Pastor’s Letter
Pastor’s Letter – YOU & 41!
As the meditation at the left tells us – You are
proof of the light of heaven existing in this dark
world. So, shine, people shine!
I’ve always liked talk about the number 40 in the
Bible – a number that signifies that something
special is happening. It most often is used to
designate a period of transformation for a person.
This is what I wish for all of us – a beautiful
transformation into a better version of YOU to
become reality this day for your sake and for the
sake of all those you love and even the whole
world.
Look at all the times the number 40 is used in the
Bible – it rained for 40 days and nights in the story
of Noah’s Ark. And on the 41st day, the rain stops.
Moses went up on the mountain for 40 days and
on the 41st day he was given the tablets that held
the Ten Commandments. The Israelites wandered
in the wilderness for 40 years. In the 41st year they
entered the Promised Land. Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days and when the 41st day came, David slew him. Jonah preached a message of repentance to the people of Ninevah for 40 days. On day 41, God stopped his plan to destroy them. Jesus fasted and was tempted for 40 days. On day 41 the devil fled. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples for 40 days. On day 41, he ascended into Heaven.
At 41 the rain will stop, the giant will fall, the promised land will be ours … don’t give up at 40 – your 41 is coming! And when it does, you will shine brighter than you have ever imagined.
Keep doing good, keep being kind, keep showing love in every way that you can. You and your 41 is a blessing – let it shine! With love and gratitude for YOU. Pastor Susan
About Our Pastor
This is our pastor, Reverend Susan Hanson,
She was ordained in the United Church of Christ at her home church, St. John's UCC in Lansdale, PA on January 9th, 1994 in the middle of a winter weather event of snow and ice. That storm didn't stop their celebration that day - and she hasn't stopped serving in the ministry since then – no matter what. We like that about her - and you will too when you get to know her.
Pastor Susan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development from Florida State University; a Master of Divinity degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary; and a Master of Arts
degree in Pastoral Counseling from Moravian Theological Seminary.
And she completed her certification as a Reiki Master in 2013 – the same year she came to our church. She's also participated in specialized training through the United Church of Christ to serve as an intentional interim minister to churches while they are in transition from one settled pastor to the next.
Early in her thirty year career as an ordained minister, it became her calling to assist churches during these times of transition, taking her to twelve different settings in local churches, as well as chaplaincy positions in nursing home facilities. She'll tell you that she “has seen it all, heard it all, been through it all” with the people she's met – and even so, she still likes people and loves working with them in ministry settings.
That love is what brought her here to St. Vincent UCC – her “lucky number 13” setting as she likes to call it. When she arrived, it was to serve as a temporary supply pastor while we were in transition. But, we liked each other so much, we decided to just stay together on a permanent basis. In April, 2018, Rev. Hanson was installed as our settled pastor.
Our pastor believes that ministry is something we all do when we strive to be like Jesus and follow his ways. Her job, as she sees it, is to help all of us be the heart and hands and voice of Jesus in our own time and place and in our own way – so that we will do good; make a positive difference; and leave the world a better place for us having been here. She says, “That's the way real ministry happens – one gracious thought, one good word, one act of kindness - one moment at a time”.
Susan and her husband, Doug, who is also an ordained pastor at St. Peter's Pikeland UCC, live in Chester Springs. They have three grown children – their daughter Laurabeth and son Eric live in the local area. Their daughter Lindsay and her husband Charlie live in Alabama where they're raising the two grandchildren of whom Pastor Susan will be happy to show you pictures and tell you how wonderful they are – just like any other proud grandparent.
Come, join us – and meet our pastor. If you are looking for a worship experience which makes you feel good for having been here – then, come and meet us. We worship together every Sunday to share the spirit, the light, and the love of Jesus and become empowered to take it with us when we go back out into the world in which we live and for whom our ministry really matters.