BVN Member Interview: Meet Anne Mackie Morelli
We’re excited to share with you the next interview on the Blogger Voices Network! We hope you enjoy getting to know Anne Mackie Morelli today! Bloggers, don’t forget to link up one or two of your wonderful posts at the end!
Meet Anne Mackie Morelli
Please start by telling us a little about yourself.
My husband, Claudio, and I have been married for 42 years. We have three grown sons, all married, and two grandsons. I have a teaching degree, a Masters in Counselling Psychology, and am a Registered Clinical Counsellor. For most of my professional career I was an educator, counsellor, and administrator in the high school setting. When I transitioned out of education a few years ago,I became the Women’s Pastor at our local church for two years.
But then I felt called to return to university and enrolled in a seminary. I had never imagined that I would return to university, especially because I was now 60 years old! But despite my initial uncertainty, I love my studies and am about half-way through a Masters Degree in Christian Studies.
List three favorites.
- Because I am a lifelong learner I love to read and engage thoughtful discussions.
- I enjoy daily walks through the peaceful, cedar woods that surround my community.
- I treasure time spent with my family.
List one unique fact about you.
I was a competitive runner from my late teens until my mid-twenties as I competed for Canada on the Canadian National and Olympic track teams.
Anne Mackie Morelli’s Blog
Tell us about your blog/ministry?
I started my current blog, The Stones Call, about 5 years ago. The title stems from Luke 19:40, where the Pharisees told Jesus to silence his disciples because they were worshiping too loudly. Jesus responded by saying that even if they kept quiet the very stones would continue to call out in worship. I love this quote because it reminds us that regardless of what happens – all of creation will continue to joyfully worship Jesus. My blog focuses on faith, leadership, and inspiration.
Have you created a special gift for subscribers or written a book?
For my current seminary class, an OT course focusing on the Book of Job, I am writing a Bible study that focuses on what Job can teach us about suffering.
Anne Mackie Morelli’s Spiritual Growth
What Bible character has influenced your life the most?
I am fascinated by all the female Biblical characters and what they can teach us. I particularly admire Abigail, Mary, and Ruth.
Describe a significant time in your life and how God carried you through.
Recently my family and I began to emerge from a winter season where we had experienced a series of major losses. Throughout this period, even in the midst of the most intense suffering, God was our great provider and protector.
Wisdom from Anne Mackie Morelli
What advice would you give a new convert?
I would encourage a new convert to read the Bible and get connected to a small group. I would also encourage them to be inquisitive, asking lots of questions so he or she can build a solid foundation on accurate theology.
How do you keep your Daily Time with God regular?
Early mornings are best for me. I read the Bible and work through a devotional. Right now I am working through 1 Kings and using Paul Tripp’s, “New Morning Mercies”, as my devotional.
How do you think we best need to respond to criticism?
Rather than become defensive, we should be curious and ask questions so we be sure we understand what it is they are trying to communicate. Then taking the time to sift through their comments – keeping only what is accurate feedback so there is the possibility to learn from it. But then quickly dispensing with criticism that is untrue and unworthy.
Any other words of wisdom you’d like to share?
We are called to love – to love God, love others, and love ourselves. Our ability to generously love will be one of the most profound ways we can witness to others about our amazing God.
Follow Anne Mackie Morelli
Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Instagram :: Pinterest
Now it’s time to link up!
Learn more about our leaders by visiting the
BVN leadership page.
The #BVNetworkParty is open to all faith bloggers. Come join the party and meet Anne Mackie Morelli! #BVNetwork #Linkup
The #BVNetworkParty is open to all Christian faith bloggers as well as the members of the Blogger Voices Network. If you’re not yet a member, we’d love for you to join for additional opportunities!
We’d really love for you to link back to Blogger Voices Network in your post or site. Or grab a badge! White (top) or transparent (bottom).
Want to encourage others in their walk with God? Use the icons below to share this post!
*possibly shared at select linkups
Love God and Love others, yes! That would be my answer too.
Michelle, how wonderful it is to meet like-minded people! Thanks for commenting!
Enjoyed getting to know you better, Anne! My church’s vision is similar to what you said at the end: love God, love each other, and love the community. 🙂
Kelly, it is such a profound and urgent call on our lives isn’t it – just to love. It sounds so simple, yet loving in the deep and broad and inclusive way God commands, is something we constantly need to focus on and develop within our hearts. Thanks for interviewing me and posting the interview.
I enjoyed reading your interview and getting to know more about you Anne. How exciting that you are going back to school! I hope to go back some day.
Thanks for commenting Kelly and for your encouragement about me going back to school. To be honest I wrestled with the decision for quite awhile, because while I love to learn it was just not something I had planned on doing after retiring from being an administrator in the public school setting! And I was not sure about having to do all the assignments and write all the papers! But I am so glad I listened, as I have loved the learning and being with others who are also hungry to learn more about God’s word and theology. I especially enjoy the fact classes are composed of students from many different generations, backgrounds, cultures, experiences etc. It lends itself to such a rich learning environment. That is exciting that you too would like to go back to school some day! Keep in mind, it is never too late. Just look at me! Going back at 60 years old! What would you be interested in studying?
Nice to meet you Anne! I love the name of your blog! So creative.
Alyson, Thanks for commenting and for your encouragement around the title of my blog. I have debated back and forth about it over the years, wondering if its meaning and purpose is clear. But I do love the image of nature continuing to cry out in praise and worship regardless of what is going on in the world. And that no matter how we try to silence God’s presence and those who worship, there is no way to permenantly silence the love and presence of God. In these turbulaent, chaotic times this is a reassuring thought for me.
Great interview, Anne! It’s lovely to get to know you more!
Thanks Lesley for the warm and welcoming comment! I look forward to getting to know you and others better as well!
I loved getting to know you Anne! I love your response to how we should handle criticism – we shouldn’t get defensive but instead be curious and ask questions! Love it and there becomes a lesser chance to take offense too. 🙂 Blessings
Debbie, thanks for such a warm, welcoming response! I am delighted that my answer about how to receive feedback resonated with you. It is important that we keep an open mind so that we can hear any truth in someone’s comment, which in turn can help us learn and grow and be transformed. And you are so right – focusing on asking questions helps to prevent us from launching into defence mechanisms such as defending, minimizing, justiifying, rejecting, etc. It is not easy to do for sure, but it is a skill that we can learn through practise. Thanks again for commenting. Blessings.
Anne, it was so good to get to know you a little bit! We have some things in common in that our children are grown and we have grandchildren and we love to be with family. I love how you are pursuing study and not letting age stop you! I actually have only been writing in earnest for a few years and it was after I turned 60 that I started my blog! It’s nice to find another blogger closer to my age. Thanks for sharing a bit of your life with us! Blessings to you!
Gayl, thank you so much for your comment and for sharing a bit about your life and what we have in common. It is so lovely to meet another blogger/writer in the same stage of life and interested in similar things! I look forward to getting to know you better and read some of your work! Isn’t it wonderful to be a grandmother! I knew I would enjoy it, but I have been so entranced by all it is teaching me and the utter joy I have experienced in watching my children become parents and holding my grand babies. Thanks again for commenting!
I really enjoyed reading this! Thank you, Anne!
Kela, thanks so much for commenting and for your warm response!