Danáe M. Ashley
The Rev. Danáe Ashley is an Episcopal priest and licensed marriage and family therapist who has ministered with parishes in North Carolina, New York, Minnesota, and the Seattle area and is a therapist at Soul Spa Seattle, LLC (www.soulspaseattle.com). Danáe uses art, music, drama, poetry, and movement in counseling, spiritual direction, and creation of ritual. She has written for Working Preacher, Luther Seminary’s Faith+Lead, Sermons That Work, and other publications, as well as being a contributor to podcasts, books, and producing a play about fertility struggle. Danáe’s favorite pastimes include reading, traveling with her husband, making sure their rescue dog Cooper is living his best life, dancing with wild abandon to Celtic music, and serious karaoke.
Sermons and Bible Studies
How the Story Ends, Last Sunday after the Epiphany (A) – February 15, 2026
[RCL] Exodus 24:12-18; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Psalm 2; Matthew 17:1-9 How many of you enjoy a good mystery story? If your favorite character is walking into doom, do you get nervous? Are you the kind of person who will skip to the last chapter and make sure everything’s okay before you go on? If so, do you […]
Paying the Price of Mercy, Proper 10 (C) – 2025
[RCL] Amos 7:7-17; Psalm 82; Colossians 1:1-14; Luke 10:25-37 There once was a run-down coffee shop in a neighborhood that was known for being dangerous. One day, an Episcopal priest came in to get some coffee on his way to somewhere else. He sat down to wait, busying himself with the paper, not paying attention […]
Returning, Easter 2 (C) – 2025
[RCL] Acts 5:27-32; Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150; Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19-31 This sermon was inspired by the work of theologian Shelly Rambo in her book, “Resurrecting Wounds.” Once upon a time, in a small French alpine village, strange incidences occurred: People who were once dead were alive again. They made their way to their […]
Gym Bros Teach Us About Sabbath, Proper 4 (B) – 2024
[RCL] Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Psalm 81:1-10; 2 Corinthians 4:5-12; Mark 2:23-3:6 Note: During the 2024 Season after Pentecost, Sermons That Work will use Track 2 readings for sermons and Bible studies. Please consult our archives for many additional Track 1 resources from prior years. In athletic circles, you will often hear of the concept of “recovery […]
Great Affection, Pentecost (B) – 2024
[RCL] Acts 2:1-21 or Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 104:25-35, 37; Romans 8:22-27 or Acts 2:1-21; John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 Let us pray an invocation of the Holy Spirit by John Henry Newman: Come, O Holy Spirit.Come as Holy Fire and burn in us,come as Holy Wind and cleanse us within,come as Holy Light and lead us in […]
Following the Call, Epiphany 3 (B) – 2024
[RCL] Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62:6-14; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20 Let’s begin with a story. Imagine this: There once was a little Scottish girl whose parents died, and she was sent to live with an aunt in England. Now, she didn’t quite fit in—Scottish girl in an English village—but her aunt cared for her, […]
Finding Value in What Others Overlook, Proper 12 (A) – 2023
[RCL] Genesis 29:15-28; Psalm 105:1-11, 45b or Psalm 128; Romans 8:26-39; Matthew 13:31-33,44-52 In the Finger Lakes region of central New York, you can find a delicious and unique treat: concord grape pie. Like many other places in the United States, there are a variety of bakeries and shops in the small towns nestled among […]
Powerless, Proper 9 (A) – 2023
[RCL] Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67; Psalm 45: 11-18 or Song of Solomon 2:8-13; Romans 7:15-25a; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 There once was a babysitter who watched a little boy who was quite easy, because he was always so good. He had a younger sister that he was protective of and got along with well… or so […]
Shake Off the Dust, Proper 8 (A) – 2023
[RCL] Genesis 22:1-14; Psalm 13; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 10:40-42 Anis Mojgani (A-nees Mohj-ga-nee) was born to an African American mother and Iranian father and is the current Oregon Poet Laureate. A two-time National Slam Poetry champion, he performed his poem “Shake the Dust” on January 9, 2010, at the Heavy and Light event at the […]
Pointing to God, Easter 4 (C) – 2022
[RCL]: Acts 9:36-43; Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30 Have any of you heard of the game Marco Polo? Not the app – that is something different. This game can be played in a swimming pool or on land. The person who is “It” is blindfolded and placed in the center of a group of […]
Power, Epiphany 7 (C) – 2022
[RCL] Genesis 45:3-11, 15; Psalm 37:1-12, 41-42; 1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50; Luke 6:27-38 Once upon a time, two children were playing with toy figures. One had a comic book superhero and the other had a princess from an animated show. When an evil villain appeared in their adventure, a conundrum occurred: Who would rescue hostages and […]
Will You Follow?, 2 Christmas – 2021
[RCL] Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 84 or 84:1-8; Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a; Matthew 2:13-15,19-23 or Luke 2:41-52 or Matthew 2:1-12 There is a traditional Italian story about an old woman named La Befana who was the most renowned housekeeper in her entire village. She would happily spend the day with her broom sweeping the floor, cupboards, and front […]
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Sermons That Work podcast to hear this sermon and more on your favorite podcasting app! Recordings are released the Thursday before each liturgical date.
Receive Free Weekly Sermons That Work Resources!
