In which I emerge to my new digs

Welcome to my new home on the Internet: SarahBessey.com

Yes, I’ve officially emerged at long last.

There are a few reasons for the change. (And no, it’s not because a few people have found me by googling for an homage to 50s horror films.)

For the past few years, I’ve felt like the name, Emerging Mummy, was a bit of a box for me. For people not enmeshed in ecclesial discussions, it’s weird and makes no sense. For people that are a part of those conversations, it puts me in a box, effectively stopping conversation before it even starts.

I write about more than emerging church stuff now, obviously, and what felt right years ago when I started this blog, no longer quite fits. To be blunt, Emerging Mummy doesn’t fit theologically and it doesn’t fit spiritually or emotionally anymore. Also, with the possibility of writing a bit more, I’d like to have my name actually on the blog itself. I’m not just a faith and church writer, I’m not just a mummy-blogger, I’m certainly not a how-to-do-anything blogger.

I’m just me and I just like to write through my life. And so I will be just me, here with you, online, too.

I feel a bit teary and sentimental about it this morning though. Emerging Mummy has been a huge part of my identity, I can’t lie, and I feel a bit more vulnerable and exposed now, out here with my real name. When I chose the word “Fearless” for my year ahead, I had no idea how prophetic that would be in almost every area of my life. This seems minor to some but it feels big to me. And it’s sad to see something that has meant so much to me pass away. It might even be stupid to change the name, since every one always warns against changing up your ‘brand’ when you’re already well-established.

But I’m not a brand, I’m just me, and you’re just you, and I guess we’ll figure it out.

The incredible, made-this-easy-for-me Gretchen at Little Pink House managed the entire transfer of this site. I can’t recommend her highly enough if you’re wanting some back-end work done for your site.

Now for some important information for you:

Your subscriptions should NOT have been affected. The comments that you made at Emerging Mummy are all still here, too. Your sign-in for comments is the exact same through Disqus.

You will keep receiving new posts in your email or in your reader if you had signed up for those services. If not, you can do that today. Sign up to receive new posts from me in your email inbox or subscribe here for your RSS Reader.

My Twitter name was changed a few weeks ago. You can now follow me at @SarahBessey.

The main inconvenience for you is that I’ve had to set up a new Facebook page. (Facebook does not allow name changes.) So if you have liked Emerging Mummy on Facebook, please know that it will be deleted very soon. You’ll need to click here and then Like my new eponymous page. I’m planning on trimming up my personal Facebook page as well (so that it is actually a personal page, fancy that) so if we are Facebook friends but you know primarily or only through my writing life, please like that new page so that we can stay in touch.

I do love to hang out with you guys in a “backstage” sort of way on Facebook and Twitter – I share links to stuff I find that’s interesting, respond to questions or notes, ask questions or offer opinions on items of interest, live-tweet Picakens, that sort of life-changing material. I hope to see you there.

Thank you for being part of my life, my friends. I appreciate you, your voice, your presence, and your support more than I could ever say.