Albert Schweitzer Sermon Contest
UU Animal Ministry has proudly reinstated its Albert Schweitzer sermon contest. Each year, a cash prize is awarded to the person who has delivered the best sermon on the topic of our responsibilities to nonhuman animals.
2023-2024 Contest
This year we are opening the contest to UUs across the globe, encouraging diverse perspectives about how UUs view our duty to care for creation. A $1,000 prize will be awarded to the person delivering the best sermon on the topic of our responsibilities to non-human animals. Please let your minister and lay speakers know!
Sermons must be presented between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, to a UU congregation or community. The contest entry materials must be submitted by July 31, 2024. Sermons may presented as part of an in-person or virtual service or gathering. We request if a sermon is in a language other than English that a translation be provided. Detailed information on the contest, including judging criteria, can be found HERE.
Please submit your manuscript or notes as two documents—the first being a cover page including your name and the sermon name, and the second with just the name of the sermon and the sermon text—and slideshow or audio or video recording if you’d like. If possible, please include an order of service for context. Full instructions available at the link above.
People of Color, LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, people from frontline/impacted communities, and people who identify as women are especially encouraged to apply.
If you have questions about the contest, send a message to info@uuam[dot]org with “sermon contest” in the subject line.
Additional instructions: Please email the sermon manuscript and any other applicable materials, such as the Order of Service, a Powerpoint slide show, etc. to info@uuam[dot]org with the subject line: “sermon contest”. If your sermon was presented in a language other than English, please provide an English translation.
The information contained in these sermons represents the views and opinions of the original creators at the time that they were presented to Unitarian Universalist communities and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of UUAM.
Past Winners
2022-2023 Contest Winner
Juliette Moore submitted the winning entry for 2022–23. Read her sermon: “Veganism and the 7th Principle” by clicking here or watch it by clicking here.
2021–2022 Contest Winner
Rev. Dr. Joel Tishken of the UU Community Church of Hendricks County in Danville, Indiana, submitted the winning entry for 2021–2022: Nature of the Beast.
2020 Contest Winner
Rev. Dr. J. Carl Gregg of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick, MD, submitted the winning entry for 2020: Thoreau, Animal Emotions, & Us.
2019 Contest Winner
Elizabeth DeCoux submitted the winning entry for 2019. Read her sermon: “Seeing Animals” by clicking here or watch it by clicking here.