Peace & Social Justice

The Peace and Social Justice (PSJ) Group exists to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person by direct charitable action through projects and services external to the church community.

We aim to “Walk the Talk” through actions that align with the Unitarian Universalist 7 Principles. Members of the PSJ Group are church members who are directly involved with PSJ Projects and Initiatives. The PSJ Group operates under agreed Terms of Reference for the PSJ Group. All projects are evaluated, and actions requiring funding must be approved by the Church Management Committee, and Church Treasurer. Approved projects are funded by a separate PSJ Fund, which derives income from PSJ pledges, donations, congregational monthly offertory and fundraising events.

Monthly updates on PSJ projects and activities are given to the church congregation at every 3rd Sunday Service of the month. These updates are (sometimes) available for viewing on the church website.

Peace and Social Justice action has long been a part of Unitarianism in Auckland, much of About Us / Our History / The communion of Unitarian Saints is concerned with Peace and Social Justice issues.

Contact our Peace and Social Justice Group

Chants of Universal Peace

October 25, 2021Dances of Universal PeacePeace & Social Justice Group

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We would love you to join us this Saturday evening, 30th October 2021 from 5-6pm for an hour to uplift our spirits through chants of universal peace.

Sing-along from the privacy of your home … multi-cultural, musical, meditations – chants from various wisdom traditions – easy to learn, taught by call and response.

Optional community connection and conversation (6-6:30pm).

Zoom link info: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86017196979?pwd=VUVoUkNubTBBT0laUEFsaTFyOTRmdz09&fbclid=IwAR151NQ3kc8IPsy3PZm9fKO2YjgJhpbg-TQIwhSMwFku2d81gxN8vnfycMw

Meeting ID: 860 1719 6979

Passcode: 216897

Blessings of Peace and Joy to you at this challenging time!

Sally

An outreach of Auckland Unitarians Peace and Social Justice Group

Songs and Chants of Universal Peace — now online – Sunday 26th September 2021, 5:00-6.00PM.

August 30, 2021Dances of Universal PeaceAuckland Unitarian

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Songs and chants will be followed by small group sharing breakout rooms.

(But if we are able to meet in the church for our spring dances and community potluck event, this will be 5.00–8.00pm.)

RSVP to Sally Mabelle below to stay posted and for Zoom details. .

Update of fundraiser held in February for the women of Freeset in Kolkata India:

August 19, 2021Freeset IndiaShirin Caldwell

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Follow-up letter from Anthony Watt of Freeset Global on how your generous donations were spent:

“Firstly, thank you for the donation. The money has been moved over and spent. It contributed towards the covid-19 campaign where we provided wages, vaccinations, emergency medical care, education for children missing school and food distribution into our 4 communities, (over 20 tonnes of food!) Thank you for contributing towards this.
Secondly, I am very glad to see the interest you are taking in following this up. It shows a great degree of care.”

Anthony also included a photograph of one of young girls receiving education from Freeset donations.
He comments:-

“She is doing so well in school at the moment. She is smashing all the boys in math, which is unheard of here! So she is a bit of a star.”

“Thanks again for your support Shirin.[and to all those who contributed to the fundraiser] It really does mean a lot.”

West Auckland Dances of Universal Peace – Monday, 30th August, 2021 – Cancelled.

August 16, 2021Dances of Universal PeaceAuckland Unitarian

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This evening now cancelled due to Covid.

Come join us for a special evening of dances of universal peace with Sally Mabelle and Matêj Koukl, sufi whirling by Abheer, and the resonant sounds of crystal singing bowls by Katrin Franz.

Ranui Community Centre, 474 Swanson Road

Supported by Auckland Unitarians, Koha appreciated toward hall rental and refreshments.

RSVP to Sally Mabelle – 02102228782, or via the form below.

Craftivist Companions update: 1^st August 2021

August 1, 2021CraftivismAuckland Unitarian

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We are currently working on two projects. If you would like to come along and help us with strategy, or just to create your own piece of craftivism, please join us on Thursday evenings 7.30 at the church. Cups of tea, yummy snacks, stimulating company and craft tuition are all part of the package. Hope to see you there!

Our blanket in support of Amnesty International’s campaign for Asylum Seeker Rights. The blanket has a flock of birds of many colours, flying towards a better future, and carrying messages of hope. Purple hearts, representing compassion and courage also adorn the blanket. We also hope to include flowers. (If you would like to add a bird, please point it to the east, so it is flying with the flock.)
We are also supporting a campaign for a fairer future through Action Station. We are making bookmarks, with Fairer Future messages, and plan a guerrilla bookmark insertion campaign, into public library books, once we have enough ammunition.

Gathering in support of Amnesty International’s campaign for Asylum Seeker Rights

Work in progress…

Dances of Universal Peace — Sunday 8 August, 2021

July 26, 2021Dances of Universal PeaceAuckland Unitarian

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Arrive from 4.45pm for a 5.00pm start.

Dances 5:00-6:30pm.

Followed by a community potluck 6:30pm–8:00pm, so please bring a plate to share.

Koha appreciated (to support the Auckland Unitarians Peace and Social Justice projects and events such as this.)

Location: our church sanctuary.

RSVP to Sally Mabelle via the form below.

Tree Council badges presented to MPs

July 5, 2021CraftivismAuckland Unitarian

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Join us for our next Craffiti project, Thursday evenings, 7.30, in the church.

Craftivist Companions have completed our project on behalf of The Tree Council. We made 120 badges and sent one to every MP asking them to support legislation to provide greater protection for urban trees.

25th June – We presented them to *Deborah Russell*, MP for New Lynn…

30th June – Deborah Russell delivered them to parliament for us, and we are delighted to see them being worn by several MPs!

Winter Solstice Dance Deepening Weekend – 19-20 June 2021

June 16, 2021Dances of Universal PeaceSally Mabelle

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Here’s a short video recorded on the day

You are warmly invited to participate in a winter solstice weekend, 19-20 June.

10-4pm Saturday the 19th will be a day of dance deepening, open to all who wish to deepen in their experience of the Dances of Universal Peace and associated walks and meditative practices. Please bring a vegetarian plate to share for lunch.

5pm Sunday will be an evening dance gathering, followed by a community shared vegetarian supper, 6:30-8pm.

From 2-4pm on Sunday, 20th June, Dance leaders are invited to join together in the spirit of collaboration and mutual support/growth by contributing in a shared reflection gathering preceding the dance evening.

Continue reading →

Glen Taylor School

June 13, 2021Glen Taylor School, Help a Kid to CampGuest Post

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with Chris Herlihy, Principal, Glen Taylor School

Links

Welcome includes:- “Children Widen the Circle of Our Being in Ways That Are Limitless” by Gary Kowalski

Chalice Lighting is:- “Chalice Lighting for Children’s Sunday” By Christian Schmidt, Alexis Capen

Time for all ages:- “If I Built a School” by Chris Van Dusen

Koha Hymn:- “Sometimes I feel like a motherless child”, #97

Reading:- “Honouring Children” By Linda Olson Peebles

Closing Hymn: “I Seek the Spirit of a Child” #338,
performed by Julia Stubbs

Closing Words:- “We All Emerge” By Eric Williams

Chants of Universal Peace

Songs and Chants of Universal Peace — now online – Sunday 26th September 2021, 5:00-6.00PM.

Songs and chants will be followed by small group sharing breakout rooms.

RSVP to Sally Mabelle below to stay posted and for Zoom details. .

RSVP, get more information, or leave a comment below.

Update of fundraiser held in February for the women of Freeset in Kolkata India:

Follow-up letter from Anthony Watt of Freeset Global on how your generous donations were spent:

West Auckland Dances of Universal Peace – Monday, 30th August, 2021 – Cancelled.