Rev. Michael Dack, Pastor
Michael Dack grew up in a small town on the edge of the gold rush country in northern California. He attended the Congregational Church there -- which became a United Church of Christ congregation in 1957. Michael says, "The first time I remember hearing the new name of our church was when all the kids were surprised to find that our Sunday School attendance pins no longer said 'Congregational Church', but were now labeled 'United Church of Christ'."
After working as a Civil Engineer in San Francisco for several years, Michael went to seminary at Pacific School of Religion, across the bay in Berkeley, California. Ordained in 1981, Michael served churches in Washington state, Illinois, Texas, and Pennsylvania, before moving to Iowa in 1996. After several years as pastor of St. John United Church of Christ in Ackley, he came to Congregational United Church of Christ in Newton in 2003.
Michael and his wife Frances, who is a Special Education teacher, have three children: Jeremy, Jon, and Ginger, aged 25, 22, and 17. Michael enjoys nature photography, gardening, music, and home improvement projects.
Bev Thomas, Choir Director
I started playing piano in 3rd grade. By the time I was in middle school I was playing for the Sunday School opening exercises and once I was in high school I played the organ for the LaMoille Congregational Church, the State Center Presbyterian church, the Marshalltown Iowa Soldiers Home on Sunday afternoons and for various vocal groups at the high school. After leaving home and attending college my husband and I settled in Newton. For the last 24 years I have played for various groups at the St. Luke United Methodist church and have helped with the UCC choir and have been the substitute organist for the last 4 years.
I enjoy playing because it is my way of expressing my love for music and for the churches I attend.
Judy Brody, Organist
I started piano lessons when I was 7 yrs old and took piano probably until I was 14. My mother bought me an organ when I was 12 and I took lessons for 2 years. My dad died when I was 11 -- I was a lost little girl, and she thought that would add a positive dimension in my life. I loved and admired my piano teacher, Mina Britcher. I played tenor saxaphone and percussion in elementary, high school and college. I have a music minor. We moved to Newton in 1966 and I have been an organist since. At St. Luke United Methodist from 1966-1980; First United Methodist from 1985-1990; and Congregational UCC from 1993-present.
Carolyn Hobbs, Parish Nurse
I am a Registered Nurse; I graduated in 1955 from the Evangelical Hospital School of Nursing in Marshalltown (an institution which came out of the Evangelical and Reformed side of the United Church of Christ). I worked in the operating room and recovery room for many years at Skiff Medical Center. Also, had pediatric experience in Colorado and Milwaukee, Wisc.
In 1996, I attended the Parish Nurse orientation in Oak Park, IL and in 1999 completed a Parish Nurse course at Grandview College. In the past 11 years I have facilitated a variety of programs to promote health within the congregation and also reach out to the community. The ministry mission is to promote health in body, mind and spirit.
Virginia Meredith, Secretary
Bruce Meredith, Custodian
Virginia comes from a family with six brothers and one sister. She worked at Newton Mfg. Co. for 19 years, was a stay-at-home mom, volunteered at Emerson Hough School and worked at the Sears Catalog Store before coming to work at Congregational United Church of Christ in May of 1991.
Bruce had one brother and two sisters. He worked at Sully Creamery, Meredith Construction in Grinnell, and then spent more than 31 years at Maytag Company before retiring in 1999. After his retirement Bruce hung around the church office so much that the congregation asked him if he would like to get paid for being here since they were in need of a custodian. So Bruce became custodian in May 2001. Virginia attended Methodist churches, and Bruce attended the Lynnville Friends Church until they were married, when they joined Metz Community Church located 10 miles southwest of Newton. They have two sons, Kevin and Chad. In September they plan to celebrate 40 years of marriage by attending a friend’s wedding on their anniversary date.