PastorLin - † Eagle Rock Church †

† Eagle Rock Church †

"Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day." -- Psalm 96:2 (NIV)

Meet Our Pastor

Meet Our Music Director / Pianist

Rev. Lin McGee

Pastor Lin is presently serving our church as Pastor, Minister of Music, and Pianist. She is part of our husband / wife pastoral ministry team with Pastor David McGee.

Pastor Lin is the mom of eleven children and five step-children, the grandma to thirty-three little (and not so little) ones, and the great-grandma of six (soon to be seven!).

She and Pastor David's sons Jim (Army) and Dan (Marines) serve our country in the War on Terror with the United States Military. Each son has (thus far) completed a tour of duty in Operation Enduring Freedom, and; Jim has completed two tours of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom; Dan has completed one tour of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

To honor their service and that of all who have served past and present, Pastor Lin has founded the first Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. in Connecticut -- the Connecticut Blue Star Mothers, CT Chapter One. www.ConnecticutBlueStarMothers.org She works among the other mothers as President, Pastor, Blue to Gold Officer, VAVS Rep, Veterans Service Coordinator, Media Manager, Patriot Guard Riders Rep, Patriotic Instructor, and Website Manager.

She serves the national organization, the Blue Star Mothers of America Inc. www.BlueStarMothers.org within Connecticut as the Connecticut State VAVS Rep (VA Voluntary Service). On the national level, she is serving the BSMoA in the capacity of National Second Vice President for the 2011-2012 year. Previously she served as the National Chaplain for the 2010-2011 year and as the National Patriotic Instructor for the 2009-2010 year.

Pastor Lin is the Connecticut State Chaplain for the Missing In America Project www.MIAP.us which is organizing members nation wide to locate, identify, and inter the remains of our nation's veterans (and their families) who have been cremated, yet unclaimed for burial.

Though a 'cager' and not a 'rider', Pastor Lin is a proud member of the Patriot Guard Riders and the Connecticut Patriot Guard Riders. www.PatriotGuard.org

Along with her mother, Norma, she is a Lifetime Member of the VFW Post #296 Ladies Auxiliary in Winsted, CT. They are proud to belong to the Post through the foreign war service of Pastor Lin's father, James Funk, in WWII; Pastor David's service in Vietnam; and Jim and Dan's service in the War On Terror. Pastor Lin serves the Post's Ladies Auxiliary in the capacity of Chaplain and also Patriotic Instructor www.VFWPost296LadiesAux.com . She is also a proud member of the Marine Corps League Ladies Auxiliary http://mcladeptct.vpweb.com/

If you are a 'stitcher' (either hand or machine), Pastor Lin would very much appreciate your help with a project that she is a part of which gives embroidered memorials to the families of the fallen. Pastor Lin is the State Rep for Connecticut, New Jersey, Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana -- and also the district, Washington, DC. If you stitch (hand or machine) and would like to join the project, please contact Pastor Lin at StitchingForTheFallen@gmail.com or Blue.Star.Mothers.Rev.Lin.McGee@gmail.com placing 'Stitching For The Fallen' in the subject line. To find out more about the project itself, go to the following websites:

'American Soldiers Memorial Project' website -- it is for hand stitchers, but is the sister site of the machine stitchers website.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AmericanSoldierMemorial

'No Soldier Left Behind' website -- it is for machine stitchers, but it has a lot of information and pictures for both.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NoSoldierLeftBehindMemorial/

If you knit or crochet, prayers shawls, prayer cloths, and lap robes are very much needed for the Gold Star Families; winter hats, scarfs, lap robes, and gloves are very much needed for our veterans; and dark colored hats and scarfs are very much needed for our troops. The Connecticut Blue Star Mothers and the Precious Stars gift these items to our heroes and their families.

To serve the Lord faithfully as she ministers to our military and veteran families, Pastor Lin is affiliated with Military Ministry http://www.militaryministry.org/ Christian Military Fellowship http://cmf.com/ and Military Mission Network http://www.militaryministrynetwork.net If you have any difficulty reaching these ministries or live in the New England area and would like resources from these ministries, please contact Pastor Lin at linda.mcgee@us.army.mil

Pastor Lin is the founder and pastoral director of the international women's ministry: Women of Ministry / Women of Faith International. www.WomenofMinistryWomenofFaith.com and of the military / veteran support ministry: Precious Stars www.PreciousStars.com She co-founded and serves Faith and Life Ministries International with Pastor David www.FaithandLifeMinistriesInternational.com

Pastor Lin loves music and spent many years working on the Hymnal Committee for the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches. Hymns for a Pilgrim People: A Congregational Hymnal, which was published in June of 2007 and has sold over 8,000 copies. http://www.giamusic.com/products/P-7200.cfm She is also a member of the NACCC National Choir.

She has authored devotional studies, prayers, workshop literature, poems, sacred musical presentations, and retreat programs. She has written patriotic informational articles for the BSMoA, a contributing chapter for an upcoming military family book, and is working on her own book in relation to mothers of the military which will include original music, prayers, poems, and inspirational thoughts. She loves birds, butterflies, and people. She is a musician, Christian clown, and loves to do hand crafts. PASTOR LIN DOES NOT COOK!

The following is part of Pastor Lin's bio:

Pastor Lin Is A Member - Of The Ordained Clergy - With:

The National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (Oak Creek, WI)
The Fellowship of Connecticut Congregational Christian Churches (Hartford, CT)
Eagle Rock Congregational Church (Thomaston, CT)
JESUS - My Lord and Savior - Church (Winsted, CT -- mission church of West Gulfport Baptist Church, Gulfport Mississippi)

Pastor Lin's Ordination Has Been Recorded In The Permanent Records Of:

The West Coast Congregational Library (Los Angeles, CA)
The Congregational Library (Boston, MA)
The Congregational Library (Oak Creek, WI)
The Hartford Seminary (West Hartford, CT)
The First Church of Winsted (Winsted, CT)
The First Congregational Church of Otis (Otis, MA)
The New Boston Congregational Church (New Boston, MA)

Pastor Lin Presently Serves In The Following Ministry Capacities:

Co-Pastor, Eagle Rock Congregational Church
Music Director/Pianist, Eagle Rock Congregational Church
Co-Pastor, JESUS - My Lord and Savior - Church (Winsted, CT)
Co-Founder, Faith and Life Ministries (Winsted, CT)
Team TV Ministry Program Provider with David McGee for: 'A Message From God' (Cable 13, Winsted, CT area; Cable 5, Torrington, CT area)
TV Ministry Program Provider for: 'Women's Faith Time' (Cable 13, Winsted, CT area; Cable 5, Torrington, CT area)
Founder, 'Women of Ministry / Women of Faith' INTERNATIONAL
Member, National Association New Hymnal Committee (Oakcreek, WI)
Member, NACCC National Choir
Member, Missions Committee (CT Fellowship)
Member, Christian Education Committee (CT Fellowship)
Board of Directors, Asian Faith Mission of India (Kerala, India)
Board of Directors, Agape Children's Home (Kerala, India)

Pastor Lin Was Selected For and Has Received The Following Awards/Recognitions:

Award, Alumni Of The Year for Outstanding Achievements 2004, Northwestern Connecticut Community College (Winsted, CT)
Recognition/Award, Given to the Top Three Outstanding Students of Bible and Theology Class of 1997 -- Granted Through 'Interpretation', A Journal of Bible and Theology -- Per Recommendation of The Faculty of The Hartford Seminary (West Hartford, CT)
Membership, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society
Membership, Empire Who's Who (Mineola, NY)
Membership, Madison Who's Who (Long Island City, NY)
Membership, American Association of Christian Counselors (Forest, VA)
Freedom Team Salute Certificate of Appreciation and Army Parent Pin from the US Army in July 2005 for outstanding support as a military parent, the support of Soldiers fighting the Global War on Terrorism, and contributions and personal sacrifices in preserving freedom and the security of our Nation.
Certificate of Appreciation for support of the 443rd CAB serving in the Iraqi Theatre and around the world in America's Global War on Terrorism; from, 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion Operation Iraqi Freedom COB Speicher, Iraq; United States Army.
President's Volunteer Service Award and Pin from President George W. Bush for serving over 5,000 volunteer hours in ministry, mission, and the support of our military, veterans, their families, and the families of the fallen.
Certificate of Appreciation from the United States President's Council on Service and Civic Participation in recognition of commitment to strengthening our Nation.
Certificate of Recognition from the Connecticut Blue Star Mothers of the United States President's Call to Service Award for over 5000 volunteer hours given in the area of 'International Service'.
Certificate of Appreciation presented on October 20, 2007, for dedication, planning, and support as an event briefer from the 411th Civil Affairs Battalion, United States Army civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) of Danbury, Connecticut.
Certificate of Appreciation, Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. in recognition of outstanding accomplishments, dedicated service, and commitment to excellence as Patriotic Instructor, 2009-2010.
Recognition trophy presented at the 68thy Annual Convention of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. for outstanding commitment to the duties of National Patriotic Instructor.
Freedom Team Salute Certificate of Appreciation and Army Pin from the US Army in December 2010 for outstanding contributions to the United States Army and personal sacrifices made to preserve the freedom and security of our Nation.
Appreciation of Excellence from the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., at their 69th Annual Convention, August 2010, for service as their National Chaplain during the 2009-2010 year. Certificate reads: "In appreciation for holding the Moms and our Sons and Daughters in your heart. You faith and compassion has been bestowed on many in their time of need, sorrow, and joy. You are a blessing to all."
Military Award presented for "Exemplary actions on behalf of military personnel, veterans and families of fallen soldiers." From the American Red Cross, March 16, 2011.
Recognition trophy from American Red Cross, Connecticut Region: Military Award.
Official Statement of Congratulations from Connecticut Governor, Dannel P. Malloy, on behalf of the State of Connecticut for American Red Cross Military Award. Official Statement reading: "I commend you for demonstrating courage, kindness and dedication, while assisting Connecticut's citizens. You display exceptional strength and courage, and continue to make a difference in your community each and every day. This award celebrates your many contributions to the lives of others. You are a fine representative of the State of Connecticut and it is an honor to join with your family and friends in recognizing your brave and altruistic actions."
Official Citation, Office of the Attorney of the State of Connecticut on March 16, 2011: "Be it hereby known to all that: The Attorney General offers his sincerest congratulations to: Rev. Lin McGee in recognition of your enduring and profoundly significant contributions and dedication to your community and the state of Connecticut, as celebrated by the American Red Cross of Northern and Eastern Connecticut 2011 Military Award. The Attorney General extends his very best wishes on this significant occasion and expresses his hope for continued success." George Jepsen, Attorney General, State of Connecticut.
Recognition from Lieutenant Governor of the State of Connecticut, Nancy Wyman, March 2011: "Please accept my congratulations on receiving the Military Award. The Connecticut Region of the American Red Cross salutes you as a Hero of Northern and Eastern Connecticut."

Pastor Lin's Fields of Studies Include:

Northwestern Connecticut Community College (Winsted, CT) -- AS Degree in Human Services, 1984
Charter Oak College (Hartford, CT) -- BS Degree in Psychology, 1987
The Consultation Center Of the CT Mental Health Center and Department of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine (New Haven, CT) -- Training in counseling interventions in sexual assault, 1984
Susan B. Anthony Project for Women (Torrington, CT) -- Training in violence, crisis intervention, advocacy, counseling, 1984
Northwestern Connecticut Community College (Winsted, CT) -- Study of Sign Language and Deafness, 1987-1989
Tantur Institute (Jerusalem, Israel) -- Study program in/on the Holy Land and Faiths, 1990
United Church of Christ, Litchfield North Association (Goshen, CT) -- Completion of Studies for Master of Divinity Equ., 1995
Hartford Seminary (West Hartford, CT) -- Masters of Arts Degree in Religious Studies, 1996
Hartford Seminary (West Hartford, CT) -- Certificate in Black Ministries Program, 1996
Hospice Foundation of America, Teleconference (Pittsfield, MA) -- Living With Grief: At Work, At School, At Worship, 1999