Markus leads a rally in song on Church Street in Montclair
Markus shares his guitar with a young congregant after worship
Markus was trained as a classical pianist in Germany before studying jazz on a scholarship at Berklee College of Music. In addition, he earned a Master’s degree in choral conducting from the Boston Conservatory. He also completed the three-year Music Leadership Certification program administered by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) in collaboration with the Association of Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries (AUUMM).
Markus has conducted big bands, vocal ensembles, orchestras, rock groups, jazz combos, and over 80 musical theater productions, including a national tour of Irving Berlin’s I Love A Piano. He has also lived in four countries, figured out the meaning of life, played keytar in a rock group while dressed in a neon pink jumpsuit, co-founded an opera company, and released two CDs of his piano compositions; his music has been featured on nationally syndicated German network radio and on the album le classique abstrait, published worldwide by Universal Music.
Markus has been serving the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair since 2012. He believes in the power of communal singing, dismantling white supremacy, and smashing the patriarchy.
Sermons
Why Don’t We Fix It?
November 17, 2024"Why Don't We Fix It? : A Service Exploring the UU Values of Transformation"— led by the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister. Our disposable society has made us believe we cannot repair the objects we need for modern life. Has this also made us believe we cannot repair relationships, past wrongs, or society itself? Join us as we explore how to transform our approach to the world, our needs and our culture.
Repairers of the Breach – Election & Conviction
November 10, 2024"Repairers of the Breach - Election & Conviction" — led by the Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister. True religion calls us to bind up the broken and set the captives free. True religion calls us to be repairers of the breach. In this Bash sermon on the Council of Nicea purchased by Cil Knutsen, we will discern how to repair the breach after challenging elections.
Voting on God
November 3, 2024"Voting on God! - The Council of All Councils" — led by the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, co-senior minister. In this last service before the 2024 Presidential Election, Rev Scott explores another important election in history — the Council of Nicaea. That gathering determined what would be considered "approved" theology for the next 2000 years. In this Bash sermon purchased by UUCM member Cil Knutsen, we will learn very clearly that elections have consequences.