We all seek to become somebody or achieve success according to our definition of the word. But what if the ultimate goal is not to become anything? Sermon by Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr.  Music by Sara Jones. Delivered on Sunday, August 14th, 2022. 

Unitarian Universalists are questioners. We honor this by having our ministers answer your questions. What are the questions that are gripping your spirit these days? You may submit them in advance by emailing Karen Murphy-Keddell. This is Rev. John's first Sunday back from sabbatical, so we know that you are curious. Music by Sara Jones. Delivered on Sunday, August 8th, 2022. 

The Webb telescope recently provided us with the earliest look into the origins of our universe. This cosmic nursery was also the beginning story for our Earth, for life abundant, and for human life. Let us consider the grand story of which we are a part. Sermon delivered by Rev. Anastassia Zinke. Music by Josh Long and the UUCA worship ensemble. Delivered on Sunday, July 31st, 2022. 

Explore two narratives about encountering starfish. Let us consider how they might help us discern how we want to meet the world at this moment. Rev. Anastassia preaching, with music offered by Betsy Kraning. Delivered Sunday, July 24th, 2022.

The US political, social, and medical landscape changed dramatically with the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe vs Wade and cleared the way for several states to highly restrict or ban abortion services. For us at UUCA, what are the implications of this decision? How will our faith guide us through this time? Rev. Anastassia preaching. Music by Rob Redei and the UUCA choir. Delivered Sunday, July 17th, 2022.

This is the story of a good death. We faced it with song and memories and kung pao chicken. It was achieved with intention and mindfulness. It was meant to face Mom's final journey in joy instead of fear. I hope we all learn to be the master of our final moments from this loving example.  By Jane Carrigan, Board of Trustees President, Worship Leader. Delivered on Sunday, May 29th, 2022.

We Only Have Now. Love is an action word that is often expressed as collective action. NOW is the operative word since we only have now. Examples and questions are what drive us to social justice, but only if we truly believe in the 7 Principles and live the 8th Principle in our private and public lives. Thornell Jones is an active member of UUCA who has been a lay leader, is a member of the 8th Principle Practice Team, and is an active social justice leader in the community. Delivered on Sunday, June 19th, 2022.

Carrie Baquie explores a few pivotal crossroads she encountered on her road to recovery from sudden traumatic illness. We learn through her story that within us all is the power to transform our experience. Following the service at 11:15 am in the Angebrandt Room, we invite you to join Carrie for an After Hour GOING DEEPER session to explore the feelings and emotions around this topic.

A 20-year IT Project Manager and spunky mother of three teens, in early 2019 Carrie experienced a stroke compounded by Lyme disease and Mold Illness. She successfully struggled through misdiagnoses and a lack of agency to emerge as a chronic illness coach. Carrie empowers others with long-term health challenges to rediscover hope, learn to advocate for their own needs, and build wellness at the physical, emotional and spiritual levels. Music by guest pianist-singer and activist Alice Mayne-Ashworth. Alice performs with Strangers That Clique, a DC-based fusion original funk-soul-hip-hop-rock band, and Joyous Voices carolers. Alice has worked with the Debt Collective and other causes to incorporate creative tactics including music and art in designing effective, imaginative collective actions. Delivered Sunday, July 10th, 2022. 

On July 3, the eve of our nation's birthday, Max Ochs led a service titled: "I HEAR AMERICA SINGING". With help from some gifted UUCA musicians, using a pastiche of folksongs and readings from Mark Twain, Abraham Lincoln, Sophia L. Fahs, Reed Whittemore, and others, Max offers his vision of The America I Believe In.

Max Ochs began his association with UUCA’s Liberal Religious Youth (LRY) in 1956, when he was fifteen. He worked for decades at Anne Arundel County’s anti-poverty agency, and the A.A. Conflict Resolution Center. He has a Masters in Humanities from St. John’s College. Max styles himself as a “primitive American” guitarist, with several recordings. His book of poems "Just Caws" is available on Amazon. He and Suzanne enjoy their nine grandchildren. Flowers provided by Audrey Lengbeyer.

With Special Guest Speaker, Leika Lewis-Cornwell!

With the climate and weather, ongoing waves of pandemic, court decisions, and other justice issues, sometimes it seems like the same experience over and over again. So how do we keep going--and growing--when it can be so easy to feel stuck? Music will be provided by Joshua Long and the UUCA Ensemble. Delivered on Sunday June 26th, 2022. 

Our favorite songs, whoever the artist or whatever the style, were created in a strange alchemy of study and inspiration, of strict practice and of letting go. Spiritual practice is a similar combination of dedication, muscle memory and perhaps a little divine inspiration. Join us for a musical exploration of learning to risk, building the muscle memory of courage, and a spiritual practice of relationship when things around us are changing fast. Speaker Matt Meyer. Delivered on Sunday, June 12th, 2022.

During this Membership Sunday service, we will reflect together on the meaning we find as part of the UUCA community. We will hear reflections from Rev. Anastassia and members of our congregation. One-year reflection from McKendre Jay. Ten-year reflection from Linda Mundy. Twenty-five-year reflection from Ted Hall. Finally, forty-year reflection from Cindy Curtis.  Music by Rob Redei and the UUCA Choir. Delivered on Sunday June 5th, 2022. 

We will celebrate our Bridging High School seniors as they cross this life stage milestone. We will honor and bless our faith formation volunteers for their incredible service over the past year. Rev. Anastassia preaching, with music offered by Rob Redei and our UUCA Choir. Delievered Sunday May 22nd, 2022. Congratulations Senoirs: Fiona Coleman, Lillian Davis, Maeya Devlin Tremble, Teddy Fleming, Nathaniel Hill, Haven Hitchcock, Isabella Roman, Simmone Wallace, and Will Whitaker.

There are many issues that Unitarian Universalists are interested in engaging, so much so the issues sometimes almost define us. But perhaps even more defining is the how of how we do collective action. This Sunday, Rev. Anastassia will draw upon the thought work of adrienne maree brown (writer, a pleasure activist, Octavia Butler scholar, facilitator, speaker and singer, and doula) to unpack some key practices that in brown's words can "grow our capacity to embody the just and liberated worlds we long for." Rev. Anastassia preaching, with music offered by Josh Long and our Worship Ensemble. Delivered on Sunday, May 15th, 2022. 

For over a year Rev. Fred Muir partnered with a team of UU colleagues to review and write about “Widening the Circle of Concern” (the Report of the UUA Commission on Institutional Change, 2020). It’s a bold, comprehensive, and “frame-bending” appraisal of our multicultural, anti-racism commitments with many recommendations. This morning Rev. Fred will share some of his insights—institutional and personal, religious and spiritual—inspired by our work with particular attention as to how these might shape our sustaining affirmation of the 8th Principle. (This sermon was purchased at UUCA’s auction by Olga Pabon, Angelique Berry, Thornell Jones, and Stan Keeve. If you can, please look at these two links: Widening the Circle of Concern and 8th Principle. Music by Rob Redei and the UUCA Choir. Delivered on Sunday, May 8th, 2022.

All the major world religions have a theology that narrates humanity's relationship with the Earth, and that often manifests in certain environments or landmarks being recognized as sacred and, therefore, not to be violated. Come hear what a UU sacred text might sound like, and help identify what local places on this Earth we want to recognize as sacred. Rev. Anastassia preaching, with music by Josh Long. Delievered Sunday, May 1st, 2022.

Through voluntary or forced migration, most people in the United States don't live on their ancestral land, and in the process, the sacred wisdom traditions and practices of living entwined with the earth have become lost. Utilizing Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by indigenous botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer, let us reflect on how we can have the Earth become of primary teacher again. Rev. Anastassia preaching, music by the UUCA choir. Delievered on Sunday, April 24th, 2022. 

When Jesus needed to discern the next steps, he went into the wildness. When we celebrate Passover, we taste bitter herbs and horseradish from our Earth to recall the wisdom and experience of our ancestors. When the crocus opens its purple petals to the crisp air we are invited to experience a vision of Spring. This Easter Sunday, let's consider both what small deaths we can abide, and what revealed truths are speaking to us now. Rev. Anastassia preaching, music by Rob Redei, and the UUCA choir. Delivered on Sunday April 17th, 2022.

UUCA member and Somatic Psychotherapist Jessie Rhines will share a top-down view of the current state of mental health, as well as some bottom-up practices she recommends to help us better care for ourselves and our communities. Join us for our last sermon on the theme of “Compassion,” woven throughout with experiential practice. Music by Josh Long. Delivered on Sunday, April 10th, 2022. 

Send Rev. John off on sabbatical with a blessing and listen again to his vision for UUCA in the present/future. Music by The UUCA Choir. Delivered on Sunday, March 27th, 2022.

For this service, Rev. John shares what the environment and world religions have to say about compassion and empathy. Music by the UUCA Ensemble. Delivered on Sunday March 13th, 2022. 

This pandemic time has exposed fault lines around how individualism and community can come into conflict. Through the work of several contemporary ethicists, we’ll explore how we can make good choices, what we owe to each other, and how our foundational ideals inform those ideas. Guest minister, Rev. Christian Schmidt preaching. Music provided by Rob Redei. Delivered on Sunday March 6th, 2022.

In this message, Rev. John Crestwell, shares his understanding of Casteism and Racism using the brilliant writing of author Isabel Wilkerson from her book Caste: The Origins of our Discontent.

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 does our theology speak to this? Rev. Anastassia Zinke preaching, with music by Sara Jones. Delivered on Sunday February 6th, 2022.

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 this meaning? Today the ministers will answer questions about how they are engaging in mindful and equitable partnership. Delivered on Sunday January 23rd, 2022.

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, 2022.

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 24th, 2021. 

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, including by reducing harm among ourselves. Music by Sarah Jones. Rev. Anastassia Zinke. Given on October 31st, 2021. 

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 is a preacher, teacher, and an experienced leader of retreats and pilgrimages. From 2001 to 2020, he was Senior Minister of All Souls Church, Unitarian in Washington, DC, a large, multiracial congregation. During his ministry at All Souls, Rob helped create organizations that advocated for marriage equality and for voting rights. He lives in Washington with his husband and son.

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 Derek Chauvin trial, and how many worked to counter the single stories that informed this case. We will highlight how we need to continue to counter racist and problematic stories, and re-story our way towards Beloved Community. Music by Joshua Long.

Ralph Waldo Emerson recognized that the world is meant to be savored and we are designed to savor it. Why is the act of savoring essential for our spiritual lives? Once we have seen the world and savored its beauty, then we know we are called it save it, both for itself and for ourselves. Let us dedicate ourselves to saving this earth.

Today we examine Naomi Klein's most recent book while also examining "regenerative economies" and how UUCA can adopt and adapt some of its current social justice practices. Music by Rob Redei and the UUCA Choir.

Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr., Minister
Rev. Anastassia Zinke, Minister

The early Jesus followers believed that they would be with Jesus again in an idyllic, earthly community. On this Easter Sunday, we celebrate the paradise that our Earth is meant to be and dedicate ourselves to be evangelists for this earth. Music by Rob Redei and our UUCA Choir.

We yearn for freedom but what does ultimate freedom look like? In this service Rev. John will look at integrative spirituality as a framework for your spiritual freedom.

Join Rev. John as he examines the value of being authentic while also being accountable to the relationships around you. The message will also address the pros and cons of "Cancel Culture" and why respect is at the heart of the matter.

Mutuality exists when we live in such a way that we extend the same level of respect, care, and compassion for one another. When we "live for one another" as our Sunday covenant states, we extend this mutuality to our choices beyond the one-to-one relationship. For example, when we wear COVID masks or quarantine to keep one another safe, or when we increase access whether by adding ramps or by shifting away from being a mono-culture towards being multicultural. We can live in mutuality by truly getting to know one another. This Sunday, we will recognize the profound loss and impact of COVID over the past year, and also lift up how sustaining being in mutual relationship with one another is. Rev. Anastassia Zinke, preaching. Music by Rob Redei and the UUCA choir.

Have you ever noticed that we don’t have a word for nonviolence in itself? In all our languages, this ancient though often untapped practice, has been referred to linguistically as the opposite of violence. It is more than that. Let us consider what nonviolence is, not merely as a political strategy, but more as a personal and spiritual practice. How can nonviolence disrupt patterns of harm, and help move us into the spiritual wholeness and right relationship. Rev. Anastassia Zinke preaching. Music by Joshua Long, UUCA Ensemble & UUCA Choir.

Emergent Strategy means that we practice biomimicry. That is, we do what nature does in our religious, social, and political associations. How can this way of life transform our planet and our Beloved Community? Rev. John and Rev. Anastassia will share the pulpit. Music by Josh Long.

Emergent Strategy means that we practice biomimicry. That is, we do what nature does in our religious, social, and political associations. How can this way of life transform our planet and our Beloved Community? Rev. John and Rev. Anastassia will share the pulpit. Music by Josh Long.

In a popular Unitarian Universalist hymn (also found in many other hymn collections), one verse speaks about the promise of a better tomorrow (Beloved Community) shaped by the "flame of freedom in [our] souls and the light of science in [our] eyes." Beloved Community, freedom, and science. This trio has meaning that vibrates in our way of faith and in our nation - all three were publicly named at President Biden's inauguration. Let's hold these up in the light for greater clarity. Music by Rob Redei and the UUCA Choir.

What does Beloved Community actually mean to you? What does it look like and feel like? In this message, Rev. John will take us on a journey toward our own realization of what BC is, means, and requires.

Don't let the title fool you. This sermon is about my personal spiritual journey as a Unitarian Universalist minister and why I'm now more nature-based and Zen about my faith and message for humanity.

The best way to teach our children is to be and to show: how we behave and how we engage with the world are much better predictors of how our children will do than all the books we’ve read about parenting could teach us. Rev. Anastassia preaching. Music by Joshua Long.

Brené Brown holds that we disengage for two reasons: to protect ourselves and because we feel that the people who are supposed to be leading us are not living up to the social contract. In this age of polarization and violence upon our democracy, when our public leaders, neighbors, and family members have disappointed us, how can we courageously step into the gap between reality and our aspirational values? Rev. Anastassia preaching. Music by Rob Redei and the UUCA Choir.

What was Dr. King's secret to his success? Was it his education, family, timing, or something else? Let's explore this together as we look at what his message means to us in light of the state of our nation.

Rev. John responds to the events at the Capitol and shares the secret teaching of all ages which is the key to humanity moving forward toward beloved community. Abracadabra! "No one is sure as to the origin of the strange word 'abracadabra'. ... - The word is of Hebrew or Aramaic origin, being derived either from the Hebrew words 'ab' (father), 'ben' (son), and 'ruach hakodesh' (holy spirit), or from the Aramaic 'avra kadavra', meaning 'it will be created in my words'." (phrases.org.uk)

With Rev. Anastassia. Though we don’t always recognize it, shame causes us to disconnect from love and belonging. We can restore connection when we embrace our own worthiness and demonstrate vulnerability and authenticity. Why is this particularly important as we seek to build the beloved community? Music by Rob Redei and the UUCA Choir.

In this short homily, Rev. Anastassia Zinke shares her family's story of Hanukkah and why this celebration is still important for her life.

Voter Suppression is an unacknowledged part of American history. Today’s service will spotlight the history of voter suppression both nationally and locally and provide steps you can take to challenge these laws and practices. When We All Vote… All Voices are Heard. Music by Joshua Long and the Awake Singers.

This is my last sermon until August.  I'm taking a month off to rest.  In this message, I talk about compassion and these exciting and excruciating times we live in.  There are days when things seem surreal.  If you are A UU with only a little time, go to the 17:00 mark and listen to my message directly pointed toward Unitarian Universalism and our present/future.  Enjoy.

Listen to Rev. John as he shares his theological underpinnings and why he feels EL is humanity's salvation.

In this message, Rev. John puts social and spiritual context on what is happening today with the pandemic.  He discusses his understanding Gaia (Mother Earth), karma/dharma/sin, history, and the lesson(s) we must learn.  Enjoy.

It's late getting posted but here is Rev. Anastassia Zinke's candidating sermon before she was voted in as UUCA's minister of equal standing with Rev. John

In this message, Rev. John looks at the themes of Easter and the symbolic meanings to this celebration and shows how regeneration is a teaching of nature and not just from traditional religion.

Convert and reframe where you are today.

Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr.

In this brief message, Rev. John uses the UU Soul Matters theme of Resilience to show how the African American story in history epitomizes the word; and offers some brief advice for anyone needing to be reminded why they are alive today--in this time of social change.  

On UUCA's inaugural Science Sunday (aka Darwin Sunday) Rev. John continues his message about why we are both/and not either/or people and uses quantum entanglement as his proof.  This was a wonderful multigenerational service so there are beautiful kid voices in the audio.  We need that level of innocence and curiosity to move our thinking forward...  Enjoy.

The late Rev. Martin L King Jr.'s arrival as a leader and messenger of peace marked the apex of a repeating paradigm shift in America; a pattern that Rev. John believes occurs every 50 or so years.  Obama/Trump is part of this historical pattern as we reconcile our original sin from 1619 when the first blacks arrived to the New World (which of course wasn't "new").  In this sermon, Rev. John gives new insight into old problems about race and human relations and offers his simple solution.  Enjoy.

Rev. John shares his findings and response to the wonderful book by Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd, After the Good news, which asks are liberals really progressing or just in a delusion of conscience? What happens if you give up on the idea of progress?  What comes after?  And, how does Rev. John see progress and the karmic patterns of history?  Check this important message out...

Reverend Kathleen Rolenz, Interim Minister

December’s Soul Matters theme is “awe” - a theme which invites us to reflect on the places which we find awe-inspiring. At the same time, the daily news brings one alarming and distressing reality after another. Couple that with the fact that the holidays are not always awe-some, how do we find awe and wonder? The answer may surprise you.

Join Revs Kathleen and John as they discuss the past, present and future of our congregation.  Rev. Kathleen begins with honest dialog about her experience at UUCA; while Rev. John shares his personal vision for the congregation.

Join Rev. John as he explores part 2 of a sermon where he analyzes the primary and secondary religious stories that undergird our lives.  In this message he states that we must move from linear to non-linear thinking--toward quantum thinking.  He says that the West is in the midst of a major paradigm shift that will lead us to the world we dream about.  

"The end is near!"  What does it all mean?  In this sermon, Rev. John tackles old ideas with new insights to tackle the hard topic of fundamentalism and symbolism as the primary and secondary story, respectively, of humankind.  He shows us that the world we seek is inside of us.  "The Kingdom we seek is within and manifests inside before it does outside" he says.

Listen to guest minister, Rev. Keith Kron, from the UUA Transitions office, as he describes what a T-Rex named Penelope, Pittsburgh, and a theologian can teach us about the future of religion and our commitment to equity and justice.

In this message, Rev. John discusses Atonement, the Brotham Jean case, and how to change the world through forgiveness.

It’s taken us a long time to realize our value and our worth. It’s easy to forget how a social justice movement can forget or simply fail to acknowledge the other. When UUs raise our Black Lives Matter banners, this sermon will give a voice to the forgotten.  

We have rituals for many occasions in our lives. We live by them and they are important. We need to honor rituals and create new ones to satisfy our continued lives. 

The Fourth Source of Unitarian Universalism is Christian and Jewish Teachings calling us to love. In the aftermath of 2 mass shootings, we will reflect on how the book of Leviticus in the Hebrew Scriptures can inform us how we can change, atone, and act for justice in these difficult times. 

We Americans swim in the waters of a gun culture that increasingly threatens our well-being as well as our lives. Can we keep from drowning? How can we respond effectively?