UU Church of Annapolis Podcast

Today let's learn why our auto-pilot biases against "them" are tearing our country apart--and how you can hack your mind to be anti-racist and anti-oppressive. Music by Nicole Rumeau. Delivered by John T. Crestwell Jr. on Sunday February 20th, 2022. 

While political and social activism are essential components of antiracism, so too is spiritual work. How can we use the frame work of blessings to engage in behaviors that foster the Beloved Community? What are some of these practices? Rev. Anastassia preaching, music offered by Rob Redei and the UUCA Choir. Delivered on Sunday February, 13th.

In 1907, Dr. Frank Scott Corey Wicks delivered a sermon "Good Men In Hell", that was published and reprinted by the American Unitarian Association over thirty times. It was the most widely circulated Unitarian sermon, and posited the idea that the Unitarian mandate was to not to conform to places of personal comfort. Where would we go and whom would we be with if we lived this mandate today? How d...

Thoughtco.com says that "Equality is providing the same level of opportunity and assistance to all segments of society, such as races and genders. Equity is providing various levels of support and assistance depending on specific needs or abilities. Equality and equity are most often applied to the rights and opportunities of minority groups." As Ministers of Equal Standing how do we interpret thi...

Are you a skilled utilizer of words? I'm working on it! "Be careful of the words you say keep them sweet; because you never know which ones you'll have to eat". I learned that growing up. What does it mean to be mindful with our tongue? Let's examine the power of words today as we practice our theme of being reflective this month. Delivered by Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr. on Sunday January 30th, 20...

Today we will examine what came out of Rev. King's meditation in prison--his legendary letter that is as important today as it was in 1963. Delivered by Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr. on Sunday January 16th, 2022. 

Our ancestors have more nuanced understandings of love. Let us explore these various manifestions of love, and how specific and sacred forms of love can be found in our lives. Rev. Anastassia preaching, music by Max Ochs. Delievered January 2nd, 2022. 

Christmas, the holiday of new hope, comes even when hope is hard to find. Thank goodness it does, especially this year as we are entering into another coronavirus wave. At 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve, come join Rev. Anastassia and be in community as we find hope in messages of our faith, in holiday music, and in being in community together. Online only. Audio of the full service, recorded on December...

As we continue to explore the theme of love, Rev. Anastassia will lead us through considering how we can use our minds, thought analysis and organizing, and hearts, through love and forgiveness, to create the possibility of a better future. Delivered on December 12th, 2021.

We hold our first congregational meeting immediately following the service. Today the ministers will give their State of Our Union" sermon sharing highlights from the last six months of ministry at UUCA. Delivered on December 5th, 2021. 

Join us this Sunday for a magical telling of Stone Soup. Audience participation will be expected so come ready to join in the fun. After service, we will gather for soup and celebration of this annual event that begins our holiday season. Music by the UUCA Choir. Delivered 11-28-2021. 

Every life has challenges, and yet no matter the pain and struggles, we can choose to pay attention to a narrative of gratitude. In the process, we can discover joy, health, and a new sense of belonging, not only to the universe as a whole but also to ourselves. Rev. Anastassia preaching with our Worship Ensemble. Delivered on Sunday November 21st, 2021.

Have you ever been disappointed? How did you resolve it? Rev. John shares 4 things that helps him move from sadness to grace every time. Music by Rob Redei and the UUCA Choir. Delivered on November 14th, 2021.   

Non-violent social movements and actions have effective outcomes, while also reducing risk and harm. Come join us as we consider the strategic nature of non-violence and the spiritual and personal practices that support it. Rev. Anastassia preaching, with music by Josh Long and our Worship Ensemble. Delivered November 7th, 2021. 

As a community, we make many covenants, inherent in them all is to be a gift to one another. When we hurt or harm each other that disrupts our connection with one another. Let us recognize that there have been moments of harm in our community, and grow to understand how such moments land. Together, let us commit ourselves anew to being a community that seeks to contribute to each other's lives, in...

The Hindu concept of Ahimsa teaches that when we do harm to another person we do harm to ourselves. "Hurt people hurt people." Today Rev John explores the origins of conflict and violence from the individual to the culture and how we can overcome this tragic pattern. Delivered Sunday October 24th, 2021. 

Join Rev. John as he explores a pattern in humanity's evolution that links us to the Buddha's awakening and our potential as evolved beings who do no harm on the planet. Joshua Long and the UUCA Ensemble will provide music. Delivered on Sunday October 17th, 2021.

When we have done something important wrong, or worse harmed someone, we carry that burden. Confronting it, engaging our failure to live our values, feels like a wrestling match. Why is that? And what blessing can come from wrestling with our worthiness for forgiveness and self-forgiveness? Rev. Anastassia preaching, with music by Josh Long. Delivered on Sunday October 3rd, 2021.

We know giving forgiveness is an important human virtue, yet whether, how, and when to forgive are challenging questions. What is the spiritual work that proceeds our ability to forgive? Rev. Anastassia preaching, music by Rob Redei and the UUCA Choir. Given on Sunday October 10th, 2021

Did you know that the earth is 70% water and you are 60% water?  That is a close comparison.  Does this mean anything to you?  If it does or doesn't listen to Rev. John's message on water and why understanding this element is a way to better understand ourselves.

Theology and Practice. Rev John continues part 2 of his discussion on why, after 20 years, he is still a UU.

I became a Unitarian Universalist in 2001. It's been 20 years. I have changed--a lot. I want to share this story with you and how I see the purpose of our faith today in the religious landscape.

What has membership meant to UUCA over through the ages? We want to honor the act of committing to a community of faith. Come join Joshua Long, the Membership Team, and several UUCA members as they share stories, music, and reflection for this special service.

At the heart of this and every Beloved Community is love, always love. But love isn't just a feeling, it's a practice—a shared practice of affection and care. In congregational life, it matters how we tell the story of our love. This Sunday we'll consider some "love stories" and what they have to teach us about the practice of love at church. Music by Rob Redei and the UUCA Choir. Rev. Rob Hardies...

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie states that the danger of the single story is "the ability not just to tell the story of another person, but to make it the definitive story of that person." One single story that has been part of American history is that Black lives are expendable. We have seen again and again that this single story is not only dangerous, but deadly. In this service, we will consider the...