Welcome to Arnold Mills United Methodist Church
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
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Our Pastor & Staff Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Ash Wednesday is just around the corner, February 22. It seems to me that we just finished celebrating Christmas and Epiphany, and now here we are standing on the threshold of a new season. To tell you the truth, I am feeling a little rushed. In my dream of dreams I would like to slow things down a little so that we can more fully embrace our living. Having studied the book of Ecclesiastes in the Wednesday morning Bible study and having completed Ted Loder’s book The Haunt of Grace, I would like to make a proposal. Collectively as rnold Mills United Methodist Church, I invite you to take some holy time each morning to sit and reflect on the mystery that Jesus is in our lives.
The author of Ecclesiastes makes it quite clear – we rush around trying to get the important things done, when in reality, these things are not permanent. The author encourages the reader to stop and look around, to live lives that celebrate “being”.
Ted Loder’s book echoes the theme in Ecclesiastes. He writes,
We live in a society that is increasingly rich in information and poor in reflection. The relative ease and speed by which we access facts and data is astounding, if not overwhelming. We can learn quickly more about any subject than we can assimilate, let alone thoughtfully interpret. As a result, our lives are changed almost without our consent or intent. We’re afflicted with near-terminal busyness.
We are seduced into believing that there are treatments for every disease and disease, solutions for every problem, someone to blame (and sue) for any glitch in a process that results in a heart-rending outcome, teachable steps to follow in achieving any goal.
He goes on to say that we are haunted by grace (as the title of his book indicates). He says we are invited, urged, perhaps compelled, to respond to that haunt.
As we move forward through time, before Lent arrives, let us be haunted by grace in the quiet time of reflection. Let the mystery surround and nourish your spirit. I hope you will join me in this journey of “being”.
Yours in Christ, Pastor Lynn
Pastor Lynn McCracken
Lynn has lived in Japan, Guam, California, New Jersey, Michigan, and Spain and has travelled extensively in both Asia and Europe. She is fluent in Spanish and continues to love Spanish literature. Other hobbies include cooking, gardening, writing, and painting. She is an avid and competitive rower. You can find her on the Seekonk River in Providence at 5AM most days, rowing either sweep boats or sculling shells.
While living in Japan, Lynn taught school at St. Joseph’s International School for Boys. She taught fourth grade. Additionally, she taught English at a Japanese school. Her students ranged from kindergarten to business men. She later worked teaching fitness classes for Richard Simmons, Gold’s Gym, and while living in Spain, she taught classes in people’s homes.
She has served Shepherd of the Valley UMC in Hope, RI, and Calvary UMC in Middletown RI. She has been appointed to the Arnold Mills United Methodist Church as of July 1, 2010. She looks forward to many years of ministry with the people of Arnold Mills UMC. Reach Lynn by email at lynnmac1@verizon.net.
Lynn has lived in Japan, Guam, California, New Jersey, Michigan, and Spain and has travelled extensively in both Asia and Europe. She is fluent in Spanish and continues to love Spanish literature. Other hobbies include cooking, gardening, writing, and painting. She is an avid and competitive rower. You can find her on the Seekonk River in Providence at 5AM most days, rowing either sweep boats or sculling shells.
While living in Japan, Lynn taught school at St. Joseph’s International School for Boys. She taught fourth grade. Additionally, she taught English at a Japanese school. Her students ranged from kindergarten to business men. She later worked teaching fitness classes for Richard Simmons, Gold’s Gym, and while living in Spain, she taught classes in people’s homes.
She has served Shepherd of the Valley UMC in Hope, RI, and Calvary UMC in Middletown RI. She has been appointed to the Arnold Mills United Methodist Church as of July 1, 2010. She looks forward to many years of ministry with the people of Arnold Mills UMC. Reach Lynn by email at lynnmac1@verizon.net.
Lynn McCracken grew up in Attleboro, Massachusetts, graduated from Attleboro High School, Wheaton College in Norton, MA with a BS in Spanish literature, and Boston University School of Theology (Master of Divinity). She is married to Courtney James McCracken. They have three children, Ryan, Eamon, and Siobhan, and three grandchildren.
Lynn has lived in Japan, Guam, California, New Jersey, Michigan, and Spain and has travelled extensively in both Asia and Europe. She is fluent in Spanish and continues to love Spanish literature. Other hobbies include cooking, gardening, writing, and painting. She is an avid and competitive rower. You can find her on the Seekonk River in Providence at 5AM most days, rowing either sweep boats or sculling shells.
While living in Japan, Lynn taught school at St. Joseph’s International School for Boys. She taught fourth grade. Additionally, she taught English at a Japanese school. Her students ranged from kindergarten to business men. She later worked teaching fitness classes for Richard Simmons, Gold’s Gym, and while living in Spain, she taught classes in people’s homes.
She has served Shepherd of the Valley UMC in Hope, RI, and Calvary UMC in Middletown RI. She has been appointed to the Arnold Mills United Methodist Church as of July 1, 2010. She looks forward to many years of ministry with the people of Arnold Mills UMC. Reach Lynn by email at lynnmac1@verizon.net.
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