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McCracken went from fill-in to permanent Friends Church pastor
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · March 23, 2017


Sue McCracken grew up in the Friends Church. Now she’s leading the one in West Branch.


Her agreement with the church board is for 20 hours a week, “but that’s never really the case,” she said, smiling.

Pastoral work means giving your time.

“It’s been my life history, pretty much,” McCracken said of her involvement in the Quaker denomination.

McCracken’s history starts in Indianola, then she spent 26 years in Fairfield, retiring from her job as an elementary school principal. She moved in 2012 to Iowa City along Scott Drive, putting her just 10 minutes away from the downtown West Branch Friends Church.

“I heard West Branch was without a pastor and offered to fill the pulpit” from time to time, she said.

McCracken considers herself an “avid reader.” Today, she says she’s authored four novels.

She made an impression. Church members liked her, and, especially friend and former pastor Deborah Seuess, encouraged her to submit her name for consideration. At first she declined, reminding them she retired.

“But the people here are wonderful, and this is something I could do for them,” McCracken said.

She liked how the church hosts community events, like breakfasts and hymn sings and the bell choir, and how the church considers it important to support local causes.

Initially, back in late May or early June, the appointment would be temporary, to give the church board time to look for a permanent replacement. But none of the other candidates measured up to McCracken, and they talked to her about staying.

“They said I have a gift,” she said; her mother had entered her in public speaking contests since she was a child.

Convinced, McCracken agreed, officially starting a permanent position Dec. 1.

She’s not an ordained minister with formal training, but the educator draws on her strengths and experiences to prepare each message.

“I try to make my messages applicable to people’s lives,” she said, “as well as admitting my own shortcomings.”

She is looking into the historical background of the New Testament and sees how some may have some “misconceptions” about what the words say and what they mean.

McCracken said some people “pick and choose” from the Bible, while others look at it primarily as a guide of what to do and not do.

She referenced 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 where the Apostle Paul states that women “should remain silent” in churches. Some Bible commentaries state the verses are talking about prophesy, not singing or praying or conversing. McCracken said she believes giving a message is also allowed.

“(If not) I should not be here,” she said.

She said the Bible remains important in today’s modern world, especially to people seeking “comfort and peace.” God is “in control,” McCracken said.

“We’re all on a spiritual journey,” she said, and some are further along on that journey, yet sharing the same sanctuary.

McCracken said she considers her ministry at the Friends Church to be more of a “caregiver.”

“What we do from Sunday to Sunday is more important than what we say on Sunday morning,” she said. “Kids don’t care how much you know until they know you care.”

Once they know one cares for them, they are more willing to listen,, even if they do not like or do not agree with what one says to them.

As the church’s leader, she wants to teach the congregation what the founder of the Quaker denomination, George Fox, wrote about regarding finding a part of God in everyone they meet.

“I want to recognize that in every person,” McCracken said. “If they don’t seem happy, ask them how their day is going.”

That opening helps find “common ground,” she said, “and starts the conversation.”

McCracken is “not currently married,” has four children and eight grandchildren. One daughter and son-in-law live in Iowa City, and McCracken “always liked” the university town, which drew her there.

She is a season ticket holder for Iowa women’s basketball, too.

McCracken played golf and tennis while attending high school in Indianola because girls basketball did not come along until 1974-75. Her mother played 6-on-6 basketball.

She can be found on Twitter at Suz_McCracken; she also encourages people to follow the church on Facebook at West Branch Friends Church.