Unfolding Faith: Sermons from Foothills Unitarian

Prayer & Meditation: Re-Casting Life | Rev. Sean Neil-Barron | December 13, 2020

Rev. Sean Neil-Barron offers a prayer and meditation to empower us to re-tell old narratives in truer ways.

The Stories of Hanukkah | Rev. Gretchen Haley | December 13, 2020

Rev. Gretchen tells the Hanukkah story in three different ways.

Homily: How We Tell the Story | Rev. Gretchen Haley | December 13, 2020

Rev. Gretchen Haley explores how the way we tell a story shapes the meaning we make from it, and, in turn, how we come to understand ourselves and life.
 
Additional Resources:
 
From the BBC: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190523-the-way-you-tell-your-life-story-shapes-your-personality
 
Reform Judaism article on Hanukkah: https://reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/hanukkah/history-hanukkah-story
 
NPR interview about Hanukkah: https://www.npr.org/2020/12/12/945788794/celebrating-hanukkah-during-the-covid-19-pandemic
 
Inspiration: Rev. Gretchen drew inspiration for this homily from Long conversations with Professors Pam Eisenbaum and Mark George at the Iliff School of Theology, as well as with Rabbi Shoshana Leis formerly of Congregation Har Shalom in Fort Collins.
 
Rev. Gretchen's notes and memory of the awesome book, From the Maccabees to the Mishnah by Shaya Cohen, also shaped this Homily. Find "From the Maccabees to the Mishnah" here: https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/From-the-Maccabees-to-the-Mishnah-9780664227432

Reading | This is the Moment of Magic by Victoria Safford | December 6, 2020

Feel magic stirring with “This is the Moment of Magic” by Victoria Safford.

Guided Meditation & Prayer | Rev. Sean Neil-Barron | December 6, 2020

Rev. Sean offers a guided meditation to help us practice moving our bodies through the cycle of emotions and stress.

Homily Part 2: The Moment of Magic | Rev. Gretchen Haley | December 6, 2020

Rev. Gretchen encourages us to find our own paths to small moments of magic this season. She calls on us to identify memories, wishes, and practices then create and maintain rituals that awaken the essence and value of this season.

Homily Part 1: What We Expect in December, and What We Grieve | Rev. Gretchen | December 6, 2020

Inspired by Amelia and Emily Nagoski’s book “The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle,” Rev. Gretchen explores the feeling cycle and the power of acknowledging and consciously moving through emotions. 

Reading | The Essential Work of Justice and Liberation for All | November 29, 2020

Rev. Elaine Aron-Tenbrink reads “The Essential Work of Justice and Liberation for All” by Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt.
 
Read more from Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt: https://www.uuworld.org/authors/rosemarybraymcnatt