Meet our Pastor Rev. Heather R. Bailes Baker
Hi. I’m Heather Bailes Baker and what a joy it is to serve alongside the people of the Arnold Mills United Methodist Church in Cumberland, RI. I am an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, following in the footsteps of my circuit riding great-grandfather, the Rev. EG Bailes. My journey so far, has taken me from West Virginia, across the country to California and back again to serve in Western Massachusetts, Eastern Connecticut, Cape Cod, and now Rhode Island. Each church and community is unique, called and gifted in their own way, and I’ve learned so much from each one. I grew up on a small farm in West Virginia, surrounded by love, beauty and hardworking people of faith. My parents, lifelong teachers, shared their love of people and learning. My faith foundation was built in the pews of Capon Bridge and North River Mills UMCs. As a student at Syracuse, two significant events changed the course of my life. I met my spouse, Sam Baker, and heard a call to ministry. I attended seminary, and received my Masters of Divinity from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA. Sam and I were married on a beach in San Francisco two days before I graduated from seminary. His love and support make ministry more doable and life more fun. We have two children who awe and humble us. Curious and creative, I use my gifts creating weekly worship experiences, teaching Bible study, learning and leading alongside the people of the church. Some of my most powerful experiences of God have come in silence, singing, multi-sensory worship, and swinging a hammer with Habitat for Humanity, Volunteers in Mission, and Rural Missions in South Carolina. In the midst of much uncertainty in our denomination, I am passionate about about the extravagant, radical love of God, lived out in the church’s express welcome and empowerment of all God’s children including lgbtqia+. I believe in the power of the local church to make a real difference in the community as justice-making, kindom building, beautiful beloveds of God. The pandemic provided the challenge and opportunity to discover new ways to BE the church. I look forward to discovering where God is calling us and where Jesus is leading us to go in our time together. For fun, I read every moment I can, and love recommendations. I also love dark roast coffee, chocolate in almost any form (but never with mint) warm fuzzy socks, Friday night movie nights, and wandering around getting lost as I discover my new community. |
Music Director Joe Mazzarella
Joe has been Music Director at our church since 2015. He graduated from New England Conservatory in 2003. He has played with many bands in Worcester and Boston including his own funk band "Joey Mazz Band." He owns Monument Square Community Music School in Leominster, MA. He brings a unique blend of jazz, classical, and pop music to his performances and teaching.
Joe has been Music Director at our church since 2015. He graduated from New England Conservatory in 2003. He has played with many bands in Worcester and Boston including his own funk band "Joey Mazz Band." He owns Monument Square Community Music School in Leominster, MA. He brings a unique blend of jazz, classical, and pop music to his performances and teaching.
Office Manager George Jutras Jr.
George is a retired Programmer/Analyst with a Computer Information Systems Degree from Bryant College. He worked for 48 years in the computer industry for companies like Honeywell, Data General, Stratus Computer, GTECH, and Fidelity Investments. You can call George at 401-333-5203 or email him at [email protected] with any general church questions.
George is a retired Programmer/Analyst with a Computer Information Systems Degree from Bryant College. He worked for 48 years in the computer industry for companies like Honeywell, Data General, Stratus Computer, GTECH, and Fidelity Investments. You can call George at 401-333-5203 or email him at [email protected] with any general church questions.