UU Church of Annapolis Podcast

Sermons by the ministers and guests at UUCA -Living boldly and compassionately in Annapolis, MD for over 60 years!

Poetry Pals led Service 03/23/2026

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. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/40597255

The Power of Symbols 03/16/2026

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 chalice as a symbol of warmth, hope, and unity in the Unitarian Universalist tradition. As we bless the chalices that hold our shared light, we renew our commitment to community, compassion, and spiritual reflection. Join us for a thoughtful reflection on how symbols help tell our story, strengthen our faith, and illuminate the path we walk together. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/40499315

Blackness, the Original Other #BlackLivesMatter 03/09/2026

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 “Original Other” and why proclaiming Black Lives Matter is not a political slogan, but a moral and spiritual declaration. Together, we’ll reflect on history, confront hard truths, and consider how our faith calls us to move beyond awareness into action. Join us as we deepen our commitment to justice, beloved community, and the sacred worth of every life. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/40373785

I Live to Give! 03/02/2026

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. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/40284195

The Disappearance of Childhood Wonder - HS Youth Led Service 02/23/2026

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. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/40205315

Anti-trinitarian to Woke 02/17/2026

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 part of our spiritual DNA. Join us as we explore how our faith has always stood on the side of love, truth, and liberation—and how we’re called to keep showing up. Because justice isn’t a trend. It’s our living tradition. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/40143825

That None Who Take Refuge In Love Shall Be Lost 02/09/2026

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 so that none shall be lost. We get there together, or never get there at all. 💛✊🏾 /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/40048880

Is it Faithful? 02/02/2026

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, "Is it faithful?". In this service, Paige will reflect on what it means to be faithful, regardless of productivity, and she'll consider how we might use this question as a guide in our decision-making as individuals and faith communities, especially as we strive to embody resilience in the face of authoritarianism and oppression. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/39969995

Snowballs in Hell 01/26/2026

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. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/39885435

The Thinking of Martin Luther King Jr 01/21/2026

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. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/39816750

Our AI/AGI Future 01/05/2026

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. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/39616770

The Question Box 12/29/2025

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. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/39556580

You Were Made to Give Hope 12/08/2025

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. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/39323950

Tending the Heart 12/01/2025

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. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/39220475

Origin Stories Finding y/Our Roots 11/24/2025

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 what they tell about us. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/39151930

Happiness, A Journey Toward Freedom 11/17/2025

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. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/39060680

Values and Sacred Wisdom - Our Navigation Tools 11/12/2025

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. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/39013495

Community: The Structure of Belonging 11/10/2025

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 love - you are loved, sacred, and welcome here. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/38983335

Say Something Biblical 10/27/2025

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. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/38797480

Invitation to Healing 10/20/2025

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. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/38650180

Die Before You Die 10/20/2025

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. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/38650100

Being with Suffering 10/07/2025

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 listen for anyone who has lost someone they love. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/38496720

Remembering Difficult Knowledge 09/30/2025

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 Unitarian Universalists. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/38409200

Thriving: Bold & Compassionate Living 09/24/2025

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. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/38338730

Try Kindness 09/15/2025

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. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/38228645

All We Have To Do Is Dance 09/03/2025

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 intention and a loving heart. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/38074925

This New Church Year 08/25/2025

This New Church Year 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 2025-2026 church year. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/37952640

Beyond the Brain: The Perceptive Powers of the Heart 08/18/2025

Beyond the Brain: The Perceptive Powers of the Heart We have been conditioned in this society to locate our consciousness in our brains. Yet ancient practices and spiritual traditions, as well as modern science reveal that the central mechanism of our consciousness and biological system is the heart. What happens when we follow it? Join Shana Oshiro on the journey to understanding and embracing the perceptive powers of the heart. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/37868855

Bearing Witness: Do Not Look Away 08/11/2025

Bearing Witness: Do Not Look Away Join Bob Ertman to explore the three tenets of the Zen Peacemakers: Not Knowing, giving up our fixed ideas; Bearing Witness, not looking away; Right Action, the actions that should arise naturally when we really pay attention. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/37765465

Is It a Beautiful or a Broken World? 08/08/2025

Is It a Beautiful or a Broken World? What can a 16th century Jewish mystic, an Episcopal priest who frequents the Burning Man Festival, and the alien from the Resident Alien sci-fi TV series teach us about brokenness and beauty? Join Cindy Atlee to find out—and why we need both to transform ourselves and change the world. /episode/index/show/uucamd/id/37735575

UU Church of Annapolis Podcast

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