Faith@First - July 26, 2024 | Faith@First

Faith@First - July 26, 2024

Posted by Rev. Brittney Stephan on July 26, 2024

A few years ago, I faced a challenging season in my own life, one marked by unexpected obstacles and self-doubt and left me questioning whether ministry was the right path for me at all. I remember vividly how, in the midst of that struggle, my seminary roommate and I went to see the movie “Moana” that was in theaters at the time. The storyline resonated with me deeply. As trivial as it might sound, watching this movie was a moment of renewal.

As we prepare for our final week of our “Summer at the Movies” sermon series, I encourage you to reflect on the ways God’s grace has touched your own life. How can we, as a community of faith, offer that same grace to those around us? How can we support each other in moments of doubt and uncertainty and celebrate together in moments of triumph?

How can we, as a community of faith, offer that same grace to those around us?

On Sunday, during both worship services, we will have an opportunity to engage in a reaffirmation of our baptism. I was just six months old when I was brought to the baptismal font, cradled in my parents' arms. Though I have no memory of that day, the stories shared by my family paint a vivid picture of love and community. A reaffirmation of our baptism gives us the opportunity to look back in remembrance of our baptism or look forward to what a new life through Christ could mean for us in baptism. (You don’t need to have been baptized or even remember your physical baptism to participate). Baptism is more than a ritual; it is a sacred moment where we recognize that each moment can be an opportunity to experience and share God’s love in new and meaningful ways.

In addition, the Noblesville Township Trustees office has reached out to us with an urgent need for food donations. So this Sunday and next, we'll be collecting pull-top canned goods, cereal, granola bars, applesauce, canned fruit, pasta, canned chicken, canned tuna, 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, bar soap, and toilet paper.

Keep the Faith@First,
Pastor Brittney

About the Author

Rev. Brittney Stephan

The Indiana UMC Conference Cabinet and Bishop Julius Trimble have appointed a new associate pastor for Noblesville First. Rev. Brittney Stephan is an Indiana native and was called to ministry at 14 years of age while attending church camp at Epworth Forest. She is an ordained Elder in the Indiana Conference who currently serves in extension ministry as the Associate Director for Multi-Cultural Vibrancy for the Michigan Conference. She has received a Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Organizational Communication, and Peace & Conflict Studies from Butler University and a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary with a concentration in Liturgy & Music Across Cultures.

A third-generation Methodist, Brittney grew up on a dirt road outside of Huntington, Indiana. She has spent the last decade living in Indianapolis, Chicago, and currently Metro Detroit working in a variety of contexts for The United Methodist Church. Much of her work in the Michigan Conference has consisted of engaging individuals and teams alike to build our cultural proficiency in a way that moves us toward an anti-biased/anti-racist identity that seeks to diversify worship experiences and leadership as a collective whole. Previously, Brittney has served on staff at Huntington Evangelical UMC (Huntington, IN), Sherman UMC (Evanston, IL), Libertyville First UMC (Libertyville, IL), and Meridian Street UMC (Indianapolis, IN). She is passionate about equipping, engaging, and empowering local congregations to foster equitable communities of learning and discipleship.

She has spent time in Zimbabwe at Africa University, initiated a campus ministry at Butler University, and served as a youth leader for a number of years. Brittney’s leadership extends beyond the local church through her involvement in the launch of the new Junius B. Dotson Institute for Music & Worship in the Black Church & Beyond, serving on the Convocation Design Team for The Fellowship of Worship Artists, and on the advisory board with the Center for Congregational Song.

Brittney was hoping for the opportunity to serve in her native Indiana and is overjoyed to join the Noblesville First team beginning July 5 and begin sharing her gifts in family ministries and digital ministry engagement.