Staff Members at Urbandale UCC
- Bridge Pastor: Rev. Fred Lewis
- Ministry Program Coordinator: Rev. Amy Galarowicz
- Music Program Director: Steven Linn
- Organist/SOS Choir/Youth & Adult Handbells Director: Bobby Stinnett, M.M.
- Communication and Office Coordinator: Abby Sinclair
- Custodians: Sadmir & Umihana Omerhodzic
See also: Ministry Leaders; Staff Events
Rev. Fred Lewis
Intentional Interim Pastor
Rev. Fred Lewis has entered into a covenant with us to be our “Bridge” Interim pastor as the search for a permanent minister is underway. Fred recently served as the Intentional Interim minister for the Ames UCC from June 1, 2022-September 30, 2023. He served as the Senior Minister/Lead Pastor at Ames First United Methodist Church from July 1,2002, until his retirement on June 30, 2018. Fred was ordained as Elder and received as a Full Member of the Iowa Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church in June 1980. He has served Iowa UM churches in Ankeny, Janesville, Clear Lake, and Ames.
Email: fred.lewis@urbucc.org
Rev. Amy Galarowicz
Ministry Program Coordinator
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
Music Program Director
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. He presently teaches Applied Piano and is the Staff Accompanist at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny. Steve and his husband Scott reside in Des Moines with their dog Rex. Email: steven.linn@urbucc.org
Bobby Stinnett
Organist/SOS Choir/Youth & Adult Handbells Director
Bobby Stinnett, M.M., joined the staff in September 1997. He received his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, Texas. He earned his masters’s degree in Organ Performance with a Church Music Certificate from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Bobby has been playing the piano and organ for various denominations for over 25 years. As a public school music specialist, he brings many teaching skills to the graded choir program here at Urbandale UCC. He directs the Children and Youth choirs which he began. The choirs have grown immensely from the original nine members. Besides his church involvement, Bobby is the music specialist at George Washington Carver Community School in Des Moines, and serves as organist at Temple B’Nai Jeshurun in Des Moines. Email: robert.stinnett@urbucc.org
Abigail Sinclair
Communication and Office Coordinator
We welcomed Abby to our staff in September, 2022. Email: staff@urbucc.org
Sadmir & Umihana Omerhodzic
Custodians
Sadmir & Umihana Omerhodzic came to the United States from Bosnia back in 1997. Sadmir & Umihana are married and they have two boys, Dino and Damir. Sadmir likes to play sports with his kids, soccer especially, basketball, and fishing. Sadmir’s favorite food is everything; he likes enjoying all kinds of foods from different countries. He likes music and enjoys watching family movies. Email: sadmir.omerhodzic@urbucc.org