PODCAST · religion
UU Church of Annapolis Podcast
by Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis
Sermons from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapoliswww.uuca-md.org
Episodes
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UU Pride!
During this Pride Sunday service, Rev. John reflects on the courage of Harvey Milk and the role Unitarian Universalists have played in the struggle for LGBTQ+ dignity and equality. What does their witness ask of us when hard-won freedoms are once again under threat?
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Why I Sing: Music as Metaphor
Why does a resolved chord feel so satisfying? Through song, harmony, and the music that brings movies to life, Rev. John explores how tension and resolution in music mirror the rhythms of our lives—and why music moves us so deeply.
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The Science of Racism
Why does racism persist even when we reject prejudice? Drawing on "The Science of Racism" by Keon West and Black Unitarian abolitionist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, Rev. John explores how white preference became embedded in our institutions and what our faith calls us to do about it.
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The Opposite of Original Sin
What if human beings are not inherently sinful, selfish, or broken—but worthy and capable? In this message, Fish Stark, Executive Director of the American Humanist Association, explores how our beliefs about human nature shape our lives and politics—and what becomes possible when we begin with...
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This New Church Year
As he has done in past years, join Rev. John as he updates the congregation on what to expect in the 2026-2027 church year.
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Awakening Curiosity on Death and Remembrance
Guest preacher, Rev. Ebony Peace, asks, "How can we be the person we want to be remembered as?"
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The Power of Nonviolent Resistance
In this sermon, donated by Mary McClellan who purchased it at our annual auction and dedicated to UUCA Member Phil Ateto, Rev. John will explore teachings from Mahatma Gandhi and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to abolitionists, Unitarian Universalists, and today's research, to show why…
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The Names We Worship
In a fast-paced world, it can be easy to mistake the noise and demands of daily life for ultimate reality. In this message, UUCA Vice President and Lay Worship Leader Ruthie Bowles explores the tension between our everyday distractions and the deeper oneness that connects all of creation. Through...
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Scottish Pilgrimage Revisited
Rev. John, along with UUCA members, shares insights, joys and sorrows from the Scotland pilgrimage.
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The Religion of Democracy - A Good Trouble Lives On
Unitarian minister Curtis Reese, a co-founder of the American Humanist Association, called humanism "the religion of democracy" for a reason: the radical conviction that truth, morality, and power do not rightly reside in an external source, but in us. What would it look like to believe in our...
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The Irreligious and Their Love of God
Drawing from the writings of UU theologian James Luther Adams, Rev. Judith Morris explores how our assumptions about the word God can sometimes keep us from recognizing the sacred. What if those who reject religion are often responding to too small a definition of the divine?
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The Power of Community: An Introduction to Cosmic Dynamism
Dr. Scott Eden describes a worldview called Cosmic Dynamism, which emphasizes the importance of community, relationships and our power to create positive social change.
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Membership Sunday
What does membership mean, at first and through the decades? We want to honor the act of committing to a community of faith. This episode, several UUCA members share stories, music, and reflections about their journey with UUCA.
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"Dear Patriot"
Join us as Rev. Fred explores a timely question: What does it mean to be a patriot? With the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding approaching, conversations about patriotism are everywhere but do we all mean the same thing when we use the word? Together, we'll reflect on patriotism,...
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Remembering Remembrance
In this Memorial Day Weekend service, Rev. Dayna Edwards invites us into wisdom through shared ritual and reflection. In this service we gather to reflect on memory, remembrance, and the stories that shape us. We honor those we have lost, especially those lost to war.
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Coming of Age Service
Missed Sunday's inspiring Coming of Age service? Our youth shared powerful personal credos—deep reflections on the beliefs, values, and experiences shaping their lives. Their honesty, wisdom, and courage moved our community deeply. Listen now to witness their journeys and celebrate the voices of...
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The Illusion of Certainty
In this sermon, Rev. John explores the tension between what changes and what endures. Drawing on the theme of "the transients and the permanents," this message invites us to reflect on how we find grounding, meaning, and even faith in a world shaped by uncertainty and unpredictability.
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The World on Fire: A Sermon on Hope
Back by popular demand, Rev. John re-shares his powerful April sermon on transformation and hope. In a time when so much feels like it's burning, this message reminds us that fire doesn't just destroy—it refines, awakens, and calls us to courageous change within ourselves and the world we share.
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The Worst Thing We Ever Did
Cindy Atlee invites us to talk about a surprising root cause of many troubles in our world today through her message, The Worst Thing We Ever Did. Join Cindy Atlee to explore how an awakened brain and spiritual consciousness--along with the core UU values of interdependence and…
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Ordination of Ryan McCray Ely
In this special episode, Rev. Anthony Jenkins, Lead Minister of Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church and U.S. Navy Chaplain delivers the Homily for the ordination of Rev. Ryan McCray Ely Offered in the spirit of joy, calling, and community, this message reflects on the sacred journey to...
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The Man From Cachoeira
On the occasion of his ordination, Ryan McCray Ely returns from Brazil to share a powerful story of transformation. Through the life of José Ramos do Nascimento, known as Traíra, Ryan invites us to reflect on our shared values of equity and growth.
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A Living Prayer
Guest minister Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd, Director of Communications and Public Ministry at the Unitarian Universalist Association delivers the sermon, A Living Prayer. The message invites us to reimagine prayer not as a task to complete, but as something woven into the fabric of our daily lives....
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All the Colors
In this homily from our beloved Flower Communion service, Rev. John Crestwell reflects on the beauty and meaning of all the differences that make up our shared community. Rooted in a Unitarian Universalist tradition dating back to 1923, Flower Communion invites us to celebrate diversity,...
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A Sharp Refusal
UUCA President Nicole Bruno shares a powerful message, A Sharp Refusal. Civil disobedience is rooted in the courage to say "no" to injustice. Through the stories of women in our Unitarian history who challenged slavery, exclusion, and violence, we'll explore what love, courage, and conscience ask...
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Poetry Pals led Service
In this collaborative arts worship service, the UUCA Poetry Pals led us in an exploration of paying attention through poetry enriched by musical accompaniment and shared community experience. This episode showcases the service framework followed by five poems.
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The Power of Symbols
Rev. John reflects on the power of symbols and the ways they shape our shared spiritual life. Centered around our Blessing of the Chalices service, this message explores how simple objects can carry deep meaning, connecting us to one another and to the values we hold dear. Together, we honor the...
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Blackness, the Original Other #BlackLivesMatter
From the earliest days of this nation, Blackness has been cast as "other"—marginalized, feared, exploited, & resisted. Yet, within that imposed otherness lives resilience, brilliance, faith, and an unbreakable insistence on dignity. This Sunday, we explore what it means to name Blackness as the...
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I Live to Give!
What if giving isn't about obligation—but about living in alignment with our deepest values? This Sunday, together with Rev. John, we'll explore how giving becomes an expression of who we are and the loving, just world we're helping to create. Come discover what it means to say: I live to give.
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The Disappearance of Childhood Wonder - HS Youth Led Service
HS Youth Led Service (with guidance from our Director of Lifespan Faith Formation) HS Youth Lily Kendall asks us to honor and hold onto our childhood wonder during a powerful and inspiring Youth-Led Service centered on the theme of Resilience.
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Anti-trinitarian to Woke
We honor our justice journey in Rev. John's message, "Anti-Trinitarian to Woke." From our roots as bold religious dissenters to today's urgent calls for justice, Unitarian Universalism has never been afraid to question, to resist, and to reimagine what's possible. Resistance isn't new for us—it's...
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That None Who Take Refuge In Love Shall Be Lost
Rev. Dr. Betancourt shares a powerful message of love, connection, and Beloved Community in the face of evil. Tune in to hear reflections of resistance and resilience in the Twin Cities and be reminded how our shared faith calls us to keep showing up, marching forward TOGETHER in love and justice...
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Is it Faithful?
In the early months of her retirement following two decades of parish ministry, Rev. Paige Getty had been wrestling with the question of what it means to be productive in this chapter of her life. A wise guide offered an alternative, out of his Quaker tradition, suggesting that she ask instead…
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Snowballs in Hell
Led by Rev. Leika Lewis, this service considers the legacy of ancestors in resistance, the ways we support each other in practicing resistance today, and how we create space for growth in the midst of challenging times.
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The Thinking of Martin Luther King Jr
Led by Rev John Crestwell, join UUCA as we explore the mind of the man who became the moral conscience of the 21st century—and how his vision continues to actively reshape our moral narrative.
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Our AI/AGI Future
From fear to faith, from chaos to connection—learn how artificial intelligence may be the next step in humanity's spiritual evolution. Rev John delivers a hopeful vision for the age ahead.
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The Question Box
As we step into a new year, what questions are stirring within you? In this message, Rev. John invites our Beloved Community to ask the questions that matter most to them & he responds to as many as time allows.
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You Were Made to Give Hope
In this message, Rev. John tells the story of Jesus and why his message gave and gives hope when taken in proper context.
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Tending the Heart
In a season that urges us to rush and perform joy, join us for a gentle, reflective service that embraces the pace of the heart and the presence we so often forget to notice. Service led by Nicole Bruno, Seminary Student & UUCA President.
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Origin Stories Finding y/Our Roots
The holidays are here which means—among so many other things—it's story time! I recently read a poem that begins: "it is our human tendency to think of life in terms of story arcs." (Whitney Hanson) What is the story arc you are reciting? Join me, Rev Fred, as we explore the stories we tell—and...
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Happiness, A Journey Toward Freedom
In this revised and reprised sermon, Rev. John help us remember what happiness is and why we must cultivate it even when times are hard.
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Values and Sacred Wisdom - Our Navigation Tools
Needed in all times, but especially in tumultuous ones, our values and the wisdom we identify as sacred serve as guiding lights, helping us do the next right thing. UUCA Board Member, Ruthie Bowles, delivers this powerful message that both grounds us in our values and lifts us with love.
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Community: The Structure of Belonging
Building on the work by Peter Block, Rev. John explores what the new religion and new America will look like in the coming years. Join the UUCA Beloved Community as, together, we look ahead in faith and connected by the shared belief that whoever you are, wherever you're from, and whomever you…
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Say Something Biblical
How's your Bible literacy? Biblical citations and references have been in the news lately. But how accurate they are depends on … on what? Join Rev. Fred and the UUCA Congregation as we explore uses (and misuses) of Scripture.
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Invitation to Healing
As we enter the Fall season, we also enter the season of forgiveness and atonement. Led by Rev. John, this service will offer a ritual for moving forward toward healing, reconciliation and restoration.
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Die Before You Die
The phrase "die before you die" is attributed to the Prophet Muhammad as a famous Hadith (saying); and Muhammad Rumi, 13th-century Persian poet, Islamic scholar, and Sufi mystic also coined the phrase. Together, with Rev. John, Let's explore what this means in light of our theme this month.
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Being with Suffering
In this very personal message, Rev. John reflects on death and suffering and compassion. A Poem is shared in the beginning by Rev. Dayna Edwards "The Dinner Party", then he launches into a message that will ground you if you are in a place of grief, loss or suffering. This message is a must…
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Remembering Difficult Knowledge
The process of disremembering so-called "difficult knowledge" —history that makes some uncomfortable—started years ago and is now moving forward at breathtaking speed. As we move toward our nation's 250th anniversary celebration next July 4, 2026, what do we need to remember as citizens and as...
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Thriving: Bold & Compassionate Living
In this sermon, Rev. John discusses several core spiritual competencies that can provide a sense of belonging and community to anyone seeking to thrive and/or feel more grounded in life.
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Try Kindness
Have you ever tried to be radically kind? What does that even mean? Join Rev. John in examining what it means to be radically kind.
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All We Have To Do Is Dance
Sorrow and grief find us all. If we let it, our mourning can turn to joy, and we can learn to dance again. Not because we have forgotten what has been lost, but because we have survived. Join Traci Huges, Esq., Seminarian & Executive Director of All Souls D.C. as we learn to navigate grief with...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Sermons from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapoliswww.uuca-md.org
HOSTED BY
Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis
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UU Church of Annapolis Podcast currently has 737 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
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Sermons from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapoliswww.uuca-md.org
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UU Church of Annapolis Podcast is created and hosted by Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis.
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