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? →

with Rev. Clay Nelson

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Rev. Clay Nelson © 11^th February 2018

Closing words: All Rivers Run to the Sea by Kayle Rice.

with David Rohe

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David Rohe © 28^th January 2018

It was last month, early December in my 75th year, and something slipped. It was a Saturday, and I actually mentioned the situation to Clay at church the next day. So did Sharon. She also mentioned it to a few other people because she was worried about me. The responses I received were varied, mostly expressions of worry for my mental health with a few “Maybe we can talk about this sometime” type remarks.

What happened that Saturday is fairly easily described, and I suspect worth the telling here, among friends and family. Why it happened is pure speculation. Continue reading Sharon Got Scared when I Said ‘I Don’t Care’ →

A frank meander through the valley of the shadow of death with sausage rolls at the end.

Kurt Payne

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Text to come.

Kurt Payne © 21^st January 2018