The Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Podcast

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 for new beginnings. Casa Alterna has opened its doors to hundreds of people from more than 50 countries. In this inspiring service, Anton says that hope is a practice, practiced even more the more challenging life gets. The service was recorded on May 3, 2026. Sylvia Rogers, one of AUUF's lay ministers, provided the opening and closing words. AUUF is a faith community standing for love and reflected by the shared values of equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation. We believe each person has the right to seek their own spiritual truth rather than accepting a religious doctrine or creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. It's available on Pixabay.

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, interdependence, generosity, and transformation. We believe each person has the right to seek their own spiritual truth rather than accepting a single religious doctrine or creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. It's available on Pixabay.

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 culture and government toward love and peace. Rev. Fristad is a United Methodist minister. For more than 30 years, he served churches in Iowa, retiring from the parish ministry in 2013. He now travels the country speaking on universalism. The service was recorded on February 15, 2026. AUUF is a faith community based on the shared values of equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each person has the right to seek their own spiritual truth rather than accepting a single religious creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at www.auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. It's available on Pixabay at pixabay.com.

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 of love. We believe each person has the right to seek their own spiritual truth rather than accepting a single religious creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. It's available on Pixabay.

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 faith community based on shared values, including equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each person has the right to seek their own spiritual truth rather than accepting a single religious creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. It's available on Pixabay.

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 spirits buoyed? The service was recorded on January 11, 2026. Gary Lerude served as the service associate and gives the chalice lighting. — AUUF is a faith community based on shared values, including equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each person has the right to seek their own spiritual truth rather than accepting a single religious creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. It's available on Pixabay.

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 relationship to it, he invites listeners to discern their own answers. The service was recorded on January 4, 2026. Aryana Pratt served as the service associate and gives the chalice lighting. — AUUF is a faith community based on shared values, including equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each person has the right to seek their own spiritual truth rather than accepting a single religious creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. It's available on Pixabay.

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 "Christmas Background Music" from MFCC and "Christmas Jazz-Christmas Holiday" from Tunetank, both available online at pixabay.com. The Auburn UU Fellowship (AUUF) is a multi-religious faith community with shared values, including equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop our own theology rather than accept a single religious creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org.

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 multi-religious faith community with shared values, including equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop our own theology rather than accept a single religious creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. The music for this episode is "Christmas Background Music" from MFCC and "Calm Christmas Piano" from Clavier Music, both available online at pixabay.com.

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. This service was recorded on November 9, 2025. Jim Newton, one of AUUF's lay ministers, opened the service with the chalice lighting. — AUUF is a multi-religious faith community with shared values, including equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop our own theology rather than accept a single religious creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. It's available on Pixabay.

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 multi-religious faith community with shared values, including equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop our own theology rather than accept a single religious creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. It's available on Pixabay.

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, including equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop our own theology rather than accept a single religious creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. It's available on Pixabay.

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 associate and began the service with the chalice lighting. AUUF is a multi-religious faith community with shared values, including equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop our own theology rather than accept a single religious creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. It's available on Pixabay.

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, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop our own theology rather than accept a single religious creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. It's available on Pixabay.

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 Communion. Parishioners bring water to pour in a communal bowl at the front of the sanctuary, samples of water experienced during the summer. Symbolically, the Water Communion honors our individual journeys mixing to form the beloved community. In this episode of the AUUF podcast, Rev. Marti Keller shares the origin of the water service. AUUF is a multi-religious faith community with shared values, including equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop our own theology rather than accept a single religious creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. It's available on Pixabay.

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 insightful discussion of the complicity of white Christians in sustaining white privilege since the end of the Civil War. The Trump administration has now made sustaining white privilege U.S. government policy through executive orders to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and to rewrite American history. AUUF is a multi-religious faith community with shared values, including equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop our own theology rather than accept a single religious creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. It's available on Pixabay.

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, recorded on Sunday, August 10, 2025, was presented by our minister, Rev. Marti Keller. Ralph Banks served as the Service Associate. AUUF is a multi-religious faith community with shared values, including equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop our own theology rather than accept a single religious creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. It's available on Pixabay.

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 is a multi-religious faith community with shared values, including equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop our own theology rather than accept a single religious creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. It's available on Pixabay.

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? Elizabeth Martin says pluralism is not passive, it's an achievement — one that can be challenging to achieve, particularly in our polarized world. She has seen the challenges firsthand in her role as program coordinator in the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life at Emory University. Elizabeth is also a candidate for the UU ministry. These excerpts are from our service on July 27, 2025. Sylvia Rogers served as the service associate. AUUF is a multi-religious faith community with shared values, including equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop our own theology rather than accept a single religious creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll to join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. It's available on Pixabay.

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 rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Reflecting on those concerns, Sylvia Rogers urges us not to lose hope, and her homily offers ways to maintain our spirits despite the negative news. It's an uplifting message worth listening to whenever you feel down. Jim Newton assisted Sylvia with the service. You'll hear him read the chalice lighting. AUUF is a multi-religious faith community with shared values, including equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop our own theology rather than accept a single religious creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll to join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. It's available on Pixabay.

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 is increasingly the focus for research and technology startups, hoping to capitalize on the birth of a new industry. Rev. Marti asks, if we lived forever, would we lose the sanctity of living? Richard Shelby served as the service associate. You'll hear him read the opening words. AUUF is a multi-religious faith community with shared values, including equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop our own theology rather than accept a single religious creed. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we hope you'll to join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. It's available on Pixabay.

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 served as the service associate. AUUF is a multi-religious faith community of shared values, including equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop our own theology rather than accepting a single religious creed. We share our joys and sorrows, walking together along life's journey. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we invite you to join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. It's available from Pixabay.

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 access to healthcare during and after pregnancy, parental leave, affordable child care, food assistance for those in need, and a commitment to quality schools. The podcast was recorded at AUUF's service on May 11, 2025. Cindy Reinke served as the service associate. AUUF is a faith community of shared values: equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop our own theology rather than accepting a religious creed. Our members reflect all religious and non-religious beliefs. We join our individual spiritual quests to build the Beloved Community, sharing our joys and sorrows as we walk together along life's journey. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. and Canada. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika (Alabama) area, we invite you to join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music, available from Pixabay.

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 it would be interesting for all of us to hear Rev. Marti's story. As you'll learn, stories are the essence of her spirituality. Our conversation was recorded on Saturday, May 3, 2025. — Gary Lerude, Podcast Producer AUUF is a faith community of shared values: equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop our own theology instead of accepting a religious creed. Our members represent all religious and non-religious beliefs. We join to build the Beloved Community, sharing our joys and sorrows as we walk together along the spiritual path. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika area, we invite you to join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music, available from Pixabay.

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 Prague church was founded by Čapek and became the largest Unitarian church in the world. After occupying Czechoslovakia, the Nazis considered Čapek and his preaching to be subversive, and he was sent to the Dachau concentration camp, where he died in 1942. The podcast was recorded at AUUF's service on April 27, 2025. Chris Basgier led the service, and Jim Newton was the service associate. AUUF is a faith community of shared values: equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop our own theology instead of accepting a religious creed. Our members represent all religious and non-religious beliefs. We join to build the Beloved Community, sharing our joys and sorrows as we walk together along the spiritual path. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika area, we invite you to join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music, available from Pixabay.

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 Ann Parker, from their book Saving Paradise. By surveying the art adorning churches throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean, they found Christian sanctuaries from the first millennium filled with images of Christ as a living presence: a shepherd, teacher, healer, and an enthroned god. He is serene and surrounded by lush scenes, depictions of this world as paradise. By the Middle Ages, however, the art had shifted to Jesus crucified and the earth no longer a paradise. Does this shift in art also reflect a change in Christian theology? Jim Newton served as the service associate and gives the opening words. AUUF is a faith community of shared values: equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop our own theology instead of accepting a religious creed. Our members represent all religious and non-religious beliefs. We join to build the Beloved Community, sharing our joys and sorrows as we walk together along the spiritual path. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika area, we invite you to join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music, available from Pixabay.

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, recognizing that we are given what we need. Richard Shelby was the service associate and presented the morning's candle lightings. The podcast was recorded at AUUF's service on April 13, 2025. AUUF is a faith community of shared values: equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation, all in the service of love. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop our own theology instead of accepting a religious creed. Our members represent all religious and non-religious beliefs. We join to build the Beloved Community, sharing our joys and sorrows as we walk together along the spiritual path. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika area, we invite you to join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music, available from Pixabay.

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 AUUF's service on April 6, 2025. AUUF is a faith community of shared values — love, equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop a personal theology instead of accepting a religious orthodoxy. As such, our members come from all religious and non-religious beliefs. We come together to build the Beloved Community, sharing our joys and sorrows and walking together along the spiritual path. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. If you're in the Auburn-Opelika area, we invite you to join us Sunday mornings at 10:00. Visit our website at auuf.org. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. We also heard Billy Ziogas, from "Me and My Guitar." Both artists are available through Pixabay.

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 associate and shared the opening words for the service. AUUF, located in Auburn, Alabama, is a faith community of shared values: love, equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop a personal theology. Our members come from all religious and non-religious beliefs. We join together to build the Beloved Community, sharing our joys and sorrows and walking together along the spiritual path. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by Folk Acoustic Music. We also heard Billy Ziogas, from "Me and My Guitar." Both artists are available through Pixabay.

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 community of shared values: love, equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop a personal theology. Our members come from all religious and non-religious beliefs. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. We invite you to attend our services, Sunday mornings at 10. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by "Folk Acoustic Music." We also heard Billy Ziogas, from "Me and My Guitar." Both artists are available through Pixabay.

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 values: love, equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop a personal theology. Our members come from all religious and non-religious beliefs. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. We invite you to attend our services, Sunday mornings at 10. Our theme music is "A Call to the Soul" by "Folk Acoustic Music." We also heard Billy Ziogas, from "Me and My Guitar." Both artists are available through Pixabay.

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, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop a personal theology. Our members come from all religious and non-religious beliefs. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. We invite you to attend our services, Sunday mornings at 10. Our theme music for the podcast is A Call to the Soul by Folk Acoustic Music, from Pixabay.

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. The sermon was preached on January 26, 2025. Melanie Rains assisted with the service. The Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) in Auburn, Alabama, is a faith community of shared values: love, equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop a personal theology. Our members come from all religious and non-religious beliefs. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. We invite you to attend our services, Sunday mornings at 10. Our theme music for the podcast is A Call to the Soul by Folk Acoustic Music, from Pixabay.

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 community of shared values: love, equity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and transformation. We believe each of us has the right to seek spiritual truth and develop a personal theology. Our members come from all religious and non-religious beliefs. AUUF is one of more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations around the U.S. We invite you to attend our services, Sunday mornings at 10. Our theme music for the podcast is A Call to the Soul by Folk Acoustic Music, from Pixabay.

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.