Pastor Sarah’s Statement of Faith

I believe in a God whose love is like the sky- it touches everything.

To name something so vast seems futile, yet humanity demands the particular, so I call this love Creator, Mother, Father, Original Artist and Author.

I believe that this love has been hovering over me, over us, and over creation from the very beginning- breathing new life into weary bones and stirring awake hope in us. I feel it when I write, I feel it when the sun rises, and I feel it when we sing.

I believe that Jesus of Nazareth- born of an unwed teenage mother, made a refugee- showed us this vast love in the flesh. Jesus broke every social boundary to create a world where we could belong to one another; and as that type of love often does, it scared people. So Jesus was crucified, dead and buried, but death did not have the last word, nor did suffering. Instead, Jesus returned to us. Jesus showed us his scars. Jesus showed us that the work was only beginning. Jesus showed us that God’s promise day requires justice and compassion in complete, radical and life-changing ways, and it has changed me.

And so I believe in the church- an imperfect group of people that hold a compass to the Spirit and tries to follow where she moves. At its best, this group of followers become a family. And at its best, they welcome others home, living into God’s promise day where all will be made well.

And when that holy work of community and compassion feels hard, I turn to scripture to read of justice like water and faith like a mustard seed. I turn to the font to remember the promises of baptism, trusting that I am known, loved and forgiven. And I pull up a seat at the table, trusting that time and time again God will meet us in ordinary bread and cup to remind us of what could be.

So in the name of the Lover, the Beloved and Love Itself, I offer my heart. I hold onto hope. I believe.

Rev. Sarah Speed
Email