Spirit of Life Unitarian Fellowship Sydney

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A life of unlearning – A spiritual journey to authenticity

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anthony-venn-brownPlease join Spirit of Life Unitarian Fellowship in welcoming Anthony Venn-Brown as our speaker on 23 January.  Services are held each Sunday as follows.  Visitors welcome.

Service:  10:30 – 11:30 followed by coffee, tea and biscuits

Location:  Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre, upstairs gallery.  16-18 Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli, NSW

  • What happens when you come to the realisation that the Christian belief system you have built your life on, caused you to live in denial, reject and even destroy your true self?
  • How do you reconcile a belief system that tells you your homosexuality is an abomination and makes you unacceptaple to God and those close to you?
  • What do you do when you have more questions than answers?
  • How can you separate what is eternal, universal truth from what is man made truth?
  • What price would you pay to be true to yourself?

Anthony Venn-Brown was an ordained minister of the Assemblies of God and high profile preacher in Australia’s Pentecostal mega-churches. But there was a problem. Behind the scenes of a successful ministry he was fighting a secret battle. For 22 years he tried to change his sexual orientation through psychatric treatment, ex-gay programs, exorcisms and 16 years of marriage. Falling in love with a man at the age of 40 was the catalyst that forced him to face the reality; he was, is and always wiill be gay.

In front of a congration of 800 people, believing his faith and his homosexuality were irreconcilabe, Anthony resigned from the ministry and walked away from the church and his faith. Whilst now out of the closet about his sexuality another closet of denial and unresolved issues about his faith and spirituality had been created. Thus began his ‘Life of Unlearning’ everything he had believed God and his homosexuality…….in order to find the truth.

Anthony’s award winning autobiography ‘A Life of Unlearning – A Journey to Find the Truth’  is in its second print and has assisted people around the world to reconcile the percieved conflict between their faith and sexuality. He is also the co-founder and president of Freedom 2 b[e] ; Australia’s leading network for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) people from Christian  backgrounds.

Anthony has become an ambassador for the LGBT community building bridges and breaking down the walls that have separated religion and gay and lesbian people. In 2007 Anthony’s name appeared on the inaugural list of the  25 Most Influential Gay & Lesbian Australians, and again in 2009 in acknowledgement of his pioneering work in the area of Christianity and Sexuality.

Ethics as Unenforceable Obligations – The Importance of Being Good for Nothing

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(Presentation for the service on Sunday 17 October, 2010 by Geoff Matthews.)

Taken from the ‘Building Your Own Theology’, I led the group in developing a list of eleven ethical statements from their individual perspective and as a fellowship.  This was a fairly easy exercise.

Then as a group, I facilitated them individually and then in pairs, reviewing a case study of an ethical and moral dilemma – a husband and wife who in the US decide to have another child, against the husband’s initial  wishes, so that the child the wife bears will have a 70% chance of having compatible bone marrow with their teenage daughter who has a terminal disease.

We then considered this dilemma as a group in relation to the ethical statements we had developed and in response to several questions.  Generally the group agreed with the actions of the parents.  The problem certainly generated some interesting discussion.

The exercise  brought out the fact that developing the ethical statements is not that difficult, but when considering them in connection with an ethical and/or moral dilemma that we may face at times in our lives, the decision/s can be quite difficult and sometimes compromises have to be made.

Horses Birthday Today

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On 1st August, 2010, Geoff Matthews presented a topic ‘Horses Birthday Today’ and linked our long association of all types of horses in this country with our life as Unitarians.  In his address, he talked of the history of horses in Australia, areas of life we see them such as showjumping,  children’s love of them, equestrian, rodeo, the special love for Clydesdales, the thoroughbred racing industry and his experiences with riding for the disabled in the US.

In his outline of the history of horses in Australia, he referred to information from the Horses Australia website- ‘Horses have been part of Australia’s history and are almost a cultural icon. From the wild brumbies to the legendary Phar Lap, Australia’s horses have the power to stir the soul and capture the imagination.’

And it’s easy to see why.  The horse is a creature of grace, power and beauty that has been prized throughout history for its intelligence, speed and strength. From their velvety muzzles to the tips of their flowing tails, horses have been loyal companions in peace and war.

Horses first came to Australia in the pioneer days and have been used for business and pleasure ever since.  Some broke loose and became brumbies,  the legendary tough wild horses that have formed part of Australian legends such as the Man from Snowy River from Banjo Paterson’s thrilling epic  poem.
(Geoff read the poem in his address). Horses carried settlers throughout Australia as they founded the important towns, rounded up cattle on  Outback stations and thrilled millions in great races like the Melbourne Cup.

And today you’ll find many horses throughout Australia, whether as a glamorous thoroughbred racehorse or as a jackeroo’s trusty mount.  And plenty are loved as companion animals and pleasure horses too.

Love horses?  At Horses Australia, we do too.  Bay, chestnut, black, grey, dun or palomino; Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, Arabian or Shetland pony – we love them all!’

In closing, he linked our history and love for horses as a significant part of our lives, and that as Unitarians we are well aware that in this world it is not just about Humans, but our connection with the environment and nature, of which horses are a part.

He also left us with three different quotes

‘The child who ran weeping to you with a cut finger is now brought home, smiling gamely, with a broken collar bone and incredible contusions – ‘it wasn’t Jezebel’s fault, Dad.’

‘Horses change lives.  They give our young people confidence and self esteem.  They provide peace and tranquillity to troubled souls – they give us hope!’

‘A horse is the projection of people’s dreams about themselves – strong, powerful, beautiful  – and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence.’

Let’s Dream Together

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( A talk presented by Candace Parks on 11 July, 2010. )
Although still relatively unknown in Sydney, Unitarianiam has quite a following in the US.  Gary Kowalski is a well-known Unitarian minister and author from Burlington, Vermont and in line with the strong sense of community and support amongst Unitarians around the world, Gary has kindly agreed for his talks to be used by other smaller congregations – especially those without a minister.
Born and raised in Vermont and having attended university in Burlington, Candace feels a strong connection to Gary’s views and manner of expression.  This talk in particular showcases his sense of humour.
To read the talk or listen to it in Gary’s own voice, go to http://www.uusociety.org/sermons.html and select the talk for March 21 2010.  Enjoy!