Auckland Unitarians

with Ted ZornEach Sunday including this one we take the opportunity to share our joys and concerns. For me, this talk is an extended joy. I'm no expert on music. I am not here to lecture you on the technicalities of music because I don't really understand them myself. Instead I want to share the joys that music brings to me and try to explain why that is, and the role that it plays in my spiritual life. My hope is that some of it will resonate with you and that it provides an opportunity for you to reflect on music in your life and share some of the joy I feel.Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 6 September 2026For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/when-music-takes-our-breath-away-the-sounds-of-reverence/

with Ted ZornEach Sunday including this one we take the opportunity to share our joys and concerns. For me, this talk is an extended joy. I'm no expert on music. I am not here to lecture you on the technicalities of music because I don't really understand them myself. Instead I want to share the joys that music brings to me and try to explain why that is, and the role that it plays in my spiritual life. My hope is that some of it will resonate with you and that it provides an opportunity for you to reflect on music in your life and share some of the joy I feel.Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 6 September 2026For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/when-music-takes-our-breath-away-the-sounds-of-reverence/

Speaker & Worship Leader:- Alix GeardExploring music as a development of pulse, breath and vocalisation, and also as a way of building culture through repetition, borrowing and repurposing.For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/music-and-being-human/

Speaker & Worship Leader:- Alix GeardExploring music as a development of pulse, breath and vocalisation, and also as a way of building culture through repetition, borrowing and repurposing.For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/music-and-being-human/00:00:00.000 Titles & Prelude00:03:21.000 Welcome00:04:52.000 Opening Words00:08:23.000 Chalice Lighting00:08:59.000 Covenant00:09:33.000 Joys and Concerns00:10:56.000 Music and Being Human / the beat and the borrowings / the song we become00:19:23.000 Extinguishing the Chalice00:20:00.000 Closing Words00:20:47.000 Postlude00:24:42.000 Meditation / Discussion Questions

Speaker & Worship Leader:- Revd Dr Ralph CattsRalph Catts is a Unitarian minister based in Melbourne, and it will be a privilege to have him lead one of our services, as he is the only Unitarian Minister in the South Pacific. He is the Learning & Development Coordinator for the ⁠Australia and New Zealand Unitarian Universalist Association (ANZUUA)⁠.For more information see:-⁠⁠https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/seeking-meaning/

Speaker & Worship Leader:- Revd Dr Ralph CattsRalph Catts is a Unitarian minister based in Melbourne, and it will be a privilege to have him lead one of our services, as he is the only Unitarian Minister in the South Pacific. He is the Learning & Development Coordinator for the Australia and New Zealand Unitarian Universalist Association (ANZUUA).For more information see:-⁠https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/seeking-meaning/00:00 Prelude & Welcome07:42 Chalice Lighting & Covenant08:55 The UUA Principles10:30 Readings14:25 Address: A Theology for Seekers24:01 Time for reflection26:14 Discussion - Dr Catts' responses only33:32 Responsive Prayer: For our Fellowship35:02 Benediction, Extinguishing the Chalice, Acknowledgements36:19 Postlude

Speaker & Worship Leader:- Maria HaywardWhat does colonisation really mean and why should we, as Unitarians, care? Have you ever wondered what people really mean when they talk about the effects of colonisation? The korero today provides an example of embedded racism in the language of the colonisers – and asks what we can learn from this?For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/post-colonial-aotearoa/00:00:00.000 Preamble00:02:26.000 Post-colonial Aotearoa

Speaker & Worship Leader:- Maria HaywardWhat does colonisation really mean and why should we, as Unitarians, care? Have you ever wondered what people really mean when they talk about the effects of colonisation? The korero today provides an example of embedded racism in the language of the colonisers – and asks what we can learn from this?For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/post-colonial-aotearoa/00:00:00.000 Titles & Welcome00:02:02.000 Chalice Lighting00:03:07.000 Covenant00:03:45.000 Preamble00:06:11.000 Joys and Concerns00:07:15.000 Post-colonial Aotearoa00:26:41.000 Closing Words00:28:37.000 Extinguishing the Chalice00:29:10.000 Meditation / Discussion Questions

with Rachel MackintoshRecorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 26 July 2026Today our topic is art and the ineffable.By some irony, I will be using words to convey the ineffable: that which is too vast to be contained in words.That's okay.Words have spaces between them.Art takes many forms...For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/art-and-the-ineffable/

with Rachel MackintoshRecorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 26 July 2026Today our topic is art and the ineffable.By some irony, I will be using words to convey the ineffable: that which is too vast to be contained in words.That's okay.Words have spaces between them.Art takes many forms...For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/art-and-the-ineffable/

With Laurie RossThis requires Transformation of the Neoliberal Economic System to serve our higher values (the 7 Principles of Unitarian Universalism).Talk first given @ Auckland Unitarian Church 19 July 2026This recording was made 4th August 2026.For more information, see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/an-eco-peace-economy-for-aotearoa-nz/

Speaker & Worship Leader:- Maria HaywardRefugees and migrants contribute towards making Auckland the second most diverse city in the world. As we celebrate World Refugee Day (June 20th) perhaps we can reflect on what is gained from this diversity - how we are enriched by this as individuals and as a community.To find out more see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/what-do-we-gain-from-diversity/

Speaker & Worship Leader:- Maria HaywardRefugees and migrants contribute towards making Auckland the second most diverse city in the world. As we celebrate World Refugee Day (June 20th) perhaps we can reflect on what is gained from this diversity - how we are enriched by this as individuals and as a community.To find out more see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/what-do-we-gain-from-diversity/

Speaker:- Niki HarréWorship Leader:- Rachel MackintoshNiki Harré talks about her year as a self-appointed secular priest. She undertook three vows – simplicity, hospitality and pause, offered weekly services and personal conversations, and attended a Christian church. While she experienced considerable resistance, she also learnt a great deal about humility, listening to and caring for the other, and an awareness of the world as it is, rather than as we wish it was.To find out more see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/what-the-secular-world-can-learn-from-religion/

Speaker:- Niki HarréWorship Leader:- Rachel MackintoshNiki Harré talks about her year as a self-appointed secular priest. She undertook three vows – simplicity, hospitality and pause, offered weekly services and personal conversations, and attended a Christian church. While she experienced considerable resistance, she also learnt a great deal about humility, listening to and caring for the other, and an awareness of the world as it is, rather than as we wish it was.To find out more see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/what-the-secular-world-can-learn-from-religion/

Speaker & Worship Leader:- Alix GeardA continuation of our series on spirituality - and lack of it - in Unitarian experience. Explores how some of us adapt and adopt cultural metaphors, including considering "a free and responsible search for truth and meaning" as a kind of journey.Recorded @ Auckland Unitarian Church 7 June 2026For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/travel-tips-for-spiritual-journeys/

Speaker & Worship Leader:- Alix GeardA continuation of our series on spirituality - and lack of it - in Unitarian experience. Explores how some of us adapt and adopt cultural metaphors, including considering "a free and responsible search for truth and meaning" as a kind of journey.Recorded @ Auckland Unitarian Church 7 June 2026For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/travel-tips-for-spiritual-journeys/

With Maria HaywardCan spiritual journeys be something other than finding a religion or a God?A personal interpretation. My story's a bit different – but maybe it's yours too ….Recorded @ Auckland Unitarian Church 24 May 2026For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/reflections-on-a-spiritual-journey/

With Maria HaywardCan spiritual journeys be something other than finding a religion or a God? A personal interpretation. My story's a bit different – but maybe it's yours too ….Recorded @ Auckland Unitarian Church 24 May 2026For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/reflections-on-a-spiritual-journey/

with Laurie RossHigher Common Values for an Ecological Economic System.Development of Spiritual Consciousness for Humanity and the Earth.Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 17 May 2026For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/evolution-of-human-consciousness/

with Laurie RossHigher Common Values for an Ecological Economic System.Development of Spiritual Consciousness for Humanity and the Earth.Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 17 May 2026For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/evolution-of-human-consciousness/00:00 Titles & Prelude04:24 Welcome06:44 Chalice Lighting & Covenant08:26 Special Music13:08 Joys and Concerns14:30 Readings17:56 Evolution of Human Consciousness39:54 Extinguishing the Chalice40:30 Closing Words & Postlude47:09 Meditation / Discussion Questions

with Kate LewisHow I came to Unitarianism and am still not sure how I define or participate in spirituality.Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 10 May 2026For more information see:- https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/grappling-with-spirituality-2/00:00 Welcome01:38 Opening Words03:07 Chalice Lighting & Covenant04:36 Joys and Concerns06:23 Reading08:26 Grappling with Spirituality - 226:42 Closing Words28:49 Extinguishing the Chalice29:37 Why I Pledge31:17 Meditation / Discussion Questions

with Catherine DelahuntyGuest speaker Catherine Delahunty has had a lifetime of working for justice. She is an ally and champion of the people of West Papua, who live under occupation.Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 3 May 2026For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/west-papua-justice-for-our-neighbours/00:00 Welcome02:30 Karakia timatanga02:46 Opening Words04:11 Chalice Lighting05:35 Covenant06:13 Joys and Concerns07:32 Reading10:21 West Papua, justice for our neighbours32:58 Extinguishing the Chalice33:26 Discussion Questions / Closing Words34:09 Meditation or Discussion Questions

with Keola WhittakerWhat if fear is not a flaw to be fixed, but an invitation to be answered? This sermon explores stories of courage – what it means to take trembling steps into the unknown and what holds us when we do. If you have ever stood at a threshold you did not choose, wondering whether you had what it takes to cross it, this one is for you.Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 19 April 2026For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/courage-to-change/00:00 Prelude & Titles03:54 Welcome04:30 Chalice Lighting05:22 Opening Words06:04 Covenant06:40 Joys and Concerns08:08 Video: Let's see the good in whakamā09:03 Courage to Change26:22 Closing Words27.34 Extinguishing the Chalice28:08 Meditation / Discussion Questions / Postlude32:14 2026 Pledge Drive, Why I Pledge

with Ted ZornAs a community, we have momentum that we want to build on and ultimately be able to hire a new minister. This talk focuses on the power of our community striving together, building on success, and creating virtuous circles.Recorded by Auckland Unitarian Church 26 April 2026For more information, Including links to the videos mentioned in the service, see:- https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/building-virtuous-circles/00:00 Welcome02:50.Opening Words04:01 Opening Song04:40 Chalice Lighting05:50 Covenant06:47 Joys and Concerns07:49 Koha Hymn09:17 Reading: The Clubhouse12:21 Building Virtuous Circles26:18 Closing Song27:00 Closing Words28:16 Extinguishing the Chalice28:39 Meditation / Discussion Questions

with Rachel MackintoshIn the Monty Python film, The Life of Brian, set in the time of Jesus, Brian's mother confesses to Brian that his father was not Jewish, but was, in fact, a Roman. She reminisces: “Promised me the known world, 'e did.”This is funny.Although it is generally fatal to a joke to explain it, I now risk killing the joke by pointing out that it is funny because it plays on the catch-cry of disappointed lovers, “… promised me the world”. But is also calls us to contemplate our own known world.The Life of Brian is about Brian, not about Jesus, although Brian does almost get the gold, frankincense and myrrh in a brief moment of mistaken identity, because he and Jesus are born at the same time in the same neighbourhood in the Jewish homeland, and so even wise men can get confused. So the known world of Brian is also the known world of Jesus.In this context, the Easter story occurs — in a world of Imperial Roman occupation.Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 5 April 2026For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/resurrection-2026/00:00 Titles & Prelude02:22 Welcome03:58 Opening Words05:25 Chalice Lighting06:33 Covenant07:15 Joys and Concerns08:58 Resurrection 2026?24:09 Extinguishing the Chalice24:48 To Come25:32 Closing Words26:39 Postlude29:18 Meditation / Discussion Questions

with Ruby Johnson Today's service is part one of what we are aiming to be an ongoing series on spirituality, and addressing the question of what the spiritual needs of our congregation might be. I wanted to launch this series, because I think that a lot of us have a complicated relationship with spirituality, with religion, and with the concepts and language that surrounds them – I include myself in that group. Some people here are longtime members of either this congregation, or of other progressive religious traditions. Others, like myself and several of the other service leaders, come from backgrounds where religion was a painful and oppressive part of life.Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 29 March 2026For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/grappling-with-spirituality/00:00 Titles & Prelude03:12 Welcome03:55 Chalice Lighting05:07 Introduction06:36 Covenant07:12 Joys and Concerns08:28 Grappling with Spirituality25:29 Closing Words26:12 Extinguishing the Chalice27:00 Postlude31:38 Meditation / Discussion Questions

with Maria HaywardRecorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 15 March 2026Discovering the essence of humanity from stories – seminal moments in a teaching career.For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/the-power-of-stories/00:00 Titles & Prelude04:05 Welcome05:48 Chalice Lighting06:24 Opening Words08:09 Covenant09:04 Joys and Concerns10:14 Reading11:54 Discovering the essence of humanity from stories27:27 Meditation / Discussion Questions27:46 Closing Words28:41 Extinguishing the Chalice29:20 Postlude33:45 Meditation / Discussion Questions

with Rachel MackintoshRecorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 8 March 2026Today is International Working Women's DayIn 2017 the tide was in.It was a tide of transformation.One small second-hand car dealer in Invercargill sold 40 cars in a month. In Invercargill.The women who bought those cars each had one less worry. The stress of wondering if the car would get them to their next job without breaking down evaporated. The tension leading up to the six-monthly warrant of fitness check eased. They could all breathe more easily. They could replace a tyre if it went bald. It was a transformation.The second-hand car dealer also experienced transformation, as his income increased dramatically in that month. Because he and we are all part of an interdependent web. And he went out to dinner more often, and the local restaurants' takings increased, and so on, and so on …The tide was in because the government had agreed to fund the transformation after the Supreme Court ruled that care and support work had been historically undervalued because it was predominantly performed by women. The ruling was the final decision from a claim for pay equity under the Equal Pay Act 1972.For those women who bought new cars, and for other care and support workers, there were other transformations.For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/nothing-is-permanent/00:00 Titles & Prelude03:50 Welcome05:32 Karakia Timatanga05:48 Opening Words07:30 Chalice Lighting & Covenant09:01 Joys and Concerns10:47 Reading11:35 Bread & Roses14:22 Nothing is Permanent29:52 Extinguishing the Chalice30:42 Closing Words31:50 Introduction & Postlude38:12 Meditation / Discussion Questions

with BarbaraThomborsonIn a continuation of the service done on Mental Health Awareness Week last October, this one focuses more on dealing with your own mental illness stigma and understanding mental health for anyone.Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 1 March 2026For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/mental-health-awareness-part-2/ and from last October:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/mental-health-awareness-week/00:00 Welcome01:37 Opening Words02:20 Chalice Lighting03:12 Joys and Concerns04:11 The Personality Disorder in You18:19 Happify Yourself24:59 Extinguishing the Chalice25:35 Closing Words26:06 Meditation / Discussion Questions

with Ted ZornSo much can be achieved if we share honestly and listen deeply to each other. But what if we do so and find that our beliefs, needs or values are fundamentally at odds?Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 22 February 2026For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/listening-into-the-difficult-places/00:00:00.000 Titles00:00:35.000 Prelude00:03:43.000 Welcome00:06:34.000 Opening Words00:07:55.000 Chalice Lighting00:08:38.000 Covenant00:09:18.000 Joys and Concerns00:10:30.000 Reading00:13:18.000 Listening into the Difficult Places00:32:06.000 A Meditation00:35:49.000 Extinguishing the Chalice00:36:40.000 Postlude00:38:50.000 Meditation / Discussion Questions00:40:25.000 Credits

Please accept our apologies for the poor sound quality on this recording.The video mentioned @ 5:03 can be found at https://youtu.be/f8J9WssSj7Qwith Dr. Tof EklundReflection on Rainbow Flags:- Maria HaywardWorship Leader:- Rachel MackintoshIf you find nonbinary gender(s) confusing, want to understand what it means to be nonbinary, or are nonbinary, this one's for you. Dr. Tof Eklund (they/them) speaks about being nonbinary, the challenges and prejudices nonbinary folks face, and the profound implications of nonbinary thought and spirituality.Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 15 February 2026For more information see:-20260215_TofEklund_NonbinaryNondualistNonreductive00:00:00.000 Welcome00:02:22.000 Opening Words00:02:58.000 Chalice Lighting00:04:25.000 Covenant00:05:03.000 Musical Interlude (Linked)00:05:46.000 Joys and Concerns00:06:42.000 Reflection on Rainbow Flags00:12:54.000 Introduction to Dr. Tof Eklund00:15:41.000 Nonbinary, Nondualist, Nonreductive00:39:03.000 Closing Words00:39:36.000 Extinguishing the Chalice00:40:13.000 Meditation / Discussion Questions

Speaker & Worship Leader:- Keola WhittakerInstead of preaching about queer folks as people who need support, I'm inverting it to what can queer and trans people teach the rest of us about being fully human? Especially now, when authoritarianism and even AI are trying to flatten us all into simple categories. I'll be weaving in the story of the Kapaemahu stones in Waikiki – four healing stones connected to mahu (Hawaiian gender-diverse) practitioners that were literally buried under concrete for decades and then uncovered in the 90s.Recorded @ Auckland Unitarian Church 8 February 2026For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/the-stones-that-testify/00:00 Titles00:31 Prelude03:15 Welcome04:06 Opening Words05:29 Chalice Lighting06:17 Covenant06:53 Joys and Concerns08:12 Reading10:12 The Stones That Testify27:18 Rainbow Cake Communion29:16 Closing Words30:27 Extinguishing the Chalice31:09 Meditation / Discussion Questions

Speaker & Worship Leader:- Ruby JohnsonFor more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/introduction-to-pride-month/

Speaker & Worship Leader:- Rachel MackintoshWhy do we repeat this ritual every year? It isn't just to brag about our travels. When we share our water in the common bowl, it reminds us that while we are separate people, we are also part of an interdependent community.For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/water-communion-2026/

Feeling a bit Grinchy this year? You're not alone. This sermon is for everyone who has ever wanted to skip Christmas, escape the forced cheer, or hide from a holiday that asks too much. It's also about what happens when love finds us anyway, in forms we didn't expect, and in places we didn't think to look.Speaker & Worship Leader:- Keola WhittakerKeola Whittaker © 21 December 2025For more information see:- https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/the-grinch-who-found-christmas-anyway/

Saunoama'ali Dr Karanina Sumeo is the immediate past Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner and will speak about her experience leading the Pacific Pay Gap Enquiry.Speaker:- Karanina SumeoWorship Leader:- Rachel Mackintosh ⁠Karanina Sumeo © 7 December 2025For more information, see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/pacific-pay-gap-enquiry-and-human-rights/

A third space is neither home, school nor work but a space where people can be themselves, be with friends. A café, a bar, a museum, even a park. may be places where many of our most vulnerable communities do not feel welcome or feel they need to be out of sight. Similar to a church, Merge Community and Café is a space where all communities are welcome. Speaker:- Margaret LewisWorship Leader:- Shirin CaldwellMargaret Lewis ©30 November 2025For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/merge-cafe-making-a-community-minded-third-space/

Neurodivergence. What does it mean – what are the challenges faced, and how can neurotypical individuals assist in mitigating these challenges and ensuring neurodivergent people are included, respected and accommodated?Speakers:- Nikki Smith-Eklund (she/they) M Hum Rts& Dr. Tof Eklund (they/them)Worship Leader:- Rachel MackintoshNikki Smith-Eklund & Tof Eklund © 23 November 2025For more information see:-https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/navigating-neurodivergence-and-the-neurodiversity-paradigm/

20 November is International Day of Remembrance of all those in the transgender community murdered in hate crimes in the previous 12 months. The transgender community have become the target of disinformation and vilification by politicians and the far-right. Perhaps it is time for the rest of us to stand up to transphobia.Speaker & Worship Leader:- Maria HaywardMaria Hayward © 16 November 2025For more information see:- https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/transgender-day-of-remembrance/

A look at Rutger Bregman's book, Humankind: A Hopeful History, with an in-depth look at a real life shipwreck incident, similar to Lord of the Flies but with a very different outcome. How might we look at humanity and ourselves differently, if we were aware that people in emergencies tend to be very generous and caring, rather than self-centered and panicky?Speaker & Worship Leader:- Joel HildebrandtJoel Hildebrandt © 9 November 2025For more information see:- https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/the-real-lord-of-the-flies/

On 21 February 2023 Archimedes' arrow of time is released, to speed over 254 days to its destination: death.On 21 February we receive news of Clay's terminal diagnosis and driving home from the hospital appointment I begin sobbing. This is not a problem for my driving, actually, but Clay suggests I pull over. Which I do into the side of a car minding its own business in the next lane. The kindness of the stranger in that car, who is not angry but concerned, sets the tone of the next 254 days.Rachel Mackintosh © 2 November 2025For more information see:- https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/in-and-out-of-time/

According to Bishop Ussher's treatise published in 1650, the universe began precisely on October 23, 4004 BC—at sunset. Science disagrees, — by about 13.8 billion years. This service explores how embracing scientific understanding can deepen, not diminish, our sense of awe, wonder, and the sacred.Speaker:- Kate LewisWorship Leader:- Ted ZornFor more information see:- https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/faith-science-and-the-wonder-of-creation/

Speaker:-Barbara ThomborsonWorship Leader:- Karn ClearyThis joyful service celebrates the life of our congregation and is our annual memorial to the life of its creator, Rev. Dr. Norbert Čapek. As minister to Unitarians in Prague, Czechoslovakia, he was a 20th century Unitarian martyr, killed by Nazis in 1942.For more information see:- https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/flower-communion-2025/

The gospel according to Jubilation Choir is love of the naked voice; love of losing ourselves in a sea of harmony and love of bringing a gospel sensibility to songs from all genres.Worship Leader:- Judy LightstoneRecorded @ Auckland Unitarian Church 24 August 2025For more information see https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/jubilation-choir/

with Maria HaywardRecorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 3 August 2025Refugees: People like you and me. A picture show and commentary about New Zealand's Refugee Reception Centre at Mangere (Te Āhuru Mōwai). What does it look like, which agencies are based there and what happens during the 5-6 week stay for former refugees.For more information see https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/the-refugee-reception-centre/

To come In this place, in this community, we covenant to serve humankind in fellowship, that all souls shall grow in harmony.We face challenges in this endeavour, though we repeat the statement every week.Certainly, we believe that all souls should grow in harmony.You may know this story of former Auckland Councillor, the late Efeso Collins. This story takes place at the swearing in when he was first elected to Auckland Council in 2016. I have never been to a swearing in ceremony, but I can imagine a solemn and reverent event. The mayor in robes and chain, the council members dressed in their best, taking on the awesome responsibility of serving their city, with their intentions fresh — intentions of doing their best to make this place somewhere we can all live well. The town hall cleaned and polished to its finest, perhaps some organ music, dignitaries present, VIPs in the audience, there to lend weight to the moment and to pay respect to our elected leaders. A ceremonial occasion.In 2016, when Efeso Collins was being sworn in, a council usher refused to believe that his wife, children and elders were entitled to sit in the VIP area. Efeso had to persuade the usher to let them take their seats.Efeso was appalled and embarrassed. His family was humiliated. It was 2016, for goodness' sake. Weren't we beyond that kind of racism?

Speaker:- Ron Ahnen Worship Leader:- Viv Allen Recorded @ Auckland Unitarian Church 24 November 2024 As you all know, we just finished an election in the U.S. with so many different candidates—not just presidential ones—putting forth many competing claims about what “the truth” is. The good news is that we've got fact-checkers and journalists all trying to help us sort out exactly what is and is not true. You might think it's easier to find the truth these days, given that you can Google just about anything in a nanosecond. It turns out, finding out the truth is not so easy. In fact, it's often really, really hard. For more information see:- https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/listening-for-your-own-truth/

Viv Allen says:- About a year ago an email dropped into my inbox from my cousin Hamish who I only catch up with at family funerals. Attached to that email was a 93 page thesis on my great, great Aunt, Annie Jane Schnakenberg nee Allen, who I knew little about except that she'd fought for women's suffrage in NZ and was a fluent speaker of Maori, so I was very excited to find out that Randolph Hollingsworth had done a huge amount of research into Annie Jane's life and written a thesis about her. I quickly got in touch with Randolph to find out more and was delighted to meet her as she now lives in Auckland. Randolph is now an independent scholar, who enjoys researching women's history which is how she came to write about Annie Jane. Often in NZ we only hear about the main characters in history such as Kate Sheppard but there were many more women who helped fight for women's rights. Now I'm going to let Randolph tell you more about this fascinating women, Annie Jane. For more information see:- https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/annie-jane-schnackenberg-nee-allen-new-zealand-fighter-for-womens-rights/

with Barbara Thomborson Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 17 November 2024 Ageing and death are two timeless themes, universal to our human experience. Our culture's near phobia about death has created unneeded anxiety and irrational fear about “passing on, passing away, kicking the bucket, giving up the ghost, breathing your last, losing your life, expiring (like a use-by date), or just plain croaking”. That's a small sample of the euphemisms English has for dying. In her book The Coming of Age, Simone de Beauvior says, “The vast majority of humankind looks upon the coming of old age with sorrow and rebellion. It fills them with more aversion than death itself”. For more information see https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/ruminations-on-ageing-and-dying/

with John Maindonald Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 10 November 2024 Today, no business of any size uses paper based accounting. The move from paper based systems started in the late 1950s when large corporations started using computer mainframes, as they were called, for basic operations. In the 1980s personal computers made computer-based accounting systems widely available. For more information see:- https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/the-age-of-the-machine/