Auckland Unitarians

with Alix Geard.

Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 4th June 2023.

I wanted to share something about what the future might look like: especially something new about what’s going on in the space around climate change and degrowth. I’ve been finding that quite depressing, though.

I admit that I even asked ChatGPT for some examples of what I might say. The homilies it came up with were familiar, reassuring, anodyne and almost completely pointless. They did sound good, though.

Instead, I want to throw some ideas at you about what people are like, and how we work together. The ideas are all a bit flawed – they’re working notes and patterns to look out for – but I’ve found them useful.

For more information, including links and discussion questions, see:-

https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/beyond-growth/

Speaker:- Peter Lineham

Worship Leader:- John DiLeo

Recorded by Auckland Unitarian Church 28th May 2023.

Perhaps the simplest way to introduce this Pentecost theme is to ask you to visualise this scene.

The narrow streets of Jerusalem were in those days dominated by the huge temple on which King Herod the Great had lavished his attention, and was regarded as one of the greatest sites of the Roman world, and the Roman battalion’s barracks and palace for the governor on his infrequent visits, for this was occupied territory, and the fear of public disturbances was a constant imperial fear in a province like Judea which was so distinctive in its fanatical religiosity.

So when any disturbances happened, the regime wanted stability, they wanted to clear the streets, and Roman and Jewish leaders took the same approach.

For more information, including all the discussion questions, see:-

https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/pentecost-sunday/

Speaker:- Marlon Drake of Te Ohu Whakawhanaunga,

Worship Leader:- Rachel Mackintosh.

Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 14th May 2023.

Marlon attended Western Springs College and then moved to Wellington where he was a student activist at Victoria University, serving as President of the students association, campaigning against sexual violence and in favour of mental health support for students. He also worked part time as an organiser in the Living Wage Movement during his time as a law student at Victoria. Marlon is now the full-time community organiser for Te Ohu Whakawhanaunga, a broad-based coalition in Auckland working for social justice.

For more information, including all the discussion questions, see:-

https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/the-thrill-of-participatory-social-justice/

with Rev. Clay Nelson.

Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 7th May 2023.

This morning is the fourth in a series of musings about what it means to be a living tradition. (Here are links to talks 1, 2, and 3.) How have we changed? Who decides what it means to be a UU today? And who owns the congregation?

When the eight members from diverse backgrounds were appointed to review Article II Bylaws, the first thing they did was consult UU stakeholders. These included, amongst others...

For more information, including all the discussion questions, see:-

https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/the-thrill-of-participatory-theology/

with Rev. Clay Nelson.

Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 30th April 2023.

For more information see:- https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/will-unitarian-universalism-remain-a-living-tradition/

with Rev. Clay Nelson.

Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 23rd April 2023.

Last week we explored the many challenges of being a living tradition, the biggest being finding a consensus when we don’t have a creed, holy book of revelation or ecclesiastical authority.

This morning our focus is on the Seven Principles. How they came to be? Their role in our faith. Have they passed their use by date?

For more information see:-

With Rev. Clay Nelson.

Recorded 16th April 2023 by Auckland Unitarian Church

This morning I would like to focus on what it means to be a living tradition. As Unitarian Universalists we sing about it. We proudly proclaim it as what we are. But what does it mean? Most simply put our beliefs are etched in pencil and not carved in stone. But there are consequences. Like being green, being a living tradition isn’t easy.

It is a big topic, so this is the first of several random musings exploring who we are, how we got here and where we are being led. My hope is that we might better understand our Kaupapa, our mission and purpose.

For more information see https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/it-isnt-easy-being-a-living-tradition/

Speaker:- Martin Lewis
Worship Leader:- John DiLeo

Recorded @ Auckland Unitarian Church, 2nd April 2023

Gratitude and its ability to uplift and enrich our lives is as extremely important and relevant today as it ever was.

As we are constantly bombarded with negative news and dramatic spin; dire messages through various forms of media, we might descend into feelings of anxiety, depression, hopelessness and despair.

For more information, see:-

https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/unlocking-the-power-of-gratitude/

with John DiLeo

'Spirit of Life' can be found at

https://youtu.be/sdnr4fNuR74

The 'Time for All Ages' can be found at

The TED talk can be found at