By Gordon Jackman
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Is New Zealand a Christian nation?
Should it be?
Auckland UUs Clay Nelson argues this issue with Bishop Brian Tamaki on Maori Television’s Media Take. Tune in Tuesday 7/4 at 10:20 pm for a very interesting show on religion in the media, repeated 2.00pm Sunday 12/4. Also viewable on the Maori Television website at www.maoritelevision.com/tv/shows/media-take.
Easter? Bah Humbug!
By Rev. Clay Nelson.
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Clay Nelson © 5 April 2015
Last year, in my former life, I would have greeted you this morning with the ancient Easter Acclamation: “Alleluia. Christ is risen.” My Anglican congregation would have responded enthusiastically, “He is risen indeed. Alleluia” Continue reading Easter? Bah Humbug!
Inequality and the New Dark Ages
By Rev. Clay Nelson.
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Clay Nelson © 29 March 2015
It wasn’t so until modern times, but a lot can change in a lifetime. Certainly it has in mine. Some of it has been fascinating and life enhancing but in one aspect the change we have experienced has been anything but. Where it is concerned I feel as I imagine a Roman citizen felt after the fall of their empire. Life was stable one day. Pax Romana with its infrastructure and commerce was benefitting most citizens. The next day the Visigoths came to town leaving chaos in their wake. Continue reading Inequality and the New Dark Ages
Rumi-nations on Being Broken
By Rev. Clay Nelson.
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Clay Nelson © 22 March 2015
So, as is my practice, I was very busy procrastinating a few weeks ago. I was going to start writing my sermon just after I visited every website on the Internet when I came across a poem by Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi or just Rumi to his friends. It sounded familiar. It began: “Come, come, whoever you are, wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving. Ours is no caravan of despair.” But then came an unexpected line, Continue reading Rumi-nations on Being Broken
Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand
The church is a strong supporter of the Living Wage movement. It is one of over 80 faith-based groups, unions and NGOs that are members of the movement and in 2015 we became the first faith-based congregation to be accredited as a Living Wage Employer.
Our Minister, Clay Nelson, worked part time as the Employer Accreditation Coordinator for Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand and in October 2015 spoke to the church about why we support this movement. You can hear and/or read that talk at What’s Wrong with the Living Wage.
You can see the complete list of accredited living wage employers (then support them with your business), and find out other ways to offer your support at www.livingwage.org.nz.
Freedom from Religion
By Rev. Clay Nelson.
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Clay Nelson © 1 March 2015
Last Monday I spent six hours at the Human Rights Commission in a mediation that ultimately seeks to abolish religious instruction in public schools. It is known as “Bible in Schools.” Continue reading Freedom from Religion
The Gay Experience in Faith Communities – 2
Great Extrications.
By Geno Sisneros.
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Its Pride time! That means a festival and a parade and lots of parties and all sorts of festivities where LGBT people and supporters can take part and show their gay pride.
I have to admit, I’m not much of a parade person or, dare I say it, a ‘pride person’. I don’t get it. And I don’t feel guilty for not getting it. But since I’ve been invited to speak here this morning as part of those festivities, I thought I better find out how (or even if) I and my story might somehow fit into the grand pride narrative. Continue reading The Gay Experience in Faith Communities – 2
The Gay Experience in Faith Communities – 1
The Knowledge of Good and Evil (the simplicity of Love).
By Jim Marjoram.
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https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/podcast/20150215JimMarjoram_TheGayExperienceinFaithCommunities1.mp3″]
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A little of my personal story to start with.
I was brought up in a very average middle class family in Sydney. The usual struggles and fun. Not perfect but I knew I was loved and safe. I was also gay. I knew I was different from quite young but couldn’t understand exactly how until puberty hit and I found that guys were who I was naturally attracted to and I simply had no desire what so ever towards girls. Continue reading The Gay Experience in Faith Communities – 1
Auckland Pride Festival
Auckland Unitarians support the Auckland Pride Festival. The festival is New Zealand’s biggest social and cultural celebration for the Rainbow Community (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Takatāpui, Fa’afafine, Intersex, Queer) and their friends and families. Continue reading Auckland Pride Festival