Expanding Horizons

On Compassion

Rob's address today is on  Compassion and the vulnerabilty in others that should prompt us to show it. He re-visits the "Charter of Compassion", read for us by Richard - and based on Karen Armstrong's book "Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life".
Rob recalls his vivid memory as a young baseball player where he later regretted his failure to show compassion. He discussed the circumstances with his dad later and was able to understand why this had happened. At the time, it had a profound effect on the young Robert.
Rob discusses the consequences that so often follow our failures as individuals and as communities to show compassion to others in need. 
The Charter of Compassion talks of the need "to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there..."
Rob urges us all to sign this charter if we haven't already done so. You may sign the Charter of Compassion at the following link: https://charterforcompassion.org/.
Listen on for a memorable and riveting address in Rob's inimitable style!

A Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of Beethoven's birth

Our service on Sunday, 11th October, 2020 was conducted by our President, Jennie Dyster.

In her address today, Jennie celebrates the 250th Anniversary of Beethoven's birth. This Unitarian Tribute to Beethoven by our Adelaide Church is supported by Barbara Willow's reading of Beethoven's poignant letter to his brothers - to be read on his death. A selection of music for piano composed by Beethoven is performed for us today by Margaret Lambert. It is recorded in its entirety. Enjoy!

Desiderata Revisited - some reflections.

In his address on Sunday 27th September, 2020, John Hall revisits Max Ehrmann's poem, "Desiderata" - written nearly a century ago. John reflects on the Charleston period of the "Roaring Twenties" when Max Ehrmann wrote it and its enduring relevance for us today. Listen on!

Spring, Seeds and Faith".

Our service on Sunday, 20th September, 2020 was conducted by our Minister, Rev Rob MacPherson. Rob's talk was called "Spring, Seeds and Faith". Spring reminds us that life is precious. Rob reflects on the essence of Faith that is expressed in the planting of a seed and reminds us that we are the inheritors of a rich legacy of faith passed down to us through the ages. The founders of this church planted seeds in faith and we sit today in the substantial shade of what they planted. And before them, the traditional owners of our land, the Peramangk and Kaurna showed faith in their traditional custodianship and management of the land that has enabled us to reap that benefit today. Extending back, even beyond them are the lasting forces of Nature - ripe for human partnership and collaboration. Fathers Day reminded us that we are all evidence of a joyous sewing of seed - a parental leap of faith "a faithful, hopeful shot at how things ought to be one day". Whether or not that faith has found purchase is not the point. What matters is our ability to shape the future in Faith. Listen on!

Community: What does Community mean to you?

Our service on Sunday, 13th September, 2020 was conducted by John Hall, a member of our Unitarian Community in Adelaide.
John's address this morning is especially relevant to us as a Unitarian Church Community working its way through the challenges of Covid-19. It's all about "Community" and what it means to each of us.
Humans - generally - are social beings who need to belong -  thereby aspiring to achieve something greater than themselves. As individuals accepted as members into a community, we each gain a sense of identity. However this acceptance comes at a price. It requires commitment to common, shared community goals and values. It also requires trust and a preparedness to enter into caring relationships with other members. Such a commitment is likely to ensure the successful achievement of external and long-term goals. Lack of commitment will lead to cultism and a community's early demise. However, "therein lies the rub". Communities also need to grow. This required members to value and embrace the diversity of insights and talents within a community framework of shared values and beliefs.
To illustrate the need for diversity, John also reads a poem by The UU Minister of the Ventura Church Community - Rev Dana Worsnop - "I want to be with people...".

Listen on!

You might also like to paste the following link to the Ventura UU Community into your browser: https://unitarianuniversalistventura.org.

"All the World is Mad...?

This service - recorded on Sunday, 6th September, 2020 in the Unitarian Meeting House, Adelaide is conducted by our President, Jennie Dyster.

In today's address, Jennie discusses the contagious spread of misinformation, fueled by prejudice and anxiety. It is Fiction masquerading as Fact - especially within social media "bubbles", and it spreads with the contagion of Covid-19. Misinformation is also far more difficult to correct than it is to spread. Jennie suggests some practical strategies to test the veracity and the sources of (mis)information that we suspect is masquerading as Fact. Essential listening!

The Dark Side

This service - recorded on Sunday, 30th August, 2020 in the Unitarian Meeting House, Adelaide is conducted by John Hall. In a memorable address, John juxtaposes our Unitarian Second Principle - "The inherent worth and dignity of every person" with the traditional Christian doctrine of "Original Sin". Listen on!

Same Again but Different: In Praise of Diversity.

This service - recorded on Sunday, 23rd August, 2020 in the Unitarian Meeting House, Adelaide is conducted by our Minister, Rev. Rob MacPherson who is also the Chaplain at Pembroke School.
Following our annual "Meditation on the Leaf", Rob praises the diversity to be found within Nature and within humanity.  He begins by asking why Nature offers a "zillion" kinds of leaves? Why such diversity ... in Nature ... in us? Why should human beings embody such diversity...and embrace it?
Rob maintains that diversity exists for its own sake as part of the ongoing process of creation, but it also points us to certain clear moral directions. Listen on!

The Golden Rule

Today's memorable address is on The Golden Rule ("Do unto others…") and the Parable of the Good Samaritan - used by Jesus to answer the perennial question "… and who is my neighbour". It was prepared  by Jennie Dyster, our President and in her absence - it was read by Peter Whitham.

Janet Whitham read today's "Story for All  Ages" and in the context of the global plight of refugees fleeing poor governance, Janet  also read an extract of a speech by the UK's Lord Griffith - a contemporary response to the question - "And who is a Good Samaritan today".
Margaret Lambert also provided some memorable piano music - "vignettes" of which are included in this recording of our service, given in Adelaide on Sunday 9th August, 2020. Listen on - and enjoy!

Celebration and Friendship

In our first service held in the Unitarian Church, Adelaide on Sunday 2nd August, 2020 - following the long Covid-19 Pandemic lockdown, two of our members - Janet and Peter Whitham step up to lead a service for Jennie Dyster, our President. Today's service is a celebration of the friendship and fellowship to be found within our Unitarian Community in Adelaide. Janet reflects on the many kindnesses extended to members who are - or have been ill or who returned to our midst from overseas after mandatory self-isolation and lock-down.
Janet also welcomes and introduces her friend, Liz - our guest poet who reads us a poem she wrote during lockdown and inspired by the "Black Lives Matter" protests. Listen on!