Thank You to the Yard Cleaning Crew!
Thank you to all who joined us for the grounds clean up: Nancy Henning, Mary Curry, Rainy Wareshowski, Mike Wareshowski, Jack and Kathy Reiner, Bill Henning, Shirley Morton, & Steve Schippers.

Thank you to all who joined us for the grounds clean up: Nancy Henning, Mary Curry, Rainy Wareshowski, Mike Wareshowski, Jack and Kathy Reiner, Bill Henning, Shirley Morton, & Steve Schippers.
Hello I’m excited to join the First Congregational Church of Christ as the Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry. Previously, I worked as a full-time youth and family minister at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moline for a year and a half. I left my position in mid-February of 2023 and have been actively volunteering at Willard Elementary School and Bethel Wesley UMC. I enjoy working with children of all ages, from toddlers to young adults but have a heart for kids with special needs and English as second language learners.
I live with my husband and daughter in Moline, Illinois. I grew up in Silvis, and returned to the Quad Cities area six years ago to be closer to my parents, siblings, and their families. I spent twenty years teaching elementary special education in public schools in Illinois and Iowa but felt God calling me into ministry a few years ago. While working at TLC, I completed four online ELCA synod-authorized seminary courses through Select Learning and desire to complete my Master’s in Ministry and Social Work.
I graduated from Illinois State University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and completed twelve semester hours of graduate-level coursework. In addition to teaching, I’ve served as a library outreach worker for Davenport Libraries and a youth transition specialist and advocate for the IL/IA Center for Independent Living. I enjoy working with others and have built relationships with several schools and churches in the area. I love planning and hosting multi-generational events and taking youth into the community for social activities, retreats, and service projects. I desire to help children and youth connect to our living God and each other through community, home, and church wide activities.
My passion has always been to help people of all ages understand how much they are loved and valued by God and encourage them to develop their God-given talents and spiritual gifts. I strive to love others like Christ and hope to inspire people to extend that grace and compassion to others. I am thrilled to begin this journey at FCC.
Sincerely,
Debbie Kunakey
Join your friends in the large dining room at 6:00 p.m. this Wednesday to nourish the body and soul. Enjoy soup, bread and desserts provided by members, then stay for the series, “Life on the Edge of Faith.” Each week a different character will provide their perspective on Jesus’ Passion. (All ages)
Easter Lilies will again adorn the sanctuary on Easter Sunday (April 9th). The church will order the Easter Lilies. A $15.00 donation is requested per Easter Lily. Deadline to give a flower in memory of a loved one is March 26th.
If you would like to give a flower in memory of a loved one:
Update from Outreach and Mission – Emergency Request from World Relief!!
Due to a recent influx of refugee families arriving in the Quad Cities, World Relief as asked us to forego our annual winter coat drive in order to help them meet their current needs.
They URGENTLY need help filling their residences with the items below (new or gently used). If you would like to donate to the families, bring items to the coat rack area in the basement and place them in marked bins. Or if you would prefer to take items directly to World Relief, contact them at 309-764-2279.
O&M will collect items until Sunday, October 2nd.
Items needed:
Here’s What Folks Are Saying!
Summer worship has been a great source of fun and fellowship. The feedback from those attending has been overwhelmingly positive. I think part of what folks have enjoyed is the opportunity to talk together about the scripture and how it is speaking to FCC in this moment.
On Aug 28th the scripture was Deuteronomy 34:1-5. Here’s what folks noted about their conversation.
What does this passage suggest about transitions in ministry?
What wisdom does this story offer about beginnings and endings in ministry?
What do you imagine it was like for Moses to lead for so long only to hand off his ministry before it was “completed”? Why might God ask this of him?
Here’s What Folks Are Saying!
Summer worship has been a great source of fun and fellowship. The feedback from those attending has been overwhelmingly positive. I think part of what folks have enjoyed is the opportunity to talk together about the scripture and how it is speaking to FCC in this moment.
On Aug 21st the scripture was Luke 19:11-27. Here’s what folks noted about their conversation.
What talents (pounds) do you feel God has given you to share with FCC?
What talents do you feel God has given FCC to share with the community?
How well do you feel FCC has shared those gifts?
If FCC was one of the slaves in the story would it be the first, second, or third?
Here’s What Folks Are Saying!
Summer worship has been a great source of fun and fellowship. The feedback from those attending has been overwhelmingly positive. I think part of what folks have enjoyed is the opportunity to talk together about the scripture and how it is speaking to FCC in this moment.
On Aug 14th the scripture was Matthew 9:14-17. Here’s what folks noted about their conversation.
What within FCC constitutes “old wineskins” that may need to be let go in order to make room for something new?
What comes to mind when you think of “new wine” being poured into FCC?
What container or wineskin needs to be created to hold this new wine?
Marcia Renaud has worn numerous musical hats since joining FCC over 30 years ago. She has been a Chancel choir member, youth choir director, substitute organist, substitute choir director, and now will step into the organist/accompanist position.
Marcia taught general and vocal music in Catholic and public schools for 31 years. While teaching in Dubuque, she collaborated on an original musical which was produced at Five Flags Theatre. She was musical director/accompanist for numerous shows in Dubuque, and has been active in productions at QC Music Guild, Countryside Community Theater, and Playcrafters. As an active substitute organist in the QC area she will miss the friends she has made in other congregations, but looks forward to being back at the console here, and seeing the pews filled with worshippers on Sunday mornings.
Marcia continues to accompany and will be busy in the coming months in the Pleasant Valley District, as well as being Assistant Musical Director for “Elf” at QC Music Guild in December.
Trent Teske is in his 7th year of teaching, 1st year working at Northside Elementary in Geneseo, IL as a General Music Teacher. He is also in his first year as Music Director at First Congregational Church in Moline, Illinois where he oversees music selection and performances as well as directs the congregation’s Church Choir.
Before coming to the Quad Cities, Mr. Teske attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa and graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor’s of Music Education degree. He then started teaching 6-12 Vocal Music at Forest City Community School District in Forest City, Iowa for 2 years, before taking over as Director of Choral Activities at Emmetsburg Community School District in Emmetsburg, Iowa.
He then attended The University of Iowa as a Graduate Teaching Assistant working towards a Master of Arts in Music Education, which he completed in 2022, while also working with the prep show choir “Showtime” and musical productions at Iowa City West High School.
Mr. Teske has directed many musical performances at the community and collegiate level as well as has directed and participated in numerous community and barbershop ensembles. He has also directed high school musicals, show choirs, jazz choirs and many other ensembles at the highest of qualities. In his free time, he loves attending Hawkeye football and basketball games, playing cards & board games, and spending time with family and friends.
Here’s What Folks Are Saying!
Summer worship has been a great source of fun and fellowship. The feedback from those attending has been overwhelmingly positive. I think part of what folks have enjoyed is the opportunity to talk together about the scripture and how it is speaking to FCC in this moment.
On Aug 7th the scripture was Luke 14:15-24. Here’s what folks noted about their conversation. Children’s responses are in blue
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