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Sunday, May 11, 2025 we honored church members who completed the 27-session cycle of the Spiritual Growth Program, “Journey into the Self” offered by Rev. Carlos Aoun at Village Church in Wellesley. Below are some excerpts from their powerful words of witness.  View video recording here >

“Over the seven months that we met, studying specific phrases in the Bible, delving into the meanings of the words and phrases, and listening to others in the group,  I had a transformative sense of God’s Love for us. … God’s love is not transactional but is a parent’s purest love of a newborn child…

As I have come to realize the love of God within me, I have developed a deeper appreciation of our church community…

It is God’s love within us that creates the community that supports everyone all the time through whatever the human experience encounters.”

Craig Stirrat

“I feel far from the person who started this journey. Almost weekly my thinking has been expanded by new insights and perspectives . I feel awake in ways that I have never felt before. While I have always felt faithful I haven’t quite been able to express the connection that I feel, I believe our sessions have peaked a curiosity that started, and then grew the foundation for the next level of my faith journey.”

Ed Berger

“I’ve always known and recognized God, but I was never outspoken about it. That’s changed now. Being open and honest about something greater than myself humbles me—and I believe humility is one of the most important things we’ve forgotten in the modern world. Humility brings happiness, because it reminds us that we’re not superhuman and we don’t always have to win.”

Jem Bayulgen

“Today I am different than when I started our journey 26 weeks ago. When we started, I was open and curious to learn more about myself and the relevance of the bible and Jesus to my life. I didn’t know where things would go but I was curious. … I found that there were certain things that made sense to me deep down inside… and I realized if those things were true then it meant that the story of Christ is real. The story became more real to me and it changed my outlook and my faith.”

Julien Grant

“The person I am today, compared to the one I was at the outset of this journey, is someone with a deepened sense of faith and stronger foothold in my community. One of the deep moments I experienced stems from our discussion of the Holy Spirit…

…truly, God is love. If I could give just one message to any person – especially to my children – it is this: God loves you. No matter who you are or what you have done, God loves you and is available to you. Any time, anywhere. God is good, and is everywhere all around us.”

Jay Staunton