Songs and chants will be followed by small group sharing breakout rooms.
(But if we are able to meet in the church for our spring dances and community potluck event, this will be 5.00–8.00pm.)
Don’t blow a fuse
with Rev. Clay Nelson
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 © 29 August 2021
Our reading this morning is what has occupied my musings this week, I’m grateful to my former colleague Glynn Cardy’s Facebook post pointing me in the direction of Nadia Bolz-Weber’s blog on circuit breakers. I suppose it resonated because of a conversation I had with someone feeling confounded about how to respond to someone who wanted to relitigate an altercation that was years ago. This is the kind of imposition that can blow a fuse when we can barely handle all that is happening now. So, this is another message from your Minister for Spiritual Health on how to use a lockdown to your spiritual advantage. Just because we are adhering to the lockdown rules for the common good, it does not mean we have to lock down our growth and transformation.
Continue reading Don’t blow a fuseDayenu: It would be enough
with Rev. Clay Nelson
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 © 22 August 2021
As we once again find the virus an unwelcomed guest in our midst, I pondered what to share with you today. The Ministry of Health is doing a great job, considering the enormity of the task, trying to keep us physically healthy. Our Prime Minister is doing her job of keeping us mentally sound with her calm assurance, clear messaging and kind manner. But I can’t find a ministry for assisting us with our spiritual wellbeing. I guess that’s my job. It is a daunting one, but I take comfort in my opening words, by Elizabeth Mount. If I can remind you of your internal spiritual strength that will help you endure, that would be Dayenu. It will be enough for today.
Continue reading Dayenu: It would be enoughUpdate of fundraiser held in February for the women of Freeset in Kolkata India:
Follow-up letter from Anthony Watt of Freeset Global on how your generous donations were spent:
“Firstly, thank you for the donation. The money has been moved over and spent. It contributed towards the covid-19 campaign where we provided wages, vaccinations, emergency medical care, education for children missing school and food distribution into our 4 communities, (over 20 tonnes of food!) Thank you for contributing towards this.
Secondly, I am very glad to see the interest you are taking in following this up. It shows a great degree of care.”
Anthony also included a photograph of one of young girls receiving education from Freeset donations.
He comments:-
“She is doing so well in school at the moment. She is smashing all the boys in math, which is unheard of here! So she is a bit of a star.”
“Thanks again for your support Shirin.[and to all those who contributed to the fundraiser] It really does mean a lot.”
Message from our Minister
While it is disappointing, it is not surprising we are back in a Level 4 lockdown. We’ve had a good run, but the Delta variant is the trickiest and most dangerous to date, so it was only a matter of time. A year and a half ago, we were still learning how to defeat the virus. We’ve learned a lot since then and, fingers crossed, we will be even be more successful this time if we all do our part.
Auckland Unitarians will do ours. The building is closed for In-person and live-streaming worship until we return to Level 1. Committees, men’s group, circle groups, and renters may return at Level 2 if they can meet Ministry of Health NZ guidelines.
Not all the news is bad. We will be open online. We will continue our Sunday worship by Zoom at 11.00am. Some committees and groups can still meet by Zoom. Daily support for anyone who needs to just chat with someone outside their bubble is offered on Zoom at 11.00am, Monday through Saturday. Pastoral support from me is always available. If you do not have my contact details, you can email me from the website, which also has further details on how to gather by Zoom.
Covid does not stop our being a beloved community. Be kind. Check in on our single members and seniors. If you need assistance please let Clay or one of our other members know.
Stay safe by following government guidelines to the letter. If you can’t stay home, wear a mask. Book your vaccine. Give thanks for all those essential workers who have to risk their lives to care for us.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday on Zoom,
Clay
West Auckland Dances of Universal Peace – Monday, 30th August, 2021 – Cancelled.
This evening now cancelled due to Covid.
Come join us for a special evening of dances of universal peace with Sally Mabelle and Matêj Koukl, sufi whirling by Abheer, and the resonant sounds of crystal singing bowls by Katrin Franz.
Ranui Community Centre, 474 Swanson Road
Supported by Auckland Unitarians, Koha appreciated toward hall rental and refreshments.
RSVP to Sally Mabelle – 02102228782, or via the form below.
Reclaiming our rabble-rouser roots
with Rev. Clay Nelson
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 © 15 August 2021
You may remember the movie The Perfect Storm that came out in the year 2000. It was about a real storm in 1991. A variety of factors came together to create a hurricane that was never named. In the northern hemisphere hurricanes form in the tropics and move north. This hurricane started as a nor’easter that became a hurricane that formed off the Atlantic coast of Canada and New England and then moved south causing considerable damage.
The term “perfect storm” was coined by journalist Sebastian Junger after a conversation with Boston meteorologist Robert Case in which Case described the convergence of weather conditions as being “perfect” for the formation of such a storm. It has entered our lexicon to describe an especially bad situation caused by a combination of unfavourable circumstances. It certainly applies to our new reality.
Continue reading Reclaiming our rabble-rouser rootsReligion and Middle-earth
with Rev. Clay Nelson
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 © 8 August 2021
What would reality be like without fantasy? Would you want to live there? Can you really imagine a place not inhabited by Gandalf and Frodo, Harry and Albus, Sparrowhawk and Vetch; Lucy and Aslan? Thanks to fantasy literature, we can live in an extensive travel bubble. We are exempt from quarantine when we visit Alice in Wonderland, Peter in Neverland, Ged in Earthsea, Harry, Ron and Hermione at Hogwarts, Max where the wild things are, and the Hobbits in the Shire, especially since Hobbiton is only 168 kilometres from Auckland.
Continue reading Religion and Middle-earthQuiz on Wheels – Fundraiser for PSJ projects
Photos from this can be seen on this google slideshow.
On Saturday 7 August Auckland Unitarians will be holding a battle of wits as we gently explore Northcote/Birkenhead. The stakes are high, those in the winning car will win movie tickets!
This is a fun day out for all the family, there are questions to answer and quests to accomplish. Learn some of the history, love stories and and interest spots of one of our fascinating city suburbs. It is highly recommended that each team has at least one member with a phone with access to the internet.
We finish up with a shared afternoon tea chez Rachel and Clay. This is a fundraiser for Peace and Social Justice projects. Suggested entry fee is $10-$20 per adult, depending on what you can afford. Children are free. Winners are determined by wits, not speed! More details later…
Craftivist Companions update: 1st August 2021
We are currently working on two projects. If you would like to come along and help us with strategy, or just to create your own piece of craftivism, please join us on Thursday evenings 7.30 at the church. Cups of tea, yummy snacks, stimulating company and craft tuition are all part of the package. Hope to see you there!
- Our blanket in support of Amnesty International’s campaign for Asylum Seeker Rights. The blanket has a flock of birds of many colours, flying towards a better future, and carrying messages of hope. Purple hearts, representing compassion and courage also adorn the blanket. We also hope to include flowers. (If you would like to add a bird, please point it to the east, so it is flying with the flock.)
- We are also supporting a campaign for a fairer future through Action Station. We are making bookmarks, with Fairer Future messages, and plan a guerrilla bookmark insertion campaign, into public library books, once we have enough ammunition.
