Alyssa Halliday presents a sermon by
Rev. Gretchen Haley, Senior Minister of Foothills Unitarian in Ft. Collins, CO
“Born of Bright Faith”
Elizabeth DeCoux, Worship Leader
Accompanist, TBA
Jennifer Bacmeister, Bass Flute, Special Music
The hope of finally blossoming after holding our lives tight in a bud is known in Buddhism as bright faith. With bright faith, we feel exalted as we are lifted out of our normal sense of insignificance, thrilled as we no longer feel lost and alone. The enthusiasm, energy, and courage we need to leave the safe path and stop aligning ourselves with the familiar or the convenient arise from bright faith. It enables us to step out, step away, and see what we can make of our lives. With bright faith we act on our potential to transform our suffering and live in a different way.
About Our Speaker
Alyssa Halliday has been attending BBUUC since 2017. After joining in 2018, she has served on various committees, including her favorite Worship Committee. She also served as a Board Trustee. She enjoys leading worship and appreciates the opportunity to share a sermon written by a UU minister.
About the Sermon Author
Rev. Gretchen Haley is the Senior Minister of Foothills Unitarian in Fort Collins, CO. She is relentlessly curious about most things, especially the big stuff of theology, the beauty of creation, the magic of collaboration, and the great joy of pop culture. She has an audacious ambition for the liberal church, believing in its capacity to transform lives and our world through hyper-local relationships and partnerships that inspire the unleashing of courageous love. Rev. Haley is all in on adrienne maree brown’s emergent strategy and finds solace in the trails in and around Fort Collins. She and her amazing partner, Carri, have two teenagers, Gracie and Josef, who both relish and resent being PKs (Preacher’s Kids), and who keep her grounded, frustrated, inspired, and humbled, every day. She is basically obsessed with her two dogs, both large mutts, Charlie and Archer.
About our Member-Musician
Jennifer Bacmeister has been a member of BBUUC since 2001. She has served in many roles, including Worship Committee Chair, Building Task Force, Religious Education teacher, and Board Vice President. Jennifer is an accomplished Toastmaster who enjoys public speaking. She is a Worship Leader who also writes and delivers sermons in our church and other congregations. Jennifer works for JEA, is a U.S. Army Veteran, and played flute in the 5th Army band. Jennifer currently plays with the First Coast Flute Choir.