Meet Sarah Neumann, clay’s Church History columnist for the 2022-2023 school year! Although she was born in the United States, she has spent seven of her fifteen years in Lithuania along with her three siblings. Her hobbies include reading, writing, and most importantly, singing. In fact, Sarah is a part of the worship band for her church and also performs Lithuanian folk songs along with a group of kids whose ages range from five to eighteen. While their repertoire encompasses singing, dancing, and playing traditional instruments, the main purpose of the group is to celebrate the culture.
Sarah loves Lithuanian kepta duona, which is rye bread fried in strips and dipped in garlicky cheese. Additionally, her favorite word is lovely, especially when written in cursive “because it’s a beautiful way to say beautiful.” As an avid reader, Sarah’s most-adored books include classics such as Lord of the Rings, Little Women, and The Chronicles of Prydain. Southern Italy and Strasbourg, France, where she was able to practice her French, rank the highest when it comes to the places she’s traveled to. Of the three years spent with TPS, she has enjoyed Mrs T’s E3: Intrigue and Illusion the most. And, last but not least, her favorite Bible passage is Isaiah 43:1-2, which reads,
“But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.’”
Sarah holds a special connection with these verses because God spoke to her through them. “[This passage] has been really encouraging me lately,” she shared, “and it reminds me Who I belong to and that He is with me no matter what I’m dealing with.”
When asked to describe herself in one color and one flavor, Sarah answered with light blue and cinnamon. To her, blue embodies calmness and thoughtfulness as well as her love for the sea and sky. She chose cinnamon simply because she likes it. Sarah’s aspirations for adulthood fit well with her gentle and warm personality: she wants to be a mother and either a writer or counselor.
If Sarah could meet any figure in the history of the church, she would choose Joan of Arc. And despite initially being nervous about taking on the title of Church History Columnist, she is nothing but excited now. Be sure to watch for her articles this coming school year!