Date: April 29, 2026

Location: First Church in Boston, MA

Respondent: Rev. Carolyn Patierno

In 1996, at the beginning of her seminary studies, Rev. Dr. Debra W. Haffner published a widely disseminated article titled “The Good News: What the Bible Can Teach You About Sex.” Thirty years later, she returned to the Bible and rediscovered far more complex messages about sexuality in both the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Scriptures. The texts had not changed—but over those thirty years, she had, as had scientific and cultural understandings about sexuality.

In this lecture, Haffner explores sacred stories including the creation of the earth and the creation of humanity (Genesis); sex and regulation in the Holiness Code (Leviticus); Jephthah’s daughter (Judges); sex, pleasure, and intimacy outside of marriage (Ruth, 1 Kings, and the Song of Songs); and the use of sexual imagery and depictions of sexual violence in the Prophets—to illuminate the rich, troubling, and often life-affirming ways sexuality appears in the Hebrew Bible.

Rev. Dr. Debra W. Haffner is a Unitarian Universalist minister, sexologist, and author whose fifty year career bridges faith, sexuality, and social justice. She serves as Senior Co-Minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton, Massachusetts, and is nationally recognized for her leadership at the intersection of religion and sexuality.

She is the President Emerita and co-founder of the Religious Institute, a multifaith organization dedicated to sexual health, education and justice,  and has written numerous books, including Beyond the Big Talk, From Diapers to Dating, and What Every 21st-Century Parent Needs to Know. She is the creator of the Sexually Safer Best Practices Initiative adapted by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).  She has advised clergy, congregations, and  leaders from more than 15 denominations on creating sexually healthy and responsible faith communities.  A widely published author and sought-after speaker, she brings both pastoral wisdom and professional expertise as a sexologist to her writing, teaching, and preaching—helping people of all ages integrate their spiritual and sexual lives with integrity, joy, and compassion.

Rev. Carolyn Patierno recently retired from All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation in New London, CT where she served for 24 years. From 2002 – 2018 she also served as a chaplain at CT College. Beyond the congregation, she is one of the founders of the Homeless Hospitality Center in New London; and currently serves as the Board President of the Immigration Advocacy and Support Center. For the Unitarian Universalist Association, she served on the General Assembly Worship Arts Team; the General Assembly Planning Committee; and as a Good Officer for the Clara Barton UUMA Chapter.

Prior to seminary she worked for the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS) with Reverend Dr. Debra Haffner.

Watch the full lecture here