Expanding Horizons

My Unitarian Journey

This address - on Sunday, 4th June, 2023, is about my journey following WW2 from my childhood as an "accidental Presbyterian", and my growth, spiritually - within loving church communities.

As the conservative biblical view of creation - in Genesis was challenged by science, my growing cognitive dissonance as an adult has led me to the discovery of Unitarianism and the partial resolution of that dissonance.

I'm still making that spiritual journey:-

• less dissonant;
• influenced by liberal theologians, and - 
• a Christian legacy of Love,
• inspired by creative genius in Art, Music and Architecture;
• the stories that Christianity has inspired;
• surrounded still by tolerant, forgiving and loving Christian and Unitarian communities.

Effective Fundraising for Charities

Today's service was led by Jennie Dyster with our Guest Speaker, Kathryn House - introduced by Noel Fraser. Kathryn's talk today was a treasure trove of ideas for effective fundraising for charities. That it can be done collectively by a team working together with a common purpose makes fundraising so much more rewarding. Listen on for Kathryn's anecdotes and wisdom on planning for successful fundraising - as well as some cautions.

Exploring our sense of living in a pluralistic world

Today we have an address from Liellie McLaughlin of the Interfaith Forum titled: "Exploring our sense of living in a pluralistic world". We are also privileged to have Allen Edwards, a local Kaurna man - to welcome us to Kaurna country.
Liellie's uplifting address today, embraces - and celebrates - our spiritual diversity. She poses several questions at the outset, that lie at the core of her address:-
- How can we explore our sense of living in a pluralistic world?
- What's preparing you for it?
and
- How do you feel about it?"

Liellie concludes with the words: "Ubuntu - We are because you are"..."May your own moments of transcendance, transformation, transportation bring you to those incredible moments when you feel that there are no strangers in the world and that we are all connected." Listen on!

Speaking without Speaking

In lighting our chalice this morning Aaron sets the theme of his address: - a flame that is "Speaking without Speaking" ".... speaking to us without a single word, showing us vibrancy, hope, warmth, and spirit; its centered-ness, centering us, its light given freely. May we share the best of ourselves as freely as this humble flame."
Today, Mothers' Day - Aaron focuses on the importance and power of communication that doesn't need to be spoken - that transcends speech! ...And it is not to be missed!

”Black and White”

Jennie's address on Sunday was "Black and white" - about (racial) inequality and how it can so easily become culturally entrenched.

Jenny refers to Thomas Piketty's "The Brief History of Equality" - that there are reasons for us to be optimistic that we are moving towards global Equality and Justice. But oh, how slowly!

As an example of how racism can become so easily entrenched, Jennie discusses the racial assumptions underlying "Golliwoggs" - at a time when Afro-Americans were caricatured by the toy - but "had neither the motivation and the confidence to object to the design". There were even "white guys (minstrels) impersonating black guys" to make money. To further entrench the racism, the minstrel became a toy - a Golliwogg - and even a trademark!
Listen on for Jennie's exploration of this"trough" in our journey toward racial equality and justice. Picketty - an optimist? Listen on!

Questioning the Seven Principles

In her Address last Sunday, 30th April, Jennie questioned the value and relevance of the 7 UU Principles. Passion is needed to enliven their blandness: "high-minded but remote"... "not necessarily spiritual"... "Jolly fine secular values that any liberal thinker would generally agree with".

These 7 UU Principles also fail to give guidance. Splendid goals - but not the path nor the tools for Spiritual Growth. They need an injection of Love, Curiosity, Respect, Justice, Transformation, Generosity, Equity...
While Universalism is unobjectionable, it's just not historically or theologically relevant to our Church here.

"We need our own," Jennie concludes. You may - or may not agree.
Listen on for those observations that have led her to that conclusion!

Regret

In today's address, I introduce the topic of Regret - ranging from the many "gentle" regrets - fleeting, "bitter-sweet" regrets in the songs we sing today - such as the momentary sense of loss at a passing joy, or triumph. And with reference to William Shakespeare's Sonnet 120, I also mention those lingering, festering regrets - interpersonal failures that will endure until we resolve them.
As Anzac Day approaches, I also mention my enduring regret at the failure of nations to address the issues that give rise to global conflict and modern warfare, and the prospect of global conflict and MAD (Mutually assured Destruction) as an insult to a fragile planet and where there can by no winners! I ask: "Perhaps it's why we've never been visited by aliens?"
I conclude with two contrasting poems. One, of regret at a boy - almost a man, enthralled with the prospect of using weapons to kill; another, a poem of hope in a young child who senses that "the rose needs the thorn", who will "run into rain-swept days" the same way "they turn towards the sun", who will draw on that "wilder bond" with Nature to "speak for those who have no voice". Listen on!

Two Simple Truths

Kris commences his address today with the results of his search of the internet for some "simple truths" of others. By way of contrast with these "secular" insights, Kris narrows his search to two wisdoms to be found in Mark, the earliest of the Gospel writers (Chapter 12 vs 28-31): "Love your God...", and "You shall love your neighbour as yourself". In the context of these two "simple" truths - the "greatest of the Commandments", Kris asks some questions:-
-Can our addiction to material possessions and the indulgence of the ego - at the expense of our spiritual lives, ever brings us peace?

- What is to be done - for the person who has been disappointed by both Religion and Science? (when we all yearn for peace - and the reassurance that we are loved). 

Kris suggests we can try this...... Listen on to find out!

Renewal

This Easter Sunday, our Minister, Kris Hanna reflects on the theme of Renewal. Like the renewal and rebirth of the phoenix in our "Story for All Ages" - rising out of the ashes of self-sacrifice, Kris reflects on the renewal and hope that arose from the legacies and martyrdom of the Lutheran Pastor and Theologian, Deitrich Bonhoeffer, the Spanish Unitarian, Michael Servetus and that most well-known of all Martyrs, Jesus (Jeshua) of Nazareth, who remained resolute in their belief - in the face of torture and death from those in authority.
It's not just a past phenomenon. Contemporary examples of ongoing persecution can be drawn from Muslims in India, the Baháʼí in Iran, and Christian Minority groups - out of which - like the phoenix in our story, will give rise to a legacy of renewal and hope. Easter, Kris reminds us - is also the time to renew our commitment to Love!

A Unitarian ”Communion”

Kris, on this Good Friday uses Easter as an opportunity for us Unitarians to celebrate - through a communal sharing of wine and bread - the courage of those like Michael Servetus, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Jeshua who, without compromise, sacrificed their lives for their beliefs.