Responding to a call that she had first felt as a youth, Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael pursued a Master of Divinity at Meadville Lombard Theological School and entered the ordained Unitarian Universalist ministry in 2007. In 2017 Rev. Anya and her partner in ministry and life, Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, chose shared ministry with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair. Central to Rev. Anya’s current ministry is the honest confrontation and engagement with conflict necessary to dismantle white supremacy, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia and sexism. When she speaks truth to power, and when she works to empower truth Rev. Anya stresses humility and relationship as avenues to engage the holy and serve the Beloved Community.

Rev. Anya is an avid gardener, cook, and lifelong vegetarian. She practices yoga and meditation and maintains a regular prayer practice. Whenever possible, she seeks the ocean and the soul cleansing that only salt water can provide. She has delivered an invocation for President Barack Obama at a campaign event, built and served as the first Board President of the interfaith association BRIDGES in Loudoun County, VA, has mentored many students in their path to ministry, has served as convener of the presidential search team and co-president of the Board of the Meadville Lombard Theological School, and serves as a good officer, offering conflict mediation through the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association.