Rev. Sarah's blog

Hello Fairview!  I feel as though I’ve been somewhere in between here and there for the last couple of weeks.  As you can imagine my entire week leads up to Sunday morning service, and everything else sort of rotates around this central point.  However, the first week of October we were in the mountains worshipping among the trees, and last week I was in Seattle worshipping with one of our American Baptist sister churches up north.  And this weekend I’ll be off to Wisconsin to head to Green Lake where I will be at a conference learning more about American Baptist Life!  This crazy schedule has completely thrown me off! 

Hello Friends,
Well, Rally Day was incredible!  Didn’t I tell you it would be?  When was the last time you went to church and built a sandcastle?  Yeah…I thought so… uh…never?    We build sandcastles, painted, played with worms, sang a lot and even played along with the band –it was FUN!   There was dancing in the aisles and lots of laughter!  What a day!   Our children led us on an adventure of discovery as we worshiped with wonder.  We colored our prayers and opened our hearts to open ourselves to God’s realm. For Jesus says we must enter as a child in order to enter into the kingdom of God at all.  I’d say we were living in God’s realm on Sunday….and what a heavenly experience it was!  I hope you had as much fun as I did.   Check out the photos below.

Hi Fairview and Friends,
 

Last evening we had an interesting discussion that acted sort of as “Liberation Theology 101.”   Most of us aren’t theologians, but all of us have a theology, whether or not we vocalize it as such. At Bible Study we regularly engage in conversation of a theological nature, and so this group is particularly attuned to different perspectives of understanding the Bible, especially the different ways it can speak to us. Though we often employ aspects of liberation theology in our ways of interacting with each other, we don’t necessarily know what it is. 
Liberation Theology comes out of the Social Gospel movement of last century, though it really took shape in the Catholic Church after Vatican II. This theological perspective sees the central focus of the Bible as one of liberation from oppressive forces, and Jesus, therefore, is viewed as the great liberator. Liberation theology has thrived in Latin America where Latinos have been living in oppressed conditions.

Hello Friends!
I just received an email from someone who listens to our podcasts online from Canada!  Isn’t it amazing that our ommunity truly extends beyond the walls of our sanctuary on the corner Fair and Fairview?  Likely, there are many of you who are reading this email right now who do not regularly worship with us on Sunday morning, but are indeed a part of the ministry we do together and are a part of the community of Fairview COMMUNITY Church.  It’s important for us to remember that we are, in fact, bigger than just a corner church, we are leaders in our local community and the wider community, modeling an inclusive belief system that calls to our Christian conviction of loving our neighbors, standing for the oppressed, speaking the voice for the voiceless, and feeding the hungry.

Thank God for this ministry that we all participate in together!
Since the May 15th ruling by the California Supreme Court, I’ve been privileged enough to officiate the weddings of many couples who were previously unable to vow their love and commitment to each other and legally marry.  I knew that this would be a fulfilling ministry, but even I have been surprised about how meaningful participating in these sacred ceremonies have been.  I officially married a couple who had first had a commitment ceremony 24 years ago, and finally had a legal wedding last Saturday.  What a gift they gave me, in allowing me to be a part of their love, commitment, and their historic day. I am proud to say that this past Tuesday our Fairview Community Church council passed a resolution which affirms and supports equal marriage and our commitment to welcome couples to be wed at our church.  Thank you for your support, Fairview, you are making an incredible difference in the struggle for equality.

Hi there Fairview and Friends!
I do not know if you’ve had an opportunity to look outside today, but please stop what you are doing right now, and look out the window. If you have the ability to leave your desk for a moment, do it. Take a step outside and look up at the clear blue sky. Look at the green trees. Pause for a moment and look deeply. Can you see the leaves and their varying shades? If you can, after work or after you’ve run your errands, or if you’ve got a free moment now, drive yourself (or even
better: bike or walk) to the ocean and watch the sailboats dance along the glistening turquoise waters. Gaze upon the birds as they soar and swoop. Laugh along with the children as they frolic in the waves. If you can’t make it to the water, just take a deep breath and feel the sunshine upon your skin. Today is an incredible day. On days such as this it is easy to recognize God’s hand in the beauty of creation.
These God gifts remind me that we are responsible for ensuring that generations to come will be able to experience the beauty we have before us now.
In last night’s Divine on the Vine Bible study we examined the passage we’ll be looking at this Sunday. It is the ever famous passage of the Feeding of the Multitude
lives today? This is a story about sharing resources

Hello Fairview and Friends!

Hiya Friends!
What a wonderful women’s group gathering last evening! Many of the women of Fairview joined together at Libby and Rebecca’s home to break bread (Libby’s rolls were fabulous Isn’t it refreshing to know that when we profess ourselves to be Christians with Questions we actually mean it?! I’m sure some of us questioned the questions! But that’s what makes it so fun to be in community together! What joy it is that we can gather together to laugh, eat, share and question together!
Many of us are gathering together tomorrow evening to watch the Angels play! Were we in any other county, one might think we’re doing some celestial gazing, or imagining heaven, but in actuality we’re heading over to watch a ballgame! I hope you’ll be there, but if not, there’s still an opportunity to buy your ticket to the August 4th game to watch the Angels play the Baltimore Orioles. Contact Pam Eastman or call the office to get your tickets!
Speaking of angels, this Sunday we’ll examine the Genesis passage in which Jacob dreams of the Angels that climb a ladder going to and from heaven. Join us this Sunday at 10am as we imagine the experience that Jacob must have had and the kind of impact it made upon him!

Hello Fairview and Friends!
I have missed you so! My three weeks in Chicago in the ACTS Doctorate of Ministry program were wonderful weeks of learning, growing, dreaming