Mary Beth Writes

Preaching and Public Speaking

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Did you know your group or congregation can hire me to speak or preach?

I will be including here some introductions and descriptions of sermons and topics I’ve presented in the past or would be interested in addressing in the future.

Particulars:

  • Graduated in the 1970’s from Wheaton College, IL. Later attended Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. I did two years of academic studies as well as a pastoral internship. I did not become a minister. As an adult I have been an active member within United Methodist, United Church of Christ, and Unitarian Universalist congregations.

  • Public Speaking: I spoke in various public service organizations in Racine County when I wrote for the Racine Journal Times. 

  • I have been active in MayaWorks, a Guatemalan/North American Fair Trade organization. I spoke often about Fair Trade and how North Americans can better understand and support our fellow humans in developing nations. 

  • I have been passionate about simple life and purposeful frugality most of my life. I am looking forward to speaking about how I think “Less is More.”

  • Please CLICK HERE to inquire about having me preach at your church (or speak at an event).

Love, Communicate, Show Up, & Love.

Our congregation is United Unitarian Universalist in Waukesha, WI. I only preach a couple times a year; it is the one of the hardest things it is my privilege to do. 

Sunday I preached to my congregation. The topic evolved as I was working on it during the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, and as we learned more about the life and gentleness of George Floyd.

Here is my sermon in two forms. 

This is the service on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmul8-f7sZI 

Sanctuary: Safety or Invitation? 10/7/2018

Sanctuary is Our Claim that Hope Can Become Truth  

 Sanctuary is more than a concept. Sanctuary is our claim that the realm of God and goodness is here, now, in this time and place. Sanctuary isn’t the room where we wait for things to get better. Sanctuary is the space where we claim peace and justice, hope and love right now, among us.

In sanctuary - hope becomes truth.

 

A Path of Integrity - Sermon

 I recently preached on the topic of Integrity. I had this sermon completed before Christmas because I wanted to not stress about it. Good for me. 

The day after Christmas I realized it wasn't "right."  I wasn't sure what was wrong, but as I do when I'm looking for more than I have, I delved into quotes by people I think know what I'm trying to figure out.  James Baldwin amazed me.  

Then I watched the movies I reference in the sermon. 

Then I wrote the sermon that is here. 

Sermon - Servants of the Quest

The park ranger described the paths one could choose to hike across the island. I picked the that one he said was the easiest.  When he was done talking, I walked to get a drink at a building that was a distance away, behind some trees. When I came back out, I couldn’t quite see what was a path and what was the field, so I walked back to where some people seemed to be hanging out. However, they were photographers and they weren’t going anywhere.

And that is how I got myself separated from all other humans who were going to be hiking across Bonaventure Island that day.

Where & What is Beauty?

This was this last Sunday’s service in the United Unitarian Universalist congregation in my town.  This was entirely written by five of us - the “United We Writers.” I told friends that I would post this on my website. The service was wonderfully received.

"No Felons Here"

This is the sanctuary of the church where Len and I married - Grace United Methodist Church in Chicago. A blessed place.

I preached this sermon at United Unitarian Universalist /23/2019.

The photo is of the sanctuary of Grace United Methodist in Chicago. It's the church in which Len and I met and then married. We happened to be driving by earlier this year on a Sunday morning. They were voting that day on what to do with their building. I took this single picture with my phone, capturing the affection we all feel for our friends and fellow-journeyers in our congregations. 

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