Pastor Hayley Paulson-Moe

Associate Pastor

What do you do at Advent?

I spend time learning from our community and watching for how God shows up! I help plan and lead worship, help with Sunday School, and plan events for the 20s/30s group. I love meeting with people to go for walks or to talk. I would love to get to know you!

Why do you do what you do?

Growing up, I didn’t see how church mattered since the stories were so old, and when I realized my ‘call’ to ministry-I was disappointed because I thought that meant I had to change my personality and would have to fit a mold of what being a church leader was “supposed” to be. 

I do what I do because once I realized that these stories DO matter and are for me, for you, and for all of us-everything changed! When I was shown that these stories not only matter, but are continuing to make us new and show us how God loves us-I wanted to stick around! On this journey-I realized that God didn’t call me to fit a certain mold or change my personality! God calls us exactly as we are and continues to make us new every day. I do what I do because God’s love is transformative and when we act out of that love, we move towards a more loving and just world.

Why Advent?

I didn’t know that I was wandering until I felt so radically welcomed and loved at Advent. The people at Advent opened their hearts to me and helped guide and teach me as I worked my way through seminary and worked my way through figuring out where I fit and how God was in the mix.

Talk to me about . . .

How the Samaritan woman at the well is one of the most powerful stories in the Gospels! I also love talking about God and big questions, grief, joy, and how disco balls are great theological images! Also, dogs, national parks, hiking, canoeing, storytelling, running, Chipotle, Diet Coke, and sparkly things. I LOVE camp ministry, my friends & family, hospital chaplaincy, crowd-sourcing my friends with sermon illustrations, and wedding dances.

When I'm not at Advent, you'll most likely find me . . .

Trying to make the most of any single moment. Whether it is looking out the window, having a conversation, running through the park, or reading a book-I don’t want to miss a thing.

Originally from North Dakota, Hayley has loved moving around the country for her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She attended Roanoke College in Virginia and received her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey. This is Hayley’s first time being a vicar, but she has served in other church roles such as a chaplain, field education student, discerning intern, and college student intern.

Hayley believes in the transformative nature of Jesus’ love, words and actions, and loves to talk about it. She is a big believer in God’s love for all creation and enjoys learning people’s stories. Hayley is convinced that the song Dancing Queen is the anthem to her life, and she doesn’t believe in small talk.