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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
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Clay Nelson © 12 October 2014
Perhaps you remember Frank McCourt’s memoir entitled Angela’s Ashes or perhaps you saw the film based on it. It chronicles the human cost of poverty, as well as the loss of life to death and the diminishment of life to disease that poverty constantly exacerbates. It portrays a father so overburdened with the anxieties of his life and by the absence of hope for a way out Continue reading The Sins of Scripture Part 1
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Clay Nelson © 5 October 2014
I had not planned to focus on the Bible this early in my ministry with you. I didn’t want to spook the humanists amongst us, but I blame an email from one of you acknowledging being biblically illiterate and not sure how to respond when some
Christians use the Bible as a club. Continue reading Rescuing the Bible for UUs.
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If you were given a test that exposed the real you, what secrets would it uncover? So, here’s the question… Are you fattist? What about racist? Hands up if you’re homophobic? Do you think a woman’s place is in the kitchen? You would not be alone if your response was an indignant and vehement NO. First, because you may really believe you don’t hold prejudiced views and, second, because you know you’d have to be an idiot to say yes.
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Clay continues his focus on re-enchanting ourselves and the world.
Clay Nelson © 21 September 2014
As I began preparing this third and last sermon on how Unitarian Universalism can play a role in re-enchanting the world I wondered what that world would look like in post-election New Zealand this morning. Would the forces of unrestrained capitalism continue their firm hold on us after the election or would the voices of compassion calling for equality and respect for each New Zealander prevail against the odds? Continue reading Re-enchanting the World, Part 3
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Clay will focus on re-enchanting ourselves and the world.
Clay Nelson © 14 September 2014
Today I continue last week’s search for an underlying philosophy to unite our many different spiritual paths into a community that might re-enchant the world. I am beholden to Richard Grigg’s book of the same title as this sermon for many of the insights and illustrations that follow.
Our search begins with emptiness. Continue reading Re-enchanting the World, Part 2
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Clay will begin his ministry at Auckland Unitarian Church by inviting the congregation to begin writing with him the next chapter in the congregation’s long history. It is an exploration of our hopes, expectations and fears and looking at the question, “Why isn’t everyone Unitarian Universalist?”. Continue reading Re-enchanting the World, Part 1
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The Flower Communion is a concept developed in 1923 by Norbert Capek, founder of the modern Unitarian Church in Transylvania. Taking part reminds us that we each have something unique to contribute to our ‘Union’/community.
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Joseph reads an adapted version of a sermon by Davidson Loehr formerly of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin, Texas, USA.
Also “What am I Saying” a piece by Don Cardow, American Radio & Television Announcer, died August 18th 2014.
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Barbara was inspired to speak with us from the Mental Health Foundation’s recent study of users of mental health services in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Barbara has been a consultant with the Auckland DHB and a Consumer Advisor for local mental health services users. The service will emphasise personal and political actions each of us can take concerning our society’s mental health. Contributions from the floor did not record well and have been replaced by short periods of silence.