"Blessing of the bags";"Why are we here?"

The first part of today's service was a celebration of our young people - traditionally called "the "blessing of the (school) bags" - in recognition of the new school year facing our young people. Kris interviewed each of them about their hopes and aspirations for the school year ahead. To quote Kris - "What wisdom they bring! what amazing truths"! We celebrate the maturity and potential of the children of our Unitarian Church. This was reinforced by Grant's memorable reading from the Diary of Ann Frank. As we are elevated by her wisdom, revelation, maturity and insight; we also weep at her loss, as one of millions of young victims of the holocaust.
Kris commenced his address today with a question: "Why are we here, this morning - rather than in a Christian Church?" Today, Kris explores the distinction between Unitarianism and Christianity and what we share in common with Christian Churches. Unitarianism is as old as Christianity. We SA Unitarians have come from a Christian background. Many of us once attended Christian churches. We have our seven Unitarian Principles but these have arisen from the stories and wisdoms in both the old and New Testament that brought them alive in our imagination, not the dogma - those unbelievable bits such as the Trinity, written into Credo to bolster the power of the institutional Church. Our Seven Principles also add modern insights.
But let's not forget these ancient stories - and the parables and wisdoms of Jeshua, to which we may add wisdoms, insights and practices of other religious traditions. They are our stories - our wisdoms, too!
Kris's address today is not to be missed! Listen on!