Tag Archives: Transitions

Ready…Or Not.

Posted on September 12, 2021 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Reading: The Layers by Stanley Kunitz In the final years of my grandmother’s life, she would often say: I’m ready.   She meant: She’d done all she was meant to do, she wanted to cross the river, as she said it.   The river Jordan, which … Continue reading →

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Where We Start From

Posted on August 23, 2020 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Part 1: Where We Start From Part 2 – Video available here Last week, when she described the difference between hospital chaplaincy and congregational ministry, Elaine said that in the hospital, you don’t really get to know people – or … Continue reading →

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Lost and Found – Sermon Sept 17 2017

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Reading, from A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit Sermon, Lost and Found   It was early 1996, and Kate Braestrup and her husband Drew had a good life, and a plan in the works for an even better one. … Continue reading →

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Don’t be fooled

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

As February comes to a close, and we head into March and the Fort Collins not-quite-spring spring break, the year is doing what it always seems to do this time of year – flying by. In church-life, we are starting to make … Continue reading →

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Letting Go for the Blessing

Posted on October 19, 2014 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Reading – “Letting Go,” a selection from Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes by William Bridges Why is letting go so difficult? This is a puzzling question, especially if we have been looking forward to a change. It is frightening … Continue reading →

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Moving Days – Newsletter Article for Foothills August 2014

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

After two years of commuting from Denver, my family and I have this past month, happily become Fort Collins residents. We love our new home, and can’t wait to explore all the great things about our new town, and we … Continue reading →

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In Shared Ministry

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Before I went to seminary – despite being very active in my local UU congregation – I remained skeptical about the value of “church” in today’s world. I wondered if “church” was a concept we could do without. Then, in … Continue reading →

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The Transient and the Permanent

Posted on June 15, 2014 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

A Service for the first Sunday after Marc Salkin Retired Reading: From “The Transient and the Permanent in Christianity” by Theodore Parker, delivered at the Ordination of  Rev. Charles C. Shackford in the Hawes Place Church, Boston on May 19, 1841 In … Continue reading →

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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 →

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Dear Congregation….an open letter to the Foothills Unitarian Church

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Rev. Gretchen Haley

Dear Foothills Unitarian Church, I’ve tried for two weeks to write an annual report, without much luck.  Not because I am lacking in things I might lift up about our programs and ministries this year…. I could remind us of … Continue reading →

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