UU Church of Annapolis Podcast

Brokenheartedness

February 27, 2018 14:10 - 23 minutes - 31.9 MB

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.

The Persistence of Memory

February 20, 2018 16:52 - 23 minutes - 32.2 MB

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.

Darwin Sunday - The Evolution of Us

February 11, 2018 19:58 - 30 minutes - 42 MB

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 Unitarian Universalist ministry.

Is Humanism only for White people?

February 05, 2018 15:48 - 25 minutes - 34.8 MB

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.

Both/And

January 29, 2018 14:00 - 22 minutes - 31.2 MB

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

Beyond The Pale

January 15, 2018 11:00 - 24 minutes - 33.2 MB

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 Interim Minister Kathleen Rolenz enlightens us on this Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Service.

The Best of Intentions

January 10, 2018 17:22 - 23 minutes - 26.5 MB

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.

Blessed Be The Ties That Binds

January 02, 2018 16:05 - 1 hour - 94.2 MB

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 called "Muir Woods." Finally a blessing and laying on hands to send the Muirs off to the next chapte...

"Where is the Light?" Multi-Generational Holiday Skit/Sermon

December 21, 2017 20:42 - 22 minutes - 30.5 MB

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 holiday traditions. Welcome to Holly Day's Shop!

Use Your Power

December 11, 2017 15:10 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MB

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.

The Case for Hope

December 05, 2017 18:12 - 12 minutes - 17 MB

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.

Abundance & Generosity

November 28, 2017 19:40 - 20 minutes - 28.6 MB

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

City on a Hill

November 20, 2017 16:51 - 23 minutes - 32.2 MB

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.

The Gift of Abundance

November 14, 2017 18:07 - 16 minutes - 22.3 MB

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.

Doing What We Want

November 07, 2017 18:33 - 22 minutes - 31.2 MB

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 abundant. Let's explore how we might keep the faith, act religiously, and make it through what for many can ...

How We Got This Way Pt.2

October 31, 2017 16:55 - 27 minutes - 37.5 MB

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.

How We Got This Way Part 1.

October 26, 2017 19:03 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MB

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.

Why I am (still) A UU

October 16, 2017 17:08 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MB

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.

Take Courage Friends

October 03, 2017 15:15 - 24 minutes - 33.2 MB

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 the second service - at 11:15 - we will gather outside, at the Black Lives Matter banner, to reded...

Words with Friends

September 25, 2017 18:28 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MB

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.

The Challenge of Forgiveness

September 19, 2017 17:15 - 15 minutes - 21.6 MB

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.

FYI

September 07, 2017 16:48 - 32 minutes - 44.9 MB

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...

"When the Past Becomes Present"

August 30, 2017 17:22 - 25 minutes - 35.4 MB

A renowned author noted: "The past is never dead. It's not even past." Or as Yogi Berra is supposed to have said: "It's deja vu all over again." The last six months have been challenging times for religious liberals, especially Unitarian Universalists. Just when we may have thought our past was dead ... here we go again. Join Rev. Fred as he continues looking at how our way of faith has been a harbinger of America's path.

Is Unity an Illusion

August 23, 2017 17:41 - 24 minutes - 33.1 MB

It's about this time every year that we read about the tensions and divisions in religious denominations (we hear about it now because they are having their annual gatherings). Such tensions are a part of our faith history too; in fact, UUs often experienced tensions and divisions before others. Join Rev. Fred as he shares one of our faith community's most tumultuous times and see if it sounds familiar. One correction: Rev. Fred mentioned that Anne Frank lived in Prague instead of Amsterd...

Fanatics Part 3 - Moderation is the Method

August 14, 2017 02:58 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MB

In this third part of a three part sermon-series, Rev. John discusses the recent violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, its ramifications, and why moderated behavior along with forgiveness are the ways human beings can move beyond the tribal toward the transcendent. Reading by Rev. Fred Muir is from the book "In Praise of Doubt"; and interlude and postlude music is by Jeannie Gagne singing "In My Quiet Sorrow". Enjoy...

Fanatics Part 2 - Fundamentalism and Extremism

August 07, 2017 00:19 - 28 minutes - 26.1 MB

In the second part of a three part message, Rev. John elaborates on his understandings of fanatics, fundamentalists, and extremists and argues that we can all be dogmatic about our beliefs; but there are limits--a line--we should not cross. In a country wondering why we are so disjointed, Rev. John adds his reasons why. Interlude music is an original piece, "Creation" by Joshua Long

Saying Goodbye

July 31, 2017 17:59 - 20 minutes - 28.8 MB

Saying goodbye is often necessary, and almost always hard. In the words of Dr. Seuss, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." This sermon is Eleanor's last time in the pulpit as our intern and summer minister.

AWAKE

July 24, 2017 00:04 - 21 minutes - 30.1 MB

UUCA PODCAST Ralph Waldo Emerson's disciple, Henry Thoreau wrote from Walden Pond: "We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn." Thoreau's expectations were and remain robust in our nation, and in Unitarian Universalism. Join me as I continue looking at how our way of faith has been a harbinger of America's path.

Fanactics Part 1: Be a Zealot

July 16, 2017 22:48 - 24 minutes - 22 MB

In this message, Rev. John looks at why fanatics are the "squeaky wheels that get the oil" in society and why we need to understand fanaticism and become an equal and opposite force of love over and against their traditionalists/fundamentalists message of exclusion. Before the sermon, there was a reading (below). Enjoy... Reading before the sermon: Excerpt from David Foster Wallace's Commencement address at Kenyon College in 2008 Here's something else that's weird but true: in the day...

The Heart Knoweth

July 04, 2017 14:04 - 29 minutes - 33.8 MB

In this message, Rev. Fred Muir shows how Ralph Waldo Emerson had his finger on the pulse of our nation. Ahead of his time, his "Harvard Divinity School Address" - called by one Unitarian colleague "the latest form of infidelity" - was simply carrying forward the spirit as witnessed in the birth of the nation. Listen to how UUism has been a harbinger of America's path.

Count It All Joy

June 27, 2017 17:26 - 27 minutes - 37.4 MB

We may have heard a few sayings like "Count it all joy" or "God is good all the time"; but, really, life is full of challenges and hardships that can bring us great despair. How do we "count it all joy" amidst a rough political landscape, conflicts amongst our peers, and hardships in our daily lives? Soon to be seminarian, Joshua Long, who is also UUCA/AWAKE's Contemporary Music Directory, explores how joy can move beyond our feelings and into the affirmative goodness of/in life.

Finding Joy in Church

June 23, 2017 00:19 - 20 minutes - 19 MB

"The struggle is eternal," is a favorite revolutionary saying, and it's true; we even feel it in church. Church should engage us in struggle, by challenging us to live more faithfully. The faith journey draws us inward toward one another, outward to embrace the unknown, and onward toward a visionary future. Even while these different motions sometimes collide, their interplay is where we find joy. A message from our Summer Minister, Eleanor Piez.

Fare-Thee-Well

June 13, 2017 19:20 - 21 minutes - 29.3 MB

In this episode, Rev. Christina Leone Tracy powerfully and passionately says goodbye to the UUCA congregation. "I have three sermons I preach to you," she says and then explains why these lessons are more important now more than ever before. This was an emotional message that touched us all. Goodbye Rev. Christina. You shall be greatly missed...

The Limits of Authenticity

May 30, 2017 00:57 - 32 minutes - 30 MB

In this message, Rev. John T. Crestwell delves into the complicated arena of authenticity, individuality, and individualism and shows that there is a fine line between altruism and hedonism. Special music before and after the message from Guest Musician, Bob Sima This sermon is dedicated to the memory of Lt. Richard W. Collins III.

Being the Village

May 23, 2017 15:21 - 20 minutes - 28.6 MB

Rev. Christina explores themes from the book Coming of Age the Rite Way, the chosen topic from auction winner Jen Mendez. She considers what it means to be the village to raise our children and thus live into our collective future. Rev. Christina will explore themes from the book Coming of Age the Rite Way, the chosen topic from auction winner Jen Mendez. We'll consider what it means to be the village to raise our children and thus live into our collective future!

Dear White Members and Friends of UUCA

May 09, 2017 19:41 - 16 minutes - 22.7 MB

In this message on a very special "Teach-in on White Supremacy" Sunday, Rev. Fred Muir tells some personal stories and references the book, "Waking up White" to emphasize his message about White privilege, fragility, and society and his culture's need for personal growth in this area. The video referenced is from Buzz Feed. It's about privilege and can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD5f8GuNuGQ Note: Over 100 members and friends participated in conversations after...

Resurrection = YES

May 01, 2017 18:50 - 22 minutes - 20.2 MB

After a reading by Pesha Gertler, read by Seminarian and AWAKE Music Director Joshua Long, Rev. John shares why we must say yes to turmoil, controversy and confusion. He calls it all "holy work" and shares stories about his journey, UUCA's changes, and the current UUA controversy to make his point about resurrection.

Brother Juniper Gives Away the Church

April 24, 2017 19:42 - 14 minutes - 19.5 MB

In a very passionate sermon, Rev. Christina Leone Tracy discusses transformation, change, UUCAs present and future, as well as the current UU/UUA Climate. How can we give away our church to gain a true and just UU faith? Listen to this sermon. The first 3-minutes are missing so the written text is below: I love the story that I read to you earlier, Brother Juniper, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6051.Brother_Juniper, because it is a sweet, funny, kind story, a story that tells of a...

Easter WIthout Christ?

April 18, 2017 14:15 - 24 minutes - 33.5 MB

This Easter day, Christians are celebrating the resurrected Christ - the quintessential event of the Christian tradition. Yet most Unitarian Universalists reject this moving and core concept. Still, there is a growing group of UU Christians at UUCA and in UUism. This Easter day, let's look at Christ.

Transformation: It's the Little Things

April 11, 2017 15:22 - 21 minutes - 29.8 MB

When we think of transformation, we often imagine a big, dramatic change. But profound changes can also take place more subtly over time through practice. The Christian story of Palm Sunday offers a lens through which we will examine the nature of transformation.

That's a BIG "IF"

March 28, 2017 17:41 - 17 minutes - 24.4 MB

In this message Rev. John examines one of his favorite poems, If, by Rudyard Kipling and helps the listener see that the old-time virtues of integrity, courage and honesty are not so old and sorely needed today in a world where truths are "twisted by knaves".

Leap of Faith

March 20, 2017 17:19 - 24 minutes - 33 MB

What does Trapeze have to do with being a UU? As it turns out, quite a bit! Let's talk about the risks we might need to take as we leap into a very uncertain religious and political future.

The Risk of Liberalism (Sanctuary)

March 13, 2017 20:30 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MB

Rev. Fred Muir steps out and declares that UUCA must become a Sanctuary Congregation in this very moving and bold talk. He says, "I'm a Liberal. There - I've said it! Identifying oneself as a Liberal is risky business nowadays. As a faith, UUism is identified as Liberal Religion. It always has been. What's that mean? What are the risks?" Join him in exploring these questions.

LIving Truthfully

March 10, 2017 16:10 - 20 minutes - 27.9 MB

Rev. Fred Muir I saw a link for the "New York Times" the other day that read - "Read the Times: Just the facts. No alternatives." Are we living in an "alternative facts" world? Truthful living is at the core of our Unitarian Universalist Principals. How do we make sense of it all?

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