Gellionnen Unitarian Chapel has made the headlines in the Welsh media this month for its LGBTQ inclusion, with the congregation featuring on ITV Wales’ 6 o’clock news, Wales Online, and the South Wales Evening Post.

Gellionnen Chapel, near Pontardawe in the Swansea Valley, is the only place of worship registered for same-sex marriage in Neath Port Talbot, and one of only a small number across Wales, many of which are Unitarian. The chapel is proudly LGBTQ inclusive – taking part in Pride marches, organising a monthly LGBT+ multi-faith gathering, and welcoming LGBTQ people into its congregation.

The chapel’s minister, Rev. Rory Castle Jones, who himself married his husband at the chapel, told ITV Wales: “I grew up attending various churches of different denominations. As a teenager, like many LGBTQ teens, I didn’t feel welcome in those places. It was only a few years ago when I came to Gellionnen that I found an inclusive church. I had given up to be honest, and I think that’s true for many LGBTQ+ people. It’s important to me to say that there are places where you can be welcome as an LGBT person in a church or a chapel.”

Sean Walker, a regular attendee said: “When you come to this church, you see a pride flag as you walk in, we do pride special services. In the past I’ve been to a church that did try to change me and didn’t accept who I was. After that I wanted to walk away from religion. When I found this place it restored my faith.”

Sandra Beynon, Gellionnen’s Authorised Person for weddings, said: “It’s a very modern chapel and welcomes everybody. Love thy neighbour is our motto.”

Find out more about same-sex marriage in Unitarian churches here.

Find out more about the Unitarians’ LGBT+ history here.

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Dover Unitarian Church in Kent has become the first in Dover to offer same-sex marriage ceremonies, joining three other Unitarian places of worship in Kent, and over a hundred in the UK.

Rev. Daniel Costley, minister of Dover Unitarians, spoke to BBC Radio Kent, about this great news on Sunday. You can listen to the programme here (from 2:11, for around 10 minutes). Rev. Daniel says: “I am delighted the congregation has endorsed this move so willingly. The authorisation by the General Register Office enables us to provide a religious wedding to all couples that truly love each other, to provide a spiritual and religious beginning to this step in a couple’s life together for those that wish it.”

Find out more about same-sex marriage ceremonies in Unitarian churches here.

Find Unitarian churches offering same-sex marriage ceremonies near you here.

Unitarians have long supported lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights, and we are proud to provide marriage ceremonies for all couples. In fact, we were one of the the first churches to offer same-sex marriages. Find out more about Unitarian LGBT+ history here.

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Shrewsbury Unitarians have hosted a ‘Human Library‘ – a collection of individual human beings, drawn from different minority or marginalised groups in the community, that have somehow been exposed to stigma, misunderstanding or discrimination.

Each Human Library event is designed to facilitate interactions that challenge stereotypes and prejudice through conversation. During each 30 minute conversation, members of the public as ‘readers’ can access, encounter and engage with the life stories of each human ‘book’, by asking questions and by listening to the answers.

Attendees very much enjoyed the experience saying they appreciated: 

• “The invitation & permission from both books to take elements of what they shared and apply it to my own life and situation”
• “The openness. Moving the stories of people who have made a choice in their life much challenged ‘norms’ and expectations”
• “Loads of insights to process!”
• “Warmth/personality of book!”
• “That we all share the same basic experience of grief”

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We are looking for three new people to join our Executive Committee. Could this be you – or someone in your congregation?

The Executive Committee of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches is seeking applications for three members to be co-opted to fill vacant positions arising following the recent election process. The co-opted members will serve from July 2023 until the end of the Annual Meetings in April 2025.

The role of the Executive Committee is to work with the Chief Officer and staff team to lead and serve the Unitarian and Free Christian movement.

As Liz Slade, Chief Officer, wrote in a recent issue of the Inquirer: “This is an exciting time to be part of this leadership group, because of the nature of the challenges we are facing. Covid brought closer to home the fragility of many of our congregations, but also displayed the creativity and care they hold. We know that ‘more of the same’ could lead to chapels closing in the not-too-distant future, and we know in a movement like ours, the path to the future must be found locally, not imposed from the top down. So the work of leadership from Essex Hall is akin to that of gardeners – tending the soil, nurturing the seedlings, supporting the mighty oaks, taking care of the compost, having an eye on the weather, and the keeping the whole ecosystem in view.”

Executive Committee members represent the movement and are democratically elected by members across the country. They bring experience from within our movement and from their professional and voluntary work elsewhere. This may be in management, finance, communications, change management, charity governance, or some other experience that you would like to use in service of our denomination.

They meet around six times a year, usually in person in London, with dinner together the evening before a 9am to 5pm meeting. They also try to get together for a longer two-day meeting, and at times will have video conferences or make decisions over email.  

Who can stand for election?
Candidates should have been part of the Unitarian community for at least three years and have experience as a member of either their congregation’s governing body or similar committee, or have been a trustee of another charity. They will also need to fulfil the Charity Commission’s legal requirements for trustees.

How do I apply?
Applications need to be received by 13 July 2023. By following these links you can find further information, the application form, and declaration.

Questions
If you would like to know more about the work of the Executive Committee, or whether you should consider putting yourself forward, please do get in touch with either Liz Slade (Chief Officer) or Rev. Jo James (Convenor).

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On Wednesday 21 June, Shrewsbury Unitarian Church hosted a sell out performance by Shabaka Hutchings – his pre-Glastonbury warm up!  Shabaka is a MOBO award winning  jazz musician, composer and bandleader. He leads the band Sons of Kemet. He played to a rapt audience and left to a standing ovation!

Unitarian churches, chapels and meeting houses right around the UK host a wide range of spiritual, cultural and community events. Find congregations and spaces near you here.

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Friday 14^th July saw the launch of the LGBT+ Unitarian Voices exhibition at the stunning and recently renovated Ipswich Unitarian Meeting House in Suffolk. The event included chalice lighting and a reflective introduction from Dr Lizzie Kingston Harrison, on of the exhibition’s creators, on the importance of lifting up the voices of marginalised groups within our movement, the moving ways in which storytelling can help us understand others and find acceptance ourselves, and an overview of the actions that prominent Unitarians have taken to change the cultural story around LGBT+ inclusion.

With plenty of time to explore the in-person and online elements of the exhibition and plenty lots of drinks and nibbles, the evening was a positive and exciting way to launch the touring exhibition banners and encourage people to share their own LGBT+ Unitarian stories.

The Mayor of Ipswich and local councillors were in attendance and left with a deeper understanding of our inclusive movement and the positive influence that Unitarians have had, especially during the campaign for same-sex marriage. 

Rev. Cliff Reed followed up the launch of the LGBT+ Voices exhibition with a Pride service the following Sunday. Ipswich Unitarians have a long history of standing up for LGBT+ rights, have attended local pride events for many years and are delighted to be licensed to carry out same-sex weddings.

View our online LGBT+ Unitarian Voices exhibition here.

Interested in hosting the LGBT+ Unitarian Voices pop-up exhibition in your venue, church or community space? Get in touch.

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Ministers are spiritual leaders, who provide care, guidance and inspiration to our communities – and to the world. We believe in the importance of visionary leadership for our communities and offer training for ministers at Unitarian College and Harris Manchester College, Oxford. 

Applications for ministry training beginning in 2024 are now open. Apply online here. Click here to download the application guidance and declaration.

To find out more contact Simon Bland, our Ministry & Congregational Support Officer.

Deadline for applications: 12 September 2023

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Our LGBT+ Unitarian Voices exhibition was in Brighton this month for the city’s famous Pride weekend. Beginning with a launch event on the evening of Thursday 3rd August, the exhibition at Brighton Unitarian Church was open to the public from Friday to Monday over Pride weekend, with a special event for sharing stories on Wednesday 9th. Brighton Unitarians had this message of inclusivity for their city: “We are proud to be hosting this exhibition as part of the Pride festivities in our city and look forward to seeing you!”

The LGBT+ Unitarian Voices exhibition is the outcome of an exciting project exploring the brave, inspiring, and sometimes challenging experiences of LGBT+ people in the Unitarian and Free Christian denomination. The project celebrates their stories by recording, archiving, and sharing them with the world. The exhibition was launched at the Unitarian Annual Meetings this Spring and then began a tour of the UK, starting at Ipswich and Norwich, before heading to Brighton. It will also be appearing in London, Manchester, Liverpool and many other places, so watch this space!

View our online LGBT+ Unitarian Voices exhibition here.

Interested in hosting the LGBT+ Unitarian Voices pop-up exhibition in your venue, church or community space? Get in touch.

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As part of the LGBT+ Unitarian Voices project, the veteran LGBT+ campaigner Peter Tatchell spoke at an event earlier this month welcoming the exhibition to Golders Green, north London. Peter spoke movingly about his personal experience of the Unitarians’ role in the struggle for LGBT+ equality since the 1970s, including early same-sex blessings in the 1970s, the campaign for same-sex marriage, Dudley Cave, Integroup, the Lesbian and Gay Bereavement Project, and more.

Peter began by saying: “I would love to express my most sincere appreciation to Unitarians for all the great work you’ve done over the decades, not just for LGBT+ rights, but for the rights of women and other people who’ve suffered victimisation and oppression. You have been standards bearers of progressive thought and actions. So my huge admiration and appreciation to Unitarians… from the bottom of my heart a huge, huge thank you.”

You can watch the video of Peter’s speech in full here.

The exhibition is the outcome of an exciting project exploring the brave, inspiring, and sometimes challenging experiences of LGBT+ people in the Unitarian and Free Christian denomination. The project celebrates their stories by recording, archiving, and sharing them. You can visit the LGBT+ Unitarian Voices online exhibition here.

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On Saturday 16 September, Unitarians across the UK joined in global demonstrations against the fossil fuel industry, calling for de-investment from further fossil fuel exploration, and a rapid phasing down of existing capacity. The pictures above show Unitarians supporting actions in London, York, Cardiff and Plymouth, including some from the new ‘U4CJ’ group – Unitarians for Climate Justice.

Dr Rob Oulton, member of Unitarians for Climate Justice said: “This sense of urgency arises from the growing conviction that nothing less than an urgent transition to renewable sources of energy can prevent catastrophic, climate breakdown, which will bring in its wake, huge social and economic distress, particularly for the poorest and most marginalised of the world’s people. This has to make it an issue of real concern to Unitarians, especially with our concern for social justice. There’s not too much time left to make a difference – the time to get involved was 20 years ago, but failing that, NOW.“

If you’re interested in getting involved with the work of ‘Unitarians for Climate Justice’ get in touch with Ann Howell, our Social Action Officer and she can put you in touch with them directly.

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We are pleased to announce the cooption of three new members to our Executive Committee: Sarah Benfield, Simon Hall, and Sue Morrison.

The Executive Committee act as trustees for the General Assembly (GA) and Nightingale Centre and work with the Chief Officer and other staff and volunteers to develop and oversee the strategic direction and smooth running of the GA.

Sarah Benfield lives in Berkshire and is a retired solicitor specialising in family law. She is a member of Reading Unitarian fellowship. The daughter of a Unitarian minister, Sarah has been involved in the denomination all of her life, including in Sheffield, Reading, and as Chair of the Send A Child To Hucklow charity which helps children from deprived areas experience the natural world. Sarah enjoys travelling with her family, volunteering in her local park and as a National Trust guide, singing in a choir and dance exercise classes.

Simon Hall has worked in IT for the public sector for many years and is now studying a BA in Theology. He is active in both Northampton and Leicester Unitarians.

Sue Morrison lives in London and is a former GP, medical educator and life coach. Her health education work has taken her around the world, including to Bangladesh and Kenya. Sue began her Unitarian journey at Monton Unitarians, Lancashire, attending as a child with her grandmother – memories which she cherishes. She is now a leader at New Unity in north London, but remains a proud Northerner. Sue loves being an active grandmother, making patchwork quilts and choral singing.

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York Unitarians have organised a series of events highlighting the problem of modern slavery, centred around Anti-Slavery Day on 18th October. The congregation held two special services and other events including an exhibition and concert to raise awareness of slavery as a contemporary issue, not just a relic of the past.

Rev. Stephanie Bisby, minister of York Unitarians, said: “We were more surprised than we perhaps should have been at how much of a problem modern slavery is. It goes into a number of different areas like human trafficking and child labour.”

Professor Craig, an expert on modern slavery, spoke at one the events at York Unitarian Chapel, warning “slavery is here, it’s now, it’s everywhere and you can’t get away from it.”

You can read more about the events in the local press here.

Find out more about anti-slavery day here.

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Several leaders from the UK gathered in Prague for the ‘Leading to the Future’ event, convened by Unitarian College, the Czech Unitarian Church and the Unitarian Universalist Association International Office.

Members of our global network from Brazil, the US, Canada, Bolivia, Kenya, South Africa, India, Transylvania, the Netherlands, Australia, and the Czech Republic gathered together building connection and exploring ideas about theological education.

The Prague gathering was also the first in-person meeting for the Leadership Design Team who have been meeting virtually since 2021 to develop a future vision for international collaboration.

You can learn about the ideas and share your feedback with the team at any of a series of online meetings on Monday 20th November, 3pm (UK) and Thursday 30th November, 7pm (UK).

Helen Mason, Director of Unitarian College said:

“What a joy it was to gather with Unitarians/Universalists and Free Christians from across the globe in Prague.  We engaged in deep worship, thoughtful discussion and plenty of networking and collegiality. Unitarian College is proud to have been part of the organising team for the event and we are grateful to the Hibbert Trust for a generous grant that contributed significantly to the success of the event. Focussing on how our faith will develop and grow in the next 20-50 years and what leadership we will need to thrive in our different global environments was challenging and inspiring. New working groups have been established to take the conversations forward.”

Alicia Forde, UUA International Director and one of the event’s organisers said:

“On the first morning of our Leading into the Future convening, we worshipped, our voices weaving together: “Where you go I will go, Beloved.” We were a joyful choir coming home with and to each other. Touching the past while reaching forward to shape, and be shaped by, the future.

I felt inspired and hopeful, witnessing the promise of our global faith and the sheer beauty of our voices meeting each other after such a long time. In our subsequent days together, I appreciated our dedication to a continuous discovery and weaving. Exploring new questions even as we rest on the foundation of the past.

I’m grateful for everyone’s investment. I’m grateful for the Leadership Design Team’s vision. I’m grateful for this gathering of global U/U & FCC siblings who want to press toward the future, exploring: Educational and leadership development; Funding and Sustainability; Young Adult connections; Theology & Thought and so much more.

Together we remembered that we are not alone and there is so much we have to offer to each other and the many worlds we inhabit. What a joy and inspiration this has been!”

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From the Executive Committee of the General Assembly of Unitarian & Free Christian Churches, following their meeting on Friday 10^th November 2023:

As Unitarians and Free Christians, we observe with horror the unfolding events in Israel and Gaza since the terrorist outrages of October 7th. 

We want to express our deepest sympathy and solidarity with the victims of these attacks, which no justification can ever excuse, including those still held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, and with the Israeli people. We pray for all victims, all bereaved families and all hostages still in captivity. We note with great alarm the rise of antisemitism in Britain and elsewhere and pray for peace in our communities and amongst peoples and nations, expressing our solidarity with Jews in the UK and around the world.

While we acknowledge the first responsibility of any nation to defend its citizens, we also deeply regret the huge loss of life amongst the innocent people of Gaza and urge the international community to support measures to protect civilians and to prevent the escalation of conflict in the region. We want to express too our deepest sympathy to these Palestinian victims of war. We also note with deep concern the rise of Islamophobia in our own society at this time and express our solidarity with the Muslim community here in the UK and elsewhere.

Our deepest hope and prayer is that the hostages will be released, all acts of terror will cease, and all military conflict and violence between Israelis and Palestinians will end. No conflict, however deeply entrenched and seemingly intractable, is inevitable or unstoppable. We continue to pray and work for a world of peace – and in the meantime to do all that we can to support the civilians, particularly children, the elderly and the vulnerable, who are the victims of terror, conflict and war.

At a local level in our congregations and communities, we have been offering and supporting events and projects which bring people together in dialogue, solidarity and peace-making, such as the ‘Peace of Cake’ initiative at Lewisham Unity in south London – started by a local Muslim mum in 2015 in the wake of the anti-Muslim attacks in Paris and attended by people from the Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Sikh communities.

Here is a prayer from Vince McCully, President of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, who will be representing our community at the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in Westminster:

We pray for the people of Gaza and Israel. The very thought that such atrocities can be justified and meted out to another person, let alone that the victims are innocent civilians, is beyond comprehension.  Thousands of people have already been killed, many more maimed and injured.

Dear God, in the name of all that is holy and good, please restore peace to all sides without delay. To kill is not even a last resort, it is simply a sign of humankind’s utter failure to understand anything about God’s will.

Amen

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On Remembrance Sunday we were represented by our President, Vince McCully, at the Cenotaph in London. Here, Vince reflects on the experience:

“Stuck for words to describe this occasion. Wish everyone could experience both the solemnity and the celebration, I admit to a little wobble in the third verse of t’hymn. All 22 faith representatives gathered in the same room before the ceremony. Still here at Horseguards soaking up the atmosphere. Certainly the biggest parade I’ve ever been on.”

The above, my post on Facebook, written standing in ‘Horseguards Parade’, amidst all the hubbub of the returning marchers, there are two bands playing in the background and Princess Anne salutes all as they pass her. These are the men and women of all the services, the Chelsea Pensioners, children of RAF personnel (in the black and yellow scarves), Police, Scouts and Guides amongst many others. All treated with due decorum.

It is a day of remembrance in a spirit of fellowship and community, a national and international coming together, in joint enterprise. Walking to the venue in the morning and catching the eye of police, stewards, officials and marchers I noticed that every face was open and ready to be engaged, the atmosphere buoyant and uplifting, testimony to an air of ‘team spirit’. I saw no frowns – maybe I did not notice them.

On arrival at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (no later than 10am mind) and having passed through all the security I could then put away my invitation card and passport. We, the faith leaders, were all diligently shown into a spacious room for light refreshment.  Some were regular attendees and some, like me, were there for just the one time. Everyone mingled freely and I was soon chatting away and shaking hands with Andrew Copson of the Humanists, also the Baptist, Ba’hai, Muslim, Church of Scotland, Jewish, Spiritualist and Zoroastrian church leaders. Everyone spoke freely and the atmosphere was convivial on all sides.

The service of remembrance was solemn alright, parading out in pairs (I was with the President of the Spiritualists’ National Union – Minister Jackie Wright) and standing by the Cenotaph you could hear a leaf fall. A stillness, a certain timelessness encompassed all present, at times it felt unreal. A fellow parish councillor, in Rivington, attended this service some years ago, as a by-stander, and recounted that this ‘stillness and quietness’ washed over him in like fashion.

I am privileged, as President, to visit many of our congregations and I always look out for the roll of honour proudly displayed by my hosts in their Chapels and churches. I wonder at the emotions of the folk that erected them; the loss, the grief and the regret for the fallen; the relief, the gratitude and the joy for those that returned. I used the word ’celebration’ in my post above, it is a celebration of lasting peace, peace for which we must all strive and never more-so than now. Years of studying the classics taught me that war is wasteful, wasteful in the extreme, wasteful of lives, of cultures, of property all are sacrificed on the altar of a doomed enterprise and that all wars end when dialogue begins. War is a hateful, wretched and de-humanising business and we as Unitarians and Free Christians always seek ways in which we can work and pray for peace and concord, may we always continue to do so.

I wrote a prayer and made a call for peace during services days after the Palestinian conflict broke out, I wish to share them with you now:

“We pray for the people of Gaza and Israel. The very thought that such atrocities can be justified and meted out to another person, let alone that the victims are innocent civilians, is beyond comprehension. Thousands of people have already been killed, many more maimed and injured.

Dear God, in the name of all that is holy and good, please restore peace to all sides without delay. To kill is not even a last resort, it is simply a sign of humankind’s utter failure to understand anything about God’s will.“

“Our world has become so interdependent that violent conflict between two countries inevitably impacts on the rest of the world. War is outdated, non-violence is the only way. We need to develop a sense of the oneness of humanity by considering other human beings as brothers and sisters. This is how we will build a more peaceful world.” – The Dalai Lama

A Prayer – Published when we were in the midst of the Second World War:

“Eternal God, in whose kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, and no strength known but the strength of love; guide and inspire, we pray Thee, the work of all who seek to make peace in the world, that all nations may find their security, not in the force of arms, but in that perfect love which casteth out fear. Amen“

from Orders of Worship (Lindsey Press, 1944), pg. 14. Slightly abridged by Vince McCully

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Leading figures in science, academia, culture and faith have signed a letter condemning the “collective act of madness” that is driving “the destruction of life on Earth”. Unitarian Chief Officer Liz Slade signed the letter, alongside former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, scientists Sir David King and Prof. James Hansen, and many others.

The letter (which you can read in full here) and signed by more than 100 actors, authors, scientists and academics says the UK government is ignoring the scientific reality of the climate and ecological crisis, pushing ahead with new fossil fuel developments and criminalising peaceful protesters who raise the alarm.

You can read more about the letter and the context in this piece in The Guardian.

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The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches is delighted to announce the following candidates have been offered Ministerial Training following their interviews last month: Peter Flower, Christina Smith and Lizzie Kingston Harrison.

Liz Slade, Chief Officer of the General Assembly says: “Each year I feel so grateful to the new cohort of people who step forward in response to their calling to become Unitarian ministers. The three new ministry students this year are people of such diverse talents and experiences, and are bringing real richness to our community’s leadership. I congratulate them on reaching this step in their ministry path. The work of ministry is more important than ever, as so many people in Britain are feeling the gap of inclusive and meaningful spiritually healthy communities, and I am so glad to welcome Peter, Christina and Lizzie into the next phase of their work.”

The candidates will begin their formal training at a Residential Orientation Week in February 2024. Helen Mason, Director of Unitarian College says: “We are delighted to welcome three new students to study for Unitarian Ministry. All three have the potential to become great leaders in our denomination. We are pleased to be collaborating closely with Harris Manchester College to ensure these students benefit from the best Unitarian educational offer available. We are very much looking forward to walking the path with Peter, Lizzie and Christina.”

Anyone interested in knowing more about training for Unitarian Ministry is encouraged to look at the designated page of the GA website where you will be able to contact Simon Bland, Congregational & Ministry Support Officer.

The General Assembly and Unitarian College wish to thank all the districts, congregations and individuals who support the Unitarian ministerial training process. Donations to The Ministerial Students Fund helps to cover students’ travel and living costs during their training and is a real investment in the future of the Unitarian movement. Please contact Simon Bland for further information on this vital work.

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As we approach Christmas, our President, Vince McCully, offers this message:

“Christmas is here, a time to worship God and to offer up our voices in carols and prayers in thankfulness for all our blessings, for they are many. We go to our chapels and churches, places of light and comfort, we come into the light gladly. It is dark so early these days, it doesn’t seem so long ago that you could go outside after tea and “Do Stuff”. Alas now the nights are surely drawing in and it is cold and often wet, sometimes snowy. It’s so good to be ‘in-doors’ isn’t it? … Luckier still to be greeted by family and friends and to share the warmth and light with others.

It is right that we count our blessings and give thanks for them. Two thousand years ago in Palestine a certain Joseph and Mary were literally out in the cold and worried too about the imminent birth of Mary’s baby. You could say there was “nowt down for them” but fortunately they found cover, albeit humble, and at least there was warmth from the animals they shared the stable with.

Happy days indeed, and with such uncertain beginnings too. But what came to us on that day was a key to our salvation, in the form of Jesus. Jesus who would go on to teach us His ways of living. His teachings which were… are… and always will be, about Love. About love for our neighbours, men, women and children, in fact for all creation. His greatest command, after love for God, is to love our neighbour. Christmastide is the perfect time to simply do this, to get into the habit of doing this, without fear of ridicule or sarcasm or suspicion, for such is the world become. No, the simple message is to love our fellow man with joy, with commitment and with happiness at doing what pleases God.

There is much conflict in the world today, harrowing events that are shameful to humankind, needless and heartless killings, the soul-rending separation of families and untold suffering of the poor, the sick, the young and the elderly. We have the homeless with us today; there are those, often through no fault of their own, who find themselves out on the streets. It seems it’s going to get worse, with one economic disaster after another. Each one of us here today can make a difference, no matter how small the act, we can help. The best things we do, are those things not seen by others, but those things that we can share quietly with our God. It has been said that an ant with love for God in its heart has greater wealth than the richest people on earth (Guru Nanak Hymn 23). I wish all at home and those who can’t be with us a Christmastide of peace, of light and of togetherness with your God.”

Vince McCully

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We are delighted to announce that Rev. Dr Rory Castle Jones will be taking up the new role of Ministry & Leadership Development Officer at the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches. Starting on 1^st January 2024, this new role will see Rory supporting ministry and leadership in the Unitarian movement – as we go through big changes in our congregations, movement and society.

This role will involve working closely with our fifty active Unitarian & Free Christian ministers, and the many more trustees and other leaders across our movement, as well as key stakeholders such as Unitarian College, Harris Manchester College Oxford, the Ministerial Fellowship, and others. We want to continue supporting our excellent ministers and leaders not merely to ‘survive’ in an environment of declining church attendance and dwindling full-time ministry positions, but to ‘thrive’ by meeting new social, cultural and spiritual realities well with the ethos of our Unitarian and Free Christian tradition.

Rev. Dr Rory Castle Jones was ordained in 2021 and is minister to Gellionnen Chapel in the Swansea Valley, south Wales, a congregation which has experienced revival and growth in the past decade. Rory has served as our part-time denominational Communications Officer since 2018, a time of big changes in how we work, connect and communicate internally and with the world. Prior to the ministry, Rory worked in Higher Education and has a PhD in History. Outside of work, he enjoys learning languages, long walks in the mountains with his husband and dogs, and travel. 

On his new role, Rory says: 

“In the past five years as I’ve progressed through ministry training and formation and spent two and a half years as a serving Unitarian minister, I’ve become a passionate advocate for the needs of our ministers and leaders. Ministry and church leadership is hard, challenging, rewarding and life-changing work. Our ministers and leaders need support and we, as a denomination, need to take a deep and serious look at our structures, networks, organisations and culture, to ensure that we are training, resourcing, developing and supporting our leaders properly for church and ministry in the twenty-first century. 

At the height of the pandemic, Rev. Andy Pakula and I led a Zoom course for Unitarian leaders called “Leading Change In The Congregation” based on the book of the same title by Gil Rendle. In my new role, I will do my best to be guided by Rendle’s advice: “We do wish for easy answers, for silver bullets, for proven programs, for implementable solutions. When paradigms shift, when deep change is needed, our very assumptions, values and behaviours are questioned. The real challenge is to re-invent the very world we live in.” 

I’m excited and delighted to be starting this new role, working with colleagues to strengthen existing support and develop new ways of nourishing, developing and supporting our leaders.” 

Chief Officer, Liz Slade says:

“Long before being in this role, I have been carrying questions around the types of leadership that we need for these times, and I often found myself looking to ministry as representing the qualities of leadership that work – being grounded in something beyond the day-to-day, valuing relationships, leaning in to uncertainty, listening carefully inside ourselves and to those around us, boldness in speaking truth, humility in recognising our own mistakes and limitations, and being oriented towards the creation of a loving world. These qualities exist in abundance in our ministers and leaders, but the toll of the challenges of covid, and of shrinking congregations means that now is a time that we must invest in strengthening our culture of healthy leadership, and supporting those who have taken responsibility for the flourishing of their community.

Rory’s position as a new minister, who has built connections and relationships with leaders across the country through his work as Communications Officer, means that he is attuned to the challenges that we are navigating together. He wouldn’t claim to have all the answers, but I know first hand that he is a brilliant person to explore the questions with. I’m excited about this new chapter.”

Rory begins his new role in the new year, and will be working as part of the central team supporting ministers and congregations with Simon Bland, our Ministry & Congregational Support Officer, and Lizzie Kingston-Harrison, our Congregational Connections Lead. 

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