Today, I’m going to spend some time talking mostly about myself. These musings put me in mind of the Talking Heads song lyric: “And I think to myself / well…how did I get here?” Today, as I stand before you, I’m comfortable calling myself a UU Sceptic. Even just a couple of years ago, that wasn’t the case…
“Mi Chamocha/Miriam’s Song” (Song 7 of 16) from Shabbat Unplugged
The link to the Abrahamic Council discussion below is straight to Juliet Moses contribution shown in David’s talk, there is also follow up from her in response to a question starting from about 57:08.
Religious attitudes to Racism – Jewish, Christian, and Muslim views – Wellington Abrahamic Council – June 30th 2020
Nina Khouri led our service a few weeks ago, mentioning that she, Derek Handley, and I have embarked on an inquiry regarding the “Future Church.” We have been asked to reflect on the current state of our community, and ponder the possibilities for what it could be in the future. It occurred to us – pretty much immediately – that this isn’t something we can go off and do on behalf of everyone else. Instead, we need to lead a guided introspection by the entire congregation.
Our Christmas Eve was a little different this year.
At 6.00 pm we held “A Christmas for all ages”. An inter-generational service featuring and focusing on our children. Those who didn’t like to drive at night and who normally forgo the later service found this a fun and joyous alternative.
At 8.00 pm we held our traditional candlelight service followed by a festive Christmas supper. This service was live streamed to the interweb, see below:-
On this last Sunday that I will be sharing my musings in 2020, I thought I would make it as Covid-free as possible. I decided to muse on why Unitarians still celebrate Christmas against all reason.
Tena koutou whanau a Tāmaki Unitarians. It’s great to be able to speak to you all today, and particularly to those of you, whom I know.
Today I am speaking about Freedom. A huge subject of which I will only be able to skim the surface. Even this talk was cut down from a three hour exploration of the subject.
I’ve struggled for a long time with how to build a Beloved Community with a bunch of strong individualists. I shared UU minister Cheryl Walker’s story a few years back to exemplify the problem:
A couple of separate events in the past week have come together in my musings. The first was the forty-second birthday of my youngest last Sunday. The second was the arrival of my new iPhone. The first boggles my mind. In a different way, so does the second.
Come join us to celebrate at the beginning of our New Zealand summer at the height of the light!
At the church, 1a Ponsonby Rd Friday, 18 December, 7.30–9.30pm
Dances to glory in the ONE LIGHT within all that is symbolised by the zenith of our full-shining sun at this special time of year … We gather to magnify the radiance within as well, sometimes called “Christ Consciousness” or “Buddha consciousness” or “Krishna consciousness” and known in many other names and forms.
This is a koha event (to support the continued outreach of these events) supported by the Auckland Unitarian Peace and Social Justice Committee.
RSVP to Sally Mabelle 021 0222 8782 or via form below.
