Dear AMUMC Family,

In 1997, John O’Donohue wrote a book called Anam Cara, A Book of Celtic Wisdom. In the first chapter of the book, entitled “The Mystery of Friendship,” he described what the words anam cara mean. He wrote, “Anam is a Gaelic word for soul and cara is the word for friend. So anam cara in the Celtic world

was the ‘soul friend.’” (page 13)

This entire book invites us to form a link between the human and the divine. It invites us to a deeper understanding of who we are and the world around us.

Recently I rediscovered this book as I was cleaning off the book cases in the parsonage. I was drawn to a marking I made on page 102. John O’Donohue wrote,

I love the image of the field of corn in the autumn. When the wind catches the corn, it does not stand stiff and direct against the force of the wind; were it to do this, the wind would rip it asunder. No. The corn weaves with the wind, it bends low. And when the wind is gone, it weaves back and finds its own poise and balance again. There is also the lovely story of the wolf-spider, which never builds its web between two hard objects like two stones. If it did this, the web would be rent by the wind. Instinctively, it builds its web between two blades of grass. When the wind comes, the web lowers with the grass until the wind has passed, then it comes back up and finds its point of balance and equilibrium again. . . In musical terms, the image of the violin is instructive here. If the strings are tuned too tightly they snap. When the tuning is balanced, the violin can endure massive force and produce the most powerful and tender music.

The Celtic way of viewing the world opens a sacred door. Now we see that a stalk of corn isn’t something simply standing there and not responding to its environment. It interacts, “it weaves.” Did you think of this before? And the wolf-spider knows how to build its home so the home can sur-vive. Such a simple creature in this great big world knows enough to create a home that bends with the flow. Musicians that are in sacred dance with their violins, know the secret to melodious music.

We live in a world of endless hurry. It is easy for us to forget to look deeply into the gifts God gives us. In reality, they are all around us but we are in such a rush to get things done that we don’t see these gifts. I want to invite you to take a break from the rush and seek the calm that is already offered to you. Inhale the Spirit of God that is already within you. Embrace the “anam cara” that is with you in Jesus the Christ. Jesus is your “soul friend.” Journey well with him.

In Christ’s Love,

Lynn

O’Donohue, John, Anam Cara, A Book of Celtic Wisdom, New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 1997.

John O’Donohue was an Irish Catholic priest, poet, philosopher who lived 1 January 1956 – 4 January 2008.

Good Tidings May, 2017 Newsletter

a publication of Arnold Mills United Methodist Church

Rev. Lynn McCracken • lynnmac1@verizon.net amumc@verizon.net • (401) 333-5203 • www.amumc.org

Photo of the reservoir behind the church by Corey Murphy during the Easter Sunrise Service, 2014.

Mother’s Day Dedications

Honor a special woman in your life with a listing in our Mother’s Day bulletin. Proceeds will be put toward beautifying the church property.

FORM DUE ON SUNDAY, MAY 7, 2017

I would like the following dedications on Mother's Day:

In loving memory of:________________________________________________________________

In loving memory of:________________________________________________________________

In honor of: _________________________________________________________________________

In honor of:__________________________________________________________________________

Dedication is being made by:________________________________________________________

Phone:____________________________ E-Mail____________________________________________

Please include a $10 donation for each dedication and submit it with this form no later than May 7 to ensure proper listing in the Mother's Day bulletin. Form can be submitted to the church office or placed in the offering plate.

Page 2

CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS

Happy Birthday to: 6th - Sydnee Gauvin 17th- Brandon Berdos 26th -Joaquin Cardoso 30th - Alexa Bell

God Bless you all!

Important Dates: 5/7 - Jr. Church, children report to Cargill Hall 6/4 - Promotion Sunday & Confirmation Sunday 6/11 - Graduation Sunday

Promotion Sunday June 4, 2017

Please join us as we celebrate the past year of Church School!

Afterwards, enjoy our annual

Ice Cream Social

in Cargill Hall

Calling all

Graduates Please give Kim in the church office, or Lee Ann in the Church school office the names of all graduating high school and college students. We'd like to know what school they are graduat-ing from, where they will be furthering their education, or what degree they are earning. Names will be listed in the bulletin on graduation Sunday, June 11, 2017.

Working on the HOLIDAY FAIR!

It's the beginning of spring and soon summer will be upon us and a great

time to get some crafts ready for the upcoming Holiday Fair in November.

The Crochet and Craft group has been busy making market bags from

plastic grocery bags, items from wine corks, crochet Frisbee's (shown to

the right), pin cushions and more! What can you do – how can you and

your family help? Pinterest is a great sight to get some wonderful ideas.

There are other popular areas at the Fair that you can help with over

the summer, such as:

Handcraft table - handmade items

Candy - hard candies, lollypops, etc.

Silent Auction

Book Nook

Bake Table (pickled goods from your garden harvest, homemade jams and jellies, cookie, brownie and soup mixes, and more!)

These are sturdy crochet plastic market bags. Please donate your various colored plastic grocery store bags - the more colors the better! Thank you!

Join the Wednesday

Craft Group!

Attention all handcrafters, or wannabe crafters! Gather your craft, crocheting, knitting, cross-stitch, quilting, or even that pair of pants you've been meaning to hem, and join us Wednesday mornings from 10-12noon in the church library. You'll enjoy the fellowship and make progress on those unfinished projects... or learn some new ones!

If you would like more information about the group,

or how else you can help with the Holiday Fair,

speak with Sarah Fuller and she will direct you to

the right person to answer your questions!

Members of the craft group made pocket

prayer shawls for the congregation. If you

or someone you know could use a little lift,

or as a reminder there are those praying

for them, please take one from the baskets

in the narthex or Cargill Hall with our

blessings.

PAGE 4

The SPRC Committee recognized Pastor Lynn with a cake and a plant on the first Sunday in April in honor of her birthday. We are looking forward once again to planning activities for Pastor Appreciation month in October. If you have any suggestions, pass them along to any member of the SPRC Committee. The Committee also met recently to discuss and update overall Pastor Compensation. SPRC Members this year are: Sandy Angell, Al Belisle, Amy Berdos, Nancy Gillardi, Rachel Gillardi (youth representative), Anne Hetherington, Stacey Johnson, Cindy Mauch, Pastor Lynn McCracken, Steve Smith, and Sally Terry. Cindy Mauch, Chairperson

-----

Heartfelt Thank You Thank you for celebrating my birthday with me by providing a beautiful cake, people to enjoy the cake,

and the prayer plant. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Pastor Lynn

Troop 1 Arnold Mills Annual Pancake

BREAKFAST Saturday, May 6th

8:00 —11:30AM

Tickets, $9/adults, $5 /12 & under (this includes the omelet station!)

Ray Dolan, James Irons, Liam and Sam Millette from our church are members of

Troop 1 Arnold Mills.

A Theological Conversation on the Transgender Experience Monday, May 22 - 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Join in a conversation on thinking, acting, and speaking theologically around the transgender experience. This will be one part of a larger discussion taking place statewide regarding making our places of worship and religious practices more informed and welcoming places for transgender people. Together, we will explore and apply scripture to the transgender experience at the First Baptist Church in America, 75 N. Main St., Providence. Registration is FREE, but for planning purposes, we ask that you pre-register at www.councilofchurchesri.org

Sponsored by the Rhode Island State Council of Churches

Staff-Parish Relations

Committee

Pastor Lynn & Holly May Celebrate their April 1st Birthdays!

Confirmation News Once again I am struck with how amazing the youth at AMUMC is. This is the third Confirmation class I have offered since I began here in 2010. We are truly blessed by the many gifts the youth bring. There is certainly cause of celebration. Please invite your family and friends to join us on June 4 at 10:30. Our last Confirmation Class will meet on Sunday, May 21. I am looking for volunteer parents to provide lunch that day. The class will run from 12 noon until 2PM on the 21

st.

Please take note of the time change from 3:00 to 2:00.

Spring Fair!

On Saturday, April 29th our first

ever Vendor Fair was held!

Over 20 Vendor's were present

and the church sold refreshments

We will have more photo's and a

complete recap in the June

Newsletter of this great event!

Pictured above is event coordinator Sarah Gauvin and vendor Alyson Marszalkowski.

Dave’s Marketplace Day Old Bakery Donations

Several AMUMC volunteers continue to transport the day old baked goods from Dave’s Marketplace at Chapel Four Corners, three days each week, to local agencies. We transport on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to either the Cumberland Senior Center, the Woonsocket Shelter, the Northern RI Food Pantry, Progreso Latino in Central Falls or the Salvation Army of Pawtucket. So far Dave Raymond, Cindy Mauch, Jill Beausoleil, Lynne Janke, Kim Kloczkowski, Tom Conboy, Jean Clark, Rich Bizier, Tami & Craig Noke and Chip Thurlow have made deliveries since July 2016. If you are interested in assisting with some of these donations, please contact Chip Thurlow: 401-333-1235; thurlowcp@aol.com.

The Calvary Worship Center and Lunch in the Park

This year we have been assisting the Calvary Worship Center in Woonsocket with their soup kitchen program. We are evaluating this and other options for providing meals for needy families. Thanks to Karen Oswain and Tom Cabana for their wonderful planning, organizing and leadership. And thanks to the volunteers who help cook serve and clean up at the suppers, and donate the exquisite desserts! We also are providing lunch in the park for needy families. (please see photo next page)

No Boundaries Program of the National Sports Center for the Disabled

Our $400 donation for the No Boundaries Program of the National Sports Center for the Disabled assisted several disabled veterans and their families to participate in wintertime recreational adventures in Colorado. A summary with pictures is posted on the bulletin board in the coat

room. (Please see some photos on the next page.)

Easter Baskets

Maryann Alger purchased, assembled and delivered about 20 Easter Baskets for the children of

the Woonsocket Shelter.

Habitat for Humanity

The Habitat for Humanity staff are close to announcing a new project. When the new project is confirmed, Al Belisle our liaison between AMUMC and the Habitat staff, will notify us of the dates and location

Franklin Farm

Planning is underway for the 2017 growing season, the twelfth for this all-volunteer organization! Last year produced a record harvest of farm fresh vegetables for needy families: 48,000 pounds donated primarily to the RI Community Food bank and local soup kitchens and food pantries. Restoration planning is underway to restore the historic 1857 farmhouse. Bidding for the exterior renovations are being submitted to Cumberland officials and hopefully construction can begin this fall.

Missions and Social Concerns

PAGE 6

Thank you to the members of the AMUMC family for:

· The Cintas clothing donations that continue to the St. James Episcopal Church and the Suc-cess for Wear program, both in Woonsocket. Ron Blais, Rich Bizier and Chip Thurlow provide the twice monthly deliveries.

· The ongoing donations of boxed and canned food goods and personal care items to the North-ern RI Food Pantry, the Food Pantry at the Cumberland Senior Center at the Monastery and the Woonsocket Shelter.

Chip Thurlow, Chairperson AMUMC Missions and Social Concerns Committee (401-333-1235; thurlowcp@aol.com)

No Boundaries Program

Calvary Worship Center 4-17-17

(L-R) Chip Thurlow, Seldon Whitcomb, LeeAnn Cot-ta, Santha Philips, Ann Hetherington, Karen Oswain, Jill Beausoliel and Ron Blais (Missing: Sarah Shaw

and Glenn Gillespie)

April 23, 2017

Providing meals at the WWII Park in

Woonsocket, RI

Shown L-R:

Santha Phillips

Alycia Fox

Rachel Precourt

Cindy Mauch

Four Members of

"Help the Homeless RI" organization

AMUMC organizer Karen Oswain

Golden Cross Sunday Offering May 21, 2017

Your “Golden Cross Sunday” providing dignity and joy all year round!

“Golden Cross Sunday” offering is an annual offering collected in United Methodist Churches in May to benefit the local United Methodist Elder Care organization, serving older adults in the greater Rhode Island area. This includes facilities in East Providence, Providence, and Woonsocket.

Worship and Music

Praises, Prayers of

the Church

Join in celebrating…..

Prayers of celebration as Sally Terry turns 86 on May 11th, and Jim Terry, 90 on May 23rd. They will be married 66 years on June 30th! In our Prayers: Fran Carr's friend Gail and her husband (pancreatic cancer); Joe and his mother (friend of Brittany Lambert); strength and encouragement for Eric; John Nicholson (Lymphoma); Nancy (dementia); Sandy Angell and family; Jon; Marianne Alger (healing); Rita Moser (Cindy’s mom); those with depression; the Emerson Family; Bill Mil-lette and family; Jane Shaw’s grandson Cole; Eden's Mom (cancer); Marty John-son; Bruce Shaw. Prayers for all shut-ins and nursing home residents and their loved ones including Joyce Burrell, Dawn Cavallaro, Milt Cook, Margaret Kelly, Jo Psybyski , Marion Shepherd, and Virginia Ziegler.

Head Usher Needed for the 10:30AM worship service. Please consider volunteering for this invaluable position to

the church. From greeting people with a smile, handing out bulletins, helping those who need it find a seat, welcoming newcomers and taking the collection, ushers are a vital part of the worship service. For more information please speak with Selden Whitcomb or Pastor Lynn.

Board of Trustees

Recent activities of the Board:

A new battery has been installed for the FIOS system . This ensures that the church phones will

work in the event of a power failure. Thank you Scott Murphy for handling this issue.

A wall mounted changing table was purchased and installed in one of the main level restrooms.

Thank you to Tom Hetherington and Paul Roeber for doing the installation.

The wooden steps into the front door of the church have been replaced with wider, safer steps

made of manufactured product which will never need to be painted. A huge thank-you to a

church member (who wishes to remain anonymous) for a job well done.

The church tractor has been tuned-up and serviced and is ready for the grass cutting season.

Thank you to Karen Oswain for arranging this, and for all the work she does on the grounds of

the church.

Respectfully submitted,

Fran Carr, Chairperson

join us! Farewell Luncheon

for

Our District Superintendent

The Reverend Seok Hwan Hong

Sunday, June 11th, 2017

3:00 p.m.

at the

East Greenwich United Methodist Church

1558 S. County Trail, East Greenwich, RI

RSVP to the District Office:

rim@neumc.org by June 1st.

Pastor Lynn is hoping to get a table together

from our church to attend!

MAY EVENTS:

Saturday, May 6: Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast 8:00am-11:30am in Cargill Hall

Sunday, May 14th: Mother’s Day

Monday, May 29th: Memorial Day!

SUNDAY SERVICES

8:30 and 10:30 a.m.

CHURCH SCHOOL

10:30 a.m.

Arnold Mills United Methodist Church

690 Nate Whipple Highway

Cumberland, RI 02864

401-333-5203 • www.amumc.org

Rev. Lynn McCracken