20 Mar 2015

Global Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches to Speak at Augustana

By Rev. Rich Hendricks

As part of Augustana College's expanded educational opportunities for its students and faculty, The Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson will speak on Saturday, March 21, 2pm, on the topic, "A Faith Big Enough for an Epic Climate Crisis!" at Ascension Chapel.

Dr. Wilson is the global moderator of the Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) which was founded in 1968 as a church which welcomed, and was led by, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Christians.  MCC today has a presence in over 40 countries.  Dr. Wilson was part of the first LGBT faith delegation to meet with White House staff in 1979, and served as a member of President Obama's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.


MCC was the first to publically celebrate same-sex marriages and were the originators of World AIDS Day. Today, MCC is breaking new ground by working across all lines of difference and at the intersection of issues to make the world a better place for all living creatures. In 2014, Rev. Wilson was named as one of the spokespeople for Blessed Tomorrow, a team of twenty-one top ecumenical and interfaith leaders to spearhead an effort to mobilize religious communities to address environmental concerns. Blessed Tomorrow emerged from EcoAmerica MomentUs, a group that invited Rev. Wilson to join in 2013 as they began to formalize their strategy to secure grassroots support through faith groups to work toward climate solutions in their congregations, communities, and homes.


As Dr. Wilson writes,


"The question for us today is, can we unpack our own queer stories to read the signs of the times and become leaders in this movement to make this planet home for every living creature -- not just human creatures?"


There will be an opportunity for students and the public to meet Dr. Wilson and ask questions after the presentation.
04 Feb 2015

26th ANNUAL CHILI COOKOFF FOR MCC QC

By Rev. Rich Hendricks

AT SAM'S FARGO LOUNGE SUNDAY FEBRUARY 8TH AT 5 PM

--PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD NEW THIS YEAR

Iowa/Illinois Quad Cities - The 26th Annual MCC QC Chili Cookoff will take place at Sam's Fargo Lounge on Avenue of the Cities in Moline and the public is invited to come and enjoy all you can eat chili and fixings and homemade desserts for just $7. And this year your admission entitles you to vote for the "People's Choice" chili as well!

There is no additional cost to enter your chili in the contest, which is judged by three independent judges. The church offers $100 for first place, $50 for second place and first, second and third place ribbons. There is also no charge for entering the cookie contest; just bring at least a dozen cookies - whether drop cookies or bar cookies or any other type of cookie. First, second and third place ribbons and bragging rights go with the cookie contest.

This year's judges are James Zahara, Channel 8 meteorologist; Ron "Toto" Johnson, professional clown; and Melissa Nordenson, HyVee Chef and culinary student at Scott Community College.

Pastor Rich Hendricks says, "This is our big annual fundraiser for MCC QC. Now that we are in our new facility, we are learning just how expensive it is to operate, as well as pay for our mortgage!

The annual Chili Cook-Off will be held on Sunday, February 9th beginning at 5 p.m. at Fargo Lounge, 4204 Avenue of the Cities, Moline, Illinois. Doors open at 4:30 and all entries must arrive prior to 5:00 p.m. to be included as the chili judging takes place promptly at 5:15 p.m. For more information, please call the Church office at 563.324.8281.

MCC QC: tearing down walls & building up hope!

where you and your spiritual journey are welcome

12 Aug 2014

Love Without Borders

By Rev. Rich Hendricks
05 Feb 2014

25th ANNUAL CHILI COOKOFF FOR MCC QC

By Rev. Rich Hendricks

AT SAM'S FARGO LOUNGE SUNDAY FEBRUARY 9TH AT 5 PM

--COOKIE CONTEST NEW THIS YEAR

Iowa/Illinois Quad Cities - Where can you get all the homemade chili and fixings and dessert you care to eat for only $5? Only at the 25th Annual MCC QC Chili Cookoff! This year's event is being held at Sam's Fargo Lounge on Avenue of the Cities in Moline and the public is invited to come and enjoy all you can eat chili and fixings and homemade desserts for just $5.

In addition, there is no cost to enter your chili in the contest, which is judged by three independent judges. The church offers $75 for first place, $25 for second place and first, second and third place ribbons. This year the Church has added a cookie contest. Again, no charge for entry, just bring at least a dozen cookies - whether drop cookies or bar cookies or any other type of cookie. First, second and third place ribbons and bragging rights go with the cookie contest.

This year's judges are Tom Knocke, Biaggis; Jeff Simpson, QC Pride; and WHBF TV meteorologist, Anthony Peoples. Linda Nimrick remembers the very first chili cookoff we held ? and then she was asked to run it the next year. She reports, "We made $300 and I thought we were rich!" She also remembers inviting our MCC District Leader at the time, Judy Dale, who graciously agreed to take a pie in the face as part of the festivities. But when the time came, Judy ducked and someone else was surprised with the pie in the face. Linda chaired the Chili Cookoff for about 20 of its 25 years.

Pastor Rich Hendricks says, "This is our big annual fundraiser for MCC QC. We really appreciate the community's support, as we are currently having lots of expenses with renting worship space at Tanglewood Chapel in Bettendorf, renting storage space, and paying the mortgage and expenses on our new facility where we are just starting with renovations." Hendricks hopes that the new building at 2930 W. Locust in Davenport will be ready for use for worship by the end of March. "If I can help raise monies by taking a pie in the face, I am very glad to do it - what fun!"

Mary Todtz, event Chair, gushes, "I am so excited about all the items we have for sale this year, and about all the fun we are going to have!" There will be raffles and both silent and live auction items available for purchase, including original art, vintage heritage collection dolls, Elvis clocks, gift certificates to restaurants such as The Crane & Pelican and Azteca and gift certificates to J Michael's Salon, and for photography and D.J. services from Ash Entertainment Services, LLC.

MCC QC is a member church of Churches United of the Quad Cities Area and the Church is involved in feeding the hungry ministries and supporting the works of many area nonprofit organizations.

The annual Chili Cook-Off will be held on Sunday, February 9th beginning at 5 p.m. at Fargo Lounge, 4204 Avenue of the Cities, Moline, Illinois. Doors open at 4:30 and all entries must arrive by 5:00 p.m. to be included as the chili judging takes place promptly at 5:15 p.m., followed by a time of feasting and fellowship during which people can bid on silent auction items. At the close of the silent auction will be a live auction, featuring several special items.

For more information, please call the Church office at 563.324.8281.

20 Apr 2012

Candlelight Vigil in Memory of Kenneth James Weishuhn: Changing the Climate from Fear to Empathy

By Rev. Rich Hendricks
April 18, 2012

Kenneth Weishuhn committed suicide on April 15. The 14-year-old boy allegedly killed himself after his classmates made him the subject of a Facebook hate group and sent him death threats when he told them he was gay. Family and friends of Kenneth  Weishuhn said he was a happy teen until he came out to friends at South O'Brien High School in Paullina, Iowa, last month. His mother, Jeannie Chambers, said her son recently exclaimed: 'Mom, you don't know how it feels to be hated.'

If we are to change the climate of hate, we must begin by showing solidarity to create a climate of empathy. That is why QC Pride is calling on the community to come out to support a candlelight vigil in memory of Kenneth Weishuhn and others like him who have tragically died so young due to bullying and acts of hate.

The event will be from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24th around the fountain at Vanderveer Park, located on West Central Park between Brady and Harrison Streets, Davenport. All are welcome to come and to bring lights and signs supporting equality and an end to bullying.

Says QC Pride, Inc. President, Jeff Simpson: "Bullying behavior is a trickle down behavior. When we have politicians riding around in buses through our state in hopes of tossing out justices who based a court decision on fairness, that behavior is seen and mimicked in churches, workplaces, and social gatherings. This is then seen in homes and schools, which in turn, fosters itself in our children."

Simpson offers the example of how kids were taught to fear the Russians when he was a child. "I knew little about the Russians, but the news said to fear them, the adults in my life said to fear them and the church said to fear them." In that kind of climate there is little room for understanding differences and cultivating the capacity to have empathy for those who are different from us. People should be free to be who they are.

The hate and rhetoric coming from so-called "adults" needs to stop. Children are not able to deal with and should not have to deal with hate and its consequences. We need to teach how sacred and precious is each and every human being. Please help us to change the climate.

I knew little about Russians but the news said to fear them, the adults in my life said to fear them, and so on and so on.

We need to stop the hate rhetoric at the top if we are to solve this crisis. 14 year old minds are not yet developed to understand hate, consequences, and the sanctity of life. This is an ADULT problem. We need to change the climate of fear.I knew little about Russians but the news said to fear them, the adults in my life said to fear them ,and so on and so on.

We need to stop the hate rhetoric at the top if we are to solve this crisis. 14 year old minds are not yet developed to understand hate, consequences, and the sanctity of life. This is an ADULT problem. We need to change the climate of fear.

For more information, contact Rev. Rich Hendricks at 563.940.9630.

QC Pride, Inc. is a charitable and educational organization dedicated to
the promotion of human dignity and equality
and to the creation of a peaceful community
where each and every person is respected
and feels safe, secure and free to live out their core values.
13 Apr 2012

CHRISTIAN SINGER TO PERFORM IN DAVENPORT WITH A MESSAGE OF INCLUSION

By Rev. Rich Hendricks
At 6 feet and 5 inches tall, Shawn Thomas stands out in virtually any crowd, but there are several things that make him unique among Christian recording artists. He writes and records his own songs, he tours at no cost, and his ministry includes an outreach to the GLBT community.

Thomas, a Florida-based singer-songwriter with seven CDs to his credit, will visit MCC of the Quad Cities to deliver his message of inclusion at 7:00pm on Saturday, May 12th with a full concert, and again as part of morning worship on Sunday, May 13th at 11:00am.A four-time Pride in the Arts Awards recipient from The Stonewall Society and 14-time nominee, Shawn Thomas'

A four-time Pride in the Arts Awards recipient from The Stonewall Society and 14-time nominee, Shawn Thomas' newest musical effort is a two-disc set called "Covered and Created," which features 10 tracks previously recorded by other artists (the  Covered" disc) and 10 new original works (the "Created" disc).

In 2010, he released a book describing his experience as being both gay and Christian. Titled "Unashamed: Coming Out of the Second Closet," the volume deals with being in the crosshairs from both groups, as many Christians think his sexuality is incompatible with faith and many in the GLBT community believe his faith runs contrary to GLBT causes. In its pages, Thomas explains that neither assumption is true.

With a minister as a father and a talented musician as his mother, Shawn's ministry is the natural combination of his musical and spiritual influences. A member of the Grammy Recording Academy, Shawn Thomas emerges not only as an outstanding performer and singer, but as a dynamic and versatile worship leader and presenter. His intention is to share the message of God's of love and grace through music in order to build unity, understanding, and acceptance while still encouraging personal responsibility, self-reliance, and the development of conviction and values.

"Covered and Created" as well as Shawn's book and other CD releases are available for sale on popular internet sites including iTunes.com and Amazon.com, and is distributed by Aaron's Rainbow Project and Shawn Thomas Studios, West Palm Beach, FL. For more information about Shawn Thomas and his ministry, visit www.shawnthomasonline.com and www.aaronsrainbowproject.com.

MCC of the Quad Ciites is located at 3019 N Harrison in Davenport, and can be contacted at 563-324-8281 or on the web at www.mccqc.com.
19 Mar 2012

MCC QC TO HOLD ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF WITH ENTERTAINMENT FEATURING ARMONIA

By Rev. Rich Hendricks
Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities ("MCC QC") invites the public to
its annual Chili Cook-Off fundraiser on Sunday, March 25, 2012 from 5 pm to 8 pm at
Connections Nightclub, 822 W. 2nd Street, Davenport, Iowa.

There is no cost to enter your chili and a $100 first prize is being offered. Entries must
be delivered by 5 pm, with judging of entries taking place at 5:15 pm. All are invited
to all you can eat chili, fixings and homemade desserts for just $5. There will also be
silent and live auction items to bid on (including unique multi-colored stained-glass
art) and live entertainment provided by the group Armonia (see page following).

MCC QC is looking to sell its current facilities to locate to a handicap accessible space
that can also be used as a community center and all donations are most appreciated.

For more information, please call the Church office at 563.324.8281.

MCC QC tearing down walls & building up hope!
15 Sep 2011

A CLARION CALL: THIS CHURCH IS SERIOUS ABOUT INCLUSIVENESS

By Rev. Rich Hendricks
A CLARION CALL: THIS CHURCH IS SERIOUS ABOUT INCLUSIVENESS

Meeting At Hotel Every 3rd Sunday for Handicap Accessibility

 Iowa/Illinois Quad Cities - Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities ("MCCQC") takes inclusiveness seriously. The church is well known for its outreach to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community -- as well as for being Christian while respecting everyone's individual spiritual journey. "We proclaim our mission statement from the pulpit every Sunday: 'To provide lively worship and to proclaim God's inclusive love for everyone,'" says MCCQC Pastor, Rev. Rich Hendricks. "Now we have to get out of the old church building to reach some of our own folks and some people we have yet to meet who would love to come and worship but cannot handle stairs."

Hendricks says that the congregation has been trying unsuccessfully to sell their building at 30th and Harrison Street for over two years. Without selling the building, the congregation is unable to purchase a handicap accessible facility. "At least this way, we can be handicap accessible once a month," says Hendricks. Worship services are now scheduled at the Clarion Hotel, 5202 N. Brady Street, Davenport in a conference room every third Sunday of the month beginning Sunday, September 18th.

All are welcome to attend. For the first service at the Clarion on the 18th, there will be free doughnuts and coffee beginning at 10:30 a.m., and a pizza buffet at 12 noon following the worship service. Church members have come up with extra-giving donations to cover the cost of renting the conference room at the Clarion. "I would much rather we could afford a handicap accessible facility for our worship services every Sunday, but until we win the lottery at least this is a start," says Hendricks.

For more information, contact the church office at 563.324.8281 or visit them on the web at www.mccqc.com.

 

 

 

Press Contact: Rev. Rich Hendricks 563.324.8281 or richdhendricks@msn.com

 

 

 

MCC QC: tearing down walls & building up hope!

23 Mar 2010

Village People to Appear at QC Pride Fest 2010 in Davenport

By Rev. Rich Hendricks

    Davenport, IA, March 22nd, 2010:

    Village People will be performing at the Capitol Theatre, 330 W. Third Street, in Davenport, Iowa on June 5th, 2010 as the premiere kick-off event for QC Pride Fest 2010. Showtime is 8:00 PM on Saturday, with doors opening at 7:00 PM. The QC Pride Fest street festival will take place the following day, on Sunday, June 6th, 2010 from 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM on 2nd Street in the Rainbow District of downtown Davenport.  The opening act will be The Afrodisiacs, a disco band from Chicago.

VILLAGE PEOPLE  1977-2010 - Their 33rd Year!

    Recipients of a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (6529 Hollywood Blvd between Liberace and Betty Grable!) in 2008, the one-of-a-kind Village People is synonymous with dance music.  These six talented men combine energetic choreography with outrageous fun and lots of bumping and grinding, singing and dancing, provide great entertainment for all!

    Known as the world's disco icons, Village People in the last 3 years alone performed a full schedule of fairs, festivals, universities and casinos throughout the United States as well as Canada, Brazil, France, South Africa, Finland, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Romania and Poland.  They were seen on Fox's Wendy Williams Shows, NBC's "Singing Bee" with Joey Fatone and in the new American Express TV commercial with Ellen Degeneres and Beyonce. The Guiness World Records book certified their Sun Bowl appearance on December 31, 2008 as the world's largest YMCA dance with over 40,000 fans "doing the YMCA moves" while the group performed.

    Reserved seat tickets for Saturday's show are $25 or $30 each.  Tickets can be purchased at the Capitol Theatre Box Office, 311 Ripley at Third St., Ph 326-8820 or 888-512-SHOW toll free, or on-line at www.thecapdavenport.com

    "What a great way to celebrate diversity!," says QC Pride Entertainment Chair, Rev. Rich Hendricks.  "This is a fun event for all to kick off QC Pride 2010."  Hendricks encourages people to invite out-of-town guests and plan ahead for Pride weekend.  "Our traditional QC Pride street festival will be the next day, Sunday, June 6th and will be only $3 admission. We want everyone to turn out for both events to support equality and diversity as we celebrate lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender persons in our community."  The street fest will feature local bands and entertainment, commercial and nonprofit vendor booths, door prizes, food, drink and fun.  More information is available at www.qcpride.org

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