staff bio Emily

In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus reads the scriptures and shares that “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

In Christian education, we study Christ’s teachings and learn how God is calling all of us as the church to serve in this time and place. We are each God’s hands and feet helping out in our communities as part of St Andrews Presbyterian Church. We all have different gifts and together God uses us to continue God’s mission in the world. We serve in mission. We care for one another in fellowship and together we come to worship to praise God and to pray for all of God’s creation.

St Andrews Presbyterian Church has a rich history of ministry and mission in the Winston-Salem area. Serving the homeless, caring for those getting back on their feet, and nurturing the children of God young, old, and in between!

It has been a great blessing to walk with the St Andrews family as my family doubled in size! I continue to be enriched by this community of people with a variety of ages, interests, gifts, and beliefs. Jesus unites us as does the charge to care for all of God’s children.

God, through Jesus Christ, challenges those who follow him to share the Holy Spirit’s message. God calls us all to bring good news to the poor. God calls all of us to proclaim release to those held captive. God charges everyone to offer God’s new vision to those who cannot see a way forward. God tells us all to witness that those who have been oppressed are free. Each day, we are all anointed to share God’s favor in the world.

The St Andrews community has been a witness as God’s children face illnesses, transitions in life, hardships, and experience new joys. Together we serve in care of one another. We learn from our mistakes and challenges, offer each other forgiveness, and share in new opportunities as God’s church.

I am glad that you are walking with us as St Andrews Presbyterian Church. No one can do it alone. We are all at different places in our journeys of faith and you may be facing more questions than answers. Together we have hope for the future as God works in our midst. May we each be a blessing and a witness to the mission of Jesus Christ each day!

Rev. Emily Schlaman Larsen