Pastor Stephen MacLeod grew up in Wayland, Massachusetts. learning from the example of his parents' involvement in serving others through Community United Methodist Church of Cochituate Village (also located in his hometown). He achieved an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts at Massachusetts Bay Community College, and a Bachelor's Degree in English from Framingham State College, while serving as the youth leader at Community UMC. He answered his calling to pastoral ministry by moving to Maine in 2004, where he attended Bangor Theological Seminary in the Masters of Divinity program, and began serving Searsport and North Searsport United Methodist Churches as a student in July of 2005. After being invested with the MDiv. in 2013, he was transfered to serve the Milan and West Milan United Methodist Churches in Milan, New Hampshire. Also during that time, he served briefly as the coordinating pastor for the Groveton and Stark United Methodist Churches as well. In July 2020, he joined in partnership with Berwick UMC, as well as the Sanford-Crossroads UMC in Sanford.
Pastor Steve can be reached at the church office (207) 698-1065, by cell (207) 322-5073, or by email at [email protected]
Pastor Steve can be reached at the church office (207) 698-1065, by cell (207) 322-5073, or by email at [email protected]
Pastor's Message
"My name is Stephen MacLeod - and I am a Christian."
Since July of 2005, I have begun my first sermon, on my first Sunday worship, with these words. It is more important to me than any other title I have, which are simply based on my efforts to live into this title better each and every day of my life. It is the starting point and the purpose of the journey I have spent a lifetime of learning and growing to deepen my relationship with the One who has known and loved me since before I was born. Sometimes the journey has been smooth and uplifting; other times the journey has been difficult; but at all times I can say that when I have trusted in this deep and unconditional love that I have received from my Creator, I have found myself being led to better places, new opportunities, and blessings beyond my own imagination.
We all are imperfect beings, on a journey of discovery and meaning for our lives. Some have spent a lifetime of searching to find their way and purpose in the world. Yet often for all these complex thought exercises, we miss the simplicity of where we began as children. Theologian Karl Barth was one of the 20th century's most influential scholars on the Bible. On one occasion, an interviewer reportedly asked him what the most profound insight into Christian theology he had ever encountered was. He thoughtfully replied, "Jesus loves me; this I know, for the Bible tells me so."
The simplicity of this renowned scholar's reply should not be lost on any of us. It recalls the innocence of our childhood; where we loved and accepted we were loved so easily that it brought us comfort and joy, in spite of any "growing pains" that life might present us with. It was also a time when we readily welcomed learning new things each day, relishing in new adventures, striving for new achievements, and having the safety of that love to catch us when we made mistakes.
Well, know this today: God loves you! There is nothing you can do to make God love you any more, nor anything you can do to make God love you any less. Your divine Parent seeks to love you at all times and in all places, regardless of the challenges in your life, or the mistakes you have made. Please know that if we can help you live into the simplicity and honesty of this love, we invite you to share your journey with us. YOU ARE A PART OF OUR FAMILY - we want to share the journey with you.
Pastor Steve
"My name is Stephen MacLeod - and I am a Christian."
Since July of 2005, I have begun my first sermon, on my first Sunday worship, with these words. It is more important to me than any other title I have, which are simply based on my efforts to live into this title better each and every day of my life. It is the starting point and the purpose of the journey I have spent a lifetime of learning and growing to deepen my relationship with the One who has known and loved me since before I was born. Sometimes the journey has been smooth and uplifting; other times the journey has been difficult; but at all times I can say that when I have trusted in this deep and unconditional love that I have received from my Creator, I have found myself being led to better places, new opportunities, and blessings beyond my own imagination.
We all are imperfect beings, on a journey of discovery and meaning for our lives. Some have spent a lifetime of searching to find their way and purpose in the world. Yet often for all these complex thought exercises, we miss the simplicity of where we began as children. Theologian Karl Barth was one of the 20th century's most influential scholars on the Bible. On one occasion, an interviewer reportedly asked him what the most profound insight into Christian theology he had ever encountered was. He thoughtfully replied, "Jesus loves me; this I know, for the Bible tells me so."
The simplicity of this renowned scholar's reply should not be lost on any of us. It recalls the innocence of our childhood; where we loved and accepted we were loved so easily that it brought us comfort and joy, in spite of any "growing pains" that life might present us with. It was also a time when we readily welcomed learning new things each day, relishing in new adventures, striving for new achievements, and having the safety of that love to catch us when we made mistakes.
Well, know this today: God loves you! There is nothing you can do to make God love you any more, nor anything you can do to make God love you any less. Your divine Parent seeks to love you at all times and in all places, regardless of the challenges in your life, or the mistakes you have made. Please know that if we can help you live into the simplicity and honesty of this love, we invite you to share your journey with us. YOU ARE A PART OF OUR FAMILY - we want to share the journey with you.
Pastor Steve