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This morning marks the second day in Islam’s holy month of Ramadan. During these thirty days, Muslims around the world seek purification, forgiveness, guidance and a renewed devotion to Allah.
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No text this week, watch or listen to find out why.
Also includes update from our Social Justice Team.
Rev. clay Nelson © 21 May 2017
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Cassie Withey-Riley © 14 May 2017
Hello, I am honoured and terrified to be here. My name is Cassie and I benefit from White Supremacy. I have been given the honour of guiding us on this small step of a very uncomfortable journey. Continue reading Swimming in a White Supreme-a-sea
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Rev. clay Nelson © 30 April 2017
When I was six we got our first television. I think that was about five years before television made it to New Zealand. It was love at first sight. It was beautiful in its large wooden cabinet with its much smaller tube. The black and white images were magical. It changed my daily routine. After school I watched the Mickey Mouse Club, followed by Superman. On Friday night there was Flash Gordon. Saturday morning there were cartoons and all my western heroes. I loved TV everyday of the week, except Sunday mornings. There were only three channels. Two had interviews of people in the news. I was not yet a political junkie, so that left the third station, which had religious programming. Continue reading A Fishy Love
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Opening words are THE PEACE NOT PAST UNDERSTANDING by Gary Kowalski.
Video of Eric Bogle singing ‘And the band played ‘Waltzing Matilda” and John Lennon singing ‘Imagine’ can be seen at the bottom of this page.
Rev. clay Nelson © 23 April 2017
This coming Tuesday New Zealand “celebrates” ANZAC Day for the 101st time since the battle of Gallipoli where 7447 young Kiwis died or were wounded for “King and Country”. Forty young men from our congregation were in their number. Six, or 15%, did not return. Continue reading ANZAC Day…A time to imagine peace
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Rev. clay Nelson © 16 Apil 2017
When I was in seminary, every seminarian was assigned a parish to do field work in for two years. My second Easter, I was given the opportunity to preach on Easter Sunday. A few months later a couple in the congregation came to see me. They brought me a novel the wife had written. In a former life they had been Idaho sheep farmers. The book is about the lonely life of a shepherd who cares for his flock. Continue reading Ignore Easter? So tempting.
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The Latin American Choir of New Zealand © 9 April 2017
The Latin American Choir of New Zealand (CLANZ) is an Auckland-based group whose members meet every week to share the joy of singing together in Spanish. Under the direction of professional musician Celina Reyes, the group welcomes anyone, regardless of their singing experience or their level of Spanish. Each rehearsal is a chance to improve one’s singing ability as well as maintain or enhance one’s proficiency with the language. CLANZ explores a wide range of traditional, folk and popular songs from Latin America and Spain, promoting an appreciation of Hispanic culture within its membership and amongst the greater community. The group rehearses every Monday during school terms at the Leys Institute in Ponsonby from 5.45 to 7.15 p m.
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Rev. clay Nelson © 2 Apil 2017
Each week we sing “Roots hold me close; wings set me free.” It is the Spirit of Life residing within each of us. The image resonates with a truth so deeply entrenched in us it could be part of our DNA. The metaphor is universal. I wonder if it might go back to our earliest ancestor, one that we all share. Carl Jung might consider it an archetype: A concept that resides in our collective unconscious the world over. Continue reading Roots and Wings of a Unitarian Lent
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Rev. clay Nelson © 26 March 2017
In this Age of Trump, for many of us, loving our political opponents seems a step too far. Friends in the US report political differences in their families and life-long friendships are fracturing them, some seemingly beyond repair. This goes way beyond “unfriending” them on Facebook. Marriages are dissolving. Children and parents are estranged. Communities are divided. Political debate has always been a blood sport in the US, but this level of carnage is beyond my experience. Continue reading Loving your political opponent – Creative Conflict