Kris's address today: "In Praise of Relaxation" goes beyond the superficial indulgences and distractions that pass for "relaxation" in the minds of many. Kris builds for us the concept of 'Fundamental Relaxation' which is essential for our spiritual growth and the foundation of spiritual practice He asks: "How then do we achieve this relaxed state …

Senior Yoga Teacher, Vani Shukla returns to introduce us to the "Principles and Benefits of Yoga Practice" - a journey towards self-awareness, inner peace and balance. Vani commenced with the very basics: correcting the "strine" pronunciation of Yoga "Yow - (as in "row"-a-boat" - Gar" to "Yo-ga" - with a shortened "o" and "u" as a very basic first …

In this Father's Day address, Kris asks : - "What are fathers meant to be?- What makes a good father?" Despite the merging of traditional "mothering" and "fathering" roles, old parenting stereotypes are still prevalent in much of society "out there!". Kris's suggestions about, insights into - and reflections on - being a Father and on Fatherhood le…

Kris begins today's address "Let's Play" with a brief overview of the nature of games, both traditional - 'primitive' and those more tech-focused, many of which we will remember playing in childhood and as adults. He asks: "In the 'game of living', what should we be learning in our play today - more than we may have needed in more 'primitive' times…

Kris's address today - "Kicking goals", is all about finding direction in our lives: - "our need of a compass rather than a gps" to navigate our lives through calm - as well as stormy - weather. "But - are you ready for the journey?" Kris asks.By SA Unitarians

Kris begins today with the inevitable question asked of Unitarians: "What do you stand for?" Christians or Post-Christians who subscribe to a Faith tradition that adheres to a Credo dictating what the faithful are to believe - are especially curious. Kris suggests an appropriate rejoiner is: "This is a place where we Unitarians are free to explore …

At a "packed" Shady Grove combined service this morning, Kris continues his narrative on Prague Unitarians - Czechian Unitarianism - its founder, Norbert Čapek and the influence of Tomáš Masaryk, who later became the Founding Father of Czechoslovakia. Kris also reads to us our seven (UUA) Unitarian Principles, which we are in the process of revisin…

Today, Kris leads us into the life of Baruch (Benedictus) de Spinoza, the 17th Century Portuguese-Jewish philosopher of the 'Dutch Golden Age' who heralded in the Age of Enlightenment. Unitarians may discover that they share a lot in common with Baruch Spinoza.By SA Unitarians

Kris has returned from his annual leave which included a visit to the Český lid Unitarians in Prague. Although he arrived home yesterday, no-doubt jet-lagged, he uses this opportunity to report back to Adelaide Unitarians about the many things we share, but also describes some innovations from which we may benefit. Listen on for some glimpses of wh…

Jennie begins her address, today with an assertion of social commentator, Hugh MacKay's - in his book - The Way We Are - "that we are not as well equipped as previous generations to deal with sustained challenge". In probing and testing this assertion, Jennie takes a contemporary snapshot of the way we are, commencing with the bushfires of 2019-202…

In this address, Aaron reintroduces us to Monsters - whose personification - or rather "monster-fication" is Fear. Helen's reading leads us into Monsters: "The truth is this: every monster you have ever met...was once a human being with a soul that was once as soft as silk. Someone stole that silk from their soul and turned them into this. So when …

Through the medium of Boris Pasternak's novel, Dr Zhivago, Peter takes us on a nostalgic journey through the political upheavals that occurred within Russian society a little over a century ago, as Communists wrestled power from Czarist Russia. Peter's address focuses on the despair caused when ideals for a better, fairer, more equitable society fa…

Kris's address is the sequel to an earlier address he gave on the seven sins: - focusing today on seven virtues. Kris draws inspiration from an affirmation by the Roman Stoic Philosopher, Seneca, - of the joy that comes with living the virtuous life. Kris poses the question Seneca posed 2000 years ago: "- for what prevents us from saying that the h…

Today, Zainab tells the story of her family's escape from Iraq when she was a 10 year old:- her family's perilous journey at the hands of people smugglers on an overcrowded Indonesian fishing boat; abandoned by the crew; discovered by the Australian Navy; her family's arrival in Darwin; confined to the Woomera Detention Centre - before Zainab and h…

The subject we reflect on today is "10 Things for Humans to Know". Kris reflects on some contemporary rules to guide human conduct and some rules from the past. He then concludes with the response of the avatar - "Chat GPT" when it was asked for ten humanitarian rules. What was generated "robotically" by Chat GPT's Artificial Intelligence resolved …

Kris's address during National Reconciliation Week, focused on reconciliation with First Nations people. Kris briefly explores the history of Reconciliation:- commencing with restraint in the face of provocation between a Guugu Yimithirr elder and Captain Cook, the Constitutional change brought about by our most successful national referendum which…

Today, with the focus of today's service on 'conversation', Kris introduced Rev. Dave - visiting our church again, from the USA. In the course of their conservation, Kris asked Rev. Dave about his rules for living a good life. Dave responded with four rules:- The 12 O'Clock Rule The 30 second Rule The 13% Rule and Rule number 6 - - but you'll need …

Kris approaches today's address: "Transcending the human condition" (Transcendence) with some questions:- "What do we mean by being human? - able to rise above our animal instincts?" "How do we go from being "nice", "reasonable" people to a state of Transcendence?" "How do we move beyond moral development to spiritual development?" "What holds us b…

Today, Mothers Day, 2024, Kris explores the role of Motherhood and the impact Mothers have had on the lives of their children.By SA Unitarians

Kris begins his address with a question: "Who was Georg Philipp Friedrich Fruihwald von Hadenburg - alias Novalis?" a corruption from di Novali - "The Newcomers" - the name his ancestors gave to themselves when they settled on their land. Novalis b. 1772, was a Lutheran, (Pietist) mystic, in awe of the beauty and mystery of Nature and the universe …