Expanding Horizons

Why Unitarianism?

In today's address - immediately preceding our AGM, John raises the question: "Why Unitarianism? Why are we here sitting here - in this place, rather than at the local coffee shop?
John, in the short time available, mentions the Seven Principles that unite us as Unitarians. He then explores the history of Unitarian thinking down through the ages, the persecution of Unitarian leaders that followed their rejection of Christian Trinitarianism and the strength and support that can be drawn from a Unitarian Community of like minds. Listen On!

Blessings

Today's address by our President, Jennie Dyster is all about blessings  - commencing with the annual blessing of the schoolbags as the children of the Church begin a new school year. Jennie contrasts our Unitarian Kid's Club program with reminiscences about her own childhood Sunday School experiences and reflects briefly on the Beatitudes of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Unitarians don't talk much about "blessings" and heavenly rewards in the hereafter, preferring to focus more on the expression of gratitude. To offset a growing sense of entitlement - or ingratitude, Jennie mentions the health benefits of keeping a "Gratitude Journal", "Gratitude practice" and a "Gratitude list" - or even an "Ingratitude list" to expose the underlying reasons for our ingratitude and doing something about it. There are no "one size fits all" solutions - so listen on!

Ritual of Departure for a Retiring Minister'

Today's service was the final service of our Minister, Rev. Rob MacPherson after nearly 10 years of service to the Unitarians of South Australia. It was a celebration of thanksgiving for Rob's outstanding service, ministry and leadership within our Unitarian community in South Australia and to the wider Unitarian Universalist movement. But it was also a 'Ritual of Departure' as Rob leaves our Church to commence full-time chaplaincy at nearby Pembroke School. Today's service included contributions from Rob's Spiritual Director during his ministry at our church - Rev. Nicholas Rundle, the Principal of Pembroke School - Mr Luke Thomson, the Director of the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists, Rev. Sara Ascher, and Church leaders - our President, Jennie Dyster and our Sunday Club Coordinator - David Freesmith.
If you missed today's service because of Covid restrictions, now's your chance - to listen on!

On Laziness

Our service today, Sunday, 17th January 2021 was conducted by our President, Jennie Dyster. Jennie reflects on traditional attitudes to laziness and gives some biblical, psychological, philosophical, cross-cultural insights and anecdotes into the state of mind and body that we are so often tempted to ascribe to "laziness" and its causes.

Jennie questions whether laziness really exists at all. Aren't there better understandings, insights and explanations that are less judgemental and more forgiving and accepting of "laziness" in others and in ourselves?

Today's three musical offerings by Brendan are included as they were especially evocative and integral to today's theme.

This service is not to be missed so listen on!

Summertime

Jennie's address today is about "Summer"... or in the context of the George Gershwin music featured by Margaret, our pianist, today - "Summertime" might be a more appropriate title?
The words that follow the Gershwin songline "…and the Livin' is easy" are taking on a less carefree tone when seen in the context of severe summer droughts and flooding rains as global warming brings extreme Summer weather to the planet. Jenny maintains that "Summertime" has always been less well-regarded in English poetry than Autumn, Winter and Spring and she uses some well-chosen anecdotes to show that our summers never quite live up to our expectations. That is never more apparent than now. Listen on!

The Face of Janus: Looking Back and Looking Forward

Our service on Sunday,3rd January, 2020 was the first service for the 2021 New Year. It was conducted by our President, Jennie Dyster. In her address "The Face of Janus: Looking Back and Looking Forward", Jennie encourages us to reflect back on what has been a difficult year.  With the understandings, knowledge and wisdoms gained from the insights of 2020, we were then encouraged to suggest what issues may dominate in 2021, to express some fresh hopes and aspirations in the New Year and to suggest how we might set about achieving them. Listen on!

Margaret Davey - An Amazing Woman.

Our service on Sunday, 27th December, 2020 was conducted by members, Janet and Peter Whitham. In her address, Janet talks about the life of Adelaide woman pioneer and community leader, Margaret Davey, the subject of a biography Janet has written about an amazing woman and her forbears. Listen on!

Reflections on Christmas, 2020

The Children of our Sunday Club lead us into our service today by using our 7 Unitarian Universalist Principles as their framework to reflect on this 2020, Covid19-affected year. And in her address today, our President, Jennie Dyster compares our approaching Australian Christmas to the somewhat bleaker Christmas in the country that invented it  - as Germans face the prospect of another Covid19 lockdown. Jennie also finds other examples of not-so-merry Christmases  - in times of war, political dissent, rebellion and social change  - in early 17th Century US Puritan history and in recent European reactions to lockdowns and the impact on civil liberties and freedoms. Hopefully, Australians and New Zealanders will face a less bleak Christmas in 2020. With wiser leadership and informed decision-making, better communication and community cooperation, we are also lucky to have our land borders clearly defined by our World's widest and deepest "moats". Listen on!

Pluralism is Good Faith

Today Rob considers the positive effects of exposure to religious pluralism on young children as they move from concrete to abstract thinking. Early exposure of adolescents to a diversity of religious beliefs and religious pluralism - within schools and communities that embrace and celebrate religious diversity will have positive benefits. Secularism vis-a-vis religious belief is not an either/or proposition.
Today's reading illustrates how Secularism and Religious pluralism operate harmoniously within a hospital, where secularism provides "the shared vocabulary" within a pluralist faith context; Secularism and Religion are therefore complementary.

Religious Pluralism is not "no faith" - is not "bad faith" but "Good Faith".

Listen on!

Loose Ends

In the Covid-induced frenzy and uncertainty we sometimes find ourselves in and when pressing tasks are left unfinished, Nicholas offers some timely and practical advice on tying up all those "loose ends" by reflecting on past and present wisdoms. Listen on!