with Rev. Clay Nelson

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Clay Nelson © 8^th July 2018

Does New Zealand need Unitarianism? Well, I suppose it depends on who you ask. When this church opened all the clergy in Auckland were invited to our opening service. None came. The only good thing about that is at least they knew who we were and agreed with the graffiti painted on the outside of the building the night before the service, “This is the house of the Devil.” It is safe to say that they definitely did not think New Zealand needed Unitarianism. Continue reading Does New Zealand need Unitarianism? →

with Rachel Mackintosh

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Rachel Mackintosh © 1 July 2018

E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga rangatira ma, tena koutou.
E te whare e tu ake nei, tena koe
E te whanau o Auckland Unitarians,
E nga manuhiri, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou
Ko tangata tiriti te iwi
Ko E tu, Ko te Kauae kaimahi nga uniana
No Tamaki Makaurau ahau
Ko Rachel Mackintosh toku ingoa
No reira
Tena koutou
Tena koutou
Tena tatou katoa

“Rape culture is a culture where we normalise sexual violence. We see this on a continuum – from rape jokes, ‘locker room banter’ and victim blaming, through to catcalling, non-consensual sexual photos, to sexual coercion and rape.” These are the words of Gill Greer, CEO of the National Council of Women. Continue reading Human rights. Whose rights? Our rights! →

with Rev. Clay Nelson

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Clay Nelson © 24^th June 2018

My flippant title that life is too valuable to be taken so seriously was a jab at myself. When I decided on it I was aware that life had become a little too serious for me. I needed to hear a sermon that told me to lighten up a little. (Let me share a secret about my sermons, I am almost always preaching to myself and inviting you to listen in if you’re interested. In other words, I rarely practise what I preach but I’m trying to do better.) Continue reading Life is too valuable to be taken so seriously →

with Rev. Clay Nelson

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Clay Nelson © 17^th June 2018

Sometimes when I choose a sermon title a month in advance it is an act of faith that I will have something to say about it when the time comes. Today’s was one such occasion. I knew it would be my first sermon upon my return from travelling to Athens and Geneva, both places I had never been. I trusted that the experience would educate, enlighten and engage me in such a way that my understanding of reality would not be the same when I returned. It had certainly been true after past travels. Like having cataract surgery or new glasses, I trusted that new lenses would expand my perspective of the world. I was not disappointed. Continue reading Seeing through new lenses →

with David Hines

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David Hines © 3^rd June 2018

1. Intro. What makes it an issue again?

   There are two law changes being proposed in New Zealand this year, and it seems to me they are heading for a collision. What do you think?: Continue reading Blasphemy and the right to hate religion →

with David Rohe & Kurt Payne

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David Rohe, Kurt Payne © 27^th May 2018

Opening words

Here’s an excerpt of a few conversations to be had tomorrow. “So, what did you get up to yesterday?” “Me, I went to church in the morning, not much in the afternoon, just puttered around the garden here at home.”
“Church, eh? What church?”
“The Unitarian Church, over in Ponsonby.”
Now, the conversation can go one of many directions, Continue reading We’re at church, so what?! →

with David Hines

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David Hines © 20^th May 2018

Intro

The book of Acts has a lot of over-the-top stories about the Christian gospel spreading out to other nations. There’s one about Peter dreaming of a Roman Centurion called Cornelius, who just happens to be dreaming about a man called Peter. There’s an earthquake that breaks open the prison two apostles have been locked into, but the apostles just stay in jail, singing. About a dozen of these stories altogether. Continue reading The Transgender Bookworm →

with Rev. Clay Nelson

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Funeral Blues by W H Auden.

The Five Stages of Grief by Linda Pastan.

Rev. Clay Nelson © 13^th May 2018

In Adult Religious Education this year we are exploring how to face death to live. Not surprisingly we have spent considerable time on the subject of grieving. Continue reading Grief is the canvas upon which we paint our lives →

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 →