Auckland Unitarians

Speaker & Worship Leader:-Rachel Mackintosh.

Today is St Francis of Assisi Day. Even those of us without much of a background in saints may know that St Francis is the patron saint of animals.
In honour of St Francis, this service is for the blessing of animals. But do we, Auckland Unitarians, find the notion of blessing problematic?

Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 4th October 2026.

For more information see:-
https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/blessing-of-the-animals/

Speaker & Worship Leader:-Rachel Mackintosh.

Today is St Francis of Assisi Day. Even those of us without much of a background in saints may know that St Francis is the patron saint of animals.
In honour of St Francis, this service is for the blessing of animals. But do we, Auckland Unitarians, find the notion of blessing problematic?

Here are the words people chose to describe their animal:- Incorrigible Rascal, Guard-Dog, Calm, Wolfy, Companionship, Sweetness.

Meditation / Conversation starter
What emotion stirs in you when you contemplate evolution?
When you contemplate a poem or song about animals?

Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 4th October 2026.

For more information see:-
https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/blessing-of-the-animals/

Speaker:- Niki Harré, Worship Leader:-Ted Zorn.

Religions have strange, implausible stories, that assume there is a secret depth that sometimes seeps – or bursts – into ordinary life. While I have never ‘believed’ in an enchanted world, people thrive when they see beauty and meaning in what surrounds them. And that’s a creative process that requires unknowns and surprises. This talk explores the role of enchantment in contemporary life.

Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 27 September 2026.

For more information see:-
https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/the-enchanted-world/

Speaker:- Niki Harré, Worship Leader:-Ted Zorn.

Religions have strange, implausible stories, that assume there is a secret depth that sometimes seeps – or bursts – into ordinary life. While I have never ‘believed’ in an enchanted world, people thrive when they see beauty and meaning in what surrounds them. And that’s a creative process that requires unknowns and surprises. This talk explores the role of enchantment in contemporary life.

Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 27 September 2026.
For more information see:-

https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/the-enchanted-world/

Speakers & Worship Leaders:-Barbara Thomborson, Karn Cleary.

Today we’ll celebrate the Spring. The Equinox happens on September 23rd. marking a moment of balance before we transition into summer with longer daylight hours. This is an opportunity to consider what we want to leave behind in the darkness of winter, and how we will grow our hopes for the coming summer.

Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 20 September 2026.

For more information see:-
https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/spring-equinox-celebration/

Speakers & Worship Leaders:-Barbara Thomborson, Karn Cleary.

Today we’ll celebrate the Spring. The Equinox happens on September 23rd. marking a moment of balance before we transition into summer with longer daylight hours. This is an opportunity to consider what we want to leave behind in the darkness of winter, and how we will grow our hopes for the coming summer.

Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 20 September 2026.

For more information see:-
https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/spring-equinox-celebration/

Speaker & Worship Leader:-Maria Hayward.
How empathy in language and culture can guide our humanity; and how good is your Te Reo? Some fun new ‘kupu’ (words) to learn!
Today’s service honours Te Wiki ō Te Reo Māori and it is guided by our values of inclusion, justice and, if any of you are changed at all by the service, then also transformation! The value of inclusion is for that of the first people of this land, and the justice value is regarding the human right to speak one’s own language.
Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 13 September 2026
For more information see:-
https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/te-wiki-o-te-reo-maori-2026/

Speaker & Worship Leader:-Maria Hayward.
How empathy in language and culture can guide our humanity; and how good is your Te Reo? Some fun new ‘kupu’ (words) to learn!
Today’s service honours Te Wiki ō Te Reo Māori and it is guided by our values of inclusion, justice and, if any of you are changed at all by the service, then also transformation! The value of inclusion is for that of the first people of this land, and the justice value is regarding the human right to speak one’s own language.
Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 13 September 2026
For more information see:-
https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/te-wiki-o-te-reo-maori-2026/

with Ted Zorn
Each Sunday including this one we take the opportunity to share our joys and concerns. For me, this talk is an extended joy. I’m no expert on music. I am not here to lecture you on the technicalities of music because I don’t really understand them myself. Instead I want to share the joys that music brings to me and try to explain why that is, and the role that it plays in my spiritual life. My hope is that some of it will resonate with you and that it provides an opportunity for you to reflect on music in your life and share some of the joy I feel.
Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 6 September 2026
For more information see:-
https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/when-music-takes-our-breath-away-the-sounds-of-reverence/

with Ted Zorn
Each Sunday including this one we take the opportunity to share our joys and concerns. For me, this talk is an extended joy. I’m no expert on music. I am not here to lecture you on the technicalities of music because I don’t really understand them myself. Instead I want to share the joys that music brings to me and try to explain why that is, and the role that it plays in my spiritual life. My hope is that some of it will resonate with you and that it provides an opportunity for you to reflect on music in your life and share some of the joy I feel.
Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 6 September 2026
For more information see:-
https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/when-music-takes-our-breath-away-the-sounds-of-reverence/