The Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Podcast

This episode of the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) podcast recounts the story of the Flower Communion, an annual service in many Unitarian Universalist churches. It was created by Norbert Čapek in 1923 at the Unitarian church in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Čapek was seeking a ceremony to strengthen the community of his church, arriving at the symbolism of the flower communion. The Pra...

This episode of the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) podcast features our recent Easter service on April 20, 2025. Rev. Marti Keller plumbs the early history of Christianity, describing a theological shift from creating paradise on Earth to emphasizing the crucifixion, with paradise delayed until after death. Rev. Marti summarizes the scholarship of Rita Nakashima Brock and Rebecca...

In this episode of the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) podcast, Rev. Marti Keller discusses the story and significance of Passover, a story she describes as "a moving truth that is simply not true." Yet even if not factual, the story is compelling because it reveals an inherent truth. The lesson at the heart of Passover is appreciative mindfulness of what we already have, recognizi...

In this episode of the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) podcast, we continue exploring spirituality. Sylvia Rogers compares making the spiritual journey solo with walking our path as part of a religious community. Melanie Rains served as the service associate and shared the opening words. Sylvia and Melanie are aspirants in AUUF's lay ministry program. The podcast was recorded at AU...

In this episode of the podcast, recorded on March 2, 2025, Gary Lerude explores the practices that lead to a spiritual life: transcendence, gratitude, compassion, service, and humility. Gary is among the first class of aspirants training to serve as lay ministers for the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF). Sylvia Rogers, also an aspirant for the lay ministry, served as the service ass...

In this episode, which honors Women's History Month, Rev. Marti examines the phrase that well-behaved women rarely make history. As Rev. Marti notes, women's contributions are overlooked and undervalued. Sylvia Rogers, a lay minister aspirant, served as the service associate and selected the chalice lightings. The Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) in Auburn, Alabama, is a faith commu...

In this episode, we explore our Beloved Community at AUUF and how it builds from the history and traditions of the building where we gather. The episode begins with a reflection by the president of the fellowship, Randy Melius, followed by the sermon from our minister, the Rev. Marti Keller. The Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) in Auburn, Alabama, is a faith community of shared valu...

The Sunday before Valentine's Day (February 9), Rev. Marti explored friendship and how important it is to our physical and mental health, particularly during times when the future is uncertain. She suggests friendship is core to our mission as a Beloved Community. The Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) in Auburn, Alabama, is a faith community of shared values: love, equity, justice, p...

Following the unrestrained first week of President Trump's second term, Rev. Marti raises the example of prophetic Unitarian minister Theodore Parker, a 19th-century abolitionist and social reformer, who first stated that the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice. As the new government seeks to deny the basic human rights of so many, Rev. Marti calls on us to help bend the arc of justice....

January 12, 2025 — Sometimes, a single word captures the significance of a national moment, feeling, or cultural shift. In this episode of the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship podcast, Rev. Marti Keller and Chris Basgier explore the word of 2024 selected by various dictionaries and add a few of their own. The Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) in Auburn, Alabama, is a faith co...

In this podcast episode from the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Auburn, Alabama, our member Carter deShazo speaks about the Advent theme of joy. Her insight into finding glimmers of joy in our daily lives is a mindful practice to continue throughout the year. Our theme music is A Call to the Soul by Folk Acoustic Music, from Pixabay.

In this episode, Rev. Marti Keller explores the meaning of Hanukkah and what it teaches Unitarian Universalists about sharing the light of our faith. Our theme music is A Call to the Soul by Folk Acoustic Music, from Pixabay. You'll also hear bonito Windchime by Plagasul from freesound.com .

This episode features "One River, Many Wells," Rev. Marti Keller's homily delivered on Sunday, December 22, 2024. The music for the episode is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music licensed via Pixabay.

In this inaugural podcast from the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF), our minister, Rev. Marti Keller, reflects on the spiritual art of gift-giving.