From Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, Senior Co-Minister You have been telling me how you are sleeping. Some are up the night long. Some are resting for many more hours than usual. You have been telling me how you are breaking down. Some are restless. Some are settling into an uncomfortable sadness. You are telling me how you are surviving....
Author: Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael (Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael)
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Wisdom from the World Religions
From Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, Senior Co-Minister In listing the sources for the living tradition of Unitarian Universalism we claim that “wisdom from the world’s religions inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life” – with the understanding that “the world’s religions” here means religions in addition to Judaism and Christianity, which are central to our religious heritage....
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The Shape of Integrity
From Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, Senior Co-Minister The early American Unitarians believed in Salvation by Character – the idea that we could save ourselves by living with integrity. This radical assertion overturned the prevalent Calvanist theology of predestination – that some were saved and others damned at birth; that character simply revealed what God had pre-ordained....
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The Beauty of Collaboration: Hospitality at UUCM
From Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael , Senior Co-Minister “Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place.” —Henri J.M. Nouwen, Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life...
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Possibilities Abound
From Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, Senior Co-Minister There is a slight possibility that Rev. Scott and I will move into our new home in Montclair the day before Christmas Eve. There is a greater possibility that we will move into our new home on December 27th. There is a slight possibility that we have underestimated the...
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Experimentation, Change and Community
From Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, Senior Co-Minister Perhaps you were present for the “Experiment!” service on March 18, 2018. If not, I encourage you to listen to the sermon podcast (https://uumontclair.wordpress.com/2018/03/18/experiment-03-18-2018/). As senior co-minister with accountability for Worship at UUCM, I am excited to announce some new experiments: Our Music Director Markus Grae-Hauck had the bold...