A message from our Pastor:

What does it mean to follow Jesus?  It means first and foremost to embody compassion.  In Hebrew and Aramaic the word, compassion, is the plural for the noun "womb."  Compassion expressed in human community is about giving life, about nurturing, about possibilities and future.

          When we act in compassion to the world around us, we act as God's servants.  We can bring healing to broken spirits, kindness to the lonely and poor, justice to those who are being treated unfairly.

          We gather in worship on Sunday mornings to find the courage to continue in our efforts, to discern how we can make a difference in the world, to hear the word of God calling in a different voice than the voices which govern our society.  Society tells us that life is about owning or gaining power, attaining privilege or prestige, about security and safety.  Jesus redirects us to a life of joyous connection that celebrates the great beauty of our created world.  Jesus redirects us to a life of equality and appreciation of diversity.  Jesus redirects us to find our security in the loving embrace of God.

          As a congregation in theUnited Church of Christ, the Congregational Church of Faribault, declares its intention to listen to the ever unfolding word of God.  We believe that God is still speaking and revealing Godself to our community through the scriptures and beyond the scriptures.  As a congregation in this denomination, we join with hundreds of other churches who have declared themselves to be Open and Affirming.  By that we mean that we believe God embraces all people of every race, gender, age, ethnicity, physical or mental abilities, marital status, and sexual orientation.

          We celebrate two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion.  We believe that in our baptisms, God has called us to accept the cost and joy of being disciples of Jesus.  We believe that we are nurtured on our journeys by breaking bread together.

          We invite you to join us on this exciting journey of faith.  This day, and every day, is a day that God has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

                                                Jan Bodin