with Rev. Clay Nelson

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Forged in the fire of our coming together is by Gretchen Haley.

Opening words are from It Matters by Robert R Walsh.

Rev. Clay Nelson © 6^th May 2018

“May the sins of the father be visited upon his children.” This was the inscription in a book sent as a gift by my mother to my first born. The book was Dumbo. Confused by her sentiment, I called my mother to thank her and ask what she meant. She explained that when I was very young I insisted she read this story to me nearly every night. Sending this gift was her way of taking revenge, although she probably thought of it as balancing the scales of justice. Continue reading Once upon a time: The Power of Story →

with Rev. Clay Nelson

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To this house we come bringing our boldest dreams is by Lawrence McGinty.

Opening words are from Faith Without Certainty: Liberal Theology in the 21st Century by Paul Rasor.

Rev. Clay Nelson © 8^th April 2018

I fear I’m a creature of habit. Most mainline Christian churches have a three-year lectionary that they, for the most part, share. A lectionary sets readings from both the Hebrew scriptures and Christian writings to be read on particular Sundays over the course of the year. After three years, if you have gone to church every Sunday, like every good Christian does, you have heard most of the Bible. There is one notable exception. It is on the Sunday after Easter. Continue reading A Doubtful Faith →

with Rev. Clay Nelson

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Welcome into this circle of community is by Andrew Pakula

Rev. Clay Nelson © 25^th March 2018

An occupational hazard of a minister’s vocation is needing to find the grace to be present to others in the midst of their sadness and grief; despair and disappointment. No one calls the minister to ask for a visit when, as Robert Browning wrote, “God is in his heaven, all’s right with the world.” Now I’m not complaining. There is no more sacred trust bestowed than to be invited into someone’s life when they are feeling most vulnerable, most fragile: most mortal. Continue reading Ode to Joy →

with Rev. Clay Nelson

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Invitation to join the journey is by Lyn Cox

”The Path” is from My Grandfather’s Blessings: Stories of Strength, Refuge and Belonging by Rachel Naomi Remen (Thorndike Press, 2001)

Sacred Ground Chalice Lighting By Chrystal Hogan

Rev. Clay Nelson © 18^th March 2018

Once upon a time I was working in a mental hospital doing my clinical training to become a minister. Part of that training required leading a worship service once a week for the patients in my ward. This ward held seriously ill schizophrenics, which meant they were mentally ill, not stupid. They had an uncanny knack of knowing if they were being fed BS. Continue reading We make the road by walking →

David Hines

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David Hines © 11^th March 2018

I’d like to thank Sean for asking me to preach on Being Pākehā Now. (He won this prize in our parish auction). I have never called myself a Pākehā, but had never asked myself why not. So this was a challenge for me to investigate something new, and also to investigate my own attitude.

After studying it – I was surprised to find how controversial it is, and to discover that Pākehā is not a term I want to use myself … but I can understand why other people do.

So I want to look at three examples of New Zealanders who have or haven’t called themselves Pākehā. Continue reading Don’t call me a Pākehā →

with Rev. Clay Nelson

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Follow this link to the New Zealand Herald article quoted in the introduction.

Rev. Clay Nelson © 4^th March 2018

Do not think this sermon title asking if the #MeToo movement is a will-o’-the-wisp or a revolution will result in an answer today. Let me say up front that I hope #MeToo will be a transformational event in our culture that could be considered revolutionary, but I have no idea if it will succeed. My past experience with such moments does not encourage me. Patriarchy will not forsake its privilege and power voluntarily or with grace. Continue reading #MeToo: a Will-o’-the-wisp or revolution? →