"That is not the best sermon which makes the hearers go away talking to one another,
and praising the speaker,
but which makes them go away thoughtful and serious,
and hastening to be alone."
-- Gilbert Burnet
My Sermons
I have been lucky enough to preach in several churches and other places of religion. Below, you will find a sampling of my sermons.
Samhain Celebration 2013
For pagans and Wiccans, Samhain is a time of quiet, of mourning for those who have died, and of reflection on the year just ended. It is, in essence, a sort of New Year ritual. This celebration was one both sad and uplifting. Click here to read this ritual.
Strive!
The Cathedral of the Pines is a place that we frequently visit. It's the perfect place for interfaith worship. On July 21, 2013, I shared worship space with the Baha'i community of Dublin, NH. Click here to read this sermon.
Time for Harvest
In Chatham, NH, there is a little New England church that graces a hillside. In it are a few dedicated people, keeping it alive. I was graced with the invitation to preach there three times in 2013. This sermon, on September 29, 2013, was on the subject of harvesting and inventory, and the idea of putting up things for winter use. Click here to read this sermon.
A Spiritual Quilt from Religious Scraps
The inaugural sermon of the Patchwork Interfaith Community, this sermon was delivered at the beautiful Cathedral of the Pines on Sunday, July 7th, 2013. Rev. Allyson discusses how different faiths can work together to overcome differences, and the result is a beautiful patchwork that honors all religions. Click to read this sermon.
Miracles of Faith
On June 2, 2013, I had the honor of presiding at Chatham Congregational Church in Chatham, NH. My sermon touched on the importance of faith, and how it must be central to our lives regardless of gender, age, color, orientation, or even creed. Click to download the audio of this sermon (*.wav).
Exodus - A Time in the Desert
During the addition and renovation of The United Church of Winchester, we are (however briefly) a people without a spiritual home. This sermon touches on the new, exciting things and the old, familiar patterns, and how we might integrate them. Click to read this sermon.
Sanctified to Pass the Word: MLK Sunday 2011
Are we prepared, as a church and as a community, to carry on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s work? Are we ready to accept that injustice still exists, and that we need to continue to struggle and fight for the rights of the downtrodden? This sermon speaks to the civil rights activist in all of us. Click to read this sermon.
Communion: Intimate Fellowship and Rapport
This sermon discusses the various meanings and definitions of "communion," and what it can do for us as a human and church community. Click to read this sermon.
"I Shall Fear No Evil"
Psalm 23 is the center of this sermon. The concept of fear as a God-given thing, as something to work with, overcome, and even embrace is discussed. Click to read this sermon.
Thoughts on Mother's Day
Mother's day can be a wonderful day of celebration, but we often forget about those who have wanted to be mothers or who have lost children, as well as those who have chosen not to have children of their own. This sermon talks of the pains as well as the joys of this holiday. Click to read this sermon.
Passover Seder 2010
Pesach, or Passover, is a major Jewish holiday. Each year, Jewish families sit down to a ritualized dinner with readings and poetry, and they explain and explore the historical Passover. This Haggadah was largely inspired by The Velveteen Rabbi's writings. Click to read this sermon.
From Doubting to Believing
Written for the second Sunday after Easter, this sermon explores the idea of doubt being a strong, vital tool of faith. Just as Jesus was raised up from his tomb, so must we embrace and overcome our doubts. Click to read this sermon.
Wisdom's Call
Solomon asked for wisdom, when God offered him his choice of rewards. Why? Perhaps because he understood that with wisdom, he could achieve all those other things on his own. This sermon explores the idea of gaining and utilizing wisdom. Click to read this sermon.
"What I Learned at Vacation Bible School"
I had the honor of working with The United Church of Winchester during the Vacation Bible School of 2010. In doing so, I learned a lot about our children, our community, and myself. This sermon brings in some more contemporary elements, and ties them together with the summer's theme of "Fruits of the Spirit." Click to read this sermon.
Samhain Celebration 2013
For pagans and Wiccans, Samhain is a time of quiet, of mourning for those who have died, and of reflection on the year just ended. It is, in essence, a sort of New Year ritual. This celebration was one both sad and uplifting. Click here to read this ritual.
Strive!
The Cathedral of the Pines is a place that we frequently visit. It's the perfect place for interfaith worship. On July 21, 2013, I shared worship space with the Baha'i community of Dublin, NH. Click here to read this sermon.
Time for Harvest
In Chatham, NH, there is a little New England church that graces a hillside. In it are a few dedicated people, keeping it alive. I was graced with the invitation to preach there three times in 2013. This sermon, on September 29, 2013, was on the subject of harvesting and inventory, and the idea of putting up things for winter use. Click here to read this sermon.
A Spiritual Quilt from Religious Scraps
The inaugural sermon of the Patchwork Interfaith Community, this sermon was delivered at the beautiful Cathedral of the Pines on Sunday, July 7th, 2013. Rev. Allyson discusses how different faiths can work together to overcome differences, and the result is a beautiful patchwork that honors all religions. Click to read this sermon.
Miracles of Faith
On June 2, 2013, I had the honor of presiding at Chatham Congregational Church in Chatham, NH. My sermon touched on the importance of faith, and how it must be central to our lives regardless of gender, age, color, orientation, or even creed. Click to download the audio of this sermon (*.wav).
Exodus - A Time in the Desert
During the addition and renovation of The United Church of Winchester, we are (however briefly) a people without a spiritual home. This sermon touches on the new, exciting things and the old, familiar patterns, and how we might integrate them. Click to read this sermon.
Sanctified to Pass the Word: MLK Sunday 2011
Are we prepared, as a church and as a community, to carry on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s work? Are we ready to accept that injustice still exists, and that we need to continue to struggle and fight for the rights of the downtrodden? This sermon speaks to the civil rights activist in all of us. Click to read this sermon.
Communion: Intimate Fellowship and Rapport
This sermon discusses the various meanings and definitions of "communion," and what it can do for us as a human and church community. Click to read this sermon.
"I Shall Fear No Evil"
Psalm 23 is the center of this sermon. The concept of fear as a God-given thing, as something to work with, overcome, and even embrace is discussed. Click to read this sermon.
Thoughts on Mother's Day
Mother's day can be a wonderful day of celebration, but we often forget about those who have wanted to be mothers or who have lost children, as well as those who have chosen not to have children of their own. This sermon talks of the pains as well as the joys of this holiday. Click to read this sermon.
Passover Seder 2010
Pesach, or Passover, is a major Jewish holiday. Each year, Jewish families sit down to a ritualized dinner with readings and poetry, and they explain and explore the historical Passover. This Haggadah was largely inspired by The Velveteen Rabbi's writings. Click to read this sermon.
From Doubting to Believing
Written for the second Sunday after Easter, this sermon explores the idea of doubt being a strong, vital tool of faith. Just as Jesus was raised up from his tomb, so must we embrace and overcome our doubts. Click to read this sermon.
Wisdom's Call
Solomon asked for wisdom, when God offered him his choice of rewards. Why? Perhaps because he understood that with wisdom, he could achieve all those other things on his own. This sermon explores the idea of gaining and utilizing wisdom. Click to read this sermon.
"What I Learned at Vacation Bible School"
I had the honor of working with The United Church of Winchester during the Vacation Bible School of 2010. In doing so, I learned a lot about our children, our community, and myself. This sermon brings in some more contemporary elements, and ties them together with the summer's theme of "Fruits of the Spirit." Click to read this sermon.
