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Rev. Dr. Lynne C. Holden

Rev. Dr. Lynne C. Holden

The Reverend Dr. Lynne C. Holden is presently serving as the Interim Pastor of Second Congregation. She began her ministry here on December 1, 2004. Prior to her ministry here, she served as Interim Pastor at the Berean Baptist Church in Harrisville, RI from January 1-December 31 2003.

Lynne has the unique distinction of holding ordination credentials for the United Church of Christ and the American Baptist Churches. She was ordained to the Christian Ministry by the New London Association, U.C.C. and the Stonington-Union/New London Association ABC of Connecticut in 1983. Since her ordination she has served as an Area Minister for the American Baptist Churches of Connecticut, pastor of the First Baptist Church of North Stonington for 8 years and Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Smithfield, RI for 12 years, retiring June 1, 2001.

After graduating from West Virginia Wesleyan College, Lynne began her teaching career at the Thomas School for Girls in Rowayton, CT. There she taught biology and general science in the upper grades. From there she went to Pine Point School in Stonington, CT were she chaired the science department and taught biology and general science to the middle school students.

In 1979 Lynne took the opportunity to study at Yale Divinity School. She received her M.Div. degree in May of 1983. The years at YDS were exciting, exhausting and spiritually empowering. They had to be in order for Lynne to commute to New Haven, take care of her household which included two young children, work part time at the Pendleton Hill Church and somehow manage to get her papers in on time. Once her daughter Becky, age 7 at the time, said, "Mommie, I thought you were going to college to become a preacher." "I am," replied Lynne. "But Mommie, all you do is type."

In 1995 Lynne embarked on furthering her theological education and took her doctor in ministry work at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, PA. Lynne was raised in Pittsburgh, PA so it was returning home, at least for the intensive weeks when classes were in session. Lynne was awarded her D.Min. in May 1998.

Lynne's children, Todd and Rebecca, are grown and married with children of their own. Now she has four children: Todd, Rebbecca, Trinice and Darin. She is known as Mom, and Meema. Her four little grandsons call her Meema, the sweetest name on earth. Her little ones are ages 1, 2, 3, and 4: Isaac, Mark, Lance and Robert.

During this transitional time of Second Congregation, Lynne looks forward to helping the congregation look to where it has been, where it is now and where they believe God is leading them to become. Change can be fun and it can be scary. With a sense of humor, faith in God and trust in one another the Congregation is preparing for the future.