Audio from the special 50th anniversary church service marking Reverend Godfrey Wilson's landmark sermon on homosexuality (possibly the first of its kind to be heard in New Zealand). It was broadcast live on National radio on 26 June 1967.
The anniversary service was held at St Peter's church in Wellington on 25 June 2017. It was led by the Reverend Annette Cater and featured Br. Graham-Michoel introducing and reading Reverend Wilson's original sermon. The service also featured Neill Ballantyne and co speaking the dialogue and Bob Scott offering prayers of the people.
A special thank you to the congregation of St Peter's for allowing us to record and share this service. Please note that some parts of the service have not been included in this podcast.
Audio and Text Download mp3 Download HQ mp3Plain Text (for Gen AI)Summary
The summary for the recording "St Peter's church service (2017)" focuses on a special anniversary service held at St Peter's Church in Wellington, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of Reverend Godfrey Wilson's groundbreaking sermon on homosexuality. The service, led by Reverend Annette Cater, included participation from distinguished guests such as Br. Graham-Michoel, who read Wilson's original sermon, speakers including Neill Ballantyne, and Bob Scott offering prayers for the congregation.
The service began with a welcome and acknowledgment of the historical significance of the pulpit at St Peter's Church—a platform that has been central to Christian worship and a site of momentous speeches and sermons. Reverend Annette Cater emphasized the role of the church in extending the Gospel's message of inclusion and human flourishing, beyond the confines of institutional preservation.
The crux of the service was the recital of Reverend Wilson's sermon from 1967, which was one of the first of its kind to confront the topic of homosexuality from the pulpit and also broadcast live on national radio. It challenged prevailing societal norms and the church's role in addressing issues related to the LGBTQ community.
The sermon tells the fictional story of John, a homosexual man who experiences discrimination and legal punishment due to their sexual orientation. Through John's journey, Wilson engages with a dialogue exploring themes of love, sin, societal attitudes, and the Christian responsibility to inclusivity and unconditional love. Wilson's narrative touches on the notion that sexuality, like left-handedness, is not a choice and should not be ostracized or criminalized. Wilson confronts biblical interpretations and societal prejudices, urging a reevaluation of what constitutes sin and affirming the dignity and worth of every individual.
Throughout the sermon, the significance of the 1967 Homosexual Law Reform in removing criminal penalties for homosexuality is acknowledged, along with the continuous struggle for acceptance within society and particularly the church.
The service includes prayers for the marginalized, a look back at historical injustices, and a forward-looking hope for inclusivity and understanding within the Christian community and its teachings. It underscores the idea that Christian morality should focus on the well-being and dignity of individuals rather than rigid adherence to canonical commandments.
A moment of celebration occurs with the blessing of a rainbow banner, symbolizing the church’s commitment to inclusion and recognizing the LGBTQ community. The banner, constructed from pieces of fabric set aside for clergy vestments, bears significant meaning by combining the church’s past with its inclusive future aspirations.
The service concludes with blessings and a reaffirmation of the core message that love, acceptance, and compassion are fundamental tenets of the Christian faith and should guide the church's interactions with all people.
This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.
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