Rev. Danielle K. Bartz                                                                                    September 26, 2021 Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 20-22                                                                                           “…Perhaps” In the mid-1850’s, a cholera epidemic struck St. Louis, MO and its surrounding communities.  The epidemic was particularly deadly for the (largely) German immigrant community as they were much poorer and didn’t have access to adequate healthcare.  As a result of […]

Today’s sermon is a conversation between Rev. Danielle K Bartz and licensed minister for social justice at Peace UCC in Rochester, Jerry Locula. Thank you! Rev. Danielle Bartz, the governing body {Council} of this great Congregation, members and visiting friends! I bring you greetings from my family in Liberia. I also bring you greetings from […]

Rev. Danielle K. Bartz                                                                                    September 12, 2021  Mark 8:27-38                                                                                     “Who Do You Say I Am?” On September 11, 2001, the small town of Gander in Newfoundland was informed that 38 international planes heading for the east coast of the United States were going to be diverted to their small international airport.  The people […]

Rev. Danielle K Bartz                                                                                       September 5, 2021 Mark 7:24-37                                                                                     “Ephphatha – “Be Opened” About 20 years ago, the United Church of Christ invested heavily in a media campaign as it launched it’s ‘Still-Speaking’ initiative.  For those of you who do not know, the tagline of the UCC is: “Never place a period where God has placed a comma; […]

Rev. Danielle K Bartz                                                                                           August 29, 2021         Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23                                                                       “Rituals and Traditions” Before I begin, I want to make it clear: this scripture is NOT teaching us that we don’t need to wash our hands before we eat.  Please wash your hands before you eat, in fact – wash your hands […]

Rev. Danielle K Bartz                                                                                           August 22, 2021         John 6:56-69                                                                                      “Questions and Memories” What have you come to believe?  How did you get there?  And where do you still look to go?  These are questions Jesus poses to the disciples.  And these are the questions we are still asked, and ask ourselves.  What have we […]

Rev. Danielle K Bartz                                                                                           August 15, 2021         John 6:51-58                                                                                                        “A Messy Faith” I’ve told this story before, but it is a good one and bears repeating.  When I was in seminary, we celebrated Holy Communion during our chapel service on Thursdays.  A student would provide the bread and juice, and often the bread […]

Rev. Danielle K Bartz                                                                                             August 8, 2021           Ephesians 4:25-5:2                                                                              “Right Inside the Wrong” In third grade, I was the proud founder and president of the Polly Pocket Club of Folwell Elementary School.  For those of you who don’t know, Polly Pockets were those strange miniature houses with itty bitty pieces and dolls.  The […]

Rev. Danielle K Bartz                                                                                               July 18, 2021 Exodus 35:4-21                                                                                                            “Explorers” “To Captain Meriwether Lewis.  The object of your mission is to explore the Missouri River, & such principal stream of it, as by its course and communication with the waters of the Pacific Ocean…may offer the most direct and practicable water communication across […]

Rev. Danielle K Bartz                                                                                               July 11, 2021 Exodus 32:1-6                                                                                          “Relational Dislocation”   Several years ago, before I lived in Winona, I read an article about the future of seminary education.  Seminaries, no matter the denomination, have been struggling mightily for years.  They have less money and fewer students.  Church (capital ‘C’) is changing and therefore […]