UU Church of Annapolis Podcast

Leader of  the  Harlem Children's Zone  in  New York City, Geoffrey Canada, told his story of how things escalate into violence  in  his book   Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun . Canada was able to turn many New York blocks into safe zones for children to be educated. We can do  the  same  in  our own way if we develop  the  moral courage as  a  nation. As we prepare to march for our children  on   March 2...

If Unitarian Universalist were reviewed  in   a  local magazine would it read " the  best kept secret  in  town?" If so, why is that? Why is it, when people discover Unitarian Universalism, they exclaim: "where have you been all my life?" If  the  nature of religious life is to make  the  "invisible visible" then there is much spiritual work to be done. In this sermon, Rev. Kathleen Rolenz sheds l...

This past year  the  nation witnessed an unprecedented reporting of sexual harassment and assault against women as well as some men.  The  coverage has revealed not only the pervasiveness of inappropriate conduct, but a nation's own uncertainty about what  the  next steps should be  in  creating an environment where all people feel welcome, safe, and valued. Rev. Kathleen Rolenz receives a standin...

Have you ever had your heart broken by life? English poet, David Whyte, says that "heartbreak is how we mature." It doesn't feel that way when it's happening does it? Rev. John will discuss how your setbacks are actually setups for spiritual growth.

Memory lingers long - until it doesn't. When memory fails or fades, what happens to  the  person or  the  institution? How does memory shape our understanding of  the  past and prepare us for  the  future? This sermon, Rev. Kathleen explores  the  persistence of our memories and how we make meaning of them.

Charles Darwin gifted  the  world with  the  theory of evolution, which remains  the  gold standard by which we understand the evolution of  the  species. Understanding  the  ways  in  which human beings evolve emotionally and spiritually is no less complex, fascinating, or controversial. Rev. Rolenz shared  the  sermon with Leika Lewis Cornwell, currently  in  seminary studying for  the  Unitaria...

In recognition of Black History Month and UUCA's traditional focus on humanism during the month of February, in this sermon, Rev. Kathleen reflected on the influence of humanism on people of color in Unitarian Universalism. It's a story filled with both triumph and tragedy and has telling implications for the future of this faith.

A spirit-filled service around our monthly theme of Intention - what it means to chose to intentionally see both sides of a conflict. Life is both intentional and ambiguous. This service Rev. John demonstrates how we as humans can be both complex while trying to meet our most basic needs   

UUCA has done much work on racial justice and engaging with  the  realities of white privilege and white supremacy. And yet, the struggle to turn our ideals into real, lasting institutional change continue to challenge us to dig deeper and to be more resilient  in  our resistance to everyday racism. There are two essential things we need to do to continue to build  the  world we dream about. Our I...

Join UUCA's new Interim Senior Minister, Kathleen Rolenz, in exploring change and transition in our lives.  When familiar routines are disrupted; beloved people move or die; what once seemed solid and predictable changes and shifts and with it, so must we.

Stories are the ties that bind us together at UUCA. In this last Sunday service as our senior minister, Rev. Fred Muir shared stories from my 34 years of ministry with you, stories that will bind us forever. Included in this podcast is the ceremony commemorating Fred's 34 years of service to our congregation. He is named Minister Emeritus along with the wood behind the church building are now call...

At this time,  the  darkest of  the  year, we beckon  the  light forward to fill  the  darkness and help us see more clearly.  The  theme of an emerging light  in   the  darkness is present  in  several of  the  December holidays. In this multi-generational service, we have 4 candles representing four faith traditions who must figure out how to be with one another and understand the meaning of the...

In this season of hope and, for some, hopelessness--how can you use your power to have an impact on the current paradigm that perpetuates inequality and hatred?  Rev. John Crestwell offers his thoughts on hope and action in his latest message to the UUCA congregation.    

Am I naive to be hopeful? In spite of 2016's cultural and political turmoil and disappointments, I enter the December holidays with hope in my heart, with a spirit shaped by hope. Actually, my faith leaves me no choice. Please join me as I consider the case for hope.   

What are you grateful for? Shout it out this holiday season. This past worship service we looked at secular and spiritual understandings of abundance and generosity and why giving thanks opens the path to abundance.    Music included on podcast "Grateful" by written and performed by Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship Choir    

Politicians and clergy have frequently evoked this powerful image from Jesus's "Sermon on  the  Mount." Even before the first Europeans settlers came ashore, their leaders held out this ideal which has shaped  the  U.S.  in  ways we might not completely understand. On this Thanksgiving Sunday, we explored this religious/political imagery and its' lasting significance.   

On this very special Sunday honoring  the  legacy of our Senior Minister, Rev. Dr. Fredric J. Muir, we heard from past UUCA Interns. Reverend Kimberly Wildszewski serves at the UU Church of Washington Crossing, New Jersey. She shares her experiences and memories with Reverend Fred and her time as a UU intern many years ago.    

St. Paul wrote: "For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do  the  very thing I hate." (Romans  7:15 ) St. Paul meet Richard Thaler. Thaler just won  the  Nobel Prize  in  Economics and explains why we (people) make irrational decisions. As we enter  the  holiday season - what has been called "Hallothanksmas" -  the  opportunities for poor decision-making will be...

This year is  the  500th anniversary of  the  Protestant Reformation.  All Protestant denominations got their start on October 31, 1571 - and that includes Unitarian Universalism.  It's been a long journey and this Sunday I concluded  the  story of how we got this way by continuing to unravel  the  many twists and turns that our journey has taken.

This year is the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.  All protestant denominations got their start on October 31, 1571 - and that includes Unitarian Universalism.  It's been a long journey and this Sunday Rev. Fred will start to unravel the many twists and turns that the journey has taken. 

In this message, dedicated to Rev. John Crestwell's mentor and colleague, Rev. Dr. Fredric John Muir, John tells the story of how he found Unitarian Universalism and why he remains a UU even though his faith has waned and even faulted in the process.  He boldly proclaims that his religion gives him the space for this questioning and evolving as a human being--space we all need to grow.    

It's not just the times we share that require courage, it's likely that each of us must face challenges of all sorts that require courage. When seeing another act with courage, I often hear someone comment, "How do they do it?" My response: "Take courage friends. You too have what it takes." Really? Do you believe that? This Sunday we take a on the new monthly theme of courage. (At the start of th...

Scrabble became famous in the 50's in America.  In this message, Rev. John uses the more recent digital scrabble game and a sports metaphor (I know some of you hate board games and sports) to make his point about living with hope.

Join Rev. Fred Muir before the start of the Jewish High Holy Days by considering forgiveness and what that looks like today, which is a quintessential theme of the period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

In this message, Rev. Fred answers questions from the congregation.  The questions vary from spiritual to self-help, to perspectives on current events.  Enjoy and ponder his responses...