23 Apr 2013

GAY CHRISTIAN SINGER TO PERFORM IN ROCK ISLAND AND MOLINE WITH A MESSAGE OF INCLUSION

By Rev. Richard 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 ten solo CDs to his credit, will visit MCC of the Quad Cities in
Rock Island to deliver his message of inclusion at 11am on Sunday, May 5th as part of morning worship, and
again that evening with a full concert benefitting the church at Fargo Lounge in Moline at 5pm.

A four-time Pride in the Arts Awards recipient from The Stonewall Society and fourteen-time nominee, Shawn
Thomas' newest musical effort is a praise and worship collection of original songs called, "Voice of Worship."
The lyrics for each song on the project are based on one or more texts from Old and New Testament scripture.
He explains, "In the past few years there've been a few choices I've made in expressing myself a little more
openly that have brought on a bit of (for lack of a better word) 'controversy' to what I was doing - whether it
be from the Christian community or the GLBT community. I realized as a result, focus was being taken away
from the grace message that is what I truly hope to be able share; So, I thought for this project, why not go
directly to scripture and let that be the lyric and completely take my 'voice' out of it."

On December 19, 2012, Shawn Thomas was officially inducted in to the GLBT Hall of Fame. According to the
press release posted on the Hall of Fame website, he was approved for membership based on: "...the work
Shawn Thomas has done to provide a positive and healing atmosphere for today's GLBT Christian... [including building] bridges of understanding and acceptance for the GLBT community within the non-GLBT Christian community... [and highlighting] the negatives thrust onto out GLBT Christians by the GLBT community."

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.

"Voice of Worship" 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 Cities is currently worshipping at the TriCity Jewish Center, 2715 30th St., Rock Island, and
the Fargo Lounge is located at 4204 Ave. of the Cities in Moline. The Benefit Concert is part of a chili cook-off
beginning at 4:30pm. For more information, contact the church at 563-324-8281.
23 Apr 2013

MCC QC ANNOUNCES ANNUAL CHILI COOKOFF FUNDRAISER TO BE HELD AT FARGO LOUNGE SUNDAY MAY 5TH AT 5 PM

By Rev. Richard Hendricks
Iowa/Illinois Quad Cities - Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities ("MCC QC") is a spiritual home for many that is currently without a home. "We sold our facility on Harrison Street and we are currently looking for the right building," says the pastor, Rev. Rich Hendricks. MCC QC is currently holding its 11:00 a.m. worship services at the TriCity Jewish Center. "In the meantime," says Hendricks, "we are still growing and seeking financial support for our ministries." The annual chili cookoff is the church's biggest fundraiser. This year the event is being held at Fargo Lounge 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 not affiliated with MCC QC. The church offers $100 for first place, $50 for second place and $25 for third place. Mary Todtz, event organizer, says, "I am really excited about all the items we have for sale, about all the fun we are going to have and about the excellent entertainment!"

There will be both silent and live auction items available for purchase, including everything from free oil changes to works of art. Entertainment this year is a free will offering concert by Christian artist Shawn Thomas.

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, May 5h 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.

MCC QC: tearing down walls & building up hope!
27 Dec 2012

MCC QC TO HOLD WORSHIP SERVICES AT TRI-CITY JEWISH CENTER IN JANUARY

By Rev. Richard Hendricks
In January of 1994, an electrical fire at the Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities ("MCC QC"), then located in Rock Island, Illinois, left the congregation temporarily without a home. Several communities of faith in the Quad Cities were quick to lend a hand, including Temple Emanuel in Davenport, which housed MCC QC worship services at the Jewish synagogue for a time until the current facility at 31 st and Harrison Streets was purchased.

In January of 2013, history will repeat itself in reverse - sort of. The MCC QC congregation sold the Harrison Street facility in December and is excited to be seeking a larger facility with adequate parking that is handicap accessible. Now finding itself again in need of temporary worship space, the Tri-City Jewish Center in Rock Island has opened its doors to the growing church. So when the congregation lost its home in Rock Island, it took refuge at the Jewish Temple in Davenport. Now when the congregation leaves its home in Davenport, it will take refuge at the Jewish Center in Rock Island.

"God has called us to go and we will go where God leads us," says MCC QC's pastor, Rev. Rich Hendricks. "I am so pleased that we will have a temporary worship home at the Tri-City Jewish Center and we are very grateful for their hospitality." MCC QC strives to live up to its mission of providing lively worship and reaching out to all people with God's inclusive love, and that includes those with physical handicaps. "We can't say 'You and your spiritual journey are welcome here,' and mean it if we are not handicap accessible,"

says Hendricks. During the past year, the congregation met once a month at the Clarion Hotel in order to provide handicap accessible worship services at least once a month. From now on all of the Sunday morning services will be handicap accessible.

The growing 33-year-old congregation hopes to find a permanent home soon, as its facilities housed AA groups, QC Pride meetings, feed the hungry cooking and many other weekday activities. All of that has had to be relocated for now. Rev. Hendricks remains confident: "We know that this is a great community and we feel sure there is a wonderful facility out there for us that we can afford."

The congregation will hold its worship services at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays at the Tri-City Jewish Center, 2715 - 30th St., Rock Island for now. For more information about MCC QC you may call the church at 563.324.8281 or check them out on the web at www.mccqc.com .

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