Expanding Horizons

Welcome to Xenodochia

Today we start with a song that asks an age-old question - "Why do we build a wall, my children, my children?". And when our guest speaker failed to show, due to confusion over dates, several of our members courageously - but confidently stepped forward with anecdotes, poetry and song about hospitality and friendship.

John H led the service and read a poem with anecdotes from Cecily O and Jennie D. The service was supported by songs/music from Eran B, Grant S and Brendan M.
I've called the journey from Xenophobia - the atavistic fear of strangers - to their welcoming (xenodochial) embrace into our Unitarian midst: "Welcome to Xenodochia". And if we've already made that journey ourselves, or have helped others to - we are in a unique position to help build our "Xenodochia" here.

The Mandaeans

Today, Kris explores with us the Mandaeans, an ethno-religious, Gnostic group, the oldest such group - in continuous existence for at least 2000 years. With 10,000 adherents in Australia, they speak an Eastern variant of Aramaic language known as Mandaic, "Manda" meaning knowledge. Mandaeans believe that John the Baptist was the ultimate prophet and they deny the divinity of Jesus. Mandaeans do not believe in converting non-Mandaeans and marriage is restricted to other Mandaeans. On Sundays they cover themselves in white and practise a weekly ritual of baptism in freely flowing, clear water. Listen on to more of Kris's insights into Mandaean Gnosticism.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, Unitarian - a Word Portrait

Today, Kris offers some reflections on the Life and the Legacy of prominent Unitarian, Ralph Waldo Emerson (May 25, 1803 – April 27, 1882).
The themes foremost in "Waldo's" life were: Philosophy, Transcendent Reality, the Glory of Nature, Self-Reliance of the Individual, and the Abolition of Slavery.
Kris begins today's address with some questions: 
"Do his ideas resonate with us (Unitarians) today?"
"What does the loss of 8-year-old Waldo's Unitarian Minister, Father due to disease do to his conception of God?"
Listen on to Kris's word-portrait of a great Unitarian Philosopher and thinker whose pioneering theology still resonates with Unitarians, today!

The Father

Kris, begins his address on Fathers Day by exploring the"Father-Archetype" - Carl Jung's hypothesis that we carry within our collective psyches, the gender stereotypes that define good fathering (- and good mothering). It's these shared archetypes, formed since pre-history, within predominantly patriarchal societies, that provide us with the "role models" that Kris explores with us on Father's Day! Kris offers some suggestions for good "fatherly" behaviour - for everyone - irrespective of gender. Not to be missed!

Another Look at Islam

Kris begins this address with a question: "How much do you know about Islam?" He believes that it is important for us to have a working knowledge of Islam for two reasons:

• with increased understanding comes respect, and-
• It also frees us from any prejudices we might have.

Listen on to discover more about Islam: the five pillars of wisdom, the four duties of Muslims. And then - common to all religions, there are the divisions that have occurred within Islam.
Perhaps we have more in common with with Islam and with Muslims than we might have thought?
How might the obligations of Muslims in the Koran be relevant to Unitarians - who have such a divergence of belief in matters of prayer and meditation?
As Unitarians we have the freedom to draw from wisdoms such as Islam? Within the turmoil of our lives, where we might we find a holy place - to seek peace... to meditate... to find spiritual renewal... to give...to guide?

Romantic Knights

Today, in "Romantic Knights", Kris visits romantic notions of Chivalry that grew out of medieval European mythology - based on Mort d'Arthur, and Eschenbach's Parzival (Percival in English) - one knight's quest for the Holy Grail. The mythology so often portrays the stereotypical, adventurous, warrior-male "knight in shining armor", riding valiantly to the rescue of a beautiful, but vulnerable female - beset by dark and evil forces. Or a female - as temptress, leading the errant but lusting knight - astray?
In the context of the changing power relationship between male and female, Kris, at the outset, asks us to explore what happened to chivalry? Is it residual in the belief that soldiers should risk life and limb in military service. Are there better words/concepts to explain how the strength and courage - irrespective of gender, may still champion the vulnerable and the needy? Is the concept of chivalry - dead? Is this something to lament? Kris reminds us of our first two UU principles.

A Barometer of Human Consciousness

Today, Kris introduces us to Psychiatrist and Kinesiologist, Professor David Hawkins' "Map of Human Consciousness" which serves as a "Barometer of Human Consciousness". In his address today, Kris uses Hawkins' 'spectrum of spiritual growth' as a "barometer" to inform and to illuminate the pathways we may choose on our spiritual journeys towards a higher state of human consciousness.

A Brief History of Religion

In this very brief history of religion, Kris touches on "religious" behavior observed in other primates, the commonalities of the world's religions and the ways in which they have enabled us to transcend atavistic brutality and embrace attributes (such as foresight, hindsight, insight, planning, intelligence, wisdom - towards empathy and love for others...towards ethics ... towards civil societies - to become fully-human!) Despite a residue of (warrior) violence that plagues us still, what was this essential ingredient, common to all religions - that took us beyond atavistic brutality to the journey towards the understanding that we Unitarians share today? Listen on to find out!

Mary, Mary, quite contrary!

In his address today, "Mary, Mary, quite contrary!" Kris focuses on the enigma of Mary Magdalene and as shown in the earlier part of the Gospel of Mark and in the "Gospel of Mary", part of the New Testament Apocrypha:
- her closeness to Jeshua - "his companion";
- her status and her "fortitude" amongst the disciples;
- her prominence at the crucifixion;
- her participation in the procession from the cross to the tomb;
- her intimate participation as a non-blood relative involved in the rite of purification - anointing the body of Jesus with spices, prior to his entombment.
And yet the status of Mary Magdalene as a spiritual teacher is diminished in the biblical account of the Authorised, King James version that excludes apocryphal, extra-canonical writings such as the Gospels of Phillip and Thomas that gives her a pre-eminent role in the events surrounding the crucifixion and death of Jeshua.
Why? asks Kris.
What spiritual lessons may we Unitarians learn from these Apocryphal stories about the strength of Mary Magdelene and her diminishment in the Authorised versions? Listen on to find out!

Q and A Part 2

As Unitarians, we are predisposed to having others' answers about "religious, spiritual, ethical, or moral issues" questioned. Today, in this - his second Q & A service, and in the absence of a prepared "sermon", Kris - steps courageously out of his comfort zone for a second time and invites us to write down a question on a "religious, spiritual, ethical or moral theme" - for him to answer. So while Kris may have provided answers to those questions we might otherwise never have had an opportunity to ask, his answers will certainly get us thinking and perhaps also - questioning. For isn't it in the questions we ask that our learning begins? Listen on!