Hi Sarah, I subscribed to your blog because I wanted to read what you thought about hell. ;) (Long story, won't bore you.)
I'm a conservative Mennonite mom of nine from PA, also a writer--I should figure out how to trade books with you--and have only read one of yours, quite recently, Miracles and Other Reasonable Things. I thought from your name that you would be sassy (S---- -essey, you know? Okay, maybe only in my mind) but I was warmed by your kindness and softness and wisdom. I cried, reading. I mailed the book to one of my friends Sarah (I probably have more of them than you have friends Sheila?) who was recently in a vehicle accident, and is also kind and wise.
We have been thrown a lifeline…a voice crying out the good news that Jesus is FOR us. Period.
So many of us have left our churches with broken hearts and broken minds. The scriptures were dipped in a toxin that has remained in our bloodstream. Your ministry has become our antidote…our antibiotics…Thank you Jesus…for Sarah.
I left the sand castle of my religion, but retained my faith in Jesus, and your voice among others have asked great questions along side of my own. I am currently abiding in a tent pitched on a rock solid foundation, working on an entrance pergola to invite others into that is adorned with life, love, and open hands.
I have been very excited to follow your Field notes through Substack. I am being nurtured by books that I wish I had when I gave up Christianity at age 20. Having followed a long path of atheism and science and developmental psychology and Eco depth psychology, I have come back to Christianity. I look forward to reading the full book. Currently, I am a Unitarian Universalist and I’m studying “soul boom”, published last year by Rainn Wilson.
It was the best birthday present and from my husband that didn’t quite understand what I was (and still am) going through, So thankful he was willing to get it to help me. I’m still reading, digesting, embracing the depths of grace, love, identification and compassion that fill this book. So often it feels like you e read my mail! Thank you Sarah for your incredible labor of love.
I’m evolving as an evangelical pastor’s daughter re-establishing my own faith, navigating 12 years of single parenthood (including a transgender adult child) and trying to find a new career. It’s a lot and I often feel very alone. I’m eager to read your book. Hoping for hope.
Homeschooled, purity culture all-star, evangelical preacher’s kid here. To borrow Jen Hatmaker’s phrase, I was the darling of youth group and the jack of all trades volunteer (music, childcare, Bible study groups, food prep). Did I mention I was a minor? Fast forward to 2018. I’m burned out, my husband is deconstructing, and my church culture has latched onto a political group that is completely unrecognizable to my spiritual convictions. Enter the very first Evolving Faith conference in Montreat. We were invited by friends and I did my research, reading books by all the speakers beforehand. Sarah, this is not hyperbole: that conference changed my life and saved my relationship to Jesus. I felt welcomed and cared for by fellow questioners in the desert. I didn’t know that was possible. I’m so grateful for your work, esp Jesus Feminist. Would so love to read your newest book!
I’m not sure my faith has evolved but I have always been on a journey to grow. Now more than ever I am willing to humbly listen to those whose experiences are different then mine. I lean into learning so I can have empathy and compassion for all.
Your series on how Jesus encountered women was so moving to me. My own evolving faith has centered around my identity as a woman. In the religious world we are so eager to define ourselves and others by theological positions such as "complementation" or "egalitarian" and so quick to judge those outside our camp, as well as make derogatory remarks...I came here because I need to explore these topics in kindness and compassion, without having someone "judge" my comment, have to respond to it, or say the right things back.
A safe space doesn't mean that everybody agrees, because that would be so boring. It means everyone cares. It means being both courageous and humble. Courageous enough to share your voice and opinion, even if other disagree. Humble enough to know that whatever we know, it is just one small piece of all the knowing in the universe. And also held. We are Held and Treasured by our loving Creator. Thank you Sarah!
So incredibly thankful for this book! I felt like Sarah was a little angel on my shoulder who had somehow been there with me during the traumatic experiences with a church who tossed me and my family out into the wilderness, and through her gentle writing was there to pick me up and lead me to a place of remembering God's goodness. Navigating the wilderness is/was shit, but her companionship through this book, has helped me feel less alone.
I find that as my faith evolves it becomes FAR more inclusive. There is SO MUCH love to give and people need it. Loving more people has made me so much better.
L eft RC for Anglicanism. You could say they are similar (in externals only; but not so. )Democratic, but in the best possible sense. Inclusive. One of my dearest friends is a woman who happens to be a priest & she’ll knock the socks off my friends when she preaches at my funeral.
In answer to question above, hell and/ or heaven is whatever you want it to be. No one has come “back” to tell us. Blessings & peace to all of you with special thanks 👏to Sarah!
Hi Sarah, I subscribed to your blog because I wanted to read what you thought about hell. ;) (Long story, won't bore you.)
I'm a conservative Mennonite mom of nine from PA, also a writer--I should figure out how to trade books with you--and have only read one of yours, quite recently, Miracles and Other Reasonable Things. I thought from your name that you would be sassy (S---- -essey, you know? Okay, maybe only in my mind) but I was warmed by your kindness and softness and wisdom. I cried, reading. I mailed the book to one of my friends Sarah (I probably have more of them than you have friends Sheila?) who was recently in a vehicle accident, and is also kind and wise.
We have been thrown a lifeline…a voice crying out the good news that Jesus is FOR us. Period.
So many of us have left our churches with broken hearts and broken minds. The scriptures were dipped in a toxin that has remained in our bloodstream. Your ministry has become our antidote…our antibiotics…Thank you Jesus…for Sarah.
I left the sand castle of my religion, but retained my faith in Jesus, and your voice among others have asked great questions along side of my own. I am currently abiding in a tent pitched on a rock solid foundation, working on an entrance pergola to invite others into that is adorned with life, love, and open hands.
In my evolving faith, I am working on not tossing away good things that have been misused (prayer, speaking of God with my children)
I have been very excited to follow your Field notes through Substack. I am being nurtured by books that I wish I had when I gave up Christianity at age 20. Having followed a long path of atheism and science and developmental psychology and Eco depth psychology, I have come back to Christianity. I look forward to reading the full book. Currently, I am a Unitarian Universalist and I’m studying “soul boom”, published last year by Rainn Wilson.
It was the best birthday present and from my husband that didn’t quite understand what I was (and still am) going through, So thankful he was willing to get it to help me. I’m still reading, digesting, embracing the depths of grace, love, identification and compassion that fill this book. So often it feels like you e read my mail! Thank you Sarah for your incredible labor of love.
This book was balm for my injured soul. I’m so thankful you wrote it. 💗💗
I’m evolving as an evangelical pastor’s daughter re-establishing my own faith, navigating 12 years of single parenthood (including a transgender adult child) and trying to find a new career. It’s a lot and I often feel very alone. I’m eager to read your book. Hoping for hope.
Homeschooled, purity culture all-star, evangelical preacher’s kid here. To borrow Jen Hatmaker’s phrase, I was the darling of youth group and the jack of all trades volunteer (music, childcare, Bible study groups, food prep). Did I mention I was a minor? Fast forward to 2018. I’m burned out, my husband is deconstructing, and my church culture has latched onto a political group that is completely unrecognizable to my spiritual convictions. Enter the very first Evolving Faith conference in Montreat. We were invited by friends and I did my research, reading books by all the speakers beforehand. Sarah, this is not hyperbole: that conference changed my life and saved my relationship to Jesus. I felt welcomed and cared for by fellow questioners in the desert. I didn’t know that was possible. I’m so grateful for your work, esp Jesus Feminist. Would so love to read your newest book!
I’m not sure my faith has evolved but I have always been on a journey to grow. Now more than ever I am willing to humbly listen to those whose experiences are different then mine. I lean into learning so I can have empathy and compassion for all.
Your series on how Jesus encountered women was so moving to me. My own evolving faith has centered around my identity as a woman. In the religious world we are so eager to define ourselves and others by theological positions such as "complementation" or "egalitarian" and so quick to judge those outside our camp, as well as make derogatory remarks...I came here because I need to explore these topics in kindness and compassion, without having someone "judge" my comment, have to respond to it, or say the right things back.
A safe space doesn't mean that everybody agrees, because that would be so boring. It means everyone cares. It means being both courageous and humble. Courageous enough to share your voice and opinion, even if other disagree. Humble enough to know that whatever we know, it is just one small piece of all the knowing in the universe. And also held. We are Held and Treasured by our loving Creator. Thank you Sarah!
Still wandering...but I know the God of the Wilderness is out here with me.
So incredibly thankful for this book! I felt like Sarah was a little angel on my shoulder who had somehow been there with me during the traumatic experiences with a church who tossed me and my family out into the wilderness, and through her gentle writing was there to pick me up and lead me to a place of remembering God's goodness. Navigating the wilderness is/was shit, but her companionship through this book, has helped me feel less alone.
Even reading these comments is encouraging and comforting. Thank you, Sarah, for continuing to share yourself with us. It has been a gift to my days.
I find that as my faith evolves it becomes FAR more inclusive. There is SO MUCH love to give and people need it. Loving more people has made me so much better.
L eft RC for Anglicanism. You could say they are similar (in externals only; but not so. )Democratic, but in the best possible sense. Inclusive. One of my dearest friends is a woman who happens to be a priest & she’ll knock the socks off my friends when she preaches at my funeral.
In answer to question above, hell and/ or heaven is whatever you want it to be. No one has come “back” to tell us. Blessings & peace to all of you with special thanks 👏to Sarah!