Rev. Coqui Conkey grew up in Colorado and made Minnesota home for most her adult life. If the United Church of Christ was just a little bit older, she could say she has been part of the UCC her entire life. She graduated from Colorado College and taught middle school reading in Colorado and Nebraska. Marriage took her to Minnesota. She worked in administration, mostly health care administration, until she followed God’s call to seminary. She graduated from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in 2002 and followed that with interim ministry training through the Intentional Ministry Network and the Clergy Leadership Institute. She has served as interim minister in churches in Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York.
Pastor Coqui comes to Urbandale with her spouse, Judith Youngman, and their dog, Rouge. Between them, they have four adult children and eight grandchildren.
Pastor Coqui looks forward to opportunities to walk or bike trails, explore State Parks, and discover the treasures of the Des Moines area.

Email: coqui.conkey@urbucc.org

Rev. Amy Galarowicz is a Kentucky native but calls the Midwest her home. She was born and raised in the UCC and has been active in various levels of church leadership. Amy graduated from Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin, where she majored in Spanish and Sociology. She went on to Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, where she received her Masters of Divinity in 2006. Amy also completed her chaplain residency program at Methodist, Lutheran and Blank hospitals and became a hospice chaplain in 2007 when she also began her work at Urbandale UCC. She continues to work with UnityPoint at Home in Hospice.

Amy recently married Vicky Galarowicz and gained two more sons, Jude (14) and Grey (8) in addition to her son, Sam (13). They enjoy spending time outdoors, fishing and traveling. In her off time, she enjoys traveling, making memories with her family, instructing kickboxing at a local gym and spending time with friends and family.

Email: amy.galarowicz@urbucc.org

Steven Linn joined us as Music Program Director in August 2011. Steve grew up in a small rural community in Nebraska. He was active in his church singing solos, singing in the choir, and serving as the organist. He studied private piano at Wayne State College during his high school years and continued as an undergraduate student with emphasis in voice and piano. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Education from Wayne State College and a Masters in Education from Viterbo University. Steve has served several congregations in central Iowa as both music director and accompanist. He taught secondary vocal music for 33 years. He retired in 2017, teaching the last 26 years at Ames High School. In the fall of 2017 he was appointed Staff Accompanist and Adjunct Faculty at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny. After residing in Ames for many years, Steve and his husband Scott moved to Des Moines and reside in the East Village with their dogs Rex and Georgi. Email: steven.linn@urbucc.org