Pastor's Letter for September
Christian Universalism
Have you ever heard the term “Christian Universalism”? I want to share with you some things about it for your consideration. Christian universalism is a school of Christian theology focused on the doctrine of universal reconciliation with God. Did you know that most Christians in the first 500 years of the faith did not believe in eternal hell and damnation? It was not a part of Christ's teachings nor of the early church - but was added later in the 6th century by church leaders.
Those who follow a Christian universalist perspective allow for some kind of punishment for wrongdoing in life but believe that it is for corrective and remedial purposes and does not last forever.
Christian Universalism promotes the view that all human beings will ultimately be restored to a right relationship with God.
One of the first Universalist Churches was founded in 1785 and never grew to be very large as a denomination, but its teachings may have influenced other denominations along the way. In 1899 the Universalist General Convention, later called the Universalist Church of America, adopted these Five Principles: the belief in God, belief in Jesus Christ, the immortality of the human soul, that sinful actions have consequence, and universal reconciliation. And the central beliefs of Christian universalism will sound familiar to you …
· God is the loving parent of all people
· Jesus Christ reveals the nature and character of God and is the spiritual leader of humankind
· Humankind is created with an immortal soul which death does not end—or a mortal soul that shall be resurrected and/or preserved by God—and which God will not wholly destroy.
· Sin has negative consequences for the sinner either in this life or the afterlife.
Christian Universalism will not replace what we believe or practice in our faith – but it can certainly clarify and enhance it. In many ways, its teachings are alive and well in the hearts of good Christian folk who long to know God better so that we can better serve him with joy and without fear. If you would like to know more about it, here is an opportunity to do so.
You’re invited to attend a presentation on Christian Universalism here at our church on Wednesday, September 18th at 7pm in our fellowship hall. The presentation will be given by the Rev. Doug Hanson with plenty of room for questions and discussion. Come early for a covered dish dinner beginning at 6pm and stay for the presentation. And feel free to bring a friend who also has an open heart and mind to learn about a universalist perspective of our Christian faith. I look forward to seeing you there!
Blessings and Love, 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.