Tag Archives: Courageous Love

Charge to the Minister, for the Installation of the Rev. Eric Banner, First Universalist Church of Denver

Posted on April 28, 2024 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Many of you know that I was a member here before seminary; my now 18 year old daughter was dedicated here, and in many ways I was formed in ministry right here.  Returning always brings a rush of memories, and … Continue reading →

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From Trembling to Telling, and From Grief to Morning – Easter 2021

Posted on April 4, 2021 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Part 1 – From Trembling to Telling Despite the bright pastels of the season, the story of Easter begins in the dark.   In the earliest morning hours when night has not yet given up the fight, Easter is born in confusion … Continue reading →

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Sermon: Tough Love….Saves Us All (The Hard Work of Beloved Community)

Posted on March 8, 2021 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Reading: “There Is No Easier Way” by Elizabeth Nguyen Sermon: Tough Love Saves Us All When my partner and I were first together, our parents used to talk about us with their straight friends and co-workers by making sure they knew … Continue reading →

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Love That Stays

Posted on February 21, 2021 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

“You can love someone, and fail them.” Louis offers this explanation to his lover, Prior, as he is trying to tell him that he is moving out. “You can love someone, and fail them,” Louis tells him, “and I love … Continue reading →

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What Love Means

Posted on February 14, 2021 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Part 1: Tough Love When I was an intern in the women’s prison – women would come to talk with me, as their chaplain, and they’d tell me that they knew, Jesus was the solution to their problems. When they’d say … Continue reading →

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Endgame – Homily after the 2020 election

Posted on November 10, 2020 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

It’s about five episodes into the new Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit when one of the characters, Harry, presses the main character, Beth: What’s your endgame? She looks at him blankly, a little irritated, and says – to win.  They … Continue reading →

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Endgame – a message for the Sunday after the 2020 election

Posted on November 8, 2020 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Reading: V’ahavta by Aurora Levins Morales Homily It’s about five episodes into the new Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit when one of the characters, Harry, presses the main character, Beth: What’s your endgame? She looks at him blankly, a little … Continue reading →

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The Plunge

Posted on September 10, 2018 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

When I was a kid, some of my friends had a cabin on a lake, where just off to the side there was a place you could go, and jump off the ledge into the water below.  I’d watched my friends … Continue reading →

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#MeToo

Posted on March 27, 2018 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Listen to this sermon on podcast here. See the whole service on video here. Sermon – March 25, 2018 To be honest, before I found Unitarian Universalism, I thought all religion was patriarchal, and sexist. Finding this faith nearly 20 … Continue reading →

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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 →

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