The Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Podcast

In this episode of the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) podcast, recorded on Mother's Day, Rev. Marti Keller celebrates mothers and all the nurturers and advocates who improve the lives of children. While parents feel totally responsible for their children's growth, development, and success, Rev. Marti reminds that parents don't have total control. The service was recorded on May 10...

In this episode of the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) podcast, we share a powerful message of welcoming and hope, presented by Anton Flores-Maisonet. Anton is the founding director of  Casa Alterna . Based in Atlanta, Casa Alterna provides vulnerable immigrants with short- and long-term housing, wrapped in a welcoming and supportive community that fosters healing and a safe space...

In this episode, Rev. Marti Keller tells how current religious scholarship recognizes Mary Magdelene as the Apostle to the apostels and the first witness of Jesus' resurrection — not as a prostitute forgiven by Jesus. The service was recorded on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026. AUUF is a faith community standing for love and reflected by the shared values of equity, justice, pluralism, interdependenc...

In this episode, guest minister Rev. Kalen Fristad discusses universalism, a theology that believes a loving and merciful God would not condem his creation to hell. Universalism ideas predate Christianity, at least to Zoroastrianism in the 6th century before the Christian era. Beyond a history lesson, Rev. Fristad explains why universalism is important today, serving as a North star shaping our cu...

In this episode, Rev. Marti Keller shares stories of bravery from the fight for Civil Rights. Jim Newton, lay minister, served as the service associate and gives the opening words. The service was recorded on February 8, 2026, Super Bowl Sunday. — AUUF is a faith community based on the shared values of equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service...

In this episode, Rev. Marti Keller asks how can we control our vulnerability to blind hatred in an environment filled with attacks on human dignity and rage baiting while not losing the righteous, moralistic anger needed to move the world toward much-needed justice. The service was recorded on January 25, 2026. Ralph Banks served as the service associate and gives the chalice lighting. — AUUF is a...

In this episode, Rev. Marti Keller speaks about the annual tradition adopted by dictionaries of picking a word that best reflects the past year. Rev. Marti shares her own pick, a word that reflects the doldrums we often feel at the start of the year, when winter challenges us with shorter and colder days punctuated with snow or a chilling-to-the-bone rain. During this time, how do we keep our spir...

This episode of the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) podcast answers the question, "What exactly is a Unitarian Universalist?" Lay minister Gary Lerude weaves the historical threads from the Unitarian and Universalist traditions leading to today's faith based on loving values. Since Unitarian Universalism doesn't answer the religious questions about the meaning of existence and our...

If you're familiar with Unitarian Universalism, you know it is a pluralistic religion. The members of our congregations come from many faith traditions, each traveling a unique spiritual journey leading to Unitarian Universalism. In this second Christmas episode of the Auburn UU Fellowship podcast, we hear another member's UU journey and how he celebrates Christmas. The music for this episode is "...

If you're at all familiar with Unitarian Universalism, you know it is a pluralistic religion. The members of our congregations come from many beliefs, and each person has a unique spiritual journey that led to a UU congregation. In this episode of the Auburn UU Fellowship podcast, one of our members shares her story and, since it's Christmas time, the meaning she finds in the holiday. AUUF is a mu...

In this episode of the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) podcast, in the midst of unfunded SNAP benefits because of the government shutdown, our minister, the Rev. Marti Keller, speaks of food as a spiritual value and moral imperative. No one should be hungry or lack the security of nutritious food.. The data cited in the podcast is from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Th...

In this episode of the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) podcast, our minister, the Rev. Marti Keller, talks about the values at the core of Unitarian Universalism. Unitarian Universalism is a religion of shared values rather than a doctrinal creed. This service was recorded on September 28, 2025. Chris Basgier, one of AUUF's lay ministers, read the chalice lighting. — AUUF is a mult...

In this episode of the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) podcast, we suggest a book to add to your reading list, possibly helping you build your personal theology: Christ for Unitarian Universalists by Scotty McLennan. Sylvia Rogers, a lay minister at AUUF, read this as part of her training and shares her impressions. — AUUF is a multi-religious faith community with shared values, in...

In this episode of the AUUF podcast, our minister, the Rev. Marti Keller, describes the evolving religious landscape in the South and how Unitarian Universalism uniquely addresses the spiritual needs of a growing multi-faith kaleidoscope — including those who consider themselves spiritual but not religious. This was recorded at our service on September 14, 2025. Cindy Reinke served as the service...

In this episode of the AUUF podcast, Gary Lerude shares some ideas for nourishing your spirit during a busy and troubling time of the year. This was recorded at our service on September 7, 2025. Melanie Rains, who served as the service associate, read the chalice lighting. AUUF is a multi-religious faith community with shared values, including equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosit...

One of the Sundays around Labor Day starts the program year for most UU congregations. Reflecting historical roots, the slower pace of summer affords ministers and church volunteers time to relax and recharge, time to vacation while children are out of school and the weather is nice. Many UU congregations celebrate the start of the new program year with a water service — sometimes called the Water...

In this episode of the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) podcast, we recommend a topical book to add to your reading list: White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity by Robert P. Jones. Jim Newton, a lay minister at AUUF, read this book as part of his training to become a lay minister and shares this summary. As you'll hear, White Too Long provides an insi...

In this episode of the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship podcast, we explore the post-pandemic version of "third places," safe and welcoming spaces to build and maintain community. These places are especially important as more people are isolated working from home and fewer attend church. Perhaps these new safe places can help heal the polarization and loneliness in America. This service, r...

In this episode of the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship podcast, we explore whether constructive conversations can help bridge the political polarization in this country. Can the insights of Martin Buber and Richard Rorty help? Gary Lerude explored this topic in a service on July 20, 2025. He is one of four aspirants for the lay ministry being trained by UU minister Rev. Marti Keller. AUUF...

In this episode of the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship podcast, we explore pluralism, one of the values adopted by the Unitarian Universalist Association at the 2024 General Assembly. Most of us have a sense of pluralism, but we may not understand the nuances: How is pluralism different than diversity? How does it relate to other values like respect, tolerance, acceptance, and equity? Eli...

The service on July 6, 2025, fell two days after Independence Day, 249 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed. On this anniversary, many of us are concerned about the state of our democracy, concerned that our federal government is not living up to the vision stated in the Declaration of Independence. Recall those prophetic words, that all of us are created equal with unalienable r...

In this episode, recorded at the service on July 13, 2025, Rev. Marti Keller speaks of our mixed feelings about a seemingly endless summer, certainly an apt topic for these hot and humid days in Alabama. As children, how we looked forward to summer, wanting it to last forever. Yet how soon we became bored! The ideal of an endless summer parallels the human yearning for an endless life. That idea i...

In this episode of the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) podcast, Melanie Rains presents the homily "Children as Our Hope." She reminds us of our shared responsibility to the youngest members of our congregation and society and affirms how their presence enriches our lives and our collective spiritual journey. The podcast was recorded at AUUF's service on May 18, 2025. Sylvia Rogers...

In this episode of the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) podcast, you'll hear this year's Mother's Day sermon from our minister, the Rev. Marti Keller. She shares the history of what's become an annual shopping event to honor our mothers and suggests the holiday is deeper than cards and flowers. It should be a time to reflect on how society can better support the mother's role — like...

This episode of the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) podcast features a conversation with our minister, the Rev. Marti Keller. Rev. Marti will be recognized at this year's Unitarian Universalist (UU) General Assembly for her 25-year service as an ordained UU minister. Her ministry actually started before that, as she served as a lay minister with the Atlanta congregation. I thought...