Sermons from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis www.uuca-md.org
What does membership mean, at first and through the decades? We want to honor the act of committing to a community of faith. Come welcome new members, hear several UUCA members share stories, music, and reflections about their journey with UUCA, and thank our Radical Hospitality Team. Led by Laura Shrank, and Melanie Keller. Wonder Box by Sarah With music by Mike Noonan
This Sunday, our congregation gathers to celebrate the sacred milestones that weave together the fabric of our shared journey. In a special Lifespan Service, we honor the blessings of our youngest members, the courageous steps of our youth, and the dedicated service of our volunteers. Sarah and Ryan are leading the service with support from Worship Leader Lisa Fleeharty. Music is by Justin Cody and the Family Choir. Join us as we honor these sacred transitions and the enduring bonds that unite us across generations. Together, we celebrate the blessings of our shared journey.
Kindness as an Act of Resistence: When those in power wield cruelty as a policy mandate, we can resist their inhumanity with intentional and meaningful kindness for ourselves and each other. We will explore several of the tenets from the book On Tyranny as we uncover the critical need for kindness as a spiritual act in these times.
John delivered this short sermon during our first anual blessing of the chalices.
Led by Rev. Fred Muir, Minister Emeritus Join UUCA every Sunday: In-person or Zoom https://www.uuannapolis.org/ Support Us: Donate
What does a diet of joy and cheese create? One simple story and 10 lessons guide this message. Led by Rev. John T. Crestwell Jr., Congregational Senior Minister Join UUCA every Sunday: In-person or Zoom https://www.uuannapolis.org/ Support Us: Donate
Led by Ryan Ely, Congregational Intern Minister Join UUCA every Sunday: In-person or Zoom https://www.uuannapolis.org/ Support Us: Donate
What does joy resistance look like? You are witnessing it all across America. Even as despair grips us there is a growing resilience and resistance that will change the social and spiritual landscape in America. Led by Rev. John T. Crestwell Jr., Congregational Senior Minister Join UUCA every Sunday: In-person or Zoom https://www.uuannapolis.org/ Support Us: Donate
Recently it hit me that if UUCA had any federal connections of support, we might be on a list for an audit and shut down—our existence and programs could be considered threatening and illegal! As we enter a month of joy, let's consider how hope and joy might help us to stay awake amidst the chaos and uncertainty. Led by Rev. Fred Muir, Minister Emeritus Join UUCA every Sunday: In-person or Zoom https://www.uuannapolis.org/ Support Us: Donate
In an uncertain world how do we trust ourselves? Lets explore the edges of self en-route to a more trusting relationship with our own mind and spirit. Join UUCA every Sunday: In-person or Zoom https://www.uuannapolis.org/ Support Us: Donate
In an uncertain world how do we trust ourselves? Lets explore the edges of self en-route to a more trusting relationship with our own mind and spirit. Join UUCA every Sunday: In-person or Zoom https://www.uuannapolis.org/ Support Us: Donate
In this service, we will hold on to what we value and hold true and affirm our hope for healing in ourselves and our nation. Led by Rev. John T. Crestwell Jr., Congregational Senior Minister Join UUCA every Sunday: In-person or Zoom https://www.uuannapolis.org/ Support Us: Donate
Stewardship Sunday: Stewardship Sunday is a sacred time to reflect on the gifts we've been given and how we can share them to sustain and grow our beloved community. It's more than a call to financial commitment—it's an invitation to deepen our faith, invest in our shared values, and ensure the vitality of our mission. Together, we can nurture hope, inspire change, and build a future rooted in generosity, love, and justice. Let's come together to affirm our collective commitment to making a difference, both within and beyond our walls. Join UUCA every Sunday: In-person or Zoom https://www.uuannapolis.org/ Support Us: Donate
Come learn the story of the Quilombo dos Palmares, a story of love, community and resistance against all odds. Let us call on the heroes, sheroes and ancestral spirits together! Join UUCA every Sunday: In-person or Zoom https://www.uuannapolis.org/ Support Us: Donate
BLT is a prophetic framework that centers on the lived experiences, struggles, and resilience of Black communities. It is rooted in the Christian gospel. By exploring this powerful lens, we can deepen our understanding of racial justice and our role in creating a more inclusive, equitable, and beloved community. Join us to learn more about this theology. Join UUCA every Sunday: In-person or Zoom https://www.uuannapolis.org/ Support Us: Donate
Join Ryan for a meeting with the genderqueer deity of the Hebrew Bible. What do they have to tell us about hospitality and immigration justice? Join UUCA every Sunday: In-person or Zoom https://www.uuannapolis.org/ Support Us: Donate
In a world rich with diverse spiritual traditions, what happens when we look beyond the boundaries of a single path and embrace the common threads that connect us all? Join us as we explore how integration can lead to a richer, more meaningful spiritual life. Join UUCA every Sunday: In-person or Zoom https://www.uuannapolis.org/ Support Us: Donate
Lets see what Brer Rabbit, the chief trickster of African American folklore, has to tell us about vibrant survival, through exploration of his complicated history with America. Join UUCA every Sunday: In-person or Zoom https://www.uuannapolis.org/ Support Us: Donate
In this sermon, Rev. John we will look at the man who said that "the entire structure of America must be restructured" and what that means for us today in light of the last election. Join UUCA every Sunday: In-person or Zoom https://www.uuannapolis.org/ Support Us: Donate
What makes a story truly great? From the pages of scripture to the legends of King Arthur, wisdom stories in ancient texts, the most powerful stories have something in common... This Sunday we will reflect on what they all share and how it relates to your hero's journey. Join UUCA every Sunday: In-person or Zoom https://www.uuannapolis.org/ Support Us: Donate
On this last service of the year, we will mark the turning of the cycle by opening our guide to time travel! What can special relativity teach us about being present? Join UUCA every Sunday: In-person or Zoom https://www.uuannapolis.org/ Support Us: Donate
We are holy beings and wholly being"Holy and Wholly Present" — In this season of light and celebration, we are reminded that we are not only holy beings but called to be wholly present, embracing each moment as sacred. Together, we'll explore how the holiday season invites us to slow down, connect deeply, and honor the divine within ourselves and others. Join us as we reflect on the transformative power of seeing the holy in the here and now, making this time of year one of true presence and joy.
A little Jesus during this season! We'll talk about Kung Fu movies, boxing and following through on faith. Ryan Ely, Congregational Intern Minister
"The Unconquerable Sun" teaches us a lesson on presence, stillness and power that can help us navigate difficult times. Join Rev. John as he teaches us about the ancient worship of the Sun.
In this special service, we will come together to release the burdens that weigh us down. Through the simple act of writing and burning what pains and constrains us, we invite healing and renewal. This is a time to let go, repair, and open ourselves to new possibilities.
Emotions are running high. But in the midst of disruption and uncertainty, we can find our steady ground. Together, we will explore how to navigate this storm with resilience, compassion, and a commitment to healing our fractured nation. In the chaos, there is still hope for peace and progress. Service led by Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr., Minister;
In this special service of musical ministry, the UUCA Choir and Ensemble will center us for November 5. Rev. John will share a few short words of meaningful context, and you will hopefully feel grounded for what comes next with the upcoming election. Bring your tissue, heart and soul to this worship service.
What can children's stories teach us about resilience during hard times? Join Intern Minister Ryan as he explores an old black folk tale for keys to continuance in our journey toward justice and purpose. Service led by Ryan Ely,
Join our guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Robin Tanner, as we explore the values combination that could just inoculate our communities and country against authoritarianism. Rev. Dr. Robin Tanner is a member of the Lead Ministry Team at Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Summit, NJ. She holds a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School and a Doctorate in Ministry from the Pacific School of Religion.
Almost everyone has something they are passionate about. And yet, we are called to find ways to listen deeply to hear each other even when their passion does always align with our own. In this sermon, Rev. John discuss the difficulty of meeting people where they are and how to become a better listener.
Join Rev. John, Rev. Fred, Sarah, and our interns Ryan and SarahRuth for a meaningful service focused on letting go, healing mental and spiritual pains, and embracing forgiveness. As we observe Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the arrival of fall, this is a time to reflect inwardly so we can move outwardly with love. A special healing ritual will be shared during the service.
In her homily, Sarah Devlin-Tremble describes how the awe that nature inspires can instill in people "a sense of being connected to something larger than themselves," and "awakens a sense of humility that vanishes that over-emphasized sense of self that can put us in the mind-space and the space of heart where we are concerned about our place in the world." (Delivered: Sunday, September 29, 2024)
In this week's homily, Reverend John tells us how "Our relationship with the environment is a reflection of our relationship with ourselves and each other." (Delivered: Sunday, September 29, 2024)
2025 will be a memorable year for U.S. citizens as we watch the inauguration of a new President. Also, many will be gearing up for the nation's semiquincentennial celebration (look at the Anniversary Program Handbook and American 250). For Unitarian Universalists, our General Assembly will be in Baltimore (June 18-25). And, embedded in and related to these three events is the 100th anniversary of the “trial of the century” - Tennessee v. Scopes, 1925 - which is still shaping our communities and families in ongoing and significant ways. Together let's explore the lasting and shaping effects of this trial. (Delivered: Sunday, September 22, 2024)
What does it mean to be invitational? How can you and our congreation become more inviting? In this sermon Rev. John discusses hospitality and what it means to be radically welcoming. (Delivered: Sunday September 15, 2024)
Join us during our Water Communion Celebration as Reverend John T. Crestwell, Jr. illustrates how water sustains us, nourishes us, and connects us to ourselves, each other, and to the Earth. (Delivered: Sunday, September 8, 2024)
What does it really mean when theologians say justice is what love looks like in public? UUs have historically embodied that love and it is our call into the future. Our guest minister is Dayna Edwards, who is the Minister of Faith Formation at Cedar Lane UU Church. She is also a member of UUCA. We welcome her home for this service. (Delivered: September 1, 2024)
As he has done in past years, join Rev. John as he shares his summer learnings and updates the congregation on what to expect in the 2024-2025 church year. Delivered: August 18, 2024
Is it just me? Do you too feel like the current theo-political culture is not a forgiving one? Recently I've been confronted with the question/task/demand of shaping an apology, which may be the easy part: The harder part is what comes after an apology? Offering an apology - asking forgiveness and staying in relationship - is not easy. Let's explore this together. Service led by Rev. Dr. Fred Muir
Where is our home and how do we know when we are home? We explore the meaning of home, of community, and of spiritual connection, as we celebrate Lammas, learn values from an African traditional story, and celebrate the welcome of being home together. SarahRuth Davis, Community Intern Minister
Ancient Hermeticism speaks of seven rules that govern our cosmos and earth. How can these laws give us perspective in uncertain times when laws are broken and not respected by many in power?
The Spirit of Life is the animating birthright that pulses through all of us. How do we access its aliveness to keep us connected to ourselves, our beloved community and the interdependent web of all things? Find out how awe experiences and the 8 Wonders of Life can fuel our inner joy and our outer contributions. Led by Cindy Atlee
Dr. Scott Eden describes how the Brain Balance Concept can lead to answers to the age-old questions of where do we come from, what are we, and what are we supposed to do?
Fifty-two years ago, the trajectory of my life changed. On a balmy April afternoon, the words of "Saint Waldo" moved me. His heretical, radical ideas have been inspiring Unitarian Universalists for 185 years. Come learn about and affirm our faith journey. Led by Rev. Dr. Fred Muir Delivered: Sunday June 30, 2024
What is longing teaching us, what can we learn from the yearnings of our soul? We explore longing for justice, for love, for purpose, and examine readings by Bénézet Bujo, Tara Brach, Thomas Merton, and the story of Peter Pan, which all tell us of embracing longing as a spiritual practice. Led by SarahRuth Davis. Delivered: June 23,2024
On this last Sunday with Rev. Anastassia, let us reflect on these four years of shared ministry, receive and give blessings, and release her from ministry at UUCA.
What does membership mean, at first and through the decades? We want to honor the act of committing to a community of faith. Come welcome new members, hear several UUCA members share stories, music, and reflections about their journey with UUCA, and thank our Radical Hospitality Team.
When Rev. Anastassia joined us for candidating week, before being called as a minister of equal standing with Rev. John, she preached about covenant. In this last sermon of hers, let's revisit the collective power and sustenance of covenantal community. (Delivered Sunday June 2, 2024)
What happens after we die? What awaits us? Time Magazine dedicated a special edition to this topic converging science and faith. I will share some of what they found as well as my own personal beliefs on the subject. (Delivered: Sunday, May 26, 2024)
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