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401-333-5203
amumc@verizon.net ~ www.amumc.org
A Publication of the Arnold Mills United Methodist Church
The Rev. Lynn McCracken (401) 333-5203
November, 2014
Holidays in Arnold Mills Annual
Holiday Fair
Saturday, November 15
8a.m. - 3p.m.
Coffee & Muffins - 8-10:30 a.m.
Express Lunch beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Our Fair Features:
Holiday Crafts ~ Christmas Tree Ornaments
Baked Goods Table ~ Homemade Apple Pies
Homemade Peanut Brittle &Fudge
Homemade Stained Glass and Chocolate Candy
Homemade Baked Beans ~ Cabot Cheese
Garden Shop ~ Book Nook
Hidden Treasure's Room
Last Minute Helpers:
It’s not too late to sign up to work at a
table, to help with set up before the Fair and cleanup after.
There are many ways you can help!
Holidays at Arnold Mills Featuring:
Bake Shop: We pride ourselves in providing a wonderful selection of home-baked goods and
specialties donated by members of the congregation. Jellies, jams, canned items, and
dry mixes are found here as well as our very popular Apple Pies, both frozen and
baked.
Bean & Cheese table: Home-baked beans using a recipe passed down through generations,
and Vermont’s Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese.
Book Nook: Featuring gently used books, videos, CD’s, and DVD’s.
Candy & Fudge: Our famous Stained Glass Candy, homemade chocolate candy, and
varieties of homemade fudge, peanut brittle and other handmade candies.
Country Café: Coffee and tea are served along with a selection of homemade muffins
between 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Express Lunch: Our Express Lunch for busy holiday shoppers. Our popular church-made
chicken salad sandwiches, church-made chili, and hot dogs are the featured menu
items. Express lunch will be available at 11:00 a.m.
Garden Shop: Live plants, dried flowers and arrangements, baskets and vases. We
welcome donations of appropriate items for this area.
Hand Made Crafts: Homemade crafts including knit goods, reversible aprons, placemats,
fleece items, gifts for pets, and much, much more!
Ornaments: Look for a variety of hand made ornaments to decorate your home and
Christmas tree this holiday season.
Hidden Treasures Room: We are looking for some special items including paintings,
furniture, quilts, antiques and other higher priced items that you are willing to donate.
Gift certificates from your favorite store or restaurant are welcome. All donations are
tax deductible and receipts will be available.
Decorators: We need you! Please come to help set up, arrange and decorate the church for
this annual event. To volunteer, please sign up in Cargill Hall or call us!
Fran Carr, Nancy Dolan, Pam Martin, Pam Thurlow, Co-Chairpersons
Page 2
Dear AMUMC Family,
It is this time of the year that I am always reminded of the rhythm of our
life together. When we turn the page of the calendar to the month of November, my thoughts immediately turn to the annual Church Fair, our
Commitment Campaign, the now rapidly falling leaves signaling a change
in the season, Thanksgiving, and this year, the approach of the Advent
season. I am so aware of all the things that will be happening that the
words to the 1960’s rock group The Byrds (which they borrowed from the
Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes), Turn! Turn, Turn!, starts running through
my head:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, a time to reap that which is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to get, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
The appeal of the words is that we can all relate to the times the song speaks about. There is a
season for everything, and for every purpose under heaven. We all experience the good with
the bad, the highs and the lows of our being. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations for
which we thought we were unprepared. Despite our own thoughts about our weaknesses, God
prevails and carries us through, making us new. How we face the challenges of existence reflects how we live out our faith journey.
The one thing I did not mention in the opening paragraph is that this month is also the time that
the Committee on Leadership meets and will be calling to invite you to serve on various church
committees. I hope you will say, “Yes,” to the call. It takes many voices and hands to form the
community and family that is Arnold Mills Untied Methodist Church. We depend on you to make
the church the living body of Christ in the world.
Live Boldly for Christ,
Pastor Lynn
Pg. 3
COMMITMENT CAMPAIGN 2015
On October 19th, I kicked off our 2015 Commitment Campaign, announcing
the theme ‘WE ARE THE CHURCH!’.
We are the Church!, a simple but powerful reminder that who we are as a
body and who we can become is up to us, and us alone.
During our four week program we will have heard from myself; Laura
Thompson, Church Treasurer; Keith Johnson, Council Chair and Pastor
Lynn on various topics of stewardship and commitment. We will learn
about the budget deficits we continually face, we will rejoice in the great
works we, the Church, do for the community and we will understand God’s
call for us to be good stewards. Our formal program will commence on
November 9th when we will all be asked to pledge our support.
When I tell people I belong to AMUMC, they almost always say something
like ‘Oh I’ve driven by there, it’s a beautiful little church’. I usually reply,
‘Yes, We Are’. We cannot see the church from the outside. If you want to
see Arnold Mills United Methodist Church, you have to be inside, looking at
the person to your left, the person to your right and the person in the
mirror. The building, like an ornate picture frame is just window dressing.
WE ARE THE CHURCH! We are called. We need to answer. I hope we will
all take the time to look in the mirror, reflect on your relationship with God
and your fellow church members and make a meaningful commitment to
your church.
Steve Dolan
Stewardship Chair
Celebrating Christ the King Sunday
Every year our liturgical and secular calendars meet each other the Sunday
before Thanksgiving. On November 23, we will be celebrating Christ the King
Sunday and collecting non-perishable food items to help others celebrate
Thanksgiving.
Christ the King Sunday invites us to more fully grasp the Advent promise of
the One who will be coming to reign over all humankind. The one who calls us to
“seek peace and pursue it” (1 Peter 3:11).
You are invited to begin thinking about this transition in the church calendar
on this particular Sunday. Advent begins early this year, November 30. As you meditate on this
concept, think about how the living Christ has entered and changed your life.
Church School News
November Birthdays
11/11 Ian Abrams
11/13 JJ O'Melia
11/20 PJ Saccocieo
God Bless you on your Birthday!
BIBLE
SUNDAY
November 23
If you have a child in the
third grade or an older
child who does not have
a Bible, please let us
know ASAP. It is a tradition here that all registered children in
the third grade
receive a Bible
as a gift from
the church.
Upcoming Dates:
11/2 - Jr Church - Children report to
Cargill Hall
11/3 - Christian Ed Meeting
11/23 - Bible Sunday
On her blog “Tales of Wonder,” Marlo Schalesky writes
about the short-lived goldfish her family has accumulated over the years. When her daughter brought two
more home, Schalesky tried to lower her expectations:
“Fish like this don’t live that long.” Yet those particular fish thrived —
one lived five years! Schalesky figured their well water must have been
purer than the city water their previous pets inhabited.
People are like fish that way, Schalesky suggests: What
surrounds us has power over us. Constantly “swimming” in negativity
and impure thoughts hinders our growth and well-being. Yet if we seek
Christ-like surroundings, we’ll thrive spiritually.
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things”
(Philippians 4:8, NIV).
Congratulations to John Pavao!
John Pavao, who sings in our choir and is married to our Minister or Music,
Barbara Pavao, was inducted into the East Providence High School Hall of
Fame on October 26th. John is a retired legendary band and choral director
for East Providence High School. John was hired in 1959 to teach music
classes in and to lead the Sophomore Girls Chorus and male singers. In a
short time, he developed an elite boys' choir called the Crimson Men's
Chorus. For five years the Crimson Men won top prizes in New England
Music competitions. Alongside Band Director Dr. Stephen Farnum and Choral
Director Richard Fairbanks, Pavao helped to make EPHS a powerhouse for
music. When Dr. Farnum retired in 1969, John was made the full time Band
Director. The high school music program grew tremendously under Pavao.
He founded the Double Brass Choir, the Stage Band, the Dixie Stage Band
and a vibrant marching band - the envy of all Rhode Island high school
bands. As the marching band delighted crowds at football games, John
added flag corps, a rifle guard, baton twirlers and a color guard. His band
won awards throughout New England. The band played at parades, the
city's bicentennial program, new city hall dedication, and new school
construction. John was also an interim director for the Cumberland Lincoln
Community Chorus and arranged music for many area churches. "Through
Mr. Pavao, came a love for music that stays with me forever," is a sentiment
echoed by many of his former students.
Worship Committee
All Saints Sunday
November 2
It has been our tradition to
use this Sunday as a
“Christian Memorial
Day.” The names of
members, friends and others
who have touched the church family that
returned home to the Lord since All Saints’
Sunday last year are printed in a special insert
in our bulletin and a candle will be lit as their
names are read.
Potluck Lunch/Advent Wreath
Making - Join us Sunday,
November 30, at 11:30AM in
Cargill Hall. Bring a dish to
share, enjoy some fellowship,
then make an advent wreath to
take home!
There is a sign-up sheet in the coat room.
Family fun!
The Worship Committee
will be conducting a survey
about current worship
services and desires of the
Congregation toward our
Worship at Arnold Mills United Methodist
Church. We ask that all adults and Youth
complete a copy of the survey online (watch for
email notice) or by filling out a hard copy in the
Sanctuary by the end of November. We will
compile the results and go from there. Thank
you for taking the time to give us feedback and
input.
Then they cried to the LORD in their
trouble, and he delivered them from
their distress. He made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad that the waters
were quiet, and he brought them to their
desired haven Psalm 107:28-30
In our Prayers:
Our heartfelt condolences to:
Regina, Ron, and Adam Blais and family after her
Mom, Regina A. Silke returned home to the Lord
on October 23rd.
Jim and Jan Motta and family after Jim’s brother,
John E. Motta, passed away on October 18th.
Please pray for:
Ras Lindblom, ; Chris, who is traveling to Guinea,
Jason St. Pierre (leg surgery, Godchild of Jan &
Jim Motta); Pastor Carlos and wife Mara in Costa
Rica after a car accident; Diedre Sniezek; Dawn
Marie (Stg4 Lung Cancer); those affected by Alzheimer's; Megan Condon, healing; Richard, cancer;
Joe in Florida; James Moorehead; Stacy Johnson’s
mother; for those navigating RI Adoption; Alex
Philips’ Mom; Jean, Jane Shaw’s sister; peace for
those grieving; Gary Mazzie, Laura Viehmann, Arthur Belisle; Marge Denler; JoAnne Jones; nursing
home residents & caregivers including Don and
Joyce Burrell, Dawn Cavallaro, Margaret Kelly, Doris Palmer, Eleanor Preston, Flora Stanley, and Virginia Ziegler.
Special Birthday – Blanche Ilmonen will be 90
on November 8th! If you’d like to send a card:
227 Ledges Dr. Apt 216, Laconia, NH 03246.
She’d love to hear from you!
Together, we educate students so they
can make a difference in the world.
United Methodist Student Day is
November 30, 2014
Thanksgiving Eve
Ecumenical Service,
November 26,
7:00PM
Right now there are UMC young people who
might not have had the resources to attend a
school of their choice, or, for some, any school
at all. When you give generously, you support
these students as they prepare for a life that
unites faith with knowledge.
We hope you will be a part of
the Community of Faith that will gather at
Emmauel Episcopal Church on Nate Whipple
Hwy. in Cumberland, for an Ecumenical Service
of Worship and Thanksgiving on Wednesday
evening, November 26th at 7PM.
Pg. 9
Missions Committee
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is close to starting the new construction project on Providence Street in
Woonsocket. They have purchased a lot and are waiting for approval of the house design. Hopefully
the project can start in a few months. Al Belisle is our liaison between AMUMC and the Habitat staff.
Thank you Al! Any questions, please contact Al at: 333-2290; arbelisle@cox.net.
Cintas Clothing Donations
The Cintas clothing donations continue to the River UMC and the St. James Episcopal Church, both
in Woonsocket. We transport on every other Thursday. Ron Blais and Chip Thurlow are the current
drivers. Any questions, please contact Chip Thurlow. (401-333-1235, thurlowcp@aol.com)
The River UMC Soup Kitchen
The monthly soup kitchen suppers will begin this month. We will prepare and serve the meals on the
following 2nd Wednesdays of the month: November 12th, December 10th in 2014 and January 14th,
February 11th, March 11th, April 8th, May 13th in 2015. Thanks to Karen Oswain and Tom Cabana for
their wonderful planning, organizing and leadership. Thanks to the many volunteers who help cook
serve and clean up at the suppers, and donate the exquisite desserts! If you would like to join this
wonderful effort to help feed some of our hungry neighbors please contact Karen at 401-333-2166
(H) Karen's e-mail: kkoswain@netscape.net
Franklin Farm
The volunteers at the Franklin Farm Community Garden harvested over 41,000 pounds of zucchini,
summer squash, cucumbers, eggplant (regular and Japanese), peppers (bell and hot), decorative
gourds, tomatoes, green beans and butternut squash. Over 23,000 pounds was donated to the RI
Community Food Bank and over 9,000 pounds to several local soup kitchens and food pantries in
northern RI. The remainder was available on the farm stand for local consumption. The garden has
been put to “bed” for the winter, but preparations have already begun for the growing season next
year. Thanks to all of the volunteers who helped make this the most productive harvest season ever!
If you are interested learning more about Franklin Farm, please contact Chip Thurlow. (401-3331235, thur-lowcp@aol.com) See you at the garden!
Food and Personal Care Donations
The many donations of boxed and canned food goods and personal care items continue to be
distributed to the Northern RI Food Pantry, the Food Pantry at the Cumberland Senior Center at the
Monastery and the Woonsocket Shelter. Thank you AMUMC members for your generous donations!
The thank you letters from the Woonsocket Shelter are posted on the Missions Committee bulletin
board.
Fall/Winter Planning
The Missions Committee members are beginning planning for this fall and winter:
Adopt-A-Family
Holiday Turkeys
H.A.P.P.Y. Baskets
Chip Thurlow, Chairperson
AMUMC Missions and Social Concerns Committee
(401-333-1235; thurlowcp@aol.com)
The Board of Trustees
Here are photos of recent Trustee improvements and upgrades
done at the church and parsonage.
Arnold Mills United Methodist Church
690 Nate Whipple HWY
Cumberland, RI 02864
(401) 333-5203
Rev. Lynn McCracken
Visit us on our web page!
www.amumc.org
Sunday services
8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Church school 10:30 a.m.
Daylight saving time ends
November 2!