From Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, Senior Co-Minister In listing the sources for the living tradition of Unitarian Universalism we claim that “wisdom from the world’s religions inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life” – with the understanding that “the world’s religions” here means religions in addition to Judaism and Christianity, which are central to our religious heritage....
Category: Rev. Anya’s Blog
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The Shape of Integrity
From Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, Senior Co-Minister The early American Unitarians believed in Salvation by Character – the idea that we could save ourselves by living with integrity. This radical assertion overturned the prevalent Calvanist theology of predestination – that some were saved and others damned at birth; that character simply revealed what God had pre-ordained....
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The Beauty of Collaboration: Hospitality at UUCM
From Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael , Senior Co-Minister “Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place.” —Henri J.M. Nouwen, Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life...
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Possibilities Abound
From Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, Senior Co-Minister There is a slight possibility that Rev. Scott and I will move into our new home in Montclair the day before Christmas Eve. There is a greater possibility that we will move into our new home on December 27th. There is a slight possibility that we have underestimated the...
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Experimentation, Change and Community
From Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, Senior Co-Minister Perhaps you were present for the “Experiment!” service on March 18, 2018. If not, I encourage you to listen to the sermon podcast (https://uumontclair.wordpress.com/2018/03/18/experiment-03-18-2018/). As senior co-minister with accountability for Worship at UUCM, I am excited to announce some new experiments: Our Music Director Markus Grae-Hauck had the bold...
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Hope: It Looks to Me Like a Community
From Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, Senior Co-Minister I’ve begun to receive holiday cards. One of the notes came, as it does every year, from an intentional community where I lived for a year and a half, while studying for the ministry at Meadville Lombard Theological School. The Sophia Community, an intentionally interfaith home, nourishes the lives of their residents...