Rev. Scott takes time for photo booth fun between services.
Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael was borrn in Jacksonville, Florida, and grew up in Baltimore, MD. There, in 1983, Scott co-founded the Maryland chapter of the Nuclear Freeze Campaign. In 1994 Rev Scott helped organize the Southwest Baltimore “Tree-Mendous Maryland” initiative, bringing fresh, live plants and playgrounds to vacant city lots. He also worked as a labor organizer for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 24.
Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from UMBC and a Masters in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College, Annapolis; he is also a licensed electrician and building inspector. Reverend Scott prepared for the ministry at Meadville Lombard Theological School. At Meadville, Rev. Scott received the Jenkin Lloyd Jones Scholarship, the Atherton Scholarship, and the Von Ogden Vogt Scholarship for liturgical studies. It was also at Meadville that he met his partner in life and ministry, Rev Anya.
In 2007 Scott founded TUUL-Belt Ministries, a practical ministry training people with construction experience to respond to natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina. In 2011 Scott recipient of the Outstanding Contribution by a Minister Award from the Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice. Scott served as a leader of Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement. V.O.I.C.E. is a congregation based community organization promoting immigration reform and economic justice for Northern Virginia’s middle and low income families.
Rev Scott and his wife Rev Anya Sammler-Michael have served as Senior Co-Ministers of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Montclair since August 1, 2017. Besides participating in various Justice and Arts initiatives in and around Montclair, Reverend Scott thrives outside the congregation as a musician and music producer, currently working on the second release of his Celtic Rock Fusion band, Dragons Head.
Sermons
“The Bread of Life”
November 23, 2025"The Bread of Life"— led by the Revs. Scott & Anya Sammler-Michael, senior co-ministers. "Heritage Bread Communion Sunday." As spoken in the Gospels we do not live by bread alone, but by the grace and compassion that abound when we see our world as blessed, when we see ourselves - and all people everywhere - as beloved. Join us for a fun and moving Multi-generational Service exploring the mystery of Love's power to feed our deepest needs as we break bread together in a ritual of collective nourishment.
“Sing Out Love”
November 16, 2025"Sing Out Love" — led by the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister and Markus Hauck, director of music ministries. It is said that to sing is to pray twice - once with the words, and the other with our embodied music-making invention. Join Director of Music Ministries Markus Hauck and Rev Scott as they lead a service introducing the new UUA hymnal - Sing Out Love. [St. Augustine said "Singing belongs to one who loves." Perhaps it was Luther who said, "He who sings prays twice."
“Good Grief!”
November 2, 2025"Good Grief!"— led by the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister. All Souls Day; Yes, Grief is Good! Grief is the gift that we are allowing ourselves to feel what we must feel to transcend the sorrow that comes our way.
“Indigenous People Have Not Vanished”
October 12, 2025"Indigenous People Have Not Vanished" —led by the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister. Here in New Jersey it is easy to believe that Native Americans abandoned these lands long ago. But that is a myth that enables subjugation and neglect. Join Rev Scott on a reflection this Indigenous People's Sunday to see how we can honor the First nation's folk who long for our recognition and assistance.
“Whose Are We?”
September 28, 2025"Whose Are We?" —led by the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister and the Rev. Charles Loflin, affiliated community minister. Join us as we explore our allegiances, and to whom are we accountable. Through the lens of our nation's wrestling with Immigration policy, we will explore what we owe to ourselves, one another, and the holy.
“Saving Relationship”
September 21, 2025"Saving Relationship"—led by the Revs. Anya and Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-ministers. Our service centers interdependence & care for the relationships that save our precious and shared lives.
“You Are the Light of the World”
September 7, 2025"You Are the Light of the World""—led by the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister. Our Ingathering Service, an all-ages service which includes our annual Water Communion,. Come one, come all, of all ages, for a service blessing one another.
“What Do We Do Now?”
August 24, 2025"What Do We Do Now?"— led by the Revs. Anya and Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-ministers. This service includes a question box sermon, where congregants are invited to pose questions to the ministers, inviting real time responses.The focus for questions includes our Unitarian Universalist history, tradition, and the present pressures facing our faith in these times of increasing authoritarianism.
“To Feel It All”
August 17, 2025"To Feel it All "— led by the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister. Universalism and Emotional Literacy - The Puritanical impulse remains strong in American culture. There are so many messages asking us to deny crucial parts of our humanity. Yet some, especially among our youth, offer a way for us to be more fully human, and with joy. How do we welcome all that life offers, without becoming lost or indulgent?
“The Faith of Our Fathers”
June 15, 2025"The Faith of Our Fathers"— led by the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister. Join Rev. Scott as we explore the faith of America's founders as well as the notions of faith we inherited from our own fathers.
“Praise for Pride”
June 8, 2025"Praise for Pride"— led by the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister. Say it loud. Say it proud. We are here to build a world where all people know and feel and have love. This is our annual Flower Communion Service. The colors will be flying!
“The Mystic Chords of Memory”
May 25, 2025“The Mystic Chords of Memory” — led by the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister. Imagine if our nation had a more nuanced and broad appreciation of Public Service? How come the people most often honored for "Serving their country" are warriors? There are so many who give up fortune and family time to serve our nation's needs without ever using a gun. Join us as we explore a different way to honor Memorial Day.
