Expanding Horizons

Moving up a grade.

On lighting our chalice this morning, Kris reflects on the flame that represents the vitality of life - the energy that motivates all of us - especially the vitality of all the young people of our Unitarian Community. Today's "Blessing of the Schoolbags" is traditionally observed just before the new school year (2023) and is dedicated to the children. Kris interviews them about their hopes for the 2023 school year and Miranda reads a Unitarian Universalist "Credo" that reinforces today's theme of youth, vitality, hope and renewal - for us spiritually. It's a Credo that reaches beyond the "benediction" of our 7 Principles to opportunities for our spiritual growth.
Kris reflects that in meeting the challenges of 2023 - we are no different from the children. "Crisis can be opportunity!" During the hard times - whenever we endure disappointment, loss and grief, there will be lessons leading us towards peace, forgiveness, self-fulfillment, spiritual growth and enlightenment. Kris expands on some of these lessons and asks the question: "Will we be "moving up a grade" in 2023 - and beyond - spiritually?!"

Reflections on Visiting Palestine

In lighting our chalice this morning, Kris observes that our chalice is a symbol of freedom and liberty, not just our own - but a symbol of our commitment - as Unitarians, to freedom and liberty around the world - where others may not be so fortunate. Kris's address today is a sequel to Eran's Address - two weeks earlier, about the largely unpublicised peace movement in Israel-Palestine, and especially the dialogue between younger generations of Israelis and Palestinians and their hopes for freedom and justice for all who occupy this (Abrahamic) holy land.
Kris's focus this week is on the plight of Palestinians, as observed by him on a tour in 2006. It includes his 'story for all ages' which is especially heartfelt. Whereas Israeli and Palestinian leaders see rapprochement as an impossibility, younger generations of Israelis and Palestinians hold onto hope. Perhaps it will be generational change that will lead to rapprochement and this "holy land" will one day be truly free, just and equitable for all who live there.

”I have a dream”

The Rev. Geoffrey Usher, revisiting us from Sydney as a former Minister of this Church, soon challenges us on "Martin Luther King Jr. Day" with a question:-
"When faced with threat, danger, injustice, oppression - and despite  all our fears, will we have the morality and courage to speak truly, act justly, choose wisely and love generously?"
Today's music is provided by organist, Andrew Usher - who plays our historic but aging pipe organ, one of Adelaide's oldest, reassembled here from our Wakefield Street church soon after it was demolished in 1970.

Peace in the Promised Land

Born in an Israeli kibbutz, Eran - a member of our church shares his turbulent family history. It’s a history wracked by the clamour of war and religious conflict - and it's heartfelt. But Eran also points to the peace-makers - both Arabs and Jews, who are working purposefully to bring peace once again to Israel-Palestine.
"How might we Unitarians support these peacemakers?" Eran asks.

What’s New?

Today, being New Year's Day, and inspired by the Unitarian Hysterical Society, Jennie's "down-to-earth" approach to the challenges of the New Year avoids inducing in us a state verging on terminal depression - where we feel overwhelmed and where human inertia on challenging issues ensures the status quo.
Jennie's New Year's Day address is punctuated with funny anecdotes that will help us to put our New Year resolutions into perspective - thereby making them more manageable and achievable. This is Jennie at her best! Not to be missed!

The Christmas Story For All

In our service this Christmas morning, our Minister, Kris reflects on the relevance of the biblical accounts in Luke and Matthew of the birth of the baby boy, Jeshua, even to those who might question its authenticity. Whether fact, metaphor, - or myth, the Christmas Story, despite the clamour of Santa Claus - continues to shape civil society. It's a gift freely given to us all. Listen on to how we might draw from it - meaning, insight, wisdom, inspiration and direction for how we might better live our lives.

Reflections on A Christmas Story

Today, Kris draws on Charles Dickens's character, Mr. Scrooge - a name synonymous with miserliness - to provide the inspiration for this Christmas Story. And there is a sense that Scrooge's story may - in some way - be our story.
Kris asks: "Haven't we all been there?" How did we come to be the way we are? How did others come to be the way they are - their pains, their joys?? What stories might they tell? How might we all find pathways leading toward better versions of ourselves?
Kris leads us towards asking - of ourselves, those questions that may help us to navigate towards better versions of "Us". And - like Scrooge - (this) Christmas might just be the epiphany we need!

Young at Heart

Kris Hanna, our Minister, gave this address at the Unitarian Church on Sunday, 11th December.
Kris quotes from St Matthew's Gospel Ch 18 v. 3: "Truly I tell you - unless you change and become like little children, you'll never enter the kingdom of Heaven".
Kris asks: "Why was Jeshua's teaching recorded at all?" Amongst all his other teachings, why is this so striking, so unusual? What could he have meant?  And how was it as relevant then for his disciples …for his followers - as it is still so relevant today …to Unitarians? ... indeed - to us all! Listen on to find out about this wisdom's universal significance for everyone, everywhere, for all time!

Who is responsible?

Today, Kris asks some questions about accepting responsibility for our wrongful actions: -
Who is responsible for our spiritual growth? - for our salvation? - for reconciliation with those we've wronged ? - for reconciliation within ourselves? 
Kris provides a "Christian" answer and a secular - Unitarian - answer for our personal journey towards spiritual growth as Unitarians.
And to discover your answer - you'll need to listen to this!

”We are One but We are Many”

Kris commences with the song that inspired this address -  "We are One, but We are Many". Anecdotally, Kris also mentions a recent 'on-line' but anonymous critic of Unitarians as "un-Christian". "How do we respond to such a criticism?" Kris asks.
Kris suggests a simple and effective response to those who resort to labeling others whenever beliefs conflict with their own and reveals the psychology at work within those who label others as in someway inferior or less "Christian".
Kris concludes: "We are Many but We are One!" Listen on to Kris's celebration of the strength that comes with "Unity in Diversity", here - within our Church and in the wider Australian community.