Hi! I am Pastor Sarah Darter. I am happy to be greeted as “Sarah” or “Pastor Sarah.” I have over twenty years of experience pastoring or serving as an institutional chaplain for the American Baptists and the United Methodists. I have served from New England to California. I was drawn to the United Church of Christ over six years ago when I saw what a tremendous commitment this denomination has to living the message of Jesus Christ on a daily basis in ways both personal and political. I was drawn to its practice of radical hospitality and inclusivity as myself and my family have not always been welcomed in church-even when I was the pastor!
I graduated from Kalamazoo College in Michigan and Union Theological Seminary in New York City. I have also worked at the doctoral level in social ethics and in curriculum and teaching. I have four years of Clinical Pastoral Education, half are at the supervisory level.
I am divorced and widowed. My husband died when my children were very small and I raised my three children as a single parent. They are now in their early thirties. The oldest is in the second year of her own practice as an attorney. The second is working as an employee of the state of Iowa; he is a cook. The youngest is in his second year as a chiropractic student in Portland, Oregon. My daughter and her husband have one child which is my only grandchild and he is a perfect little person.
As I write, I am new to this church, having been voted in on November 20, 2011. I am thrilled to be called to this church. My heart leapt when I read the church's profile back in September and I began to love the people in this church. Now the people and their ministries are becoming flesh and blood “real” to me. Their hopes and joys are becoming more apparent.
I started my ministry with them with the season of Advent. If you are new to this church, so am I. If you have heard about this church and keep wondering if it is truly inclusive and if there is a room for you, don't hesitate to try us out. In the Christmas story, the parents of Jesus, very pregnant Mary and Joseph, are told there is “no room in the inn” for them . That's not true here at this church! There is room for you, there is a seat for you, there is love for you. You are welcome at the communion table regardless of your affiliation and belief—or lack of belief!
Whoever you are, and wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome in this church. C U in church.
Pastor Sarah
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