Sunday Talks / Random Musings

A journey of Faith & Trusting in the Universe

Sunday Talks / Random Musings, Understanding Islam
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with Dawn Bates

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https://youtu.be/kTQ2PYdtnSg

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https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/podcast/20180114_DawnBates_AJourneyOfFaithAndTrustingInTheUniverse.mp3

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Growing up in rural England to non-religious parents, Dawn wanted her questions about God & life answered. She embarked on a journey of Faith that has seen her travel deeply into Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism and others. Having lived her life as a Muslim for over 20 years, she shares why she has walked away from organised religion and has put her trust in the Universe & Faith of a different kind. Dawn has detailed her journey through life, as child, woman, mother, community activist & fundraiser, entrepreneur & accountability coach in her books Friday Bridge, Walaahi & her up and coming book Crossing the Line. Dawn is an instigator of change and has inspired many people through her appearances on TV, radio, public speaking, podcasts and her regular blogs.

Dawn Bates © 14th January 2018

Readings:-

Mother to Son by Langston Hughes

2 quotes from Maya Angelou

Hope is the thing with feathers by Emily Dickinson

Jesus meets Halley’s Comet

Sunday Talks / Random Musings
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David Hines

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David Hines © 7th January 2018

Yesterday was the day when Christians celebrate the story of the wise men visiting the baby Jesus. The gospel writer referred to as Matthew says they had been guided there by a star. Since then, there have been numerous theories about whether this really was a star, or a supernova, or a comet, or just a piece of fiction. Continue reading Jesus meets Halley’s Comet →

Aboriginal Spirituality & Gratitudes for 2017

Sunday Talks / Random Musings
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Willem Laman-Trip

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Willem Laman-Trip © 31st December 2017

Introduction: 3 traditions coming together: 

  • Philosophy (Advaita) tradition of NON DUALITY
  • Unitarian tradition of THE INTERDEPENDENT WEB OF ALL EXISTENCE
  • Aboriginal wisdom of FOREVER ONENESS

  

Quotations and readings from 2 novels from Marlo Morgan:
“Mutant Message down under“ and “Message from Forever”.    

Aboriginals using voice for 
SINGING – HEALING and CELEBRATION (not for talking).

Practising Silence & Quietness for next song , be aware of stillness.

Reading of the Fire (Flame) blessing  of the Real People (from Message from Forever)

Reading from Message from Forever: Observe only and not judge

JOURNEY to ONENESS:  chart shown the spiritual journey from Information to Knowledge to Wisdom to spirituality. 
Actually being a spiral as shown on The Oneness Tree

Closing words: The Ritual Chant of the Real People (reading
from Message from Forever).

Alternatively, see Marlo Morgan The REAL Story.
Dumbartung Aboriginal Corporation an organisation which ‘strives to protect the artistic integrity and cultural heritage of Australian Aboriginal people from non-Aboriginal exploitation, misappropriation and misinformation’ have called Marlo Morgan’s writing ‘a fraudulent hoax’ and ‘fabricated New Age fantasy based on deceit and Cultural inaccuracies’.

Seeking refuge in hope

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Rev. Clay Nelson

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Opening words are A Portrait of a Dog as an Older Guy, by Katia Kapovich.

Rev. Clay Nelson © 10th December 2017

When I first arrived in New Zealand there was a kiwi-ism that greatly troubled me… “She’ll be right.” It threw me as I can’t think of an equivalent aphorism from my native tongue. Of course, in a country that could make Trump president, that’s not so surprising.

What I like about it is its optimism. Continue reading Seeking refuge in hope →

What are we waiting for?

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Rev. Clay Nelson

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Opening words are First comes the waiting, by Erika A. Hewitt.

Rev. Clay Nelson © 3rd December 2017

Christians are celebrating the First Sunday of Advent today, one of the four Sundays before Christmas. As Unitarians, it is fair to ask, why do we care? Well, because Advent is all about celebrating waiting. Continue reading What are we waiting for? →

Counting for nothing

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Rachel Mackintosh, Vice-President, New Zealand Council of Trade Unions – Te Kauae Kaimahi.

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Opening words: The Black Unicorn – Audre Lorde

Rachel Mackintosh © 26 November 2017

“When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak.” Audre Lorde

In 2012, a woman called Kristine Bartlett had been working as a carer in the aged care sector for 19 years. Her pay rate was a whisper above the minimum wage. She had this in common with tens of thousands of care workers throughout New Zealand. So far, so ordinary.

She describes herself – in retrospect – as having been a quiet person at the time. She didn’t consider that she had too much to say.

Nevertheless, she went to court and she spoke. Continue reading Counting for nothing →

How many atheists does it take to change a lightbulb?

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David Hines

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David Hines © 19 November 2017

I’m relatively new to being an atheist. I took that step in my mind back in 1986 …. but it was mixed in with my Christianity….. and I didn’t join an atheist organisation till five years ago … so I’m speaking today as a learner. And I want to focus on what difference it makes to our lives. Because atheists, Christians, humanists, Jews have a lot in common, which is possibly more important than the things where they are different. Continue reading How many atheists does it take to change a lightbulb? →