Rev. Thomas (Tom) Cici, Pastor
Email: marian64tom57@gmail.com
I came to First Christian Church in September 2015 as our Pastor. My wife, Marian, and I were raised in Evansville, Indiana although we never knew each other until 1981. I was raised in the Roman Catholic tradition, and graduated from Saint Meinrad Seminary with a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies. Then I received a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in 2005. Marian and I are unable to have children together, but we will quickly tell you that all the members in our congregation are our children!
Marian, my wife, has been working in the Cabinet and Appliance department of Menards since 2007. Marian and I enjoy landscaping together, and “yes, we get most of our material from Menards!” You will notice some of our work at the parsonage (our residence) and the two flower gardens on either side of the front steps at the church-building. I also delight in reading, cooking, traveling, and participating in boxing classes at a local gym in Hoopeston.
We left Evansville in 1995 so that I can pursue a calling in Christian Ministry. My first eight years were devoted to being a youth pastor. First Christian Church is only the second parish that I’ve served as a Senior Pastor. When asked what I find most rewarding in ministry, it’s getting to know people of all ages, attending to their spiritual lives, growing in my own spirituality, preaching, studying, teaching, putting the Gospel in action, and spending time in personal prayer and contemplation.
My favorite scripture is Micah 6:8, “God has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Salvation is a historical, social, and universal notion, which is made very clear already by the Jewish prophets. Christ is the masterpiece of love in the midst of a creation designed for love. The Good News is that the communion of God, Spirit in Christ, embraces us (loves us) and calls us to be in that communion. Every single person is born out of God’s love (Self-giving Love), called to express this love in their unique way, and to be in union with God. Each person is a child of God, and is called to be the image and likeness of God. When we can say with full voice, “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 72:26), then our eyes are open to see that the Christ in me is the Christ in you. We are indeed One in God’s love.
Email: marian64tom57@gmail.com
I came to First Christian Church in September 2015 as our Pastor. My wife, Marian, and I were raised in Evansville, Indiana although we never knew each other until 1981. I was raised in the Roman Catholic tradition, and graduated from Saint Meinrad Seminary with a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies. Then I received a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in 2005. Marian and I are unable to have children together, but we will quickly tell you that all the members in our congregation are our children!
Marian, my wife, has been working in the Cabinet and Appliance department of Menards since 2007. Marian and I enjoy landscaping together, and “yes, we get most of our material from Menards!” You will notice some of our work at the parsonage (our residence) and the two flower gardens on either side of the front steps at the church-building. I also delight in reading, cooking, traveling, and participating in boxing classes at a local gym in Hoopeston.
We left Evansville in 1995 so that I can pursue a calling in Christian Ministry. My first eight years were devoted to being a youth pastor. First Christian Church is only the second parish that I’ve served as a Senior Pastor. When asked what I find most rewarding in ministry, it’s getting to know people of all ages, attending to their spiritual lives, growing in my own spirituality, preaching, studying, teaching, putting the Gospel in action, and spending time in personal prayer and contemplation.
My favorite scripture is Micah 6:8, “God has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Salvation is a historical, social, and universal notion, which is made very clear already by the Jewish prophets. Christ is the masterpiece of love in the midst of a creation designed for love. The Good News is that the communion of God, Spirit in Christ, embraces us (loves us) and calls us to be in that communion. Every single person is born out of God’s love (Self-giving Love), called to express this love in their unique way, and to be in union with God. Each person is a child of God, and is called to be the image and likeness of God. When we can say with full voice, “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 72:26), then our eyes are open to see that the Christ in me is the Christ in you. We are indeed One in God’s love.