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Sunday, October 25, 2026

Two Services

9:00 am

(in-person & YouTube

11:30 am

(in-person & Zoom)

Viola's Courage

Every movement for justice begins when someone finds the courage to leave the sidelines. Through the story of Viola Liuzzo, a Unitarian Universalist who gave her life supporting the Civil Rights Movement, Rev. John explores how choosing love and justice can become the beginning of change.

Child Care for 6 months-4 years old

8:45 am - 12:45 pm

Two Services:

9:00 am (hybrid) | 11:30 am (hybrid)

Services led by Rev. John Crestwell, Minister

Mickey Goldberg will serve as Lay Worship Leader.

Time for All Ages led by Sarah Devlin-Tremble, Director Lifespan Faith Formation

Music provided by U3 and Justin Cody, Director of Music.

Share the Plate will benefit Annapolis Pride.

Cooperative Play

After the Wonderbox until 10:15 am

For PreK-Elementary Age

Coffee Hour

10:15 - 11:15 am

Cooperative Play

After the Wonderbox

until 12:45 pm

For PreK-Elementary Age

*Please fill out the Virtual Connection Card.*

This week's nUUsweek!!

Missed last week? See Past Sermons

During 1st Service (9:00 - 10:00 am)

The Gospel According to Mary

9:00 am

Black Lives Matter & Zoom

We will continue our examination of the Gnostic Gospels by discussing the Gospel according to Mary.

Mary is very different from Thomas in its brevity and tone, but contains a message that you may or may not find of interest.

Join us for a potentially lively discussion of this fragmentary Gnostic text (part of the text is missing to history).

No pre-reading is required.

Don't Ignore the Wise

9:00 am

Piscataway

Join us for a brief, meditative ceremony welcoming the Hungry Ghosts of our past into a compassionate, healing space. Whether carrying grief, regret, or unresolved hurt, you are invited to find comfort and peace. Bring a meaningful object to place in our center during the ceremony, if you wish.

Middle Hour (10:15 - 11:15 am)

Greener Ways To Go

10:15 am

Santuary & Zoom

Join the Green Living Group for an informative exploration of burial and end-of-life options, including cremation, terramation (human composting), shroud burial, and traditional coffin burial. Discover how these choices compare in cost, environmental impact, and practical considerations.

Pathway to Membership

10:15 am - 12:30 pm

Wendi Winters Memorial Room

Childcare Provided!

Becoming a member of UUCA is fun and easy! Join us for a relaxed, interactive conversation exploring our history, mission, activities, and what membership means. Bring your questions! Participants will have the opportunity to become members immediately following the session.

Click here to register.

Walking Alongside:

Lessons from El Salvador

10:15 am

Black Lives Matter

What does it mean to accompany rather than lead? Join Annette Taylor as she reflects on two decades of visiting a community in El Salvador, sharing how walking alongside others, rather than approaching with a colonial mindset, has transformed her understanding of service, partnership, and community.

UU the Vote!

10:15 am

Lobby

Help strengthen voter engagement in our community. Whether writing postcards, making calls, registering voters, or supporting the polls, there’s a place for everyone.

Children & Youth Middle Hour

🎃 Trick or Treating for ALL Ages! 👻🍬

10:15 am

Muir Woods

Grab a treat bag, and join us for some fun in UUCA’s Haunted Woods! Trick-or-treaters of every age are welcome for a frightfully fun adventure filled with sweet surprises, laughter, and community spirit. Everyone is welcome—you're never too old for treats! 🍭

After Hour

Games & Gather

12:30 pm

Black Lives Matter

Love board games like Azul and Lost Ruins of Arnak, or social games like Wavelength? Join the Board Game Group!

Special Announcements - Save the Date & Secure Your Seat!

What the Trees Know:

A Fall Sound Bath Experience

October 30 | 7:00 PM

This 90-minute experience, led by UUCA’s Director of Music, Justin Cody, combines guided breathwork, meditation, live music, poetry, and an immersive sound bath featuring crystal singing bowls, percussion, and piano. Join us for a restorative evening of sound, stillness, and letting go.

Come release tension, calm your nervous system, and reconnect with a sense of balance and peace—all in a warm, welcoming community.

✨ All are welcome ✨

(no experience needed!)

What to bring:

Yoga mat, blankets, pillow, and a journal—anything that helps you get cozy and comfortable.

Early bird tickets are $44
(Sale ends October 7)

Space Holder tickets are $80.
(includes a $25 donation to UUCA)

Click here to register.

Autumn Community of Communities Summit

Save the Date!

November 1 | 12:45 - 3:00 pm

UUCA is a community made stronger by the many communities within it.

Bridging Communities.

Building Unity.

Join us for this free gathering as we build connections across groups and finalize our shared covenant together. All UUCA groups are asked to send representatives and help shape how we live in community.

Click here to register in Realm!

🎃 The Great Fall Fest & Auction

Online Bidding Begins Soon! 🍂

The donations are in, the excitement is building, and the countdown is ON!

Thanks to the incredible generosity and creativity of our UUCA community, this year's auction catalog is shaping up to be a tantalizing collection of treasures, experiences, getaways, and delightful surprises!

🎉 And now comes the FUN part… BIDDING! 🎉

🍂 MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

🛍️ November 1 — Online Bidding Begins!

Explore the catalog and start placing your bids!

🎃November 14 — Fall Fest & Live Auction!

Join us from 5:00–8:30 PM for food, fun, friends, and an evening of celebration!

Online Bidding Closes at 7:15 PM on November 14!

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!

You've helped create something special. Now it's time for the rest of UUCA to join the fun!

Food. Fun. Friends.

Together, we make UUCA stronger!

Questions? Contact Patti Patterson or Jamie Harms.

A Note of Thanks from Phil Ateto's Family

We are so grateful for all the support we received from UUCA for Philip’s Celebration of Life on October 4. Many thanks to the Rev. John Crestwell for welcoming family members and friends from near and far to the church, and to all the members of the congregation for sharing their beautiful spiritual home.

We appreciate how much work and coordination it took to ensure that such an unconventional memorial event was successful, moving and meaningful, and so many of you responded to the call to help: people to direct traffic outside (in the rain!), greet and usher inside; people to provide flowers, to work in the kitchen, to set up tables, to contribute delicious foods, to provide music and operate the sound booth (and perform a myriad of other tasks) – and then stay late to put things away and clean up. We were so moved by your presence, by the hugs, the kind words, the sharing and reflections (particularly from the youth group Phil felt so close to).

If indeed that bee that was flying around was the embodiment of Philip’s spirit, we know that he was happy to see so many friends from the various communities he had been part of gathered together to celebrate what he stood for.

With gratitude,

Fran and Fred Ateto, Jessica Lastfogel, Natalie Edington

Celebration of Life for

Bruce Schachtel

October 24 | 3:00 pm

True Chesapeake
3300 Clipper Mill Rd Ste 400,

Baltimore, MD 21211

We remember longtime UUCA member Bruce Schachtel, who passed away peacefully on August 28 at age 85.

Bruce and his wife, Marsha, were devoted members of UUCA, where Bruce also taught Sunday School. He will be remembered for his generous smile, warm personality, love of sports, and devotion to family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation in Bruce’s memory.

Celebration of Life for

Rev. Judith Morris

November 3 | 2:30 pm

Coopers Tavern

173 Mitchells Chance Rd.

Edgewater, MD

Please join the UU community in celebrating the life of UUCA member, Rev. Judith Morris who passed peacefully after a short illness on October 5, 2026

Click here to RSVP.

Click here for the obituary.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that the next time someone asks you for help, you think “WWJD?” (“What would Jude do?”) and you offer assistance without judgment or expectation of return. Over and over again, she provided meals, a handful of dollars, a blanket or a coat from the car, or whatever else she could provide, even when she didn’t have much herself. Be generous. Be like Jude.

🚧 Parking Lot Improvements

October 26–27

Our lower main parking lot is getting a facelift! On Monday, October 26, and Tuesday, October 27, the main lot will be closed both day and night while improvements are underway.

If you need to visit UUCA on either day, enter off of Bestgate, park in the FAHS House lot and use the walking path to access the church.

Thank you for your patience as we make these improvements!

🎶 Have You Seen Them? 📚

Our Wonder Readers Are Missing a Few Good Books!

🎵 Have you seen them? 🎵
Tell us, have you seen them?

This summer, some wonderful congregants took books home to help us organize and catalog our children's library. We're grateful for the helping hands, but a few of our books haven't found their way home!

If you still have books from the project, please return them to UUCA so our Wonder Readers can complete the inventory and get every book back on the shelf.

No judgment, no late fees, just a happy reunion! 📚❤️

Let's give our books the homecoming they deserve!

2026–27 Common Book Read!

📚

Love at the Center

Whole Church

This year’s UU Common Read is

Love at the Center:

Unitarian Universalist Theologies.

More than two dozen UU leaders explore what it means to place love at the center of our faith and practice.

Join Cindy Atlee during Middle Hour for reflective conversations inspired by the book. Reading will deepen the discussion, but it is not required to participate. All are welcome!

Discussion Dates:

Nov. 1 • Dec. 13 • Jan. 31 • Mar. 7 • Apr. 4

📖 Books are available for purchase at UUCA or online.

Increase in Phishing Emails

Thank you for your Vigilance!

We want to make you aware of phishing emails circulating that request access to our member directory, ask for financial donations, or amazon gift cards in the name of a known church member or Rev. John.

Please note, if the sender’s email address does not end in @uuannapolis.org, the message is not coming from a UUCA email account.

These messages from outside of uuannpolis.org are scam attempts.

Do not respond, click any links, or share member or financial information in response to these emails. Your caution helps protect the privacy and safety of our entire community.

As a reminder, member contact information should never be shared without explicit permission. If you receive a suspicious message or are unsure about a request, please delete it.

Thank you for your care and vigilance in keeping our community safe.

Opportunities to Make Connections!

Coffee and Conversations

Panera in Festivals at Riva

Thursdays

10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Just show up for a beverage or lunch at this fun, social meet-up.

For more info email:

Member Engagement

Bonfire & Haunted Woods

October 24 | 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Memorial Garden and Muir Woods

Gather under the Magnolia Tree for a cozy bonfire, then brave the Haunted Woods winding through the Memorial Garden and Muir Woods!

Come enjoy an evening of spooky fun! Sponsored by the LFF & HS Youth Group

Click here to RSVP.

Trick or Treating (for all ages) in the Haunted Woods will take place during the 10/25 Middle Hour.

Gen XYZ Meet-up

49 West Coffeehouse

November 11

7:00 - 9:00 pm

Now on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, this is a social gathering to connect with the UUCA Community.

Free Parking at the State Garage

(19 St. John's St. - 7 min. walk) or closer paid parking at Gotts Garage.

For more info email:

Member Engagement

Friendsgiving Dinner

Mark Your Calendars!

November 28

5:30 - 7:30 pm

Join UUCA for a potluck-style

FRIENDSGIVING DINNER

featuring food, friends, & open mic!

Attendance is free and open to UUCA members and regular attendees

(and their guests).

Guests are asked to please:

Click here to RSVP by November 21st

Volunteer (if interested/able)

Add your name to the list of open mic performers!

Questions?

Contact Beth Goldberg

Opportunities to Serve!

Support UUCA's Culture of Radical Welcoming!

Time and time again, people tell us that the instant, warm welcome they receive at UUCA is what keeps them coming back and choosing membership.

The work our Radical Welcome Team does is so impactful in creating the culture of our congregation! In just a couple hours a month, you can give back to UUCA and be a part of that meaningful work. Whether you'd like to greet people at the door with a quick hello and a smile, be part of our ushering team passing out Connection Cards and collecting the offering, or prefer a behind-the-scenes role helping our hospitality team in the kitchen, there's room for you!

Please contact Member Engagement to learn more.

UUCA Autumn Service Day

October 24
9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Click here to sign-up.

Our building and grounds are more than a space, they’re the home where we worship, grow, connect, and welcome our wider community. Each year, we ask our congregation to lend a hand at either our Autumn or Spring Service Day.

Join us this fall for a day of working side by side as we clean, tend, repair, organize, and care for the spaces we all share.

Many hands make a big difference, and there’s a job for every ability. Come care for our UUCA home and enjoy some community along the way!

Donate Books to our Annual Book Swap

November 1 & 8

Our Annual Fall Book Swap benefiting the High School Youth Group is on Sunday, 11/1 and 11/8.

Start sifting through your books and find some donations to bring to church. We are accepting donations throughout the month of October.

Opportunities to Engage!

Ikkyu's Zen Poem Skeletons

October 22 | 6:30 pm

Sanctuary

After our usual 40 min. sit. we'll do our annual recitation of 15th cen. Zen Priest Ikkyu's PoemSkeletons, in many voices, as many as we happen to have. There are big parts like the Narrator & little parts like some of the less talky skeletons. It is straight up Soto Zen. Discussion follows.

The Magic Within:

A Full Circle Gathering

October 23 | Sanctuary

7:30 pm

Come gather with, Full Circle, to engage in imaginative, and visionary work. We will find our familiars and create a page for your own Book of Shadows! Dress comfortably, and bring a snack or drink to share.

This event is WOMEN ONLY.

Dinners for Eight

November 7 • February 6 • April 3

Various Members' Homes

Dinners for Eight is a fun, informal way to bring members, newcomers, and friends together to share food and get to know each other better.

There’s Still Room at the Table! Want to join as a guest or host?

email: DinnersForEight@uuannapolis.org

The Movie Club
The Station Agent

October 24 | Black lives Matter

6:00 pm

Sometimes friendship finds us when we least expect it. The Station Agent is a warm, quietly funny story about three people seeking a little solitude who instead discover connection, companionship, and the surprising ways we can make room for one another.

Watch the movie at home, then join us in the Black Lives Matter Room!

Share your thoughts, enjoy good conversation, and connect with fellow movie lovers.

Bring a dish to share—and come ready to propose a movie for November!