Category Archives: Stories for Worship

What Were You Expecting? Hanukkah 2019

Posted on December 23, 2019 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Imagine you are living in a time with the long reign of a narcissistic dictator, a rise that meant multiple generations living with tyranny, oppression, fear.  Imagine for many years your people have been terrorized and even killed by those … Continue reading →

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Limitless Light: A Hanukkah Reflection

Posted on December 31, 2017 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

The story of Hanukkah – like the story of Christmas – has never felt more necessary or relevant for our times. It is, as many of the stories of the Talmud, not necessarily a story that happened historically exactly as … Continue reading →

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Queering Gender

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

I was only seven, and already I got that it made no sense.  More than anything that year, I wanted to carry the cross up the center aisle, or at least a candle – I wanted to go in front … Continue reading →

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Charge to the Minister – for the ordination of Sean Neil-Barron April 2, 2017

Posted on April 2, 2017 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

First, Thank you. It is my joy and privilege to charge you in your new ministry – I think doing the charge is like every older sister’s dream.  But – really, it is my honor, so, thank you. To begin, … Continue reading →

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Eyes to See, Ears to Hear

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Listen to this sermon here. Story – The Beggar and the Box from Eckhart Tolle Sermon That story is one of my favorites, I’ve told it a few times here. In this season where we are making lists of all … Continue reading →

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Is it a Gift? A sermon on simplicity

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Story: “The Secret of Happiness” by Paula Coehlo, from The Alchemist  Sermon: “Is it a Gift?” When I started to think about music for this month with this theme of simplicity, I immediately thought of”‘Tis a Gift.” This is a song … Continue reading →

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Skydiving – Reflection by Doug Powell

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Doug shared this story with me last Fall, as we were talking about the coming year of transitions for our church.  When I heard it – I said – I don’t know when, but there’s going to come a Sunday … Continue reading →

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Top Ten Stories for All Unitarian Universalists (Stories 9-10, and a bonus)

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Continuing to reveal 10 stories I wish every Unitarian Universalist knew….here are stories 9-10, plus a bonus for fun.  Story 9:  Born into Covenant, by Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker Rev. Rebecca Parker tells the story of when she first became … Continue reading →

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Top Ten Stories for All Unitarian Universalists – Stories 7 and 8

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Continuing to reveal 10 stories I wish every Unitarian Universalist knew….here are stories 7-8.  Story 7:  The Unitarians and the Universalists Fifty years ago, in stuffy rooms and over dinners, and breakfasts, and coffee, and other drinks, people of goodwill … Continue reading →

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Top Ten Stories for All Unitarian Universalists – Stories 4-6

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Continuing to reveal 10 stories I wish every Unitarian Universalist knew….here are stories 4 – 6.  Story 4.  The Winds of Hope – The Story of John Murray, adapted by the Rev. Barbara Palmer from the version found in Tapestry … Continue reading →

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