UU Church of Annapolis Podcast
Sermons by the ministers and guests at UUCA -Living boldly and compassionately in Annapolis, MD for over 60 years!
 
Dark and Light

in this season where many look at the darkness and light as religious expressions, Rev. John examines dark and light, blackness and whiteness and the language we use to express love and hate.

Direct download: Darkandlight.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:29am EDT

Living with the Meaning of Christmas

With most religious observances/celebrations, there is a good story behind them. So also with Christmas. The contemporary implications of its story are many, so join us this morning as we unpack life with Christmas.

Direct download: Living_with_the_Meaning_of_Christmas.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:51pm EDT

Can't Buy Me Love (or can you?)

As we continue our seasonal theme of love, today we'll explore whether or not you can "buy" love -- especially at this season of giving that can be so easily commercialized. We'll explore the 5 Love Languages in the context of the holidays.

Direct download: Cant_Buy_Me_Love_or_can_you.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:03pm EDT

Living with the Meaning of Hanukkah

With most religious observances/celebrations, there is a good story behind them. So also with Hanukkah. The contemporary implications of its story are many, so join us this morning as we unpack life with Hanukkah.

Direct download: Living_with_the_Meaning_of_Hanukkah.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:12pm EDT

Vampire Diaries
I love vampire shows because most of them tend to be very romantic. They are all over the TV these days. I got sucked in to one a few days ago when I accidentally watched the last episode of the Vampire Diaries with my daughter. I was instantly hooked!
 
By the way, how is your love-life? This Sunday we will talk about how to make love come alive in your life. Let's awaken or re-awaken the love inside of you.
Direct download: vampirediaries-betterdays.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:51pm EDT

No, Thank You

It's been said that we should hold our "no" as sacred as our "yes." Saying "no" and honoring our own boundaries can even be an act of love to ourselves. But how can we maintain a posture of gratitude and abundance while still honoring our "no"? Come and learn to honor your "no" with gratitude.

Direct download: 09_-_No_Thank_You.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:19pm EDT

Abundance Join us - young, old, and in-between - for our first "Celebration Sunday" of the church year. You might have noticed we're honoring "seasonal" themes instead of monthly ones. Today we'll celebrate the end of our Abundance Season with story, song, ritual, and a special surprise you won't want to miss!
Direct download: Abundance.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:31pm EDT

Calling, Courage and Committment

Unitarian Universalism is not a "peace church" like the Quakers, but we do have a strong thread of pacifism in our heritage. How do we honor our pacifist leanings, oppose war, and simultaneously support and honor our veterans? Military veterans or their families are encouraged to bring a photo or item from military service for our altar this morning.

Direct download: Calling_Courage_and_Commitment.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:29pm EDT

Choosing Your Religion
In this sermon Rev. Fred Muir says "how we revere freedom of choice, in nearly everything we do and most especially in choosing our beliefs. The abundance and generosity in our way of religion is reflected in how Unitarian Universalists have blended these two theological histories to such a point that we forget the radically different paths the traditions took and how they each continue shaping us. Let's pull apart our UU history and look at how we/you got here."
 
[This sermon was paid for and selected by Jamie Harms at last year's church auction.]
Direct download: Choosing_Your_Religion.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:40pm EDT

Abundance in the Desert

Oftentimes we associate the desert with "not enough", but the desert can also be a place of great abundance.  What happens when we approach the deserts in our own lives as offering abundance rather than scarcity?  Our new Intern Minister, Hannah Villnave, explores how the deserts (both literal and figurative!) in her own life have brought abundance and grace.

Direct download: 01_Track_01_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Generosity Mindset

Rev. John at the AWAKE Service discusses his understanding of generosity and how it ripples outwardly in the world.

 

The video that is watched is here: Thai Insurance Ad

Direct download: 03_Track_03.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:10pm EDT

Let It Be a Dance

 "We begin again in love" is the refrain in a responsive reading from our Unitarian Universalist hymnal.  The reading is about forgiveness - forgiving ourselves and others. On this Sunday between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (the Jewish High Holy Days), forgiveness is our topic and the challenges of learning the steps to this difficult dance.

Direct download: Let_It_Be_a_Dance.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:22pm EDT

The Transient & Permanent of Unitarian-Universalism
In 1841, Unitarian minister Theodore Parker preached a sermon entitled, "The Transient and Permanent in Christianity," considering what was an important foundation of the faith, and what was changeable. This Sunday Rev. Christina will explore what is transient and what is permanent in our own Unitarian Universalism (hint, a lot is transient!)-- This sermon topic was purchased at the fall auction by Ken Apfel and members of Christina's Committee on Ministry.
Direct download: The_Transient_and_Permanent_of_UU-ism.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:02pm EDT

What's In a Name?

In many cultures - including ours - a change of name has signified a change of identity, a maturing, a time of deepening. Names are important symbols of who we are and what we want to be. Join me this morning in this valuable exploration.

Direct download: Whats_In_a_Name-.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:23pm EDT

The Best Advice I Ever Received

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you? Did you listen? We'll hear from some members -- Diane Goforth, Dan Moreau, Shauntee Daniels, Rev Patricia Owen, and Rev Christina Leone-Tracy

Direct download: The_Best_Advice_I_Ever_Received.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:11pm EDT

Stopped By a Brick

We live in a very busy world. What is the cost of this busyness and how do we slow down?

Direct download: Stopped_By_a_Brick.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:32pm EDT

Why Darwin Matters

Charles Darwin initiated a cultural revolution that started 156 years ago and shows no signs of stopping. Politics, science, religion, families and school systems have all been caught up in the tumult - in the applications and misapplications of Darwin's "little secret". Where do you stand in this ongoing conversation?

Direct download: Why_Darwin_Matters.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:14pm EDT

Hitting Rock Bottom

We all hit it! What can we learn from the dark times we all face? How do we embrace those moments, remain fully present in our communities and grow stronger?

Direct download: Hitting_Rock_Bottom.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:49pm EDT

Let Freedom Ring

This Independence Day Sunday, let us consider religious freedom. It's quintessential to the U.S. way of life, right?  Can anybody really argue against it? "You betcha!" (as a former VP Republican candidate would say). Join me as I take a look at this fundamental liberty that helped shape our faith and nation.

Direct download: Let_freedom_Ring.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:03pm EDT

Question Box Sermon 2015

The annual summer tradition continues! Wondering, and questions, are inherently a part of our UU identity. Bring your questions--big, small, deep, or silly-- and Rev. Christina will answer as many as she can from the pulpit!

Direct download: Question_Box_Sermon_2015.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:46pm EDT

Connections

The story of one woman's quest for connection in a UU setting inspires us to think about how we may take hospitality to the next level.

Direct download: Connections.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:50pm EDT

Lost & Found in the Philippeans

There's more to the Unitarian Universalist story than has been known. Join me this morning as I reflect on my recent trip to the UU Church of the Philippines.

Direct download: Lost__Found_in_the_Philippeans.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:40pm EDT

Protect and Serve

"The young dead soldiers do not speak. Nevertheless, they are heard in the still houses: who has not heard them?" (Archibald MacLeish).

Direct download: Protect_and_Serve.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:52pm EDT

Samsara

Samsara is a Hindu term related to living, dying and reincarnation.  In Hinduism we are stuck on an endless wheel of life/death/rebirth until we reach enlightenment.  In a modern sense, this means if we get stuck in bad patterns we will repeat them until we become conscious of what we are doing.  

Direct download: samsara.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:49pm EDT

The Ministry Team leads this service on "differences that make a difference";

Rev Fred Muir & Rev John Crestwell discuss differences Race brings.

Direct download: Differences_--_Race.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:06pm EDT

The Ministry Team leads this service on "differences that make a difference";

Rev Fred Muir & Rev Patricia Owen discuss sexual orientation

Direct download: Differences_--_Sexual_Orientation.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:04pm EDT

The Ministry Team leads this service on "differences that make a difference";

Rev John Crestwell & Rev Christina Leone-Tracy talk about Gender differences

Direct download: Differences_--_Gender.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:02pm EDT

The End of Faith

In this sermon Rev. John reviews Sam Harris' book and concludes that it is not necessary to belittle another's faith to prove your values or beliefs are better.  He promotes language of affirmation and not denunciation.

Direct download: End_of_Faith.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:23am EDT

In the Name of Love -- Second Service

There's a lot about the Christian Church - which is part of our Unitarian Universalist heritage - that was shaped and created in the first centuries after the crucifixion of Jesus. Easter Sunday is a perfect time to look at that history and what happened to it ... and to us.

Direct download: In_the_Name_of_Love_--_Second_Service.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:28pm EDT

In the Name of Love -- First Service

There's a lot about the Christian Church - which is part of our Unitarian Universalist heritage - that was shaped and created in the first centuries after the crucifixion of Jesus. Easter Sunday is a perfect time to look at that history and what happened to it ... and to us.

Direct download: In_the_Name_of_Love_--_First_Service.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:26pm EDT

Apron Faith

Ours is an active, lived faith, not one that occurs only in our minds. What does this mean for our need to serve each other and the world? It's time to put on our aprons!

Direct download: Apron_Faith.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:29pm EDT

When people say they have faith they will "get through this or that" what does that mean? Is faith relevant to us in 2015 and beyond? Do we need it? Do we want it? Let's explore together how we navigate the detours and potholes of our lives, and how faith can play a part.

Direct download: Detours_and_Potholes.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:16pm EDT

Living our liberal faith invites us into spaces where courage is needed and hope is abundant. People often talk about living a life of faith. What is at the center of our faith and what does living our Unitarian Universalist faith look like?

Direct download: A_Courageous_Faith.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:05pm EDT

Hindu Trinity

The three major gods in Hinduism have something to teach about faith, hope, and love. If we embrace their guidance, we will get the essence and purpose of what life really is.

Direct download: Hindu_Trinity.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:41pm EDT

Have We Lost Faith?

What does the word "faith" conjure up in your mind? Strong will? Believing in what you can't see? A person with shallow or deep belief? Is it a particular way of believing? Have you a faith to lose? Oh, all the questions about faith! And yet the word is thrown around by everyone (including your ministers!). Join us this morning as we take a deep breath and jump into the pool of "faith".

Direct download: Have_We_Lost_Faith.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:35pm EDT

The Arc of the Universe Is Long

I loved watching the cartoon The Jetsons, about the everyday antics of a space-aged family in the future. They had flying cars, a robot housekeeper, videophones, and all kinds of electronic conveniences. Let's explore where we are and where we are going as a species. Are we headed toward a Jetsons or a Star Trek existence centuries from now? My findings may shock and/or excite you!

Direct download: arcislong1.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:09pm EDT

Enough For Everyone

One thing that draws many people to our faith is the acceptance of many different beliefs held under one umbrella. Sometimes it doesn't feel that way when we struggle with the idea of dominant theology. Is there enough room under the umbrella? Is there enough for everyone?

Direct download: Enough_for_Everybody.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:23pm EDT

Maybe I Can Live That Long, Too.

Come learn more about the person who uttered these words: "Maybe I can live that long, too". Unknown to most during the Civil Rights era, her actions gave direction to a movement that would eventually bring thousands to Selma - not just once, but several times - and change the course of US history, a history still being written today.

Direct download: Maybe_I_Can_Live_That_Long_Too.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:16pm EDT

Hands Up!  Don't Shoot!  I Can't Breathe!

What is going on? Is this a police problem, or the problem of people who resist authority? Is it both, or is there more going on? Where do we go from here? Rev. John will give his thoughts on the protests, anger and apathy seen in American streets, courtrooms, and police precincts over the last few months.

Direct download: Hands_Up_--_Dont_Shoot_--_I_Cant_Breathe.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:09pm EDT

Beloved Community Lab

Remember in school, those classes with a lecture portion and a lab portion? If church is where we create the Beloved Community, we need a practical skills lab! Let's explore that idea together.

Direct download: Beloved_Community_Lab.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT