Expanding Horizons

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.

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.

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!

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!

Jennie's address today begins with the Lord's Prayer: "Give us this day our daily bread". Jennie then adds some spin! "Bread isn't just food. It's a metaphor, symbol and summation of a larger journey through life". It's part of the Eucharist - which Unitarians don't observe. However we don’t exclude divine and transcendent experiences - and food may provide both! Jennie refers to two of our UU Principles: The 2nd: "Justice, Equity and Compassion in human relations" and the 6th: "The Goal of World Community - with Peace, Liberty and Justice for All". When it is abundant, food is so readily taken for granted. However, the social and global inequities in the distribution of - and access to - food, leads to extremes of obesity and starvation. There is also a growing community ignorance about sources of nutritious, fresh food as distinct from highly processed "junk" food from fast food outlets, insinuated daily into our psyches through TV ads. Fresh, nutritious food, provided directly from the ground - from nature, has a divine and transcendent "spirituality" about it - as does its preparation. It leads to better health outcomes. Listen on for much more "food for thought" (about food) in this thoughtful and provocative address.

Today's address by our Lay-leader, Jennie Dyster is all about "Patience". She commences with a definition: "Patience is a virtue - a state of high moral excellence". However this is immediately followed by a qualification: "Under what circumstances is patience a virtue and when is it perceived as a weakness? ...When to speak out? ...When to show restraint? This is the dilemma inherent in the virtue of "patience". Listen on for more of Jennie's insights.

Today's service is conducted by our President, John Hall. It's the first Sunday in January - the month in the Roman calendar named after the two-faced god, Janus.  Janus is shown with two faces. One face is looking backwards - in reflection and one face is looking forward - in hope. John forgoes the traditional New Year's Address and offers a selection of inspirational readings for us to reflect on. These readings might even direct us towards new resolutions, new opportunities, new possibilities, ...or even new beginnings!

Today's service is all about the meaning of Christmas. The first part of the service is conducted by the children of the Church.
In the second part of the service, Jennie read us a Christmas story with a difference from the UU Magazine by Doug Muder. It builds tension between his own UU understanding and what Christmas has become for many. Listen on!

In our multi-faith service today, we welcomed four speakers: - Phillipa, President of the Multi-faith Association - a Buddhist, Michael, a Sukyo Marhikari practioner, (Rev.) Esmond, a retired Uniting Church Minister representing the Progressive Christianity Network and (Rabbi) Shoshana from the Beit Shalom Progressive Synagogue. We also celebrate the religious plurality and diversity to be found within the churches and organisations affiliated with the Multi-faith Association and the commonality of what we all share - spiritually and in our vision for a better world. Listen on!

Jennie Dyster's address today is titled "Art Is Fun". She starts with a reading from "Hard Times" the 19th Century novel by the Unitarian novelist and social reformer, Charles Dickens: Mr Gradgrind's lecture to Sissy Jupe on the importance of Facts. It's the antithesis to Jennie's theme today.
Jennie explains how - in creating their art, artists will find spiritual, uplifting, transforming - even transcendant experiences - as will those who enjoy the Arts. The Arts are for everyone - whether we are performers or visual artists - or spectators. Art is Fun!