Markus leads a rally in song on Church Street in Montclair
Markus shares his guitar with a young congregant after worship
Markus was trained as a classical pianist in Germany before studying jazz on a scholarship at Berklee College of Music. In addition, he earned a Master’s degree in choral conducting from the Boston Conservatory. He also completed the three-year Music Leadership Certification program administered by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) in collaboration with the Association of Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries (AUUMM).
Markus has conducted big bands, vocal ensembles, orchestras, rock groups, jazz combos, and over 80 musical theater productions, including a national tour of Irving Berlin’s I Love A Piano. He has also lived in four countries, figured out the meaning of life, played keytar in a rock group while dressed in a neon pink jumpsuit, co-founded an opera company, and released two CDs of his piano compositions; his music has been featured on nationally syndicated German network radio and on the album le classique abstrait, published worldwide by Universal Music.
Markus has been serving the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair since 2012. He believes in the power of communal singing, dismantling white supremacy, and smashing the patriarchy.
Sermons
“Why Hope Matters”
December 7, 2025"Why Hope Matters"— led by the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister.
People have the wrong idea about hope. As a spiritual discipline, hope is a tough-minded endeavor. inspired by possibility, enabled by preparation, and enlivened by faith. As Victor Frankl teaches, Hope is "faith in the future," a sense that our lives have meaning, that what we do matters; the change we seek may be literally in our hands, so we persevere. Join us as we explore the nature of a mature hope that sings through tribulation and brings promise to our tomorrows.
“Gratitude and Reciprocity”
November 30, 2025"Gratitude and Reciprocity"— led by the Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister. What can we give in return for all that has been given? Gratitude is a practice that can serve us throughout our lives. How do we not only receive but return what has been given?
“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.