Our staff
The people you will meet
Call the church office at (319) 362-1926, Monday to Thursday, 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM, or email office@firstchurchcr.org. Everyone below is glad to hear from you.
Senior Minister
Rev. Melanie Van Weelden
Melanie grew up in Cedar Rapids and is happy to be serving back in the City of Five Seasons (even though she is not exactly sure what the deal is with the whole fifth season thing). She and her husband Brian have three daughters and live in Cedar Rapids with two shaggy dogs and a cat. She holds a bachelor's degree in arts management from Culver-Stockton College and a Master of Divinity from Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Pastoral Care Pastor
Rev. Dr. Curt Miner
After a lifetime of loving theater and the Dodgers, Curt is here to provide pastoral care for those who need it. He also works on communications for the church. He holds a BA from Northern Arizona University, an MDiv from Pacific School of Religion and a DMin from Claremont School of Theology.
Executive Administrator
Brooke Spicer
Brooke joined the staff in 2008 and does everything from communications and the newsletter to the accounting. She grew up in Cedar Rapids, graduated from Washington High School, and attended Kirkwood Community College and the University of Northern Iowa after office management and supervisory work. Brooke has two children, a daughter and a son. Call the office at (319) 362-1926.
Chancel Choir Director
Dr. Gerald Kreitzer
Dr. Kreitzer has conducted the Chancel Choir, adults with a wide range of musical backgrounds, since 1999, and keeps the church's music library. He is Director of Music Activities at Mount Mercy University and artistic director of the Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale, and earned a DMA from the University of Iowa. He and his wife Kelley have four daughters and grandchildren.
Children's Ministry Coordinator, Handbells and Youth Music
Cathy Bixby
Cathy coordinates Sunday School for preschool through grade 5 and directs the youth music program, giving young people from preschool through grade 12 chances to sing, play instruments and be together. She also leads the adult handbell choir, which plays about six times a year, with and without bell experience. A graduate of Coe College with a Bachelor of Music, Cathy has led music at First Congregational since 1983, apart from a 15-month break. She and her husband Paul have three children, two sons-in-law and five grandchildren.
Youth Ministry Leader
Iris Strong
A fixture in the Cedar Rapids community, Ms. Iris is a mentor to more children than can be counted. She holds a BA in elementary education from Mount Mercy University and leads youth activities for grades 6 through 12.
Pianist and Organist
Doris Gitzy
After more than 20 years as a substitute organist, Doris was named to the position in 1997. A native of Buckingham, Iowa, she began playing piano in her hometown church at 12. She holds a BA in education from the University of Northern Iowa and a Bachelor of Arts in music from Coe College, where she worked from 1981 until retiring in 2006 as assistant to the dean of faculty, and again in the president's office until 2015. Doris has three sons.
You are welcome here
Join us Sunday at 10 AM
The service lasts about an hour, there is a staffed nursery downstairs, and coffee waits in Fellowship Hall afterward. Can't get here? The service is live on YouTube and Facebook every week.