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.