No recordings this week – technical gremlins attacked.
Opening words:- “A New Song, a New Harmony” By Richard S. Gilbert
Chalice Lighting:- “Chalice Lighting for Music Sunday” By Marnie Singer
Closing Words:- “As we listen to the blessing of music” By Maureen Killoran
Read below or download the PDF
Follow this shortcut to the bottom of the page for the various readings, videos, etc. shared in the service.
Clay Nelson © 11 June 2023
I keep getting enquiries about and objections to replacing principles with values (Here are links to the earlier talks on this topic:- 1, 2, 3 & 4). I thought I’d dealt with this issue but, apparently, not satisfactorily for some. So, let me try again.
These changes did not come out of the blue. There are a couple of stories behind them. They tell stories about UU principles and values.
Continue reading A minister’s work is never done, and neither is yoursRead below or download the PDF
Follow this shortcut to the bottom of the page for the various readings, videos, etc. shared in the service.
Alix Geard © 4th June2023
Today’s theme is inspired by “Beyond growth: Pathways towards sustainable prosperity in the EU”
I wanted to share something about what the future might look like: especially something new about what’s going on in the space around climate change and degrowth. I’ve been finding that quite depressing, though.
I admit that I even asked ChatGPT for some examples of what I might say. The homilies it came up with were familiar, reassuring, anodyne and almost completely pointless. They did sound good, though.
Instead, I want to throw some ideas at you about what people are like, and how we work together. The ideas are all a bit flawed – they’re working notes and patterns to look out for – but I’ve found them useful.
Continue reading Beyond GrowthFollow this shortcut to the bottom of the page for the various readings, videos, etc. shared in the service.
Follow this link to Peter’s detailed notes on his talk.
Peter Lineham © 28th May 2023
No recordings this week.
Following our ritual for welcoming new members into the congregation, Clay gave us a whirlwind tour of some of the early New Zealand Unitarians who have gone before us in this congregation.
Opening words:- “New Member Covenant” By Laura Randall
Chalice Lighting:- is adapted from “Chalice Lighting” By Oberlin UU Fellowship, Oberlin, OH, USA
Closing Words:- “Each of us ministers to a weary world” By Darcy Roake
Follow this shortcut to the bottom of the page for the various readings, videos, etc. shared in the service.
Marlon Drake © 14 May 2023
Marlon attended Western Springs College and then moved to Wellington where he was a student activist at Victoria University, serving as President of the students association, campaigning against sexual violence and in favour of mental health support for students. He also worked part time as an organiser in the Living Wage Movement during his time as a law student at Victoria. Marlon is now the full-time community organiser for Te Ohu Whakawhanaunga, a broad-based coalition in Auckland working for social justice.
Continue reading The thrill of participatory social justiceRead below or download the PDF
Follow this shortcut to the bottom of the page for the various readings, videos, etc. shared in the service.
Clay Nelson © 7 May 2023
This morning is the fourth in a series of musings about what it means to be a living tradition. (Here are links to talks 1, 2, and 3.) How have we changed? Who decides what it means to be a UU today? And who owns the congregation?
When the eight members from diverse backgrounds were appointed to review Article II Bylaws, the first thing they did was consult UU stakeholders. These included, amongst others:-
This is participatory theology. Its purpose is to determine and articulate our shared values and theology.
Continue reading The thrill of participatory theologyRead below or download the PDF
Follow this shortcut to the bottom of the page for the various readings, videos, etc. shared in the service.
Clay Nelson © 30 April 2023
[Third musing in the series] 1, 2I was intrigued by excerpts of Diane Miller’s reflections on the proposed changes to the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Bylaws to be voted on in June at the General Assembly. Dianne was a young pregnant feminist invited to be on the committee charged with revising our purposes. Her son was born during the committee’s work. He was a toddler when what we know as the Seven Principles passed General Assembly in 1985. It was a radical change from such statements in the past. Her son is now a parent with two children, and Diane is retired. She is 74. She is also delighted that the hard work of the committee she served is being revised nearly 40 years later. What struck me most is that, including her generation, which is also mine, three generations of those who became UUs after 1985 have only known the Seven Principles as the definition of who we are.
Continue reading Will Unitarian Universalism remain a living tradition?Read below or download the PDF
Follow this shortcut to the bottom of the page for the various readings, videos, etc. shared in the service.
Clay Nelson © 23rd April 2023
Last week we explored the many challenges of being a living tradition, the biggest being finding a consensus when we don’t have a creed, holy book of revelation or ecclesiastical authority.
This morning our focus is on the Seven Principles. How they came to be? Their role in our faith. Have they passed their use by date?
Continue reading Have the Seven Principles passed their use-by date?Read below or download the PDF
Follow this shortcut to the bottom of the page for the various readings, videos, etc. shared in the service.
Clay Nelson © 16th April 2023
This morning I would like to focus on what it means to be a living tradition. As Unitarian Universalists we sing about it. We proudly proclaim it as what we are. But what does it mean? Most simply put our beliefs are etched in pencil and not carved in stone. But there are consequences. Like being green, being a living tradition isn’t easy.
It is a big topic, so this is the first of several random musings exploring who we are, how we got here and where we are being led. My hope is that we might better understand our Kaupapa, our mission and purpose.
Continue reading It isn’t easy being a “Living Tradition”