Expanding Horizons

Our Unitarian Ways

Jennie Dyster, our Lay Leader's address today is titled "Our Unitarian Ways". Our members were required to vote on an issue affecting our "bush-land"  - a very special and biodiverse remnant of Obliqua woodland located in the Adelaide Hills where our bush-carers give practical expression to our Seventh Principle “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part”. The service also celebrated our Fifth Principle: "The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large", which guides us in resolving a potentially divisive issue - peacefully and respectfully.

Pockets

Jennie - our Lay Leader has been reflecting on clothes - their power to impress others and to oppress the people who make them. Today, Jennie focuses on pockets  - fashionable and unfashionable, deep, generous - usually male - pockets and shallow, and female pockets-less generous or missing altogether as "unfeminine and unfashionable". Jennie begins with a quote by Stephanie Dowrick: "Generosity arises out of an intention to care, way beyond the limits of one's own self  or the group to which one is immediately attached. It is expressed in a thousand ways ...Giving something up for the sake of someone else...Spreading goodwill and peace".

Jennie's central tenet is that the decisions we make about clothes can help us live out our faith and justice practices. Listen on for much more of Jennie's insightful address.

Happiness

On Sunday, 20th March, 2022, we celebrated the United Nations International Day of Happiness and Jennie Dyster, our Lay Leader chose "happiness" as her theme. Jennie commenced with a reading from the Dutch Author, Guus Kuijer's "Book of Everything". This was followed with some anecdotes that explored the nature of happiness and some of the myths. We finished with a meditation. Listen on for another of Jennie's memorable addresses.

The Psychology of Denial

My talk today is on the "Psychology of Denial". There's a lot of denial happening lately, especially as State and Commonwealth elections loom.
I begin by asking the question "Why do people deny the blindingly obvious? Why do we, our governments, corporations - large and small - avoid the hard decisions by resorting to denial. We all do it! I refer to Denial and the use of  conspiracy theories as lazy ways to face up to the realities of global warming, climate change and species extinction. It's easier to deny - to claim that the evidence is a lie or a conspiracy! We are counting the cost of Denial in unprecedented bushfires and flooding events and the consequential rise of zoonotic diseases as natural environmental systems break down due to human over-population and over-exploitation.
I also look to the causes of Denial by describing the phenomenon of Cognitive Dissonance. The term was first used in the classic 1957 study in Social Psychology by the American Psychologist, Leon Festinger - "When Prophecy Fails". If we're really honest with ourselves, we all have cognitive dissonance and denial. It's located somewhere near our "Achilles Heel" - wherever we are at our most vulnerable. Cognitive dissonance occurs when our beliefs and actions aren't supported by the evidence - and especially by the science.  I also despair over the loss of "One Vote - One Value" within the Commonwealth of Australia, one of the world's oldest democracies - now more accurately described as "The Corporate-wealth of Australia". Large corporations and land and property developers buy political favours with donations such as 'platinum memberships' and political donations. Governments are weakening - rather than strengthening ICAC protections against political corruption. I also refer to The Red Flag Act (1865-1896) of the Westminster Parliament to explain political procrastination and stone-walling on many urgent environmental issues where we've already reached the tipping point for species extinction. It will include Us! There is no Planet B!
If you decide not to listen to this, you may be in denial and will become part of the problem! Let's all be part of the solution!

February Dragon

Jennie's Address today is called "February Dragon" a reference to Colin Thiele's 1965 novel. Jennie reminds us that the fire season now extends from November to April. Jennie's focus today is on political inertia following the unprecedented fire storms of  2019 to 2021 and the challenges faced by fire fighters. She recalls the political responses made at the peak of these bushfires: by our Prime Minister - "I'm focused on the needs of the people in this room today"  - and by an Eastern State's Minister - that "this is not the time for a conversation by people who want to politicise climate change."
As both State and Federal elections draw nigh, Jennie asks - "When is the time?"
In Adelaide - we've enjoyed a comparatively cool and comfortable summer. A war is now raging in the Ukraine. Large areas of the eastern states are flooded, inducing a temporary amnesia, washing away memories of Thiele's February Dragon. Floods and fires are both caused by global warming and climate change. Elections are approaching and many pollies are still mute on the subject. Voters, distracted by war - are left with stone-walling, political inertia and inaction by our leaders. Isn't now the time?!

For the Love of Art

Today's service - "For the Love of Art" is conducted by two of our members, both Art lovers  - Janet and Peter Whitham. Janet, an artist since childhood  - talks about her love of painting, the joy of sharing her art amongst her family and friends and seeing it displayed in local restaurants and impromptu galleries that have sprung up to display the works of local artists such as herself.
Peter's contribution focuses on the inspirational, religious art of Renaissance Italy, that spanned two centuries. He reflects on the al-fresco and other masterpieces of  Giotto, Masaccio, Michaelangelo, del Castagno, Fra Angelico, Raffaello and Tintoretto - inspired by such biblical references as the temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and the life of Jesus. Their works progressively elevate us from being mere "puppets" that reinforce religious dogma to reflect a growing, humanistic regard for us as "creatures of emotion and intellect".
Peter also focuses on the art of Northern Europe such as Jan van Eyck, Grunewald (Crucifixion) and Albrecht Dürer and reflects on the impact of viewing such masterpieces as Rembrandt's "The Night Watch" in the Rijksmuseum.
Listen to the reflections of these two Art Lovers  - one finding inspiration and joy in creating it - both drawing inspiration from it.

The Legacy of Thích Nhất Hạnh

Today, Jennie 's address is on the legacy left by the Vietnamese-born Zen Buddhist Master - Thích Nhất Hạnh who died recently - on Jan 22nd 2022 - aged a venerable 95. Thích Nhất Hạnh was widely mourned and leaves a legacy of universal wisdoms. It was Thích Nhất Hạnh who developed the concept of "Engaged Buddhism" - non-violent actions that effectively tackle the evils of the world. Listen on for an inspiring address by Jennie Dyster, our pastoral Leader.

Cooking Up A Storm

Today, Jennie describes the contribution of the Sikh community within India, and globally. During Australian droughts, floods, and bushfires it comes in the most practical way possible  - cooking up large quantities of vegetarian food in the face of storms - to aid the needy and those affected by natural disasters. This practical support is given freely, without any expectation of the quid pro quo that so often accompanies the work of some other charitable aid. Listen on for Jennie's insights into the Sikh Community's practical contribution during those hard, stormy times.

Blessing of the Schoolbags; Only Connect

Today we observe our annual blessing of our children's school bags as they return to a third school year disrupted by the Covid Pandemic. However the children are missing. They are viewing this service from their homes via You Tube - after enjoying yesterday's picnic together at Penfold Park. This marks our first live-streaming of a service.
Jennie's address is titled "Only Connect". It's all about the primacy of our social connections and the disruption caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic. Jennie commences with a letter from Susan, the President of the Unitarian Universalist Association in America who offers pastoral and spiritual support to our church. Susan provides some insights into the American social and political experience of the pandemic. Out of the comparisons that inevitably arise, comes some sound practical and spiritual advice from Jenny about maintaining the quality of our social and spiritual connections in hard times. Listen on!

Catherine Helen Spence and Us

Today, Peter, one of our "rusted-on" Unitarians - links the progressive liberal, social and theological thinking of past and present Unitarians and Unitarian Universalists within the Adelaide Unitarian Church - back to the progressive thinking of Catherine Helen Spence - emancipist,  journalist, writer, novelist and social and political reformer. Catherine was a member of our church for sixty years - from 1850 until her death in 1910. Called “The Grand Old Woman of Australia” by fellow novelist, Miles Franklin - a pseudonym for Stella Maria Sarah Franklin, our "Kate" published her novels under her own name and also led Australia-wide campaigns for electoral reform:  female emancipation  - giving women the right to vote, with SA becoming an Australian and world leader in electoral reform. Listen on for much more of a history that we Unitarians can be proud of!