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Pastor Kerri has been serving at First UCC since January 2020. Her journey has taken her from Iowa to Arizona and back to Iowa. She graduated from UNI with a degree in English education and taught for 18 years in Arizona. During those years, she met her husband Jay and inherited a son, Michael. When God began calling her into fulltime ministry, she earned her MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary. In 2012, she began serving as an Associate Pastor and was ordained. Kerri and Jay felt God’s nudge to move closer to family, and God brought them to First UCC. She is passionate about making the messages of the Bible relevant in our daily lives and forming relationships with people. In her free time, she likes to spend time with Jay – watching sports, scouting out eagles, going for long drives, exercising, or reading. God is good!
Jennie Handbury
You may know Jennie Handbury as a nurse at Cedar Manor or as the daughter of Keith and Ditter Fields. Add Church Office Administrator to that title as Jennie now works in the office Monday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Jennie grew up at First UCC, and she brings a joyful heart for the Lord and His people to this ministry. Her husband Craig is also an active member and one of the Trustees.
She remembers fondly being confirmed and then being involved in the huge youth group. She loves the community feeling of the Church.
FACTS ABOUT JENNIE
Favorite thing about First UCC: Feels like a family
What most surprises me: How big the Sunday School class had grown
Hobbies: My two grandkids (Charlee and Averee), golf, and swimming
Best Moment in Life: Having my children - Andrew and Collin
Michael Young
Mike Young is the custodian at First UCC. He averages four hours a week to ensure that the facility is clean for the traffic and activities that occur at this mission site.
Mike’s mother, Evelyn Sterner, was a long-time First UCC member who raised Mike and his siblings in the Church. In fact, Mike was confirmed in 1967 at the Hardacre Theater while the church was still being built.
He attended church throughout high school. After he and his wife Rhonda were married, he raised his three children (Tony, Tracy, and Tricia) at First UCC.
FACTS ABOUT MIKE
Favorite thing about First UCC: People
What most surprises him: All the different groups and activities that happen in the facility each week
Hobbies: Cars, car shows, helping with food distribution
Best Moment in Life: Getting married in 1972
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