Pastors and staff members

To help you know me just a bit better, let me say that I am a native Iowan, born in Carroll, raised in Dexter, IA, and La Marque, TX, and a graduate of Carroll High School. A 1968 graduate of Morningside College in Sioux City, I received my Master of Divinity degree from St. Paul School of Theology (Kansas City, MO) in 1972. In my 38-plus years of ministry in the Iowa Annual Conference I have served the Massena-Bridgewater-Avondale Charge; First United Methodist Church, Iowa City (Associate); St. Luke UMC, Newton; Belmond UMC, Belmond; Lovely Lane UMC, Cedar Rapids; and First UMC, Indianola; before returning as Lead Pastor to First UMC, Iowa City. A former President of the Iowa United Methodist Foundation, I have also served on several annual conference boards and agencies, including the Board of Ministry, the Board of Church and Society (Past Chair), the School for Ministry Commission, and the Annual Conference Worship Team. In Iowa City I am a member of the Iowa City Noon Rotary Club and serve of the CPE Advisory Committee at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, and the Advisory Board of the Oaknoll Retirement Center. My wife, Marcia, is a therapist in private practice and we are the parents of three adult sons, Aaron, Zachary (wife Amy) and Kyle (wife Raquel), and grandparents to Eli and Gabrielle. I enjoy reading and hiking in the mountains (obviously not in Iowa ) and I am afflicted with an unfortunate passion for golf.

John Raab was born and raised in Clinton, Iowa. He is a graduate of the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Peggy, have two children; Adam and Julie. Peggy is the night nursing supervisor in Pediatrics at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. Peggy is a lifelong member of First United and her family’s membership started with her great-grandmother. Peggy and John were married at First United in 1976. Peggy, John and their children have been involved in many activities at First United such as the homeless overflow shelter and the Appalachia Service Project. Prior to his attending seminary, John worked primarily in the health care field. He started as Registered Nurse which led to working in medical research. While working as a research assistant, John learned computer programming for data analysis and this, in turn, led to various jobs as a computer programmer at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, the last being the programmer for the International Bariatric Society Registry. During seminary, John has been able to pursue his interest in the historical world of the Bible. John was a member of the excavation staff at Tell-el ‘Umayri, an archaeological site south of Amman, Jordan. Since seminary, John has been able to take up a hobby which was put on hold for a number of years, playing Bluegrass banjo. John’s appointment as associate pastor began on July 1, 2006.

Rev. Patricia (Patte) Henderson grew up in the Denver area receiving a BS in elementary education from the University of Colorado and an MA in religious education from Regis University. After teaching school for 8 years, she served 3 churches as a Certified Director of Christian Education in Denver and Charleston, West Virginia, before attending seminary in Richmond, Virginia and receiving a Master of Divinity degree. She came to serve FUMC as Interim DCE in January 2007. Patte has 2 grown children: Andrew who lives in the Chicago area and is the father of 2 daughters, and Elizabeth, a PhD. student at Scripts Oceanographic Institute in San Diego. Patte's wonderful children-in-law are Paula and Judd. Patte loves to read, bicycle, study photography and do crossword puzzles as well as spend time with family and friends.

Cathy Stange is also seen almost every day here at the church. Cathy serves as the Director of the Little Angels Learning Center Ministry of our church. Her responsibilities here include overall management and administration of our child care program. She also manages classroom staff to ensure a quality program and ensures the safety and development of all children enrolled. Cathy has been with Little Angels Learning Center since it opened in July 2005. She started as a preschool teacher and as of last April moved into the Director position. Working with children and families is a passion of Cathy's and she hopes to be working in this field for many years to come.

Sage River is in her fourth year as the Coordinator of Health and Caring Ministries for our church. Her primary roles include overseeing eighteen Ministry Action Teams, including: visitation ministry, bereavement cards, birthday and Christmas cards to homebound and care center residents, blood pressure clinics, Blue Christmas service, CareNotes displays around the church, celebration and support dinners, comfort shawls, emergency/first aid/accessibility, first aid supplies, health ministry library, heart healthy dinner, homecoming service for homebound members, Hospice CD drive, mental health awareness, women's hospitality baskets, and our newest venture: purchasing an Automatic External Defibrillation Unit and providing training in its use. Some of Sage's regular activities include: making home, hospital, and nursing home visits; providing support and counseling on health-related issues for individuals and their families or loved ones; making referrals to community resources; providing support for those experiencing grief and bereavement, or serious illnesses.

Koi Hin Samuel Kwok has been serving at FUMC since August 2002. He was born in Hong Kong and grew up in a Christian family. Samuel is currently a candidate for a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting and the Graduate Certificate in Sacred Music at the University of Iowa. Prior to coming to Iowa, he taught music theory, composition, choral conducting and piano at Hong Kong Baptist University and at the Hong Kong International Institute of Music. Samuel has been actively involved in music ministries in Hong Kong and  U.S. since 1980s. He believes we can praise and glorify the Triune God in many different musical styles. His passion is to use his music to bring joys to everyone, especially to seniors, young children, the sick and the poor. His ultimate goal of music making is to spread the Gospel to every corner of the world. He introduced several choral works by Asian composers, including his own compositions. As a composer, he has written compositions for varied media including vocal, instrumental, chamber, choral, electro-acoustical, theatrical and orchestra. His works have been performed in Asia, Europe and the United States. His piano arrangements and compositions have been recorded in 5 CDs in Hong Kong, one of them was sung by a Hong Kong pop singer and published by PolyGram Records in 1989. His published choral work "Psalm 67" has been broadcast worldwide by BBC radio in 1997. Most recently he was invited to compose the Festival Song for the Hong Kong Franklin Graham Festival (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association). As a pianist, Samuel has performed solo recitals and piano concertos with orchestras in Texas and Hong Kong.  Samuel also loves to accompany vocalists and instrumentalists. He performed with Hong Kong Children's Choir at the Hong Kong International Airport Opening Ceremony in 1998. He has been accompanied all the choirs of the University of Iowa before he came to FUMC. Samuel's motto is “Do Your Best, God Will Do The Rest”! Samuel and his wife, Janica have two boys; Joshua and Caleb. Both of them are 100% Hawkeyes! He enjoys playing with his boys and wife, eating, sleeping, reading history books, talking to people and learning how to live healthily and joyfully. Samuel loves to travel around the world to meet different people. He has traveled 15 nations, including D.C. and 27 States.

Business Manager, Hillary Biancuzzo is approaching her two year anniversary with FUMC in this position.  Her main responsibilities include maintaining all financial records, preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, processing and posting all receipts and disbursements, preparing quarterly contribution statements for members of the congregation, payroll and benefits administration, human resources management, and assisting in annual budget preparation and financial stewardship campaigns.  Hillary serves as a staff liaison to the Finance Committee, Board of Trustees, Administrative Council and Little Angels Board of Directors. 

Angie Mason began working for FUMC in July 2007. As the Office Manager & Communications Coordinator her weekly duties include preparing the Sunday bulletins, serving as the editor of the church newsletter, as well as maintaining the church's website. Other responsibilities include overseeing and coordinating the development of all church print materials, including brochures and posters, updating the church calendar and ordering office supplies. Originally from Davenport , Iowa , Angie has lived in Iowa City since 2001. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.A. in English in 2005.

Liz Swanton is mainly responsible for the maintenance and up-keep of the membership and visitor files and the wedding, baptism, death, and birth records. She also manages the telephones and handles the influx of visitors to the office. In addition to these duties, Liz also assists Angie in the production of the bulletins and newsletter. Born on the Southside of Chicago, Liz moved to Iowa City and came to work for our church following her graduation from Grinnell College.  She enjoys bocce ball, disc golf, paper mache and hip hop music.

Charles Thiede has served as Sunday custodian for eight and a half years.  He started full-time as facilities manager in January 2007.  In addition to cleaning, he looks after the church's boiler, electrical system, plumbing and structure as well as taking care of the grounds. When he isn't at church, Charles enjoys reading, baking, drawing and monitoring international radio broadcasts.