Opening Words are Fault Line by Robert Walsh
Rev. Clay Nelson © 2020
This morning we carry love and hope and courageous faith, and seek to renew our covenantal commitments. We remind ourselves of the home we share, a home that we come back to, whether after a long or short absence, a home we welcome all to make their own: a home of love and hope and faith—come, let us gather together within.
Continue reading Water CommunionOpening Words are by Jack Kornfield
Closing Words are by Andrew Pakula – There Are Miles Behind You
Nina Khouri © 19 January 2020
Derek Handley © 12 January 2020
Whichever way we get at it or try to describe it, it is the pursuit of happiness that has held centre stage for much of human history across centuries, sects and civilizations.
Continue reading Bridging the Gaps between Reality and HopeThey are doing a lightning tour of New Zealand over the next 8 days, which includes the following 2 concerts:-
Do get to see / hear them if you can.
Read below or download the PDF
David Hines © 29 December 2019
A month ago I saw one of the most spectacular sights of my life.
Continue reading What swallows can teach us about global warmingRead below, or download the PDF
Clay Nelson © 15 December 2019
People sometimes wonder why Unitarians celebrate Christmas. Even some Unitarians do. It’s quite understandable considering our scepticism about Virgin births, moving stars, the birth of Saviours of the World, divine babies in human form, and whether or not any of it is history. I, however, wonder why Christians celebrate Christmas (and of course they didn’t for the first few centuries after the birth of Jesus). Christians have struggled with Christmas ever since the Emperor Constantine declared December 25th to be the day of Jesus’ birth. Well, somebody had to decide. The Gospels certainly didn’t tell us when the blessed event happened. Since then how to celebrate it or whether or not to celebrate it at all has consumed untold hours of theological debate.
Continue reading A Subversive Christmas ReduxRead below, or download the PDF
Opening Words are A poem by Philip Appleman, “O Karma, Dharma, pudding & pie”
Clay Nelson © 8 December 2019
Today we welcome you, Gerard, Tess and John, as our newest members. We are delighted, but it is only fair to warn you that challenges lie ahead for all those who sign the membership book. One of the biggest is explaining what the heck a Unitarian Universalist is.
Continue reading “O Karma, Dharma, pudding & pie”Opening words are ‘Expect Nothing’ by Robin Tanner
Closing words are ‘Remembering that the universe is larger’ By Marjorie Newlin Leaming
Derek Handley © 1 December 2019
Last month, my wife and I were in Japan watching the wrong team win the Rugby World Cup,
but we also went to visit the ancient city of Kyoto.
Deep within the quiet, peaceful labyrinth of dozens of 15th and 16th century temples in the Myoshinjii compound –
there is a temple called Shunkoin.
Continue reading What not to expect when you are expecting