All posts by Paul Henriques

Stories of the Universalist Church and Its People

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Speaker & Worship Leader:- Paul Henriques

Paul will explore the history and beliefs of Universalism, including notable events, eminent Universalists and its merger with Unitarianism. Our Auckland church is rooted in Unitarianism and we have knowledge of it, but if you know little concerning Universalism and are curious, this will be a chance to hear more about it.

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Paul Henriques © 5 July 2026

My talk today is about the Universalist Church and its people. I briefly explore the history and beliefs of Universalism, including notable events and eminent Universalists. The religion of Universalism was founded on the idea that everybody gets saved. In other words, universal salvation. Its development had a remarkable set of Universalist characters. Examples include a third century scholar who refused under torture to recant his beliefs, a group of English farmers planting vegetables on common land who were beaten for it time and again, and the founder of the American Red Cross. The period I cover today starts with that third century scholar and ends in 1961 when the American Universalists and Unitarians merged.

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Samoa’s Nonviolent Struggle for Independence from New Zealand Colonial Rule

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Speaker & Worship Leader:- Paul Henriques

Samoa’s Nonviolent Struggle for Independence from New Zealand Colonial Rule
Listen, or download the MP3

Read below or download the PDF

Follow this shortcut to the bottom of the page for the various readings, videos, etc. shared in the service.

Paul Henriques © 2 July 2023

As many of you know, with Auckland Unitarian Church support, I initiated a pilot programme to help dyslexic children in Samoa in a joint programme with their Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture. While there I came across information on Samoa’s nonviolent struggle for independence from New Zealand. Back in New Zealand, I began to read up on the subject and in asking friends and family about it, found few knew much about it and some nothing at all. I find it a very sad but interesting story, that certainly deserves knowing about, and thought I would share a bit of it with you this morning.

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