We are holy beings and wholly being"Holy and Wholly Present" — In this season of light and celebration, we are reminded that we are not only holy beings but called to be wholly present, embracing each moment as sacred. Together, we’ll explore how the holiday season invites us to slow down, connect deeply, and honor the divine within ourselves and others. Join us as we reflect on the transformative power of seeing the holy in the here and now, making this time of year one of true presence and joy.

"The Unconquerable Sun" teaches us a lesson on presence, stillness and power that can help us navigate difficult times. Join Rev. John as he teaches us about the ancient worship of the Sun.

In this special service, we will come together to release the burdens that weigh us down. Through the simple act of writing and burning what pains and constrains us, we invite healing and renewal. This is a time to let go, repair, and open ourselves to new possibilities.

Emotions are running high. But in the midst of disruption and uncertainty, we can find our steady ground. Together, we will explore how to navigate this storm with resilience, compassion, and a commitment to healing our fractured nation. In the chaos, there is still hope for peace and progress.

Service led by Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr., Minister;

In this special service of musical ministry, the UUCA Choir and Ensemble will center us for November 5. Rev. John will share a few short words of meaningful context, and you will hopefully feel grounded for what comes next with the upcoming election. Bring your tissue, heart and soul to this worship service. 

What can children’s stories teach us about resilience during hard times? Join Intern Minister Ryan as he explores an old black folk tale for keys to continuance in our journey toward justice and purpose.
Service led by Ryan Ely,

Join our guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Robin Tanner, as we explore the values combination that could just inoculate our communities and country against authoritarianism. Rev. Dr. Robin Tanner is a member of the Lead Ministry Team at Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Summit, NJ. She holds a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School and a Doctorate in Ministry from the Pacific School of Religion.

Almost everyone has something they are passionate about. And yet, we are called to find ways to listen deeply to hear each other even when their passion does always align with our own. In this sermon, Rev. John discuss the difficulty of meeting people where they are and how to become a better listener.

Join Rev. John, Rev. Fred, Sarah, and our interns Ryan and SarahRuth for a meaningful service focused on letting go, healing mental and spiritual pains, and embracing forgiveness.
As we observe Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the arrival of fall, this is a time to reflect inwardly so we can move outwardly with love. A special healing ritual will be shared during the service.

In her homily, Sarah Devlin-Tremble describes how the awe that nature inspires can instill in people "a sense of being connected to something larger than themselves," and "awakens a sense of humility that vanishes that over-emphasized sense of self that can put us in the mind-space and the space of heart where we are concerned about our place in the world."

(Delivered: Sunday, September 29, 2024)

In this week's homily, Reverend John tells us how "Our relationship with the environment is a reflection of our relationship with ourselves and each other."

(Delivered: Sunday, September 29, 2024)

2025 will be a memorable year for U.S. citizens as we watch the inauguration of a new President. Also, many will be gearing up for the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration (look at the Anniversary Program Handbook and American 250). For Unitarian Universalists, our General Assembly will be in Baltimore (June 18-25). And, embedded in and related to these three events is the 100th anniversary of the “trial of the century” - Tennessee v. Scopes, 1925 - which is still shaping our communities and families in ongoing and significant ways. Together let’s explore the lasting and shaping effects of this trial.

(Delivered: Sunday, September 22, 2024)

What does it mean to be invitational? How can you and our congreation become more inviting? In this sermon Rev. John discusses hospitality and what it means to be radically welcoming.

(Delivered: Sunday September 15, 2024)

Join us during our Water Communion Celebration as Reverend John T. Crestwell, Jr. illustrates how water sustains us, nourishes us, and connects us to ourselves, each other, and to the Earth.
(Delivered: Sunday, September 8, 2024)

What does it really mean when theologians say justice is what love looks like in public? UUs have historically embodied that love and it is our call into the future. Our guest minister is Dayna Edwards, who is the Minister of Faith Formation at Cedar Lane UU Church. She is also a member of UUCA. We welcome her home for this service.

(Delivered: September 1, 2024)

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 2024-2025 church year. 
Delivered: August 18, 2024

Is it just me? Do you too feel like the current theo-political culture is not a forgiving one? Recently I’ve been confronted with the question/task/demand of shaping an apology, which may be the easy part: The harder part is what comes after an apology? Offering an apology - asking forgiveness and staying in relationship - is not easy. Let’s explore this together.
Service led by Rev. Dr. Fred Muir

Where is our home and how do we know when we are home? We explore the meaning of home, of community, and of spiritual connection, as we celebrate Lammas, learn values from an African traditional story, and celebrate the welcome of being home together.
SarahRuth Davis, Community Intern Minister

Ancient Hermeticism speaks of seven rules that govern our cosmos and earth. How can these laws give us perspective in uncertain times when laws are broken and not respected by many in power?

The Spirit of Life is the animating birthright that pulses through all of us. How do we access its aliveness to keep us connected to ourselves, our beloved community and the interdependent web of all things? Find out how awe experiences and the 8 Wonders of Life can fuel our inner joy and our outer contributions.  
Led by Cindy Atlee

Dr. Scott Eden describes how the Brain Balance Concept can lead to answers to the age-old questions of where do we come from, what are we, and what are we supposed to do?

Fifty-two years ago, the trajectory of my life changed. On a balmy April afternoon, the words of "Saint Waldo" moved me. His heretical, radical ideas have been inspiring Unitarian Universalists for 185 years. Come learn about and affirm our faith journey.
Led by Rev. Dr. Fred Muir

Delivered: Sunday June 30, 2024

What is longing teaching us, what can we learn from the yearnings of our soul? We explore longing for justice, for love, for purpose, and examine readings by Bénézet Bujo, Tara Brach, Thomas Merton, and the story of Peter Pan, which all tell us of embracing longing as a spiritual practice. Led by SarahRuth Davis.

Delivered: June 23,2024

On this last Sunday with Rev. Anastassia, let us reflect on these four years of shared ministry, receive and give blessings, and release her from ministry at UUCA.

What does membership mean, at first and through the decades? We want to honor the act of committing to a community of faith. Come welcome new members, hear several UUCA members share stories, music, and reflections about their journey with UUCA, and thank our Radical Hospitality Team.

When Rev. Anastassia joined us for candidating week, before being called as a minister of equal standing with Rev. John, she preached about covenant. In this last sermon of hers, let's revisit the collective power and sustenance of covenantal community. 

(Delivered Sunday June 2, 2024)

What happens after we die? What awaits us? Time Magazine dedicated a special edition to this topic converging science and faith. I will share some of what they found as well as my own personal beliefs on the subject.

(Delivered: Sunday, May 26, 2024)

You read my sermon title right: Mothers (plural). Join me this morning as I explore the qualities and characteristics of good mothering - from a personal point of view. Rev. Fred preaching.

(Delivered: May 12, 2024)

UUs use the word "love" often. It appears three times in our Sunday covenant alone. What is the nature of this love?

(Delivered: Sunday May 5, 2024)

In this auction sermon dedicated to UUCA member Sofia Blom, Rev John will examine Carl Jung's shadow concept and why a poem by William Ernest Henley provides the perfect context for understanding and overcoming our shadows which leads to spiritual transformation.

Delivered Sunday April 28, 2024

In this sermon, Rev. John looks at the book of Genesis in The Bible and discusses why we need to reinterpret what it teaches as it relates to our relationship with other living beings.

(Delivered: Sunday April 21, 2024)

Many come to religious communities seeking support in becoming their best self. Change is more than just understanding how you want to be, it is based on new behavior. Spiritual practices can be a powerful means for this process of becoming. Let's consider the transformational value of spiritual practice.

(Delivered: Sunday April 14, 2024)

As we process, Rev. Anastassia's pending departure from ministry at UUCA, what are the important things we have to say to one another?

Reverend John explains the meaning and importance of UUCA's Flower Communion tradition.

(Delivered: Sunday, March 31,2024)

Join Reverend Anastassia as she explores the idea of improbable hope and how it relates to miracles and new beginnings.

In this sermon, Rev John discusses his journey as a UU, why his faith has stood the test of time, and why he continues giving his financial resources to the UUCA community.

(Delivered Sunday March 10, 2024)

Human beings are meant to belong, to experience the commune of life, yet so many of us struggle to find belonging. Sometimes we, almost miraculously step into a community of belonging, but more often, Beloved Community is something we mutually create through acts of contribution. This Sunday, as we launch for pledge drive, let us consider how contributions unlock community and life within us.

(Delivered: March 3, 2024)

It has been nearly a decade since marriage equality became a legal right, but this was so much more than a Supreme Court decision. Let's review this movement, its power, its people, its values, and its impact. What might we carry forward as we think about the creation of equity and the Beloved Community beyond it.

(Delivered: February 25, 2024)

In this sermon, Rev John reviews a new book that chronicles the story of mental health abuse and why repair is needed today to make amends for past sins.

(Delivered: February 18, 2024)

In this sermon Rev John discusses fear and why it prevents humanity from creating a more just and. Equitable society. 

(Delivered: Sunday February 11, 2024)

William Ellery Channing, one of the founding leaders and theologians of our faith, was kept awake at night by a particular concern: have we missed the message about caring for people particularly, as we care for humanity universally? How much has this theology helped us engage more deeply in practicing care and inclusion with a more particular focus? Rev. Anastassia preaching.

In this sermon, Rev. John will discuss what being radically welcoming means to him and how this equitable approach in life leads to more authentic relationships.

(Delivered: Sunday Jan. 28,2024)

In this sermon, Rev. John discusses the number 2, the human body and brain and why making 2 into 1 is the key to peace, equity and unity in our lives. 

(Delivered: Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024)

Martin Luther King, Jr. perhaps is most famous for his "I Have a Dream Speech," but he wasn't the originator or the last owner of this dream. This MLK Sunday, let's consider the history and future of the collective movement of dreamers. Rev. Anastassia preaching,

During this intergenerational service, we will create the Beloved Community by honoring the sacramental transitions and celebrations in the lives of our members through poetry, music, and naming. Help us mark the joining of new members, coming-of-age advancement, the passage into adulthood, gender renaming, member departures, weddings, and deaths.

(Delivered: Jan 7, 2024)

On this last worship service for 2023, and in this season of Kwanza, what do you need more and less of to get into your positive flow for 2024? This is a participatory service with a homily and congregational sharing.
https://youtu.be/icK0zLKEgWY