17 Apr 2012

Quad Cities Interfaith Newsletter

By Quad Cities Interfaith

Rev. Ron Stewart Saying Good Bye

QCI leaders and staff attended Rev. Ron Stewart's last church service on March 11th. Photographed is Leslie Kilgannon, Rev. Ron Stewart, & Rev. David Geenen. His message to us and his congregation is saying "YES to Change". Yes for him in retirement, including a new chapter of life (moving out of state and getting married) and yes for his congregation accepting a new pastor. QCI and Board members attended his last sermon and gave him a gift to a weekend getaway at Starved Rock Lodge. Rev. Ron worked with QCI for 9 plus years serving at QCI president for 6 of those years. Rev. Ron feels that his work with QCI allowed him to grow and pass that growth on to his own congregation. Good Luck. We will miss you!


Leadership Assembly

QCI meets every month on the second Tuesday of the month. Next meeting is Tuesday, May 8th, 2012 at 6:30 pm at St. Mary's Parish Center (525 Fillmore, Dav.). Come and grow with us.

What's New

Help support QCI through the Birdies For Chartity (John Deere Classic). The Birdies for Chartity organization has been around for years and has given out millions of dollars to non-profit organizations in the Quad Cities Area. On the average, if you donate just $.01 you will give $15 - $20. You may also give a one time gift of your choice for a dollar amount that you chose. This program also gives QCI a bonus of 5 to 10 % of the dollar amount donated in our name. Our Birdies for Chartity # 1065 is what you want to use so QCI will get your donation. We will pledge cards at the QCI office or you should be able to download a pledge card from the birdies for chartiy website http://www.birdiesforchartity.com/birdies.html. All donations are tax deductible.


QCI Monthly Committees

Fundraising meets April 20th, 2012
The Fundraising Committee is currently working on QCI's 25th Anniversary Fundraising Celebration to be held in the fall of 2012. We are very excited about this event and will give you more details as our event details unfold. Please save this date. We hope to have all of you there. Our Trivia Night Fundraiser was a success. We raised $2200. We had a great time and enjoyed having all of you there. Thanks for all your support. As we grow with each event we hope our profits grow too. We have decided to have hold at least two more fundraising event for this year. We are very excited about all the FUN we are having this year!

Transportation Equity and Jobs Coalition
The Transportation Equity and Jobs Coalition has been working hard to ensure minority hiring on the jobs created by the Chicago to Moline Passenger Rail is a priority. The Coalition continues to grow and has participation from the US Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship, Youth Build Quad Cities, NAACP Davenport and NAACP Rock Island County, as well as many people of faith. We are continuing to meet with local stakeholders for the passenger rail and are holding true to our strategic campaign. One of our leaders participated in the Transportation Equity Network (TEN) annual conference in Washington D.C. to connect with others who are working on similar projects across the US and also met with our legislators to tell them about what the Quad Cities is doing and seeking their support. Our next meeting is April 25th at 10 AM at Church of Peace in Rock Island. 

SAVE THE DATE! QCI's Fire of Faith Prayer Vigil for Economic and Racial Justice on Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 . As part of the Transportation Equity Network, (TEN) QCI will be hosting a prayer vigil to join in a nationwide movement April 29 through May 6, as we take our faith into action around our values of Love Thy Neighbor and The Common Good. More information to come! 

During this time, Congress will be home to hear from you before they decide on the Federal Budget priorities for 2013. As the budget is moral document laying out the direction of our nation, we will remind our leaders that our faith instructs us to TAKE ACTION in the name of our values of LOVE THY NEIGHBOR and THE COMMON GOOD!  For more information about TEN's Fire Of Faith Movement, visit www.transportationequity.org

On April 5th, 2012, QCI Transportation leaders joined leaders from Chicago, E. St. Louis, & Springfield for a meeting with IL Dept of Transportation Chief Counsel, Ellen Haskins to discuss implementation of the state wide Community Benefits Agreement (CBA). Pictured from the QC is Vera Kelly, President of Davenport NAACP, Kent Ferris, Director of Social Action, Diocese of Davenport, Rev. David Geenen, QCI Vice President and Pastor at 15th Ave. Christian Church, Rock Island, and Leslie Kilgannon, Executive Director of QCI.

Immigration Task Force  
The Immigration Task Force is focusing on voter registration, making sure eligible voters are registered. Friday April 20th, QCI leaders will join a national webinar training on GOTV, voter registration. Task force is also focusing on know your rights sessions for the immigrant communities in the Quad Cities. A broader concern is that each immigrant understands the rights and challenges pertinent to his or her immigration status. The task force is looking at ways to work with other entities in the community to make this information available. Training will  be provided to task force members so they will have a fuller understanding of immigration legal issues. Lastly, the task force has been discussing the problem of human trafficking along Interstate 80 in Iowa.  The task force will continue to explore this issue. Our next meeting is Tuesday, April 24th, 2012at 5:30pm at Village Inn (Harrison Street).

Health Equity Task Force
The Health Equity Task Force is looking at health care issues that arise when patients are not fluent in written and spoken English.  We know that clear communication is often a challenge in health care encounters, especially those that are stressful, but a whole level of complexity is added when a third party translator is involved.  Finding ways to help these situations locally will help reduce certain disparities in health care, improve equity in health care services, and ultimately, we hope, improve the health of a significant number of members of our community.  Please join us at our next meeting:  5:30 PM, Monday, April 30th, 2012, QCI Conference Room, 111 E. 3rd St (4th floor), Davenport.
Hear Us Now Youth Leaders
Yvonne Villagomez has organized and is leading a group of 10 or so Latino youths from St. Mary's Davenport parish.  The youth have made it clear that they're interested in tackling the issues of immigration/discrimination and bullying.  The leader are planning their meeting with our elected congress persons to discuss the need for humane immigration reform that keeps families together. If your youth groups wants to get involved, please call QCI office.
Upcoming Events:

QCI monthly Leadership Assembly -- Tuesday, May 8th at St Mary's Church - 912 Fillmore, Davenport 

Gamaliel of Illinois Advocacy Day in Springifeld Illinois - 10 am - 3pm, Springfield, Illinois


Community Events

Open House for The Muslim Community of the Quad Cities, Saturday, May 5th, 2012 from 2-5 pm, at 2115 Kimberly Road, Bettendorf, IA 52722. For more information please call Talia Alvi (563) 505-0708 or email at taliaavli@yahoo.com.

Welcome to Quad Cities Interfaith Newsletter


Hi, we are hoping you are enjoying our newsletter. Please take some time and check out our new website. It's the same web address, but a whole new look. Bare with us as we get all our information moved. We'd  love to hear any feedback from all of you about our newsletter and our website. Also, we would welcome information about faith-based activities to post on our newsletter. We reserve the right to edit for space and content.  Be patient with us as we grow in using the newsletter.  If you like this, please forward to your friends. Have a Blessed Day!
17 Apr 2012

Governor Quinn Urges Illinoisans to Volunteer Time and Talents during National Volunteer Week

By Leslie Wertheimer

Serve.Illinois.gov Connects Volunteers with Opportunities

Across the State

SPRINGFIELD - Monday, April 16, 2012.  Governor Pat Quinn today joined the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Serve Illinois Commission in encouraging Illinoisans to give back to their communities by volunteering during National Volunteer Week, April 15-21, 2012.  Those who are interested in volunteering can find a resourceful search portal that connects them to over 100,000 volunteer opportunities throughout Illinois by visiting Serve.Illinois.gov.

 

"Service to others is the rent we pay for our place on earth," Governor Quinn said. "National Volunteer Week is the perfect opportunity to give back, set a great example for others and work together to strengthen our communities."

 

According to the Volunteering in America Report, last year nearly 2.8 million Illinoisans gave back through churches, non-profits, businesses, little leagues, scout troops and countless other organizations.  They volunteered 378.5 million hours, or about 34.8 hours per person.  This service equates to over $8.4 billion in economic impact.  Along with time, a majority of Illinoisans gave at least $25 to a local charity.

 

"We believe that service is one of our State's greatest resources," Scott McFarland, deputy director of the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, said. "We envision an Illinois where everyone recognizes their ability and responsibility to help strengthen their communities by volunteering."

 

Research shows that communities with higher rates of volunteering see decreased crime, improved governmental services and higher educational achievement among other things.  In addition, evidence supports the idea that those who engage in their communities on a regular basis live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives.

 

The Serve.Illinois.gov website is a project of DHS and the Serve Illinois Commission: "Building Stronger Communities Through Service."  More information and volunteer opportunities can be found at Serve.Illinois.gov.

 

 

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17 Apr 2012

Relay For Life Ceremony to Honor Cancer Survivors and Remember Those Lost

By Cindy Bruhn
Davenport, IA - A special Luminaria Ceremony will be held during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life® of Scott County to remember those lost to cancer and honor those who have survived. Luminaria will be lit at the Davenport RiverCenter on April 20  at 9:00 p.m. to represent these individuals.

Anyone desiring to make a luminaria donation may do so by visiting the Scott County Relay For Life® website:  www.relayforlife.org/scottcountyia. Each luminaria is a suggested $10 donation. "Each luminaria represents the life of someone who has battled cancer. It is a beautiful sight when all the bags with candles are illuminated around the track," said Nina DeMay, volunteer luminaria chair. "The Luminaria Ceremony is a moving way to remember loved ones lost to cancer and to pay tribute to cancer  survivors."

Relay For Life celebrates people who have battled cancer, remembers loved ones lost, and provides participants with an opportunity to fight back against the disease - all aimed at furthering the American Cancer Society's vision of a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Prior to the Luminaria Ceremony, the Survivors Lap will kick off the 2012, Relay For Life event in Scott County on April 20 at 7:00 p.m. as survivors will circle the track, surrounded by friends and family cheering them on.

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; by helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

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17 Apr 2012

PRINGLES® RENEWS FLW SPONSORSHIP FOR 2012 SEASON

By Joe Opager
MINNEAPOLIS (April 16, 2012) - FLW, the world's premier tournament-fishing organization, announced today that it will continue its partnership with Pringles® for the upcoming 2012 season.
Professional angler Vic Vatalaro will once again represent Pringles® on the Walmart FLW Tour. Vatalaro has more than $800,000 in career tournament winnings, has 18 career top-10 tournament finishes and has qualified for the Forrest Wood Cup four times.
Through its sponsorship agreement, Pringles® will receive exposure across all of FLW's platforms, including its tournaments and Expos, multiple websites, FLW Bass Fishing and FLW Walleye Fishing magazines and the "FLW" television show on NBC Sports Network. "FLW" is broadcast Sundays in high-definition (HD) to more than 559 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world.
"We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Pringles®," said Trisha Blake, President of FLW Marketing Division. "Their line of snack products are enjoyed by people around the world, and are a great fit with the FLW family of sponsors."
Pringles® offers consumers a variety of snacking options including Original Pringles®, Pringles® Multigrain, Pringles® Xtreme, and Pringles® Stix.

ABOUT PRINGLES®
Over the last 40 years, consumers are "loud in love" for Pringles® ... the can, its unique shape that cradles the mouth, that crunch, and the crisps' unique taste and texture.  Over the years, the love of Pringles® has spread around the world and it is now available in over 140 countries.  For more information on Pringles, visit www.Pringles.com.
ABOUT FLW
FLW is the industry's premier tournament-fishing organization, providing unparalleled fishing resources and entertainment to our sponsors, fans and host communities. FLW is offering anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money nationwide in 2012 over the course of 191 tournaments across five tournament circuits, each providing an avenue to the sport's richest payday and most coveted championship trophy - the Forrest Wood Cup. FLW is committed to providing a lifestyle experience that is the "Best in Fishing, On and Off the Water," through a variety of platforms including tournaments, outdoor expos and the world's richest fantasy sports game - FLW Fantasy Fishing. For more information about FLW and FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FLWOutdoors.com or FantasyFishing.com and look for FLW on Twitter and Facebook.
17 Apr 2012

Region 6 Homeland Security Board and Safeguard Iowa Partnership Announce Week 11 of "20 Weeks to Preparedness Program"

By Ross E. Bergen
Release Date: April 23, 2012
Release Number: 12

Welcome to Week 11 of the 20 Weeks to Preparedness Program brought to you by the Region 6 Homeland
Security Board and Safeguard Iowa Partnership. This program will help to better prepare you and your family,
a little at a time, over a 20 week period. Each week new preparedness information will be shared including a
list of items to gather or purchase for your disaster supply kit. Sign up at www.safeguardiowa.org/subscribe-to-
be-prepared to receive weekly reminders and announcements related to the 20 Weeks to Preparedness program.

Use this program to gather items for your kit in small steps over a five month period. Remember to change
and replace perishable items by the expiration date. Purchasing the food suggested by this program would last
approximately 3-5 days.

Place in storage bin:

One gallon of water per person per day
Paper, pen, pencil, and scissors
Sunscreen
Protein bars

Personalized Item (if applicable):

Litter pan

To do:

Determine signal with family and friends to be used to communicate safety.

Additional assistance is available by contacting your local Emergency Management Coordinator at
563-484-3050 or visiting their website at www.iascema.com. Visit Safeguard Iowa Partnership at
www.safeguardiowa.org, on twitter @safeguardiowa or Facebook at www.facebook.com/safeguardiowa.

The Region 6 Homeland Security Board is comprised of fourteen counties in eastern Iowa that coordinate homeland security planning,
training, exercise, response, and recovery. The counties included are Benton, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Cedar, Clayton, Clinton,
Delaware, Dubuque, Iowa, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Scott.

The Safeguard Iowa Partnership is a voluntary coalition of the state's business and government leaders, who share a commitment to
working together to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters in Iowa.
17 Apr 2012

Brucemore's Nooks and Crannies Tou

By Rick Martin

Learn the history of Cedar Rapids' most well-known, evocative, and imagination-capturing residence, as if the walls themselves can tell their story. Explore every room in the mansion during the Nooks and Crannies Tour, Brucemore's most popular specialty tour, Tuesday through Friday, May 15 through 18 at 6:00 p.m.

This 90-minute tour is guided by Brucemore staff who open the doors to the Skinner pipe organ room, point out architectural marvels and oddities in the attic, and bring the Tahitian Room to life with rain dripping off the tin ceiling. Visitors have the opportunity to roam each floor, peek behind all doors, and satisfy their curiosity through the expanded access to the mansion and the extremely knowledgeable Brucemore staff. Not only will the quirky and curious aspects of the mansion be revealed, but also the superior craftsmanship and ongoing preservation projects of this historic structure.

 

"Discover America's Hidden Gems is this year's theme for Preservation Month," said April Kamp-Whittaker, Director of Learning and Museum Projects. "Artistry, architecture, craftsmanship, preservation, conservation, and sustainability are at the heart of the Nooks and Crannies Tour, giving participants the first-hand opportunity to see how Brucemore continues to be a national historic gem."

 

Advance ticket purchase for the Nooks and Crannies Tour is required. Space is limited. Call (319) 362-7375 or visit the Brucemore Store. Admission is $15 per person and $12 for Brucemore members.  The tour is not recommended for children under 10 or individuals who have difficulty walking or climbing stairs.

 

Brucemore, Iowa's only National Trust Historic Site, is located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The 26-acre park-like estate in the heart of Cedar Rapids boasts a Queen Anne style mansion built between 1884 and 1886. Brucemore has been home to three prominent families who used the estate as a center for culture and the arts. The estate continues to be a hub for cultural, philanthropic, and educational activities. Each year thousands of visitors attend specialty tours, concerts, fine arts performances, children's programs, holiday celebrations, preservation events, and garden workshops on the estate. For more information, call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org.

 

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17 Apr 2012

The Recliners in Concert at Riverside Theatre to Benefit Music Fund

By Sarah Burnett

Iowa City, IA - On Saturday, May 5, Riverside Theatre will be rockin' with songs from Iowa City's most eclectic ensemble, The Recliners.

With their wide ranging repertoire there will be something for everyone, from classic '60s and '70s numbers to songs by contemporary singer-songwriters, Irish melodies to bluegrass, from Van Morrison and the Beatles to the edgy rock and traditional ballads of Richard Thompson.

Proceeds from this special concert will benefit Riverside Theatre's Janet G. Altman Fund for Music, which was established in 2008 to enhance collaborations in music and sound at Riverside Theatre. The fund celebrates the memory of Janet Altman, a longtime Riverside friend.

The concert is Saturday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Riverside Theatre, 213 N. Gilbert St, Iowa City. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students. To order tickets, call the Riverside Theatre Box Office at 319-338-7672, noon-4 p.m., Monday-Friday.

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17 Apr 2012

A Rock Island Junior High Anti-Bulling Skit is going on the road......

By Rick Martin
(Rock Island) 17 members of Washington Middle School are heading to Tinley Park, Illinois this Thursday, April 19th to perform the "Stomp Out Bullying" play to 200 educators.  The WJHS Drama Team received state-wide attention for their play when it was featured in an Illinois State Board of Education newsletter last month...and was asked to perform the skit to members attending the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Conference.

The Drama Team is funded through the Lights ON Community Learning Grant and Site Coordinator, Kristie Sullivan, says showcasing what her students can do may inspire other afterschool programs to create drama teams.  She and the students are excited to "hit the road" and get the message out that bullying is wrong and should not be tolerated.  The show was written by the students and the drama teacher, Deb Halstead.

Members of the media will get a "sneak preview" of the play on Wednesday, April 18th at 3:00 pm in the school gym.  The students, Site Coordinator and Drama Team Advisor will be available for interviews.

WHO:  Washington Junior High Drama Team
WHAT:  Sneak preview of play, "Stomp Out Bullying"
WHEN: Wednesday, April 18, 2012  3:00 pm
WHERE:  Washington Junior High Gym-3300 18th Ave Rock Island.
17 Apr 2012

Heroes Remembered: Defense Department to Mark the 59th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice

By Barbara Foelber

Defense Department seeks Korean War Veterans from around the country to gather in Arlington, Virginia and celebrate the 59th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War Armistice

Arlington, Virginia - The Department of Defense 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee announced today its efforts to reach out to Korean War Veterans and their families across the country and encourage them to join a commemorative program celebrating the 59th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War Armistice. The program, titled Heroes Remembered, is open to the public and will take place on July 27, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. at the Arlington National Cemetery.

Featuring a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the program includes official remarks in the Arlington National Cemetery's Amphitheatre with high ranking Defense Department officials and other senior government representatives. The event also includes additional special activities for Korean War Veterans and their families.

"Our Committee seeks to educate the American people on Korean War Veterans' stories and strives to make their sacrifices known to the next generation of Americans," said Committee Executive Director Colonel David J. Clark. "Their fight for the freedom and prosperity we enjoy today must be, and will be, remembered forever," Colonel Clark added.

The Korean War was the first test of the United Nations' resolve to stand against tyranny. Twenty-one nations banded together with the United States and the Republic of Korea in a remarkable display of solidarity to turn back North Korea's naked aggression and stem the tide of communism on the Korean Peninsula. The Armistice, signed on July 27, 1953, remains in effect today and highlights the need to remain vigilant against the forces of tyranny and oppression in Korea and around the globe.

Korean War Veterans fought to halt the tide of communism that threatened to sweep over the Korean peninsula. Today, the Republic of Korea stands as a modern, prosperous, vibrant democracy because of their courage and selfless sacrifice.

Korean War Veterans, family members, and friends interested in attending the event can RSPV online here.

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About the Department of Defense 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee:
The Department of Defense 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee, authorized in the 2011 Defense Authorization Bill, is dedicated to thanking and honoring all the Veterans of the Korean War, their families and especially those who lost loved ones in that war. Through 2013, the Committee will honor the service and sacrifice of Korean War Veterans, commemorate the key events of the war, and educate Americans of all ages about the historical significance of the Korean War. For more information, visit our website http://koreanwar.defense.gov or contact us at koreanwar@conus.army.mil.

Keep connected with the Department of Defense 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee via Facebook and Twitter, through videos at YouTube or with photos on Flickr.

17 Apr 2012

Jordan Catholic School Religion Bee

By Janine A. H. Parr
ROCK ISLAND- Congratulations to Jordan Catholic's Brendan Hird, who won his school's Religion Bee on Wednesday, April 11th.  Seven students in grades five through eight competed as finalists in the bee.  In addition to Brendan, the finalists were Lisa Do, Hannah Luppen, Olivia Manternach, Andy Maynard, Will Mihm, and Brittani Solorzano.  The competition was judged by Jordan faculty: Julie Bushre, Jackie Braet, Dawn Coyle, Debbie Patronagio, and Heather Roman.  The questions for each round were given by Sister Marlene Miller.

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