All Are Welcome at Faith Church

“The Bible knows nothing of a solitary religion” (John Wesley). We don’t grow in faith isolated from each other. We need community! Through small groups, retreats, age specific ministries, and social gatherings, we’re creating relationships that offer strength, joy, and hope through all the changes of life.

Through worship, communion, prayer, study, and conversation, we’re deepening our faith and experiencing Jesus Christ--who reveals the love of God, restores our souls, and empowers us to walk in this world with love and grace.

We believe God has a hope for our world, not only in the next life, but here and now. Praying that God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven, we seek ways to serve our community and world, especially through community and global partners in housing, food security, disaster relief, social justice, equity, and more.

We believe with all Christians in God who is revealed in three persons: Creator (God above us), Jesus Christ (God with us), and Holy Spirit (God in us). We affirm with all Christian communities the historical creeds, and pray, as Christ did, for the unity of all believers.

We believe that the church is always reforming itself, and that the Bible (the 66 books of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament) is our primary source for ordering the faith and practices of the church.

We believe that love is not just a characteristic of God but that love is at the center of who God is (1 John 4:7). We belong to a tradition that finds its roots in the 18th century Methodist revival, led by John and Charles Wesley. The Methodist revival was a movement of small groups with the desire to truly feel the love of God and participate in God’s love for the world. Over 80 million Christians around the world trace their roots to the Methodist revival. We belong to the United Methodist Church, the largest group inside of Methodism.

• We believe that God loves us first and empowers people to love, do good, and desire God before people ever come to know God.
• We believe, because God is love, that God honors our free will, and so we must choose to receive the grace and mercy God freely offers in Jesus Christ.
• We believe that the Christian life is a continual growth in the love of God and love of neighbor.
• We believed that tradition (the community), reason, and experience guide us in interpreting Scripture and ordering the practices of the church.
• We believe God’s Spirit is poured out on all people (men, women, young, old, of every background and race) to serve in every area of the church.
• We believe in putting faith into action. God is calling us to partner with God to make earth as it is in heaven—to end suffering, hatred, injustice, and inequality.

This is just a snap shot of Methodist beliefs and practices. Learn more about the United Methodist Church at umc.org.

We believe God calls communities to specific times and locations to be the Body of Christ for that context. Faith Church lives in the communities of the eastern suburbs of Seattle, reflects these communities, and is called to serve these communities. We value diversity, affirm our LGBTQ siblings, acknowledge the native communities on whose land we live, seek to take greater care of creation, and partner with local groups in serving the needy of our community. We seek to continue to grow in love for neighbors, reflecting the best of our communities and, with God’s help, correcting the harms in our communities.

Pastor Ric came to Faith Church in the summer of 2022, previously serving churches in Portland, Idaho Falls, Boise, and Kansas City. He holds a Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary and is passionate about New Testament interpretation and helping churches grow in mission, especially in housing needs. He and his wife, Joanna, have two amazing kids and two decent puppies. He also really likes sneakers.

Pam started at Faith Church in the summer of 2007 as Office Administrator and has worn many hats over the last 15 years. A native of Chicago, and a graduate of Indiana University, Pam married her high school sweetheart, and they have three adult children. Pam resides in Sammamish with her husband and five cats. When she’s not at church, she’s at the gym, on a hike, or watching the Cubs, the Mariners, or the Bears.

Abby has been attending Faith Church since she was born and went through the children’s and youth program! She attended Seattle Pacific University and earned a degree in Christian Theology with a minor in Youth Ministry. Abby stepped in as Faith’s Interim CYFM Director in November 2021 and accepted the permanent position in March 2022. If Abby is not at work, she is with her fiancé Noah and their cat, Rosie. She enjoys reading, health and wellness, and listening to podcasts. 

Emily has been the pianist at Faith Church since 2010 and the director of music since spring of 2022. She holds a bachelor of music degree in piano performance from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. She enjoys collaborating with other musicians, crafting, and taking road trips with her husband and their dog. She also accompanies the Seattle Ladies Choir and various other theater/music projects throughout the Puget Sound.

Kathryn has been involved with In the Beginning Preschool in every capacity since 1999. Born an Army brat in Nuremberg, Germany, she grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona. She has a BA in Business Management, Certificate in Human Resources, and Masters Level of study in Applied Behavioral Science in Coaching and Consulting in Organizations. When Kathryn is not working, she likes to read a good book, cook for her friends, and beach comb. She has two beautiful daughters. “My life is rich and blessed by the people around me.”