ultimately, the church body is where one can be cared
for not because the profit margin is there, but because that’s what we are
called by God to do…‘For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and
you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was
naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me...
Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are
members of my family, you did it to me’” (Mt 25:35-40). What a blessing
to be able to serve in this context for First Congregational Church!
My role at the church is
primarily as a resource for health education, wellness and referral. Serving as
an advocate for church members concerning health issues. Assisting with coordinating
visitation in homes, hospitals and extended care facilities. Helping to
locate/contact resources in the community, and to provide education,
coordinated health screenings and monitoring.
Amber Levetzow, Youth
Choir Director
In May of 2009, I graduated from St. Ambrose
University with a Bachelor of Arts degree is Music Performance. Then in May of
2011, I graduated with a Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from
Missouri State University. I come from a large, loving family who has the same
thirst for Christ in their lives that the members of this church share.
I have always had a passion
for music from a very young age, and I started living that passion when I was
about eight years old participating in my home parishes’ music programs. I
participated in youth choir, both singing and playing my flute, and then
advanced into the adult choir where I played and sang for over twelve years. In
high school, I attended David Haas’ “Music Ministry Alive!” camp for three
years learning a great deal about how music ministry is incorporated into a
service. I have planned as well as participated in many musical groups growing
up, both at church, at school, and in the community. The power that comes not
only from producing beautiful music, but giving praise to God while producing
that music, is the most incredible experience. I hope to share these moments
with you as congregation members, and I pray that you find a calling in a
ministry that equally fulfills the passion in your heart.
Gail Glockhoff-Long,
Handbell Choir Director
When in
our music God is glorified, And adoration leaves no room for pride,
It is as though the whole
creation cried: Alleluia!
Let every instrument be tuned
for praise! Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise!
And may God give us faith to
sing always: Alleluia!
Growing up singing in church
choir, I can’t imagine worshiping and praising God without music. In my
20 plus years of directing handbell choirs, I have worked with many pastors.
One of my favorite pastors used to say that music is the glue that holds the
worship service together. Music can indeed serve as a transition between
different sections of the service, prepare us for worship and serve as a way
for the congregation to be involved in worship. It can also serve an even
higher goal. As the pastor speaks the message to our mind, music delivers
the message directly to our heart and soul. A well written and performed
piece of music can deliver a full range of emotions, from great joy to deep
sadness, without a single word. My goal is to enhance the message of the
day through music.
My bachelor’s degree is in
music from Northern Illinois University, majoring in percussion. During
the day I am a Compliance Specialist at Modern Woodmen. At home I have an
office that also serves as my music room and contains a 4 octave marimba, an
African guitar, a few flutes and a large collection of fun percussion
instruments and ethnic drums.