by Barbara Thomborson
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Surrendering to Wholeness in 2015
Born to Belong-Born to Give-Born to Bond by Worship Associate Sally Mabelle.
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Sally shares highlights of the new science which is closely examining the substance of our interdependent web of life. Based on Lynne McTaggart‘s “The Bond.” We’ll look at some of the latest research which suggests that a will to connect rather than a drive to compete is the essential impulse of all life.
OPENING:
What is the difference
Between your experience of Existence
And that of a saint? Continue reading Surrendering to Wholeness in 2015
A Subversive Christmas
Rev. Clay Nelson
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https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/podcast/20141214RevClayNelson_ASubversiveChristmas.mp3″]
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Clay Nelson © 14 December 2014
We have lit the third Advent candle, the one for peace. It promises that the day is drawing near when we will once again hear the Christmas stories from the Gospels. In preparation for that I would like to give you my Christmas present early. Come Christmas Eve, I would like you to be able to actually enjoy and be transformed by the stories without having an internal argument with your rational side about Virgin births, moving stars, the birth of Saviours of the World, divine babies in human form, and whether or not any of it is history. Continue reading A Subversive Christmas
An Auckland Unitarian Church Thanksgiving: Honouring our Past to See our Future
When is Enough Enough?
An exploration of abundance in a world of scarcity.
Rev. Clay Nelson.
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Clay Nelson © 23 November 2014
Sometimes a chosen sermon topic doesn’t lead me where I expected to go. This is one of those times. When I committed to speak on “When is enough enough?” I had in mind that for Americans Thanksgiving is coming soon, a time of celebrating abundance represented by an overflowing cornucopia and loosened belts after the feast. I thought I would be putting forth the virtues of a theology of abundance. I did begin there in my thinking but that is not where it ended. So I’ve decided to share with you my journey from the sermon I thought I was going to give to the one I am giving. Continue reading When is Enough Enough?
Surviving Being Progressive in a Conservative Era
by Rev. Clay Nelson.
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Clay Nelson © 16 November 2014
I would have nothing to thank George W. Bush for if it weren’t for his re-election. If various unscrupulous Republican tactics had not given Ohio to Bush, I would probably still be living in Sacramento, California. Adopting New Zealand as my home was my response to the U.S. moving further to the right; away from progressive values. After the most recent US election, Continue reading Surviving Being Progressive in a Conservative Era
Sin of Certainty vs. the Seven Principles
by Rev. Clay Nelson
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How is it we come to feel certain?
How do we know what we know is true?
Can you be certain and be a UU?
Clay Nelson © 9 November 2014
In RE class a group of children were colouring with great focus and intensity. As the teacher walked around the room checking out their artistic efforts she stopped to ask one little girl what she was drawing. The little girl, without looking up, answered, “A picture of God.” The teacher paused for a moment seeking a diplomatic response and then said, “Well, actually no one knows what God looks like.” Still drawing with great purpose, the girl answered with certainty, “They will when I’m finished.” Continue reading Sin of Certainty vs. the Seven Principles
Life Flows on in Endless Song
by Rev. Clay Nelson
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Inspired by the music that the VoiceClub performs for us today.
Clay Nelson © 2 November 2014
Neurologist Oliver Sacks has said, “Music is the most direct and mysterious way of conveying and evoking feeling. It is a way of connecting one consciousness to another. The nearest thing to telepathy is making music together. ” Continue reading Life Flows on in Endless Song
Modern Paganism
by Barbara Thomborson.
Calling nature worshippers! The revival and/or creation of over 80 types of modern paganism shows modern Westerners’ desire to enjoy, revere and reconnect with natural mystical/spiritual powers. From Wiccanism, Celtic, ethnic, even Christo-Paganism to the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, let’s take a brief look at modern paganism and celebrate the Celtic rite of Spring. No audio available this week.
The Sins of Scripture Part 2
“Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child” versus The Seven Principles
by Rev. Clay Nelson
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Clay Nelson © 19 October 2014
I arrived in New Zealand in 2005 to be greeted by a highly charged debate over what its opponents called the “anti-smacking” bill, a private bill by one of my New Zealand heroes, Sue Bradford. In truth the bill was called Continue reading The Sins of Scripture Part 2