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
How Many Shapes of Water Are There?
September 24, 2023"How Many Shapes of Water Are There?" — led by the Revs. Anya and Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-ministers. There are as many shapes of water as there are experiences of ultimate truth. As the poet Rumi shares, "there are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground." In this service we celebrate this diversity. The first of our Series on the Six Sources.
From the Future Comes a Cry
September 10, 2023"From The Future Comes A Cry"— led by the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister. Our annual ingathering & water ceremony service. Join us to reimagine and enliven the welcome we offer one another and those who will join us.
The Inherent Worth and Dignity of All Souls: Universalism in Trying Times
August 20, 2023"The Inherent Worth and Dignity of All Souls: Universalism in Trying Times"— led by the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister. Our forebears proclaimed that God's love knows no limits. Universalism is built upon affirming the inherent worth and dignity of all souls. Yet with so many actively undermining love's promise - some even calling for insurrection or the denial of liberty to entire classes of people - how do we affirm the call to honor the dignity of everyone?
Questions for the Ministers
August 13, 2023A Question Box service where participants are invited to ask the ministers their most pressing questions of faith, theology, ethics, and more.
E Pluribus Unum
July 2, 2023"E Pluribus Unum” — led by the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael. Communities are led best when our decision making represents the diversity within our community; sometimes we must invite the diversity we hope to seek, but may not yet embody into our leadership circles, to speed transformation. Join us as we reflect on "Out of many, one," exploring how our communities can honor the spirit of truth by inviting voices not normally seen by our culture as 'leaders,' including those from historically marginalized communities. Rev Scott, DMM Markus and those from UUCM who attended the 2023 UUA General Assembly will all share how we live into this holy work of shared leadership and intersectional justice.
Permission for Maximum Joy
June 18, 2023Join us for a fun exploration of joy and fun through a theological lens. We will critique the "Frozen Chosen" and examine how congregational culture functions to support or deny certain behaviors - like expressions of joy.
Creating Memories
May 28, 2023"Creating Memories" — led by the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister. How we remember the past is often a matter of revision and composition, based more on current agendas than the actual truth. Rev Scott invites us to reflect on the manner in which memories are created - not just by our brains - but by people who want to influence us one way or another.
Chrysalis – Metamorphosis
May 21, 2023“Chrysalis - Metamorphosis”— Our Coming of Age class offers a worship service in which they declare their statements of belief, their convictions about who they are, and the world they are called to build. This is an incredible service and a chance to learn from our youth and about our youth, and the world that holds us all. This is an extended service, approximately an hour and a half, without a moment that should be missed.
Sing Out for Spring!
April 23, 2023“Sing Out For Spring!” — led by the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister. Resisting what is convenient is often the most difficult thing to do. This creative and evocative service invites us to discover a more sustainable way to leave a lighter footprint on the Earth. Replete with music and "the muse" come ready for a jolt of surprise!
The Changing Mind of God
April 16, 2023“The Changing Mind of God”— led by the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister and Intern Minister Sabrina Trupia. Join us as we explore the thrilling notions of Process Theology. And... "People Get Ready" because there is a change-a-coming! A powerful service and a chance to be together.
April 2, 2023
“No Permanent Enemies. No Permanent Allies”— led by the Revs. Anya and Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-ministers. Our civic and political lives are suffused with negotiations, compromises and outright conflicts. We resist dangerous ideas and bad policy by confronting the people that are perpetuating the ideas and proposing the policy. This service invites us to hold these truths in the balance with our first principle that recognizes everyone's inherent worth and dignity. And in a celebration of Spring, beautiful music and artistry abound.
Return of “The Sensitive Guy”
March 19, 2023Many believe it is not possible to be a sensitive person and to have good boundaries. That fallacy is an affront both to boundaries and being sensitive. Join Rev Scott as we explore remaining open to the needs and pain around us while attending to our own needs as well.
