Tag Archives: Call

What Comes Next

Posted on February 18, 2019 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Reading – from Alain de Botton’s 2016 essay, “Why You Will Marry the Wrong Person” It’s one of the things we are most afraid might happen to us. We go to great lengths to avoid it. And yet we do it … Continue reading →

Posted in Sermons | Tagged Call, Change, Commitment, Constancy, Covenant, Faithful, Fidelity, Glennon Doyle, Healing, Love, Marriage, Relationships, Sermon, Sermons, Stewardship | Leave a comment

The Next Right Thing

Posted on August 28, 2017 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Reading – from Glennon Doyle – “A list of 5 things I know” 1. What you don’t know, you’re not supposed to know yet. 2. More will be revealed. 3. Crisis means to sift. Let it all fall away and you’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in Sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged Call, Courage, Courageous Love, Discernment, Glennon Doyle, Immigrant, Immigration, Justice, Risk, Sanctuary, Sermon, Sermons | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Ordinations/Installations, Stories for Worship | Tagged Authority, Call, Collegiality, Humility, Leaders, Leadership, Ministries, Ministry, Ordination, Patience, Stories, Vocation | Leave a comment

To be entrusted with this great message

Posted on July 9, 2016 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

This past week marked the official beginning of my senior ministry at Foothills. As I’ve gotten closer to this threshold, I’ve been thinking about the Rev. Mary Lydia Legget, who in 1900 was the last (and only other) female minister to … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog Reflections, Justice, Philosophy of Church | Tagged Beloved Community, Call, Calling, Courageous Love, Foothills, Injustice, Love, Ministry, Olympia Brown, Women, Women in Ministry | Leave a comment

Charge to the Minister – for Rev. Patty Willis

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

I had the wonderful chance to be there for my friend and colleague, Patty Willis’ installation to the South Valley UU Church in Salt Lake City on Sunday the 20th of March. And not just to be there, but to … Continue reading →

Posted in Covenant, Philosophy of Church, Theology | Tagged Call, Calling, Discomfort, Installation, Letting Go, Stories, Story, Storytelling, Transformation | Leave a comment

Intentions for the New Year

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

While I am a little skeptical about the wisdom or efficacy of new year’s resolutions, I am a fan of what seems to be a new trend for setting new year’s intentions. Though not technically all that different than a resolution, an intention … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog Reflections, Justice, Philosophy of Church | Tagged Beloved Community, Call, Faith, Justice, Mission, Resistance, Role of the Church, Theology | 2 Comments

Right and Risk in the Big Top – Candidating Sermon 1, Nov 8, 2015.

Posted on November 8, 2015 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Listen to this sermon here. Right and Risk in the Big Top You might have heard it said that there are no atheists in foxholes. It’s an incredibly simplistic and somewhat insulting way of speaking to the experience of coming face … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Stories, Philosophy of Church, Sermons | Tagged Atheism, Beloved Community, Call, Community, Courage, Diversity, Theology, Vision | 5 Comments

Candidating from the Inside

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

I am thrilled, humbled and so grateful to be selected as the Candidate for the Senior Minister at the Foothills Unitarian Church where I have been serving as the Associate/Assistant Minister since August 2012. The announcement was made on October 18th, … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog Reflections, Personal Stories, Philosophy of Church | Tagged Call, Faith, Ministry, Search | Leave a comment

Born of Bright Faith

Posted on September 21, 2014 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Reading – “Bright Faith” By Sharon Salzberg The state of love-filed delight in possibilities and eager joy at the prospect of actualizing them is known in Buddhism as bright faith. Bright faith goes beyond merely claiming that possibility for oneself to … Continue reading →

Posted in Sermons, Theology | Tagged Call, Faith, Joy, Receptivity, Sermon, Sermons, Vulnerability | Leave a comment

The Bigger Yes

Posted on May 18, 2014 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

In the months leading up to my high school graduation, my younger sister Sarah took to glaring at me across the room. Sometimes, she’d even give me the silent treatment. My mom told me, she’s angry at you – for … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Stories, Sermons | Tagged Call, Change, Grief, Interim, Transitions, Wilderness | Leave a comment