Photo cutline: Sonja co-led and publicized a youth storytelling workshop.
Exhibiting knowledge, understanding, and continuing study of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament.
· Seminary education from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, New Brighton, Minn.
· Worship service/prayers written by Sonja Haller. (Include Easter Bulletin)
Maturing in effective proclamation and preaching.
· Preached sermons on July 7, 2024, Feb. 18, 2024, June 11, 2023 and July 23, 2023 at Desert Palm UCC in Tempe.
· I have received positive feedback from congregants, in particular, on the sermons about loneliness and grief.
· Organize Desert Palm youth’s sunrise service on Easter, and Children’s Sabbath in October.
Understanding the history of the Christian Church, from biblical times forward.
· Seminary education at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
· UCC History and Policy in Fall 2022.
Bringing life to sacred stories and traditions in worship, proclamation, and witness.
· Co-led and publicized youth storytelling workshop at Desert Palm UCC and Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ.
· Present intergenerational moment at Desert Palm UCC 2-3 times a month.
· Co-facilitate church events, including a storytelling event in November 2023 with Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ.
Leading faith formation effectively across generations.
· Co-facilitated Adult Bible Study using Marcus Borg’s book, Reading the Bible Again for the First Time
· Teach Sunday school once a month.
· Write the curriculum and facilitate youth group two times a month.
Holding the Holy with integrity (especially as represented in the Sacraments.)
· Communion
o Communion, which I have been grateful to participate in, is an opening of the heart that underscores one’s place in the collective. This memorial meal is given its power through memory – “do this in remembrance.” Remember what Christ said and did. This sacrament has many dimensions, including inviting our true selves to the table. We don’t come to the table because we have perfect lives, but because we don’t and seek to be transformed. Jesus’ invitation wasn’t set for the worthy. But set for the unworthy, meaning there is, especially within a UCC congregation, a place for us.
· Baptism
o I have witnessed many UCC Baptisms, which signifies God’s claim on us, a binding of us to Jesus and a commitment that shapes our entire lives. I was reminded of this profound calling in Rev. Dr. Yvonne Delk’s sermons in April 2024 at the Southwest Conference annual meeting. She emphasized that Baptism isn’t passive. But a summons to actively mend society riffs and hurts. To me, Baptism is an example of embracing the new to seek justice or flourishing. To that end, in my role as hospital chaplain, I blessed a days-old baby who wasn’t long for this world, helping his mother and aunt name and claim a baby as living and transitioning.
תגובות