All posts by Clay Nelson

Do the American Transcendentalists have Anything to say to Kiwi Unitarians?

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By Rev. Clay Nelson.

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Clay Nelson © 31 May 2015

Have you ever had a eureka moment, perhaps on a tramp in some remote part of the South Island, watching the gannets feed their newly hatched chicks on the cliffs above Muriwai beach or looking into the face of your child or grandchild for the first time? Continue reading Do the American Transcendentalists have Anything to say to Kiwi Unitarians? →

The Battle for God

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By Rev. Clay Nelson.

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Clay Nelson © 17 May 2015

Last week a former colleague of mine, another progressive Christian, posted an encounter on his Facebook page. He told of a sweet looking elderly lady coming to see him in his office. Continue reading The Battle for God →

Living in the Age of Precarious

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By Rev. Clay Nelson.

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Clay Nelson © 10 May 2015

In January I attended a weekend summer school offered by a trust focused on raising awareness on social justice, environmental, Treaty, and economic issues. One of the workshops taught me a new word: The Precariat. Continue reading Living in the Age of Precarious →

Honouring those who have fought for peace

ANZAC, Sunday Talks / Random Musings
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By Rev. Clay Nelson.

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Clay Nelson © 26 April 2015

It was December 1, 1969. A day I remember well. It was during my third year of university. My roommates and I were gathered around the radio as was every American male born between 1946 and 1950. It was the first draft lottery. Continue reading Honouring those who have fought for peace →

Creating Our Own Future

Fundraising, Sunday Talks / Random Musings
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Rev. Clay Nelson and Management Committee Chair Jonathan Mason

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Rev. Clay Nelson and Management Committee Chair Jonathan Mason kick off the church’s 2015 annual Canvass with talks on using imagination and vision to imagine where the church will be in the future.

Easter? Bah Humbug!

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By Rev. Clay Nelson.

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Clay Nelson © 5 April 2015

Last year, in my former life, I would have greeted you this morning with the ancient Easter Acclamation: “Alleluia. Christ is risen.” My Anglican congregation would have responded enthusiastically, “He is risen indeed. Alleluia” Continue reading Easter? Bah Humbug! →

Inequality and the New Dark Ages

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By Rev. Clay Nelson.

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Clay Nelson © 29 March 2015

It wasn’t so until modern times, but a lot can change in a lifetime. Certainly it has in mine. Some of it has been fascinating and life enhancing but in one aspect the change we have experienced has been anything but. Where it is concerned I feel as I imagine a Roman citizen felt after the fall of their empire. Life was stable one day. Pax Romana with its infrastructure and commerce was benefitting most citizens. The next day the Visigoths came to town leaving chaos in their wake. Continue reading Inequality and the New Dark Ages →

Rumi-nations on Being Broken

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By Rev. Clay Nelson.

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Clay Nelson © 22 March 2015

So, as is my practice, I was very busy procrastinating a few weeks ago. I was going to start writing my sermon just after I visited every website on the Internet when I came across a poem by Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi or just Rumi to his friends. It sounded familiar. It began: “Come, come, whoever you are, wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving. Ours is no caravan of despair.” But then came an unexpected line, Continue reading Rumi-nations on Being Broken →

Freedom from Religion

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By Rev. Clay Nelson.

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Clay Nelson © 1 March 2015

Last Monday I spent six hours at the Human Rights Commission in a mediation that ultimately seeks to abolish religious instruction in public schools. It is known as “Bible in Schools.” Continue reading Freedom from Religion →

It’s All in Our Imagination

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By Rev. Clay Nelson.

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Clay Nelson © 8 February 2015

On your way to church this morning how many things did you see that weren’t there? It might sound like I’m checking on your mental health. Not at all, I’m not wondering if you are delusional but whether you use your imagination to see the world around you. For what else is imagination, but seeing what isn’t there. Continue reading It’s All in Our Imagination →