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.
Sermons

How Many Shapes of Water Are There?
September 24, 2023
Welcoming Grief
September 17, 2023
Just Be You
August 27, 2023
Questions for the Ministers
August 13, 2023
Another Day of Living
June 4, 2023
Chaos and Order: The Making of a World
May 14, 2023
When a Nobody Became a Somebody
April 9, 2023
April 2, 2023

Safety Isn’t Safe
March 12, 2023
Nurturing Love
February 26, 2023
The Home That Love Made
February 5, 2023