The Voices of Unitarian Universalism: Recent Episodes
Church of the Larger Fellowship
A Unitarian Universalist talk show hosted by Aisha Hauser, Christina Rivera, Rev. Dawn Fortune, and Rev. Dr. Michael Tino. The VUU has welcomed guests from every corner of the world. Guests on The VUU are scholars, writers, activists, and religious thought-leaders who are shaping Unitarian Universalism and society for the 21st century and beyond. New episodes drop every Friday.
In this ReVUU Janine Gelsinger, Rev. Michael Tino, and Rev. DC Fortune chat with the Article 2 Study Commission about the Article 2 revision process preceding 2023 General Assembly. Originally aired Apr 27, 2023.
Guests - Article II Study Commission:
Co-Chair Rev. Cheryl M. Walker
Co-Chair Dr. Rob Spirko
Commissioner Maya Waller
Commissioner Dr. Paula Cole Jones
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
Rev. Michael Tino, Aisha Hauser, and Rev. DC Fortune discuss current events and the rules which must be broken to maintain humanity within the system of violent extractive capitalism.
Action of Immediate Witness for Palestine: uupalestineaction.org
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
Rachel Myslivy (Climate Justice Organizer on the Side with Love Organizing Strategy Team at the UUA) and Rev Nancy McDonald Ladd (Director of Communications and Public Ministry at the UUA) join hosts Rev. Michael Tino and Rev DC Fortune to discuss their work on the UU Climate Justice Revival, and how the culture of activism can become more intersectional and community focused.
Climate Justice Revival Info: www.uuclimatejustice.org
Email questions to: uurevival@uua.org
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
Rev. Dr. Cindy Landrum (Minister at First Parish of Stow and Acton in MA, Article 2 Commission) joins Aisha Hauser and Rev. Michael Tino to discuss proposed revisions to Article 2 of the UUA bylaws ahead of this year's virtual General Assembly. They also discuss the Actions of Immediate Witness process and the ways these two subjects speak to the core of Unitarian Universalism.
Article 2 Info: https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission
AIW Info: https://www.uua.org/action/process/aiw
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
Christina Rivera, Aisha Hauser, Rev. Michael Tino, and Rev. DC Fortune discuss living our UU values as they relate to Kansas City Cheifs kicker Harrison Butker's misogynistic commencement speech, continued crimes against humanity in Gaza, and American politics as the 2024 election approaches.
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
ReVUU: In early 2020 representatives from the Commission on Institutional Change joined VUU hosts to discuss their work reporting their findings (presented June 2020) and how those findings could inform UU values and congregational action during the lockdown.
Guests: Rev. Dr. Natalie M. Fenimore (CIC Member, Minister at Shelter Rock UU), Rev Leslie Takahashi (Chair of CIC), Mary Byron (CIC Member)
Hosts: Rev. Meg Riley, Rev. Ali K.C Bell, Rev. Michael Tino, Christina Rivera, Aisha Hauser
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
This week Karishma Gottfried (UU emerging adult, Union Theological School Seminarian) joins the VUU to discuss the student protest encampment at Columbia University calling for the university's divestment from corporations with ties to Israel. Karishma shares their experience of hostility from Christian-Zionist counter protestors and the NYPD, and the spark that has grown to a national student movement for university divestment.
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
This week our VUU hosts discuss the state of resistance in our world, addressing the police action against student protests for Palestine and the passing of a TikTok ban.
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
Hosts Rev. Michael Tino, Aisha Hauser, and Christina Rivera discuss the complex issues facing our world and the next generation, the overlap between Star Trek and Unitarian Universalism, and the nuances of Ministerial search season.
In this archival VUU episode (originally aired Winter 2019), Desmond Meade (Florida Rights Restoration Coalition), and Rev. Patrice Curtis (former minister at UU Clearwater in Florida and Amendment 4 organizer) join hosts Rev. Meg Riley, Rev. Michael Tino, Christina Rivera, and Aisha Hauser to discuss the passing of Florida's Amendment 4 in November 2018, restoring voting rights to felons.
Former CLF Learning fellows Jessica Star Rockers and Margalie Belizaire also helped to produce this episode in 2019.
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
In this archival episode of the VUU (originally aired May 2018), Dr. Anthony Pinn (author, educator, and scholar of humanist thought) joins in a discussion of humanism and its intersections with Unitarian Universalism.
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
Justice Equity Transformation Pluralism Interdependance Generosity
Rev. Misha Sanders joins the VUU as a Holy Week guest host to discuss all things JETPIG, or (J Piglet). Sarah Kelley (Director of Religious Growth and Learning at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Susquehanna Valley) and Rev. Elizabeth (UU Church of Cheyenne) bring their JETPIG mascots to discuss the origin and evolution of the new acronym and how it's helping to teach children and adults alike.
CLF Article 2 Class: http://clfuu.org/article2class
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
Michael, DC, and Aisha discuss recent developments in US legislature and global response to the genocide in Gaza. They share their strategies for finding attainable social action items when things seem hopeless, and encourage getting involved in local politics.
CLF's online social space: community.clfuu.org
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
Guest host Jess Hunt (CLF Learning Fellow) joins Michael and DC to discuss caring for our trans and nonbinary loved ones as they face violent legislation in many US states.
Guests Adrian Ballou (UUA LGBTQ and Gender Justice Programs Coordinator), Ayanna Kari (UUA’s Mosaic Project Manager), Cameron Young (Congregational Life Staff for Southern Region), and Jami Yandle (UUA Transgender Support Specialist) share how to get involved with a myriad of resources providing support for trans/nonbinary people and their families.
Links to some of these resources:
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UUA Trans/Nonbinary+ Gatherings & Pastoral Care Space: uua.org/lgbtq/transnb
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UUA Mosaic Program: uua.org/mosaic
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UUA Southern Region Support Gatherings: https://www.uua.org/southern/calendar/region/beyond-binary
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UU Institute Webinar: https://uuinstitute.org/courses/safety-care-210/
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Pink Haven Coalition: Pinkhaven.org
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More info on Pink Haven: https://www.uuworld.org/articles/relocation-help-trans-people-pink-haven-support-resources-how-it-works
This weeks host special covers self-care as a tool for resistance. Michael, and DC share some things that bring them joy amid crisis fatigue and invite listeners to seek solace in spiritual practice and community.
To support the UU Religious Professionals of Color Survive and Thrive Fund: https://linktr.ee/uuchrisrivera
To give to our Spring faith development fundraiser: https://donorbox.org/fund-faith-dev
Rev. Meagan Henry and Rev. Annie Gonzalez, UU ministers and activists, join the VUU to talk about how UUs can be advocating for Palestine. They address digging deep as American’s to understand the extent of the American government’s colonial bedrock, and how we're seeing that legacy in Israel now.
Recommend guests for the VUU's episode on supporting trans youth by emailing clf@clfuu.org
Birds of Gaza: https://www.birdsofgaza.com/?fbclid=IwAR1Lrf55YloWHdkgnUU4aiP6II-51K0knOJ1WSfiV0bYRzXhr472ukOhrd0
Aid Organization to Give:https://www.anera.org/
UUMA Statement: https://uuma.org/latest-news/a-letter-from-the-uuma-board-of-trustees/?fbclid=IwAR21Rwu4lDWUs8LS5gVMzMAveBGJPPalNyhxzrpJsKHip9qDhgvbvtA98d8
UUA Statement Feb. 17: https://www.uua.org/pressroom/press-releases/uua-condemns-violence-urges-ceasefire?fbclid=IwAR0nwx48JJKdY4eV8NDrAIX0sQShI5A_x8YS0a8mCAWk8mksVbb8RUc6Ra0
Daniel Maté’s response to Brene Brown on Gaza: https://youtu.be/QBZrKjXVhrM?si=Srzg-gN7M_GIVQVd
Aisha and DC talk with Marchaé Grair, Communitations Director and Interim Program coordinator at Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism. Marchaé brings their expertise on polyamory, nonmonogamy, and how questioning relationship norms can bring us closer to liberation.
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
Rev. Arek Malecki, Leicester Unitarians' minister, joins Michael and Aisha to explore the similarities and differences between UK Unitarians and UUs in the States, as well as his passion for embodied spirituality through exercise.
Support Cork Unitarian Church following the fire in their Church: https://unitarianchurchcork.com/people/minister/
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
Aisha speaks with Rev. Misha Sanders, minister at Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Rev. Sanders shares what surprised her about Southern US culture and what UUs in Northern states can learn. Further discussion unpacks the necessary work liberals must do deconstructing internal white supremacy in order to be a force for global liberation.
This host special discusses representation in the media industry through the lens of America Fererra's historic Oscar nomination for Barbie. Our hosts dissect the white feminism centering the loss of white women in the Oscars over long overdue recognition for communities of color. Updates from Gaza drive further discussion about what outspoken advocacy looks like while history is watching.
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
CLF Nominating Committee members Tie Resendiz de Perez and Debra Gray Boyd join Michael and DC to discuss leadership opportunities at the CLF. Our guests describe how they work to center liberation in their nominating practices through recognition of the many types of leaders needed to maintain a strong community.
RSVP to CLF Leadership Forum: www.clfuu.org/leadership-forum
1/23 Tues 8-9pm Eastern 1/28 Sun 6:45-7:45pm Eastern
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
This host special discusses world power dynamics. With the ever present context of the genocide in Gaza, our hosts speculate on the ways social media is helping to shift perspectives and dislodge indoctrination on a global scale.
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
This week our hosts engage in a crucial conversation on processing and responding to the ongoing genocide in Palestine from a Unitarian Universalist perspective. We speak to Rev. Ranwa Hammamy, a Unitarian Universalist minister, Muslim, and former President of DRUUMM; Rev. DL Helfer, a Jewish UU actively involved with Jewish Voices for Peace; and Devin Albayati, a young adult, Iraqi Arab activist, and DRUUMM member.
We explore the purpose and impact of the weekly vigil for Gaza, a collaborative effort by CLF and DRUUMM, shedding light on the significance of collective action. Our guests provide valuable resources to deepen your understanding of the historical context of Palestinian oppression, emphasizing the responsibility Unitarian Universalists bear in speaking out against this ongoing tragedy.
CLF Connects: clfuu.org/clfconnects
UUA Webinar
Weekly Vigil - https://www.druumm.org/events/
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
In this episode our hosts explore continuing solidarity as Israel's attacks on Gaza persist. We discuss the role of the US in this genocide, and how to hold on to humanity amid incomprehensible violence.
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
In this episode we are joined by Alex Kapitan, passionate inter-faith LGBTQ activist, to discuss zir work bringing anti-oppressive language to more spaces as founder of Radical Copyeditor.
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
In this episode, we are joined by JeKaren Olaoya, founder of Art Spirit Heal, an art-based spiritual guidance program grounded in creativity, grief support, and ancestorship for Religious Professionals.
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world, go to clfuu.org/podcast
In this episode, we welcome Dana Fisher Ashrawi. Dana is the current President of Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East, which was established in 1971 to educate UUs and sides with love with the people of Palestine/Israel. UUJME is a related social justice organization of the UUA.
In this episode, we are joined by Tim Atkins, Courtney McKenny, and Jenn Blosser to debrief the experience of planning and attending the conference for Religious Educators.
In this episode, our hosts passionately discuss the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Amidst personal stories of loss, we challenge U.S. funding and policies, urging President Biden and Congress to prioritize peace. This podcast addresses key questions, advocates for the dignity of Israeli and Palestinian lives, and underscores the urgency of a peaceful resolution.
In this throwback episode from season 9, we welcome Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt—elected to UUA president at GA in 2023—but during this conversation, she was still a candidate.
Rev. Sofia has served Unitarian Universalism for more than twenty years in a wide variety of leadership roles within congregations, seminaries, human rights organizations, and at the highest levels of denominational leadership.
In this episode, we delve deep into the often under-acknowledged world of prison ministry. We discuss the guiding principles of the Unitarian Universalist faith and how they drive the compassionate and impactful work behind bars.
Sign up to join our Letter Writing Ministry https://worthynow.org/pen-pals
In this episode, we are joined by Rev. Dr. Gregory Carrow-Boyd, as we delve into the Unitarian Universalist response to the recent fires in Hawaii. Discover the spiritual insights, communal resilience, and calls to action this faith tradition offers in times of crisis.
In this episode, Rev. Julián Jamaica Soto reads poetry, announces their new chapbook, and a tour through Arizona and online event in October called The Future of Us.
In this episode, we welcome Matt Meyer and Karishma Gottfried from Sanctuary Boston. Since 2012, Sanctuary Boston has been well-known for its vibrant worship and innovative ministry. This show explores the programs, people, and future of Sanctuary Boston.
In this episode, we welcome Rev. Emily Conger and Rev. Aisha Ansano from Nourish: UU Dinner Church Consultants to discuss what dinner church ministry is and why we need it now more than ever.
In this episode, we welcome the senior-most leadership at the Unitarian Universalist Association to discuss the pivotal moment that our faith faces—political turmoil, pandemic, and congregational uncertainty about the future—and how the association and it's staff have been showing up to meet the challenges of this moment.
In this episode, we are joined by Rev. Meg Riley, Rev. Danielle DiBona, and QuianaDenae Perkins as we discuss the Skinner House published book, “Shelter in This Place: Meditations on 2020”—an anthology of poems, prayers, and reflections from Unitarian Universalists about their experiences of 2020.
In this episode, we dive deep into UUism's perspectives on abortion. We explore the intertwining of faith, personal choice, and the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
In this episode, we explore the significance of Transgender Day of Remembrance, we honor lost lives, share stories of resilience, and discuss ways to support and uplift the trans community.
In this episode, we welcome Rev. Erin Walter and Rev. Lindasusan Ulrich to discuss themes of embodiment, movement as prayer, and dance as a spiritual practice.
In this episode, we are joined by Paula Cole Jones and Aly Tharp, who discuss the unification of the 7th and 8th principles– and how the climate crisis and racial justice work intersect.
In this episode, our hosts delve into how we have spiritual grounding for navigating the climate crisis with the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth. Guests include Daniel Lawlor, Rev. Cindy Davidson, Joshua Long, and Dr. Rashid Shaikh.
In this episode, we talk with Zarra the Co-minister of Activism, Keisha the Co-minister of Activism and Security Liaison, and Mimi the Co-minister of Art of BLM Phoenix Metro, and Janine Gelsinger the Executive Director of UU Justice Arizona Network. Our guests discuss building partnerships, community organizing, and how Blackness shows up in these spaces.
This week, we welcome two activists and organizers, Rev. Erin Walter and Rev. Erika Forbes, who are working in Texas, a state that has recently passed a law making it nearly impossible for people with uteruses to receive adequate healthcare which includes access to safe abortions. Rev. Erin and Rev. Erika bring a first-hand and faith-based perspective to the reproductive freedom movement.
In this episode, Aisha Hauser, Rev. Dawn Fortune, and Rev. Dr. Michael Tino discuss the intersection of vaccine hesitancy and cultivating compassion, the Texas Heartbeat Act, and what listeners can expect in the 8th season of The VUU.