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A comment by the Rev Geoff Usher on two readings with which he introduced a talk. The first reading is from the book by Freeman Dyson , “Infinite in All Directions”.(Harper & Row, NY, 1988)

Since 1953, Freeman Dyson has been a professor of Physics at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. At one point in his book. he quotes Steven Weinberg, the author of THE FIRST 3 MINUTES, in which he gives an account of the origins of the universe. Weinberg states:
“The more the universe seems comprehensible, the more it also seems pointless.”

The reply that Dyson gives to this, and the Rev Geoff Usher’s final thoughts from his talk can be read here.

An address by the Rev. Rex A E Hunt

Most religious traditions, past and present, have a story, or a collection of stories they tell regarding the nature of the universe, the evolution of the Earth and of life, and the destiny of humans in this context.
In this Address I very briefly introduce three ‘creation’ stories from various traditions: A Maori Creation myth, Aboriginal Dreamtime stories, and the Hebrew Creation myth. All have attempted to say something about the origin and evolution of the universe as a whole as they wrestled with the question: ‘Why is there something rather than nothing?’
Then suggest the modern story of ‘beginnings’ sparks a sense of wonder with time tracing back almost 14 billion-years, and distances beyond what we can imagine.

The complete adress can be found here

When some initial planning was being done for suggested speakers and themes for Spirit of Life, my name came up as one who could be considered to speak on Easter.
I accepted the invitation. Thank you for the trust shown to me.
But my initial thinking was to offer something just a bit different in structure. Instead of an Address based on challenging doctrines and creeds with theological argument,
I have chosen to present six short ‘thought cameos’ but still with much help from scholarly friends around the world.
I am sure the more literalist and conservative professionals ‘out there’ will consider the cameos inadequate, perhaps even heretical. Likewise, such an attempt as this in a so-called ‘secular’ society is fraught with danger.
Or worse, irrelevance!
Never-the-less I offer them with the not so cheeky invitation that you may just wish to ponder them some more, sometime.

To read this address by the Rev. Rex A.E. Hunt on the Easter theme, please click here.

Today, I would like to invite us to reflect on the 5th of our 7 principles….. “The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.”
Over the past couple of weeks of thinking about this reflection, what I have found particularly clarifying, is the word “secular.” I find something in that word “secular” liberating just now. And I have become curious about what that was. How do you think about the word secular? Perhaps you might share your thoughts at the end on our uses of the word secular.
I’ve been trying out this word and found the word “secular” to be quite useful in trying to explain what chaplaincy in a public and multicultural university is and could be. Once in a while I have said that “I thought my religious sensibilities are secular.” I have to be a little careful where and how I use it. Some find the use of that word to be provocative and disloyal to the traditional calling of those who are “religious” professionals. How can you be a chaplain and be “secular”?

The full text of this interesting and provocative talk by the Rev. daniel Jantos can be found here.

This a sermon by the Rev. Geoff Usher.

Life is a gift.
We have life – not because we made it, but because we received it. Life was given to us through other people: through our parents, and their parents, and the countless generations of ancestors from whom we are
descended through all those who lived in ancient times and through our friends, to whom we turn for companionship, with whom we share the beauty, the pleasures, the trials and the pain which life in all its richness brings to us.
Blood is thicker than water, but the bonds of true friendship go beyond those of family – they are different because they are voluntary.
We cannot choose our relatives: we get them as part of the package deal when we are born. But we can choose our friends. And – the ultimate compliment – others may choose us to be their friends

This thought provoking talk can be read in full here.