UU Church of Annapolis Podcast

The Fourth Source of Unitarian Universalism is Christian and Jewish Teachings calling us to love. In the aftermath of 2 mass shootings, we will reflect on how the book of Leviticus in the Hebrew Scriptures can inform us how we can change, atone, and act for justice in these difficult times. 

We Americans swim in the waters of a gun culture that increasingly threatens our well-being as well as our lives. Can we keep from drowning? How can we respond effectively? 

The intentional deepening of our faith can benefit not only us but also future generations. Let's explore how living in a purposeful multi-generational community can be fulfilling and also an act of social justice. 

Cishet, pansexual, genderqueer, aromantic... As  a  Welcoming Church, we invite people to bring their full selves, but  the  spectrum of beautifully diverse identities can sometimes feel confusing to allies and some members of  the  LGBTQ+ community alike. This sermon will use  the  Gender Unicorn,  a  graphic by Trans Student Educational Resources, to explore identity, expression, and attraction.

In  late 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel  on  Climate Change warned the world that we have only 12 years to prevent catastrophic damage to the Earth. Let's take a realistic look at climate justice and why choosing hope is our way forward.

Why do we sleep?  Why did Arianna Huffington leave her job to devote her life to teaching people to live healthier lives through sleep and intentional self-care?  Here's why we sleep and why we must prioritize it in our lives.  

Every day we hear about a new crisis arising; whether the threat to women's reproductive freedoms, measles outbreaks, looming tensions in the Middle East, asylum-seeking families being cruelly separated or deported, white supremacy asserts itself at every term, glaciers melting – it's a Hot Mess! Every day we must practice a few core principles of our faith which allow us to persist and resist. Bu...

In this Memorial Day sermon, Interim Minister, Rev. Kathleen Rolenz, gives a compelling and riveting message on the racial and controversial events in Charlottesville, Virginia last year over the removal of the Confederate statue of General Robert Lee.  Rev. Kathleen asks "What if the narrative you are telling yourself is a lie?" and boldly shows why one's personal stories can create false narrati...

Fear and love are powerful motivators. Some say fear is more potent while others say love is the thing that links us all. We will examine curiosity, fear, fight and flight and show that we must do what the author Susan Jeffers says, "Feel the fear and do it anyway."

On  May 5, 1819,  The  Reverend William Ellery Channing preached  a  controversial sermon at  the  Unitarian Church of Baltimore. Channing's sermon went "viral" and quickly established  the  Unitarians not only as religious liberals - but theological radicals.

On Easter morning, the women disciples of Jesus came to the tomb, only to discover that he wasn't there. Fast forward some 2,000 years, and we'll discover a Jesus whose message of radical hospitality and inclusiveness is still very much alive and still in need of our purposeful engagement.

As your interim minister, Rev. Rolenz has been on this journey of transition several times. There are certain experiences that are common to all churches in transition; others are unique to specific congregations. Rev. Rolenz will reflect on the journey of UUCA towards the next chapter of its life, with some help from the five spiritual touchstones which can frame our life's journey.   

Freedom is not  a  single destination, but  a  series of roads we journey  on  together as we seek wholeness for ourselves and our world. This service will reflect  on   the  lessons of Passover and  the  ways  in  which  the  journey of  the  Exodus still speaks into our own lives as we embrace and uplift freedom.

How do you choose to do or NOT do  a  certain thing? When or how do you  know  that your choice was the right one?  In  this message, Rev. John will utilize the social science scholarship of author Jonah Lehrer as he explores  the  intricate processes and decisions involved  in  finding and living  in  wholeness and happiness.   

In  celebration of Women's History Month and  the  commitments we make together to justice, this sermon explores epic journeys  in  myth, history, and our own lives.

What happens when we die?  Today I examine spiritualism, reincarnation and life after death using some personal transcendent experiences, history and current writings, Rev. John explores the mystery of death and the afterlife.

Unitarian Universalists generally believe that we are autonomous, independent individuals who have the right to do with our lives whatever we wish-including the right to end it. This sermon was inspired by the book  Stay  by Jennifer Michael Hecht who argues that suicide violates not a moral law but a human ethical imperative to stay alive with and for each other. Trigger Warning: This sermon cont...

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper was an African-American abolitionist, suffragist, poet, teacher, public speaker, and writer. She was active in social reform and was a member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, which advocated the federal government taking a role in progressive reform.  Her writings, poetry, and theology all leaned towards Universalism.  Within her powerful life story, we may f...

We talk of our journey to the beloved community all the time.  We aspire to create  a  place that is diverse and welcoming to ALL.  What does that look like when it is realized?  How will we  know  when we get there?  In this service, Rev. John will share his vision for  the  UUCA congregation,  in  particular, and Unitarian Universalism,  in  general, with great hope, and determination.

Who do you trust? Why do you trust them? Have you lost trust in someone or something? How do you get trust back? In this interactive service, Rev. John will lead you through some of the Soul Matters materials to get to the heart of the matter: Trust but verify!

The theme for February is "Trust" and there are many ways in which trust can be both eroded and built.  The Ministry Team will reflect on the role of vulnerability, forgiveness, and mercy as it is experienced in the hard work of building relationships, dismantling oppression, and working for justice in our community.   

It is said that old wounds fester. Could it be that we are still fighting the Civil War  in  America? Is it possible that the Civil Rights Movement was a continuation of a quintessentially American story about tribe, race, resources, and power?   In this message, Rev. John looks at history and suggests that we are fighting a war for civility.    

From the cold vacuum of space to the lush wilds of earthly jungles, Wanderers have been heading out to explore the unknown since the dawn of time. No matter how intrepid these explorers, though, some of the small-some might say silly-reminders of home have traveled with them on their journeys. This multigenerational service will examine the ways we strike out to know mystery, and the things that k...

Does God exist? Perhaps we've all thought about this question? I have, often, and have drawn a few conclusions. Are you atheist, deist, theist, or none of the above but still believe in a greater good? How do you celebrate the holidays when they are based upon a narrative that says God entered the world through the birth of Jesus to lead humanity to salvation? In this holiday service, Rev. John wi...

We spend much of our life trying to figure things out - where we came from, who and what are we and where we are going; yet woven in and amongst all of these questions persists randomness, uncertainty and deep mystery. This sermon will explore the spiritual practice of engaging with the unknown.