I’m so happy to read this. I’ve known of you for years. I was a big fan of RHE - even going to see her one time when she came to Austin, TX years ago. So your friendship/ connection with her helped me find you. I’m a 70 year old widow who can’t believe she’s that old!! My progressive Baptist Church is studying “Field Notes…” it has been a huge hit with all of us.
To say I’m grateful for your life’s work is an understatement. May God allow you to continue this important ministry!! ❤️
YES. The fact that you are still here means a lot to me. I don't always read the whole Field Notes, but I know it's there when I feel a need for something a little deeper. I definitely appreciate that you are staunchly Christian, and also addressing needs in the wilderness. I feel you beside me, not above or below. Sharing your own stories, or similarly written stories from others, feels very accessible and real. I still cringe when I read something that feels church-y, so getting your newsletter in my email is a breath of fresh air.
It's funny, I didn't do the survey because I was afraid I wouldn't do it right. 🙄 This report on what you learned from the survey reassures me I would have been just fine. And I'm still here, too. Thanks, Sarah. Keep being your Jesus-y self, in long form. ❤️
You have answered the Divine call to be a lighthouse of emerging faith to aid our journeys and assist our not crashing that part of lives. Thank you. May you be blessed as richly as you bless.
Wow. I wasn't even one of the folks who commented back...but I'm tearing up to see how the majority answers reflected what I would have said if I had. Especially around longing for a safe place to reconstruct without knowing what that looks like, still full of what Brian McLaren called Perplexity. Thanks for sharing these back to your community. It not only honored those who responded, but made me feel less alone, too.
Thanks for sharing with us! Could there be an audio section of just you praying or blessing? I would deeply value hearing your voice speak those words!
Sarah, thank you so much for taking such loving care to respond to us! I mean, see???? That's why we're here! You're awesome.
And I am grumpy about the treatment of "Miracles..." by publishers. That book was amazing! It is the one of yours that I have actually gone back to more than the others (other than the prayer book you edited). It is as soothing and rejuvenating as "Little Women" or "A Little Princess" to me when I'm weary and worn and need some renewed hope and faith.
Wow! Even though I'm probably one of your older readers (I'm 70) I agree 1,000% with everything. I especially am encouraged with the idea that our season of "deconstructing" is behind us. I'm looking forward to our journey together!!! Actually, hungry for it!!! Wonderful to read. Thank you!
Thank you for this follow-up, Sarah! In the hub-bub of life, I forgot to fill out the survey, but I so appreciate how you’ve honored your subscribers’ time, and the thoughts and opinions that they shared, with this post. It sounds like you really listened well. And more than ever, and despite the fact that I read everything, but seldom engage as a commenter (this might change?), I feel a kinship with you and this gentle, authentic community. I also love that you can represent us Canadians 🇨🇦😄! Your writing has meant so much to me, over the years, Sarah— thank you! Looking forward to more long-form essays, in the future!😊
Love this post. I know you said there is waning interest in deconstruction issues but I hope those in the deconstructing process will still know they have a friend and ally in you even if you are not writing as much about those issues. I think your writing offers a lot of compassion and understanding for the doubters and questioners, and I would never want someone to think "I don't fit here because no one's interested in hearing about my anger and disorientation anymore."
"Despite our deep spirituality, we’re a post-church labels/denominations community. " For some reason, this sentence made me tear up. I think that it feels right and it also feels like something I can finally accept about myself. Thank you for writing the words that are in many of our hearts.
Thank you for taking everyone's thoughts so seriously. It's the mark of a real leader. On that note, I'm definitely one of your readers who would name you as an auntie/big sister figure in my life. Not my mother, but someone who is further down the life path and has wisdom to share and is also alongside as a friend. This community (as well as the Evolving Faith community online!) is such a place of rest for me. Opening a field notes letter feels like taking a deep breath every time.
Wait, Miracles and Other Reasonable Things is not your most popular book?? I love that book so much! The first time I read your benediction at the end, I was a blubbering mess! I really did feel like you were praying over me with oil, and as it was a lonely season for me, your words ministered directly to my soul.
I’m also surprised that there was not a mad clamor for a gift guide! I’m happy for you that you are spared the stress, but let me just say that your gift guide was by far the best one I’d ever seen! I even went looking for your past ones last year because I wanted to reorder some woolen mittens from a refugee-founded company and couldn’t remember the name! But this year, I will put some more effort into looking around Al Gore’s internet and seeing what else is out there:).
Thanks so much for all your work on these beautiful posts. I was heartened to read that most readers love your long-form essays and book recs, which are my favorite parts. Along with the Jesus-loving, of course:).
Loved this! Such an encouraging read, and validation that this little community is full of "my people" (hopefully not too much an echo-chamber, but so great to find others who are in a similar stage of evolving faith).
Only (not serious) gripe: this is 14 things, not 15 (double counted #10, no #13 or #14) XD
Thanks for taking the time to read/review SO MANY RESPONSES and for offering this summary for us - really appreciate it.
Okay, why did this make me cry? Because it's so real? Because it shows so much intentionality and care? Because it's a familiar sense of community I thought I'd lost? All of the above? All I know is that I am so grateful for this, and I am so glad to be here.
I must admit, I was a little bit concerned that there would be Big Changes to Field Notes, and I'm so relieved that the changes will be small and that we're all on the same page!
Also, I'm rather dismayed to hear that "Miracles..." hasn't gotten the love it deserves! I think that out of all your books, it's my favorite!
Whoever the convention is coming up with the conventional wisdom does not know you or your audience lol. 5 times a WEEK? Lord. Lol
Right?? I was like...that does NOT seem right. Who wants email from ANYONE 3-5 times a week, Substack??
Lol yes. Unless you are delivering the news, it's okay to chill 😅
I'm not gonna lie, I could do with a news slow-down, too....
5 times a week is madness, whoever came up with that?! ;)
Quality over quantity
I’m so happy to read this. I’ve known of you for years. I was a big fan of RHE - even going to see her one time when she came to Austin, TX years ago. So your friendship/ connection with her helped me find you. I’m a 70 year old widow who can’t believe she’s that old!! My progressive Baptist Church is studying “Field Notes…” it has been a huge hit with all of us.
To say I’m grateful for your life’s work is an understatement. May God allow you to continue this important ministry!! ❤️
Another 70 year old!!! Awesome!!
YES. The fact that you are still here means a lot to me. I don't always read the whole Field Notes, but I know it's there when I feel a need for something a little deeper. I definitely appreciate that you are staunchly Christian, and also addressing needs in the wilderness. I feel you beside me, not above or below. Sharing your own stories, or similarly written stories from others, feels very accessible and real. I still cringe when I read something that feels church-y, so getting your newsletter in my email is a breath of fresh air.
It's funny, I didn't do the survey because I was afraid I wouldn't do it right. 🙄 This report on what you learned from the survey reassures me I would have been just fine. And I'm still here, too. Thanks, Sarah. Keep being your Jesus-y self, in long form. ❤️
You have answered the Divine call to be a lighthouse of emerging faith to aid our journeys and assist our not crashing that part of lives. Thank you. May you be blessed as richly as you bless.
Wow. I wasn't even one of the folks who commented back...but I'm tearing up to see how the majority answers reflected what I would have said if I had. Especially around longing for a safe place to reconstruct without knowing what that looks like, still full of what Brian McLaren called Perplexity. Thanks for sharing these back to your community. It not only honored those who responded, but made me feel less alone, too.
Thanks for sharing with us! Could there be an audio section of just you praying or blessing? I would deeply value hearing your voice speak those words!
Sarah, thank you so much for taking such loving care to respond to us! I mean, see???? That's why we're here! You're awesome.
And I am grumpy about the treatment of "Miracles..." by publishers. That book was amazing! It is the one of yours that I have actually gone back to more than the others (other than the prayer book you edited). It is as soothing and rejuvenating as "Little Women" or "A Little Princess" to me when I'm weary and worn and need some renewed hope and faith.
Thank you for all you do.
Mary
Wow! Even though I'm probably one of your older readers (I'm 70) I agree 1,000% with everything. I especially am encouraged with the idea that our season of "deconstructing" is behind us. I'm looking forward to our journey together!!! Actually, hungry for it!!! Wonderful to read. Thank you!
Thank you for this follow-up, Sarah! In the hub-bub of life, I forgot to fill out the survey, but I so appreciate how you’ve honored your subscribers’ time, and the thoughts and opinions that they shared, with this post. It sounds like you really listened well. And more than ever, and despite the fact that I read everything, but seldom engage as a commenter (this might change?), I feel a kinship with you and this gentle, authentic community. I also love that you can represent us Canadians 🇨🇦😄! Your writing has meant so much to me, over the years, Sarah— thank you! Looking forward to more long-form essays, in the future!😊
Love this post. I know you said there is waning interest in deconstruction issues but I hope those in the deconstructing process will still know they have a friend and ally in you even if you are not writing as much about those issues. I think your writing offers a lot of compassion and understanding for the doubters and questioners, and I would never want someone to think "I don't fit here because no one's interested in hearing about my anger and disorientation anymore."
"Despite our deep spirituality, we’re a post-church labels/denominations community. " For some reason, this sentence made me tear up. I think that it feels right and it also feels like something I can finally accept about myself. Thank you for writing the words that are in many of our hearts.
Thank you for taking everyone's thoughts so seriously. It's the mark of a real leader. On that note, I'm definitely one of your readers who would name you as an auntie/big sister figure in my life. Not my mother, but someone who is further down the life path and has wisdom to share and is also alongside as a friend. This community (as well as the Evolving Faith community online!) is such a place of rest for me. Opening a field notes letter feels like taking a deep breath every time.
I agree with your thoughts about leadership! Where is the evolving faith community — on FB?
Wait, Miracles and Other Reasonable Things is not your most popular book?? I love that book so much! The first time I read your benediction at the end, I was a blubbering mess! I really did feel like you were praying over me with oil, and as it was a lonely season for me, your words ministered directly to my soul.
I’m also surprised that there was not a mad clamor for a gift guide! I’m happy for you that you are spared the stress, but let me just say that your gift guide was by far the best one I’d ever seen! I even went looking for your past ones last year because I wanted to reorder some woolen mittens from a refugee-founded company and couldn’t remember the name! But this year, I will put some more effort into looking around Al Gore’s internet and seeing what else is out there:).
Thanks so much for all your work on these beautiful posts. I was heartened to read that most readers love your long-form essays and book recs, which are my favorite parts. Along with the Jesus-loving, of course:).
Loved this! Such an encouraging read, and validation that this little community is full of "my people" (hopefully not too much an echo-chamber, but so great to find others who are in a similar stage of evolving faith).
Only (not serious) gripe: this is 14 things, not 15 (double counted #10, no #13 or #14) XD
Thanks for taking the time to read/review SO MANY RESPONSES and for offering this summary for us - really appreciate it.
Okay, why did this make me cry? Because it's so real? Because it shows so much intentionality and care? Because it's a familiar sense of community I thought I'd lost? All of the above? All I know is that I am so grateful for this, and I am so glad to be here.
I must admit, I was a little bit concerned that there would be Big Changes to Field Notes, and I'm so relieved that the changes will be small and that we're all on the same page!
Also, I'm rather dismayed to hear that "Miracles..." hasn't gotten the love it deserves! I think that out of all your books, it's my favorite!