In light of the recent vote to move forward with the Assisted Dying Bill in Parliament, Geoff Levermore, President of the Unitarians and Free Christians in the UK, reminds us that our denomination voted in favour of assisted dying in 2013, after a year’s examination of the issue within our congregations. Ultimately, it was our underlying values of love for our neighbour and compassion for all beings that swayed our stance. From our perspective, we respect our neighbour’s right to interpret or ignore religious texts as they see fit. Our faith tradition gives us the freedom to interpret religious texts and other sources, such as science, philosophy and poetry, and to use reason to shape a faith that fits our consciences. We put loving thy neighbour into action; deeds not creeds. As the Bible says, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” 

From Ann Howell, our Social Action Officer: It is important to mention that our vote in 2013 was far from unanimous and that while the motion we agreed on was in favour of giving terminally ill people the right to end their life in a “painless and dignified manner”, this new bill brings up some potential nuances that should be considered. Our vote was erring on the side of compassion and the relief of intolerable suffering and not meant to undermine the sacredness of human life and each individual’s agency over their own existence. 

The exact wording of the 2013 motions is: 

That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, recognising the worth and dignity of all people and their freedom to believe as their consciences dictate, believes that: 

1) Any individual who faces an intolerable existence because of a debilitating and/or incurable physical condition should have the right to seek support for the termination of their life in a painless and dignified manner; and  

2) legislation should respect their choice and allow them compassionate assistance in achieving such a death without fear of the prosecution of anyone involved. 

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The Executive Committee of the General Assembly held a hybrid meeting on the 23rd and 24^th November, in Birmingham and on Zoom. It was the first meeting with our recently co-opted EC member, Zac Baker (South East Wales), and we were grateful to have his thoughtful input.

We are grateful for the warm welcome from Birmingham Unitarians at their Sunday service (led by Mark Hutchinson), and the chance to be in conversation with Unitarians from across the Midlands over a delicious lunch! 

We were glad to hear a report on the work of Unitarian Transformers from Mark Hutchinson and Laura Dobson. Unitarian Transformers were launched three years ago with funding from the Wood Green Trust, to This includes collaborations with congregations (recently Doncaster, Norcliffe, and Macclesfield), as well as working with the Midlands Unitarian Association to conduct a ‘sustainability audit’ of congregations. The project has also supported the Malvern Transformers youth group connected with Evesham Unitarians, in creating resources that can be used by other congregations for their youth and family ministry. We heard Unitarian Transformers’ plans to continue development of their ‘Connections’ series of online gatherings, as spaces for Unitarians and others to find inspiration and connection. 

Our context

The first part of our meeting was spent sharing our perspectives on the context we are working in, through the questions that Convenor, Jo James asked “What are the virtues that are regularly and intentionally happening in our movement?” We then moved on to explore the opposite qualities of that list of virtues, and identifying where those negative qualities are at play. We found the exercise of sharing these virtuous and challenging qualities very helpful in grounding ourselves in a shared understanding of our context, and found it helped guide our decision-making through the meeting. 

The EC heard reports from the GA staff, including a report on a gathering that Chief Officer, Liz Slade recently convened bringing together Unitarians, other liberal faith leaders, theologians, artists, and community-builders to explore the questions of how we work in a time of transition – what we hold on to, what we mourn, what we let go of as not useful, and what ‘dropped threads’ of past practices we pick up. The gathering was framed by Dougald Hine, author of At Work in the Ruins, and Iona Lawrence, Director of the Decelerator. 

Governance

• We heard an update on progress of the EC elections process, and that our election partner, Popularis, has sent out information to the membership to welcome nominations. You can find out more about the elections here, if you or someone you know may be suited to act as one of our national trustees for the movement. 
• The EC reviewed the proposed constitution for the GA’s move to CIO status, following its update after feedback from the movement earlier this autumn. A motion proposing that this moves ahead will be put to the membership at April’s annual meetings, and we will share further information on this shortly.
• The EC continued the exploration from the previous meeting of reviewing our quota payment system. We agreed that quota payments should be revised, recognising that the current figure of £35/head has not changed for over a decade, and would be much higher if it had kept pace with inflation. There will be a likely increase to £40/head from next year and we will share further information with congregations on this change shortly. 
  

Ministry and ministry support

• The EC approved the Interview Panel’s recommendation that Melda Grantham receives Full Member status, after successfully completing her Newly Qualified Minister status.
• The Ministry Students’ Fund, which provides grants to support students’ living expenses while they are in ministry training, needs additional funds in order to support future students, and the EC committed to putting £200,000 in to the fund. Investing in the ministers of the future is essential to the health of our movement, and we will be inviting other Unitarian bodies to support this fund. 
• The EC agreed a recommendation to revise the way in which ministers’ housing is supported, in recognition that housing costs have increased significantly in recent years, resulting in some of our ministers living in housing poverty. This paper will be shared with the membership shortly.

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Nominations for the General Assembly Executive Committee (GA EC) are open – the Election Panel tells us more. 

The General Assembly is seeking new candidates to stand for election to join the Executive Committee. Who do you know who might be an asset to our movement in this role? Candidate applications close on 31 January 2025, so now is a great time to share a quiet word of encouragement with potential candidates.  

The role of the Executive Committee (EC) is to work with the Chief Officer and staff team to lead and serve the Unitarian and Free Christian movement. The words that Liz Slade, Chief Officer, wrote in The Inquirer at the time of the last EC election are still relevant now:  

“This is an exciting time to be part of this leadership group, because of the nature of the challenges we are facing. COVID-19 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.” 

What does the EC do? 
EC members represent the movement and are democratically elected by members across the country to be the trustees of the GA charity. Their work is to enable the smooth running of the charity according to the GA’s charitable object. 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. 

The EC meets around six times a year, either in person with an overnight stay (with one longer two-night meeting per year), or by video conference. We have recently moved to holding meetings at weekends to make EC membership more accessible to those in work. This arrangement could be altered further for the new configuration of members.  

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 31 January 2025, with support from the candidate’s congregation or other Unitarian member organisation. You can find all the information you need, including nomination forms, here: https://www.unitarian.org.uk/how-we-work/ec-elections/.  

When is the election? 

Biographical information on the candidates will be sent, and the election will open, in February 2025. There will be a five-week period for voting and the election will close on 28 March 2025. The results will be announced shortly afterwards. Successful candidates will take up office at the end of the Annual Meetings in April 2025.  

Questions 
If you would like to know more about the work of the EC, or whether you should consider applying, please do get in touch with Liz Slade, Chief Officer.  

This article was written by the Executive Committee Electoral Panel.  

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After the sale of their building, Newcastle Unitarians decided to donate their silver collection to Newcastle City Council. Read all about this generous gift here:

Handing Over the Silverware

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There is promising news from the Leadership and Design team in the appointment of its new Network Facilitator, Esther Wanjiru Mukera. The Leadership and Design team is an international body working to reimagine a global framework framework for Unitarian, Unitarian Universalist, and Free Churches.

“After a careful selection process we offered the position of U/U Global Network Facilitator to Esther Wanjiru Mukera.  Esther is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kenya and in her professional career she served in high level management roles. She also has a deep awareness of the diversity in resources, context and culture  among Unitarian-Universalists globally. We look forward to welcoming Esther and we will be supporting her as she puts her energy and faith into action!”

From the UK General Assembly Chief Officer Liz Slade, “It’s been an honour to be part of the LDT’s discernment process over the last couple of years, to envision a new way of collaborating between U/U communities and leaders that’s right for our times. The appointment of Esther as the first staff member is an important milestone – she will begin the work to bring this new vision into reality. The many candidates who applied for this role were exceptionally strong, and it’s exciting to feel the enthusiasm for real relationship-building between the very different expressions of our faith around the world.”

Learn more about Esther here.

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Photo: ‘Ministry In The Making’ at The Nightingale Centre, 2022

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: 16 September 2024.

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The signed accounts for the financial year ending September 2023 of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches are now available to download.

For more information about these accounts, we invite you to a Zoom call with our Honorary Treasurer, John Bates (see below).

Talk to the Treasurer: Wednesday, 4th September at 6:00 pm 

We invite you to join an open Zoom call with John Bates, the GA’s Honorary Treasurer on Wednesday 4th September at 6:00 pm, if you would like to learn more about the GA’s accounts or ask any questions. We welcome questions by email in advance.

Join the Zoom call here.

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A funding scheme to encourage growth and new ways of working.

Congregations will be able to apply to the fund for grants to invest in people – that is, to employ or contract with people who can help them innovate in the way they develop, communicate and deliver an engaging and rewarding spiritual and social experience for current and new members. ​

Ideally, two or more congregations will collaborate in a joint project, maybe with robust and thriving congregations supporting and encouraging emerging congregations. ​

District support will be critical to success and a condition to attract the match funding from the scheme.​

For more detailed information, you can download this document that answers some of the Frequently Asked Questions about this new fund.

Some examples of possible projects:

• A group of Congregations could apply for funds to recruit a new full time Minister who has innovative plans for developing local Ministry to reach beyond the current membership.​
• The scheme could pay for a full-time administrator for several Congregations, with the aim of improving revenue by innovative use of buildings, assisting the Trustees with accounting and day to day financial management, and freeing up time for Ministers or other leaders to increase community engagement. ​
• Or maybe a group of Congregations wants to commission advice on developing a clear and innovative “Welcome” message, provide training for volunteers and enhance communication with the broader community, including paying for various events to focus engagement with existing and potential new members. ​
• These are just suggestions, not prescriptions. The scheme would be open to all innovative ideas for building capabilities for rejuvenating and growing our movement​.

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Rev Derek Mc Auley, Chair of the Hibbert Trust talked to The Gleaner, Jamaica’s leading newspaper, about the debt the organisation owes to the island nation and the fund it has developed to take responsibility and start to make amends. Read the full article here.

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Monday, 8^th April 2024 

The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches are proud to announce the appointment of Prof Geoff Levermore as GA President 2024-25. Prof Levermore is a dedicated and prolific climate scientist, and notably one of the Lead Authors of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) contributing to the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to the IPCC with Al Gore in 2007. (https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/a-nobel-contribution-to-peace-prize/) 

He attends services at both Dean Row and Norcliffe chapels in Cheshire Greater Manchester and gives services at nearby chapels in the North West and Shrewsbury. His own spiritual perspective is influenced by the theologian Gordon Kaufman’s ideas about the Mystery of Creation, and philosopher Karl Popper’s views on the Open Society. “I commit the social sin of discussing politics and religion with people. I believe in open religion, open societies, open to doubt… I’m not so spiritual, although I believe in the transcendency of things. An idea can be so wonderful – a lightbulb moment. This happens with my theology.” His personal theology drives him to make the world a better place and he is confident that technology will play a significant role in combatting global warming. 

This faith in technology comes from a career in climate science that has lasted more than 50 years, beginning when Professor Levermore earned a PhD from Imperial College in 1975. In 1979, he formed the Energy Management Team at Wandsworth Council, London and inaugurated the London Boroughs’ Energy Management Group (still running), which hosted several Government Ministerial visits. In 1983, he started lecturing at South Bank Polytechnic on building services and energy use in buildings. He moved to UMIST, later Manchester University, in 1992. From 1995 to 2009 he chaired a professional committee on current and climate change weather data for building design in the UK and is still on a similar US Weather Data Committee. 

He has authored over 150 journal papers, lectures, and books and his work has earned him numerous awards and grants, including a CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) Silver Medal in 2010. Professor Levermore is currently Emeritus Professor at The University of Manchester and an Adjunct Professor at the China Agricultural University, Beijing. He continues to publish and speak at events on climate change and the potential for good building design to mitigate global temperature rises. 

The Unitarians are a progressive faith group with a long tradition of combining liberal religion with rational inquiry and respect for honest scientific endeavour. Professor Levermore continues this tradition of scientific exploration in the Unitarian community, which has included such icons as Joseph Priestly and Charles Darwin.  His role as President of the Unitarian GA will bring him around the country, speaking to congregations about his views on mitigating the climate crisis and about our moral imperative to act, as well as promoting the work of the GA. 

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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The Unitarians have joined others from across the faith and belief spectrum in urging Lloyds of London to do more to tackle climate change.

Writing in the Times on 24 April, 23 faith leaders called on the world’s largest insurance market to “show leadership” by ending insurance for all new fossil fuel projects.

“Those who back new fossil fuel projects have a moral responsibility to change course,” they wrote.

Signatories including Nicola Brady, general secretary of Churches Together in England and Ireland, and Kamran Shezad, director of the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences, urged Lloyd’s to commit to not providing (re)insurance for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.

They should also phase out existing fossil fuel insurance, signatories including the Bishops of Reading and Selby, Hindu Climate Action, Eco Judaism and Quakers in Britain said.

Lloyd’s members, who insure around 40 per cent of the global energy market, have a decisive role to play in preventing climate damage but lag behind other insurance companies.

Since March last year, Swiss Re, Munich Re and Allianz have all announced new policies moving away from oil and gas. The signatories urged Lloyd’s to follow their example at its impending AGM.

The ten most expensive climate disasters in 2022 cost a combined $168 billion, mostly in insured losses, with the true cost being much higher.

And in the first few months of 2023 there has been flooding and landslides in Brazil, Mozambique and California, cyclones in Vanuatu and Madagascar, and an unprecedented winter heat wave in Europe.

The letter welcomed Lloyd’s introduction of phasing out insurance for coal and tar sands, but noted that these guidelines remain voluntary, and that the market has no policy on conventional oil and gas.

The full letter has been sent to Lloyd’s of London Chairman Bruce Carnegie-Brown and Chief Executive John Neal, asking for a meeting to discuss the issues raised.

This letter and list of signatories can be found here.

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Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel in Hampstead is holding a Coronation Coffee morning and food bank drive on 8 May, in partnership with Mitzvah Day, the UK’s largest faith-led day of social action, organised by the Jewish community. Rosslyn Hill’s minister, Rev. Kate Dean, writes in The Jewish Chronicle, that the event will be “a chance for everyone to learn about volunteering opportunities in the area and to make a pledge to give their time in the future”. Click here to find out more.

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On Saturday 22 April 2023, ‘Unitarians for Climate Justice’ took part in Extinction Rebellion’s ‘The Big One’ peaceful protests in central London.

‘Unitarians for Climate Justice’ is a newly formed group for Unitarians concerned about climate change. Around 25 of them travelled to London to take part in today’s protests alongside other faith groups, from Unitarian congregations across the UK including London, Brighton, Cardiff, Bristol, Hinckley, Horsham, Godalming & Framlingham.

The March included singing and chanting and culminated in a “Die In” outside the Houses of Parliament. You can view more photos on Facebook here.

To find out more about the group, please contact Lizzie Kingston-Harrison, our Congregational Connections Lead.

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At our Annual Meetings this month we were delighted to welcome Vince McCully as this year’s President of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches.

The Presidential team travel the length and breadth of the UK (in person and via Zoom!), connecting with our congregations and sharing their vision for the future. They also represents us at official events like Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph and on official bodies. The President and Vice President are elected annually, serving a 12 month term.

Vince has been a Unitarian since attending a service in 1996, at Rivington Chapel in Lancashire, and instantly finding a strong spiritual bond with the faith. Vince, brought up as Roman Catholic, spent six years as a seminarian, however, in search of answers he left there to study comparative religion and politics at Manchester University.

These days Vince divides his time between being the Lay Person in Charge at Rivington chapel, treasurer of the Manchester District Association, taking services around the north-west of England, being a parish councillor, and running an electronics company he formed in 1989.

There’s not much time for his hobbies, what with organizing the annual village festival and helping with the triennial Rivington Pilgrimage to Civil and Religious Liberties, but when he does it’s over to repairing tools and furniture.

Vince says: “I am deeply honoured by being appointed as GA President for 2023-2024 and hope to fulfil this role in a way that fully reflects the freedoms tolerance and inclusivity I find to be the back-bone of our faith. I earnestly want Unitarianism to be fully accessible to all on their faith journey. As it says on the President’s jewel: “Freedom, Tolerance, Reason”.

You can find out more about our Presidential Team, Executive Committee, Chief Officer and how we work as an organisation here.

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A much-loved Yorkshire chapel is to share in a £351,500 heritage funding boost from the National Churches Trust. 

A £25,000 National Churches Trust Grant will help to pay for urgent repairs to the Grade II* Listed Wakefield Chapel, replacing failing mortar and  rebuilding a wall, ensuring the church building can thrive today and tomorrow. 

The church also receives a £10,000 Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant from the Wolfson Foundation on the recommendation of the National Churches Trust. 

Broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, Vice President of the National Churches Trust, said: “I’m delighted that Westgate Chapel is receiving funding for urgent repairs. This will safeguard the unique local heritage of this fascinating place of worship, and keep the building open and in use for the benefit of local people in Wakefield.” 

“Whether seeking quiet reflection, access to community services or as a place to worship, the National Churches Trust helps hundreds of churches each year and with the support of local people, keeps them thriving today, and tomorrow.” 

Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation said: “As well as being places of worship and buildings of beauty, churches sit at the heart of the community. In many ways they stand between the past and present. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the National Churches Trust to support the preservation of these significant, much-loved historic buildings across the UK.” 

Help for churches

Twenty-one churches across the UK will stay open and in good repair thanks to £351,500 of funding awarded and recommended  by the National Churches Trust in this latest round of grants.  In 2022, the National Churches Trust made over 255 grant awards to churches throughout the United Kingdom, with funding totalling more than £1.95m.

In 2023, grants continue to be available churches of any Christian denomination that are open for regular worship to fund urgent repairs, maintenance, installing loos or kitchens and feasibility studies to develop projects. Full details are available here.

The chapel

Westgate Chapel is a fine red brick Georgian building, Listed Grade II*. The architect is likely to be John Carr of Horbury and York. It is the oldest nonconformist chapel still used for worship in the local region. 

It possesses many fine features including its pulpit, first erected in an earlier chapel, an interesting Booths organ manufactured in 1847, and a bell tower with a bell is said to date from 1799. Under the chapel are the first set of catacombs for public burial in the north of England, completed before the chapel. Amongst those interred in its catacombs are industrialists, innovators, merchant princes, members of Parliament and political radicals.

Memorial windows by Heald & Co of Wakefield commemorate Mary Gaskell, wife of Daniel Gaskell MP; Mary Ann Milnes of Flockton who ran a colliery and iron works; Rawdon Briggs of Halifax, banker and merchant and James Milnes, MP for Bletchingley. A pre-Raphaelite window in the style of Morris & Co was erected in 1881 to the memory of Thomas Wood, a wealthy draper.

The project

The grant from the National Churches Trust will facilitate replacing failing mortar and rebuilding wall where it is destabilised.

Spokespeople for the Chapel said: “We, at The Board of Trustees at Westgate Unitarian Chapel are absolutely delighted about the success of the funding application to National Churches Trust.  This money will ensure that not only will the building be made good but that the different communities we serve, the historical and heritage stories we tell and the vibrant cultural offering we have, will continue to benefit everyone for years to come.“

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On 11 April 2023, Rev. Phil Waldron and the congregation at Ullet Road Unitarian Church, Liverpool, welcomed the family of Sir John Brunner (1842-1919) to unveil a memorial to the late Liverpudlian industrialist, political reformer and philanthropist. Sir John was a leading figure in his day, a lifelong Unitarian, and a liberal politician, in favour of trade-unions, welfare, and other reforms. Read the full story on Ullet Road Church’s website here.

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Catrina Knox and Charlotte Harris tied the knot at New Unity Unitarian church in Newington Green, London, last year. In an interview with East London Lines, they reflect on their special day, same-sex marriage, and more:

“Queer Love is Magic”, reads the banner draped across Charlotte Harris and Catriona Knox’s living room in Stratford. This sums up how Harris and Knox feel about their own marriage. “It’s about radical love,” Harris says. “Even though great strides have been taken, marriage still feels like a radical thing to do. It is something that has been denied to us, we have to make it our own.” The couple felt the Unitarian church perfectly matched their vision for their wedding. Harris says, “I really like what New Unity stands for and its values. I think that queer marriage is political, so it felt important to be in a political space.”  Read the full piece here.

Find out more about getting married in a Unitarian church here.

Find out more about LGBT+ Unitarian history here.

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Unitarians have voted at their recent Annual Meetings to oppose the UK government’s Illegal Migration Bill and called on the government instead to establish safe and accessible routes for all those seeking asylum, urging Unitarian and Free Christian congregations across the country to write to their MPs before the third reading of the bill on 25 April 2023.

The emergency resolution passed by the Annual Meetings states that “the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches is concerned that the provisions of the Illegal Immigration Bill will remove rights to protection in the UK for vulnerable adults and children seeking safe haven”. Our Chief Officer will join with other Church leaders in publicly opposing the Bill as it stands and our General Assembly “calls on Unitarian congregations and individuals to raise these concerns with their MPs before the 3rd Reading of the Bill on 25 April 2023”. The resolution also “calls on the British Government to establish safe and accessible routes for all those seeking asylum.”

Our Social Action Officer Ann Howell is coordinating our campaign. Please email her for more info.

Background information provided by the proposers of the emergency resolution can be found below:

On April 4th 2023, representatives from the United Reformed Church, Baptist Union and Methodist Church, as well as from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and Churches Together in England handed in a joint signed statement to 10 Downing Street. Over 1,500 church leaders signed this statement calling on the government to withdraw the legislation, ‘appalled’ by the proposals of this Bill.

Revd David Hardman, Methodist Public Issues Team leader, said: “If ever there was a contemporary example of ignoring our neighbour and walking by on the other side, this is it. On a moral level, these proposals lack compassion and respect for people’s dignity. On a practical level, they fail to see that punishing people who cross the channel in small boats without offering alternative safe routes will only cause pain and increase the backlog of people who are stuck in unfit accommodation here in the UK.”

The United Nations Human Right Council has called this bill ‘an effective asylum ban’ in breach of the Refugee Convention. It breaches the European Convention on Human Rights.

On this the Holy Week for Christians, it feels like a betrayal of our British values that we as a country would allow a Bill that betrays our Christian Values of love and support of our neighbour. This bill proposes to detain and remove those who arrive in the UK in breach of immigration control (irregular routes) without consideration for human rights claims and wish for protection claims to mitigate their case. This Bill proposes to ‘forcibly’ remove children under the age of 18 years in detention with and without family members, and without recourse to protection of the law nor appeal, and return them to the country they are escaping.

The Bill fails to recognise the limited availability of legal routes open to those leaving their country seeking safe haven. Entitlement of protection under the law of those who have been victims of modern slavery or human trafficking would also be denied, possibly mitigating sections of the Human Rights Act 1998.  Those who make the dangerous journey to our shores have had a campaign of vilification against them, often lead by uncared words by our leaders. They are refugees, asylum seekers, migrants but most importantly, they are human beings.

Our Unitarians principles calls us to account and to act with responsibility in upholding our values and the inherent worth and dignity of all people. This motion recognises our stance of standing in solidarity with other faith traditions to call our government to account and require of them to act with responsibility and compassion to those in need of our care and consideration, especially when they have risk their lives escaping conflict, oppression, climate disaster, torture, poverty and exploitation.

This motion calls on our EC and Chief Officer to stand in solidarity with the other faith leaders and sign petitions against this Bill on the behalf of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches.

The motion calls on all Unitarian congregations, and congregants, to contact their representatives to put pressure on their MPs to call for this Bill to be withdrawn.

In addition, the motion adds to the voices of other faith leaders calling on the UK government to ‘establish safe and accessible routes’ for those seeking asylum, and for the UK to ‘honour our moral and international obligations… in welcoming people in need of safety.’

We also request that if this motion pass, that the Chief Officer writes to all congregations immediately with the details of the Resolution and Background Note, in order to ensure MPs can be contacted in a timely manner. 

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Over £7,000 has been raised in memory of Welsh Unitarian minister and veteran campaigner, Rev. Cen Llwyd, who died aged 70,  having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and Motor Neurone Disease. The money raised will be donated to Parkinson’s UK Cymru, the My Name’s Doddie foundation and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Cen’s widow, Enfys, said: “We are very grateful to everybody that contributed money in his memory. We wanted to donate the money in his memory to Parkinson’s UK, My Name’5 Doddie foundation and MND Association as these charities do amazing work in funding research to find new treatments, medication and perhaps one day, a cure for these diseases.”

Read more about Rev. Cen Llwyd here.

Read more in The Cambrian News here.

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Back in January Framlingham Unitarians helped to launch an Ecological Information Board in a much-loved local park. Sponsored by Framlingham Unitarian Trust and the town council; the board is made from recycled materials and was put up by a local Residents’ Group to encourage everyone to celebrate and protect the rich and biodiverse local habitat.

Rev. Matthew Smith pictured here with Lizzie Kingston Harrison, members of the Oak Tree Corner Residents’ Group, and representatives from Framlingham Town Council. 

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We are very excited to announce the publication on 4 April 2023 of ‘Cherishing The Earth – Nourishing The Spirit’, edited by Maria Curtis and published by the Lindsey Press. Buy the book here.

This new book presents a range of Unitarian responses to the global environmental crisis. Contributors include ministers, lay people, and children, writing from diverse theological and ethical perspectives, exploring what it might mean to live in right relationship with the Earth. Their insights range from the prophetic and political to the practical and intensely personal, but all share a sense of gratitude for the sacred gift of life.

As the Quaker writer and activist Alastair McIntosh says in the foreword he has contributed to this book “Some will ask: “What use is spirituality now? What is the practical use of a book like this?” My short answer is: because we need to reconsider how to live.”

Maria Curtis asks what changes we need to make in ourselves and in our society if we are to work towards healing the Earth and restoring balance to the global ecosystem: “We need to re-imagine what a healthy relationship between humanity and the natural world might look like, one conducive to the flourishing of all beings on Earth.”

The chapters are interspersed with poems, prayers, and short rituals. Each chapter ends with questions for reflection and discussion, providing a resource for study by individuals or small groups.

Rev. Dr Maria Curtis is a Unitarian minister with a background in education and psychology. On retiring from congregational work, she joined the team at Unitarian College, training students for ministry. Maria believes that the ecological crisis presents us with the major spiritual challenge of our time.

264 pages. £12.00. ISBN: 978-0-85319-098-1.

Published on 4 April 2023 by The Lindsey Press, London for the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches.

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Cavendish Primary School in Didsbury marked International Women’s Day on 8 March with a mural of Margaret Ashton (1856-1937), a celebrated Unitarian women’s rights campaigner.

Read the full story in the Manchester Evening News here.

You can find out more about Margaret Ashton in the book ‘Unitarian Women: A Legacy of Dissent’ by Rev. Dr. Ann Peart, available in our online bookshop.

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Huw Edwards has unveiled a blue plaque to mathematical genius, political writer and minister, Rev. Dr. Richard Price, at his former home in Newington Green, north London. Price was the minister of Newington Green Meeting House, today part of New Unity, and New Unity’s current minister Rev. CJ McGregor was also in attendance, as well as Unitarian Chief Officer Liz Slade.

The English Heritage blue plaque is a tribute to Price’s hugely influential life and work and is part of celebrations to mark his 300th birthday in London, in his native Wales, in the USA, and elsewhere.

You can read more about this story in the Evening Standard, Hackney Gazette, and BBC Cymru (Welsh language).

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Yesterday morning severe winds brought down a tree onto the roof of the Nightingale Centre in Great Hucklow, Derbyshire, and caused a lot of external damage to the centre. They have had to close the centre to guests, and at present have no internet or phone connection.

The Nightingale Centre is a much-loved venue in the Peak District for retreats, and for groups like the long-standing Unitarian charity ‘Send a Child to Hucklow’, offering stays to disadvantaged children who would otherwise not have a holiday.

While the Nightingale Centre team await a visit from their insurers and in the meantime ask for forbearance if they are slow to respond to enquiries. For those who have booked a stay with the Nightingale Centre, we ask for patience while the team assess the situation.

We are grateful to the deep commitment and care of the Nightingale Centre management committee and staff, and keep them in our thoughts as they deal with this situation.

For more information about the Nightingale Centre and how to support them, please visit their website.

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Pictured: Rev. Kate Dean and Rev. Sue Woolley at Buckingham Palace

Unitarians were among faith and civic leaders who visited Buckingham Palace last week to offer a “‘loyal address” to the new monarch, King Charles, in a tradition filled with pageantry, symbolism and history. The Unitarian delegation was made up of Rev. Sue Woolley (President of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches), Rev. Kate Dean (Rosslyn Hill Chapel, Hampstead), and Rev. Dr. Rob Whiteman (Dundee Unitarians).

They presented a “loyal address” to King Charles, as a historic ‘privileged body’. The address congratulates the new monarch and speaks of social needs at “this time of complex change and crises” when “the need for spiritual support and loving communities has not been greater”. You can read the address in full here.

Rev. Dr. Rob Whiteman has written a personal reflection about the experience, which you can read below:

“I was immensely honoured to represent Unitarians as part of the Free Churches delegation at the Presentation of Loyal Addresses to His Majesty King Charles on 9^th March at Buckingham Palace. It was a remarkable occasion for a number of reasons. We were among the 27 Privileged Bodies who presented their Loyal Addresses to The King, serving to emphasise and reaffirm their loyalty to the Monarch to mark His Majesty’s Accession. Obviously an occasion that happens rarely and has happened since the 17^th century. The bodies cover various Churches, Universities and civil authorities in London, Edinburgh and Windsor.

The pageantry of the event was a wonderful spectacle – slick, seamless and impressive. The event was in the Palace Ballroom with a following reception in the Picture Gallery – recognisable spaces from the TV but more impressive in reality. However there was a subtle understatement despite the surroundings, presence of a Beefeater guard and many uniformed staff. Around 400 people attended, many of them wearing formal robes befitting their offices; many of them well known faces.

All the bodies presented their addresses with a wide variety of speakers before His Majesty replied. In those addresses many marked and reflected on the great service of Queen Elizabeth II, paid tribute to His Majesty’s work in many fields and wished him a long and gracious reign. Only a couple jarred with overt attempts to push their own agendas. The place of faith in the tributes was noticeable. In his reply the King noted: “Whether in the fields of education, science, or the arts, or whether as representatives of the faith communities or of civic organisations, you advance our knowledge and our understanding of how we relate to each other and the world about us. You underpin the very foundations upon which our country is built and help to construct a framework of excellence and achievement within which our civil society functions and our national narrative can be formed.

In doing so, you are admired around the world for your contributions to public life.  You remind us of an essential truth – that a nation’s wealth and strength can be found, beyond the size of its economy or its place in the geopolitical landscape, in the values that it embodies – mutual respect, diversity, tolerance, fairness and friendship. These are values that have been at the core of British life throughout our history, and which, with your dedicated support, I trust will remain so for centuries to come.”

Those words echoed in my reflection on the day. We may live in a world of twitter spats, 24 hours and whipped up outrage but what lies beneath that is far more important, enduring than permanent. Those gathered represented some core of the civil society at the heart of our country: a warm, generous, hard working and inclusive people. Let me illustrate with a couple of examples of the first and last people that I spoke to. There were no set seats and I found myself sitting next to the Succentor of St George’s Chapel at Windsor, a man charged with part of the musical life at that chapel. I said where I was from and he said that he had recently been in St Andrews so that his son could look at the University and meet up with his godfather. His godfather turned out to be a good friend of mine and we talked of his former work in housing.

The last people that I spoke to at the reception were the Lord Provost of Edinburgh and his partner. He and I looked at each other and recognised each other. The task was then to work out where we knew each other from. He had been Chief Executive of a Housing charity while I had been working for a Refugee charity that rented a desk in their offices. In between I had made many other such connections with people in the room, the degrees of separation were astonishingly small, perhaps aided by their being a large number of people from Scotland in attendance, at least a fifth and perhaps more.
Meeting the only full time clerical member of the Royal Household was another fascinating encounter. When I said that I was a Unitarian he showed great interest and said that he often visited Unitarian chapels. He grew up in the northwest and said that Unitarians had a fascinating history of which we should be rightly proud. I suspect that some Unitarians will have mixed feelings about our participation in this event. I do not share them. It was a great privilege on a number of levels. Some may wonder about the Unitarian values of inclusion. It may have been the metropolitan constituency from which the attenders were drawn and the care with which the various Privileged bodies had chosen their delegations but the gathering was far more diverse than any Unitarian gathering that I have attended. I am not going to elaborate on that but most people were simple, ordinary people getting on with their jobs, representing their Body and embodying the values of  “mutual respect, diversity, tolerance, fairness and friendship” of which His Majesty spoke. I was honoured to be there and we are fortunate that those “values… have been at the core of British life throughout our history.” That remains true whatever the political froth may suggest.” – Rev. Dr. Rob Whiteman

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Image (Left to right ): Members of the festival organising team Siân Evans and Laura Davies (Gellionnen Unitarian Chapel), poet Benjamin Zephaniah, festival founder Andrew Webb (Evesham Unitarians), Miriam, and Gavin Howell (Unitarian Youth Officer).

Unitarians have once again taken the lead in the organisation of renowned Malvern Festival of Ideas, a multidisciplinary festival of ideas that takes place in Malvern, Worcestershire. It is a themed weekend of talks, discussion and activities. The founder and organiser of the festival is Andrew Webb of Evesham Unitarians and Unitarian youth group Malvern Transformers and both Siân Evans and Laura Davies on the festival organising team are members of Gellionnen Chapel and #Blessed young adult group.

This year’s festival welcomed poet Benjamin Zephaniah, author Michael Rosen, former First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones, Professor Alice Roberts, and many more. Many Unitarians from around the UK also took part, including Danielle Wilson with a session on “White Privilege & Me”, Rev. Mark Hutchinson (Evesham Unitarians) and Josh Johnston (Dublin Unitarians), the Gamechangers youth group, and #Blessed young adult group.

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A message from the Executive Committee:

We are writing to update you on the outcome of the recent consultation on the flaming chalice logo.

We want to reassure those concerned that there is no intention to abandon the use of the flaming chalice as the symbol of British Unitarianism. Whilst the design of the symbol used by headquarters at Essex Hall will of course evolve and change over the years, the flaming chalice symbol and all that it represents remains constant. In response to the many interesting and helpful responses concerning the history of the symbol, we are creating a new page on our website telling the story of the flaming chalice and showing the diverse range of artistic interpretations available worldwide.

We would like to thank everyone who has been in dialogue with us on this subject since the re-branding in February 2021. The strong feelings we have heard expressed are a welcome reminder of the passion of the many people who play a role in stewarding this community. We hope that as we move forward, this passion for the ideas and values that we stand for can help us find our way forward so we can be sure the flame will be passed forward for many generations to come.

Back in November we wrote to all 152 of our congregations asking for their views and received responses from a total of 32 congregations, a response rate of 21%.

The responses can broadly be categorised as: 

• 19 preferred the old (2007) chalice logo (13% of our congregations, 59% of responses)
• 4 preferred the new (2021) chalice logo (3% of our congregations, 13% of responses)
• 5 were neutral or contained a range of individual views (3% of our congregations, 16% of responses)
• 4 were unclear and needed further clarification (3% of our congregations, 13% of responses)

The most common themes we heard were:

• A dislike of the style of the new chalice
• A lack of a sense of connection and meaning with the new design
• A wish for unity across the denomination
• A concern about a lack of consultation

Among those who supported the new look, the main themes were:

• Support for a bright and modern new look
• Appreciation of the aim of reaching new demographics

The Executive Committee have carefully examined the responses and discussed them at their meeting on 17th January, along with the feedback received at the listening circles we hosted in September 2022.

Balancing the views of the 32 congregations who responded to the consultation with the wider context, the EC would like to acknowledge to all our congregations and members that the communication and consultation around the change to the flaming chalice logo did not meet everyone’s expectations, and apologise to those who have felt upset, confused or left out of the process. We are committed to learning from this experience for the future.

The priority behind the rebranding, including the adoption of a new style chalice design, has always been to reach new people, beyond our existing, declining membership. Therefore, the new designs may not always appeal to those who have been Unitarians for many years – but we ask for your patience and trust that we have the best interests of the Unitarian movement at heart in our decision-making.

We will retain the design work adopted in 2021, including the new style chalice for use in the GA’s communications. However, we remind all congregations that it is their right to use any logo or symbol for their own purposes.

With best wishes,

Rev Dr Rory Castle Jones, Communications Officer

Liz Slade, Chief Officer

on behalf of the Executive Committee

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“We are sure that our Unitarian Community looks on with a deep sense of horror and hopelessness as we see the aftermath of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Over the years we have supported the British Red Cross in their work of disaster relief, knowing how valuable their contribution has been. We would encourage you to help once more, by making a donation to their Crisis Appeal.” – Rev. Sue Woolley, President of the General Assembly of Unitarian & Free Christian Churches

Please help people affected by these earthquakes.

Following the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria the British Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal. On Monday at 4:17am local time a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Gaziantep in southern Turkey, devastating parts of Turkey and Syria. It was followed by a series of powerful aftershocks. Then at 13:24 local time a second earthquake (M7.7) hit the Elbistan district around 80 miles north of Gaziantep.

Reports suggest that over 33,000 have been killed as hundreds of buildings collapsed and many more have been injured. These figures continue to rise. Right now rescuers are racing to save people in Turkey and Syria who are trapped beneath the rubble and get shelter and support to those who have lost their homes or are afraid to return inside. The Turkish Red Crescent has launched a crisis response operation and mobilised teams in more than 10 regions across the country.

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent is delivering medical and other humanitarian aid and support to those in need in the regions of Hama, Aleppo and Lattakia. Together with the Turkish Red Crescent and Syrian Arab Red Crescent the British Red Cross is providing emergency first aid, medical treatment and evacuating people to safety.

You can make a donation right now to the British Red Cross to help people in Turkey and Syria affected by the earthquakes. Please donate to the British Red Cross Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal today if you can.

You can donate online here.

By phone: 0300 004 0339

By post to: British Red Cross, 44 Moorfields, London EC2Y 9AL

Please make cheques payable to the British Red Cross and earmarked for the British Red Cross Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal.

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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 the interviews last month: Kieren Mardle-Moss, Tina Gandhi, and Janine Sim.

Chief Officer Liz Slade: “Ministry is the kind of leadership our world needs more of right now, and so I am excited and grateful to see Janine, Kieren and Tina begin their training towards becoming Unitarian ministers. As demonstrated by these three new students, people from all walks of life and professional backgrounds find themselves called to serving the spiritual health of communities and align their vocation to the greater good. I applaud their courage and integrity in committing themselves to this journey and look forward to working with them.”

Helen Mason, Director of Unitarian College: “We are delighted to welcome Janine, Kieren and Tina as our 5th intake of ministry students at Unitarian College, joining the 13 others who have or are undertaking ministry training with us. We are are very excited about the potential of these three excellent new students.”

Rev. Ant Howe, Ministry Tutor: “It will be my honour to journey with these three new students as they build on the calling that they have been bold enough to answer. All three bring passion and commitment to our Unitarian movement, and I know that they will go on to become excellent Ministers”

Supporting our General Assembly’s Interview Panel is one of the tasks handled by Simon Bland, Congregational & Ministry Support Officer. Along with Sarah Tinker, who chairs the Panel, Simon is keen to thank all those Districts, congregations and individuals who support the ministerial training process. 

Anyone interested in knowing more about training for Unitarian & Free Christian ministry is encouraged to talk to Simon or Sarah, and to our college tutors – Rev. Claire MacDonald at Harris Manchester College, Oxford and Rev. Ant Howe, at Unitarian College. 

The Ministerial Students Fund is always in need of donations, large and small, helping to cover students’ travel and living costs during their training, and is a real investment in the future of the movement. Please contact Simon Bland for further information on this vital work.

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We are pleased to announce the election of two new members to our Executive Committee: John Bates and Rev. Wyn Thomas. 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. John was nominated by New Unity CIO and Wyn by Cheltenham & Gloucester Unitarians.

As there were four vacancies on the EC and two candidates, both are elected unopposed and the remaining vacancies may later be filled by co-option.

John Bates is a retired Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School, with forty years’ experience in business and education. He joined Cambridge Unitarians in 1991 and later was a member of Islington Unitarians. John became Chair of New Unity when it was formed in 2015, before stepping down last year.

John says: “I wish to serve on the EC because I want to help more people find the Unitarian way of celebrating and reverencing life, love and community. Our message as Unitarians is right for the times. I feel we need to come together and use our resources of money, buildings, and skilled people towards communicating that message and achieving our agreed goals of love and justice for all.

A challenge for faith-based organisations with deep historical roots is that they can become hostage to their past. Aligning the movement’s resources and capabilities with an agreed goal may require some hard decisions. I can help us make those decisions in a collaborative way, without compromising our spiritual purpose.

We should strive to be greater than the sum of our parts, retaining all the vigour of our diversity and our localised autonomy, whilst working together towards a common vision of growth. I can listen, lead and inspire. I can contribute in strategy, finance and governance, and I understand the legal responsibilities of Charity Trustees. Unitarianism has much to offer the modern world. I would be proud to help the movement grow and thrive today and prepare it for a relevant future.”

Rev. Wyn Thomas is a Unitarian minister based in Ceredigion and is Chair of Unitarians Wales. He works as a Complex Case Officer and Engagement Project Leader for Tir Dewi, a Welsh rural support charity.

Wyn says: “As a lifelong Unitarian, and having served as a minister for 19 years, I am firmly grounded in the Unitarian heritage of which I feel both proud and blessed to have experienced and loved. As a leader in a rural mental health charity, I have seen the practical impact of living our values. I am passionate about developing a vision for the future of our movement. A future where all voices are heard, respected, and appreciated, in keeping with the inclusive embrace of our faith.

Our faith needs to evolve, and I consistently seek opportunities to learn, reflect, and adapt. I firmly believe that as a national movement we must respond to the enormity of the challenges society and our congregations face over the coming years.  Within these challenges lie opportunities for renewal and transformation.

I pledge to be honest and open in what are often difficult discussions, and to always welcome diversity of thought, ideas, and experiences in the process. Our Unitarian faith is important – I believe we have a uniquely valuable contribution to make to the world. Our General Assembly is important – I will serve it to best of my ability.”

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Unitarians have written to the Prime Minister in opposition to the government’s attempts to erode the right to protest in the UK with a new Public Order Bill.

Fifty-eight Unitarians – including ministers, lay people, the General Assembly President and Chief Officer – are signatories to the letter, which expresses alarm that “instead of arresting climate change, this government seems more interested in arresting climate change protesters.”

“Many of the rights we now cherish – including the vote – were achieved by protest” they write, “and history has shown that jailing protesters simply delays change and reflects badly upon the law makers.”

The letter, drafted by Rev. Jo James and Ed Fordham, calls on the government “to review this legislation and reflect upon the principles at stake. And please, hasten the protections and measures needed to protect our planet from climate abuse and fossil fuel degradation.”

You can read the letter in full here.

Unitarian Chief Officer Liz Slade is also a signatory to a separate letter by various faith leaders which calls on the government to abandon the new Public Order Bill, which they warn will criminalise ordinary citizens who engage in peaceful protests, including prayer vigils, public acts of worship, and community events. You can read this letter here.

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As the Church of England has once again make the headlines by refusing to offer same-sex marriage ceremonies or equal treatment to LGBT+ people, many Unitarian ministers and leaders have been publicly critical of the CofE – and have once again been shouting from the rooftops that many churches, including the Unitarians, proudly affirm LGBT+ equality and offer same-sex marriage ceremonies.

Rev. Robin Hanford, minister of Hinckley Unitarians in Leicestershire, made the headlines in the Metro newspaper when he took to Twitter to express his sadness, frustration and dismay with the Church of England’s treatment of LGBT+ people:

Rev Robin Hanford, a Unitarian Minister, responded: ‘How much longer will the lives and relationships of my LGBT+ friends in the Church of England continue to be sacrificed on the false alter of “unity” in order to try and keep homophobes happy?’

Rev Hanford, who lives and works in Leicestershire, told Metro.co.uk his first reaction to this morning’s news was one of ‘profound anger.’

He said: ‘I have a lot of LGBT friends in the Church of England who have been waiting patiently for change and have been actively working for it for years by diligently going through the proper channels and laborious process.‘

‘Now Bishops, which should have pastoral care at the very core of their being, have effectively slapped my friends around the face.‘

‘As a Unitarian Minister, I proudly marry same-sex and opposite-sex couples at my chapel in Hinckley, Leicestershire‘

‘But the Church of England has so much visibility as the national church, and I know I will inevitably be tarred with the same brush in the eyes of the public due to this decision from the Bishops.’

Rev Hanford added that while the Church of England ‘seems determined to cling to outdated homophobic theologies and practices’ many other churches and denominations ‘have moved on and are far more affirming of LGBT people’.

You can read the full story in the Metro here.

Find out more about LGBT+ Unitarian history here.

Find out about our ongoing LGBT+ Unitarian Voices project here.

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Unitarian HQ staff members Simon Bland and Lizzie Kingston-Harrison talk to The Village Halls Podcast about the Warm Space being offered in Framlingham in Suffolk by local groups and spaces, including Framlingham Unitarian Chapel, where Lizzie is a member. Click here to listen to the podcast in full (Episode 22).

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The Unitarians’ Chief Officer Liz Slade spoke recently about “maintaining a spiritual tradition that doesn’t have a rule book” at the Festival of Maintenance 2022, a day of fascinating talks with world-class practitioners, maintaining everything from technology to culture, democracy to the environment. The video of Liz’s talk is now available online to watch for free.

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We are looking for new candidates to stand for election to join our Executive Committee.

Who do you know who might be an asset to our movement in this role? Candidate applications close on 23 January 2023, so now is a great time to have a quiet word of encouragement with potential candidates!

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.

We meet around six times a year, usually in person in London, with dinner together the evening before a 9am to 5pm meeting. We also try to get together for a longer two-day meeting, and at times will have videoconferences 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 needs to be received by 23 January 2023, with support from the candidate’s congregation or other Unitarian organisation. You can find all the information you need, including nomination forms, here.

Questions
If you would like to know more about the work of the Executive Committee, or whether you should consider applying, please do get in touch with either me or Marion Baker, our Convenor.

Elizabeth Slade
Chief Officer – Prif Swyddog
General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches

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After another unpredictable and challenging year, our President Rev. Sue Woolley, offers this Christmas message.

There is a very neat meme which does the rounds on Facebook at this time of year, which sums up the true spirit of Christmas for me. It is a Christmas Bucket List, with six items, partly crossed out, and substituted with other words, so I’ll have to paraphrase for it to make sense:

1. Instead of buying presents, be present.

2. Instead of wrapping gifts, wrap someone in a hug.

3. Instead of sending gifts, send love.

4. Instead of shopping for food, donate food.

5. Instead of making cookies, make memories.

6. Instead of seeing the light, be the Light.

And yes, I get it, but in my opinion, it should be both/and, rather than either/or. I have bought presents for the people I love, but welcome the reminder to be present in the moment, day by day, instead of getting lost in the busyness. I will be wrapping the gifts I have bought next weekend, but will also be wrapping a lot of people in hugs, during the next few weeks (and being wrapped in hugs also, I hope!).

I will be sending gifts, but also sending love to all those people who make my life so blessed. Including you. I will be shopping for food, but not going overboard, and have already paid a visit to the Northampton Food Bank, with a donation. This Christmas, sadly, I won’t be making or eating cookies, or mince pies or many other sweet Christmas treats, because most of them contain gluten, but I will surely be making memories, particularly on Boxing Day, when the whole extended Ellis family gets together at my sister’s house. Finally, as well as seeing (and enjoying) all the beautiful, colourful Christmas lights, I will be striving to be the Light for those that I love.

It is a good reminder about the things which really matter at Christmas – not the tangible things one can buy, and consume, but the gifts of love and awareness, which cannot be bought, and always renew themselves. The things we can look back on with fondness, when the food has been eaten, the presents have been opened, the paper recycled, and the decorations taken down.

I also want to acknowledge what I think should be the true spirit of Christmas, “the spirit of good will and peace, … [the] spirit that bids us renew our hopes amid the gathering darkness, that kindles our generosity and our concerns, that attunes our ears to the ever-renewed angelic chorus” as the late Unitarian Universalist minister Max Gaebler put it. Because that is here too, in our minds, and in our hearts.

The Christian message, the message of Jesus – love God, love your neighbour and don’t forget to love yourself – is a crucially important one in this mad world of ours. If Christmas reminds people of this great truth, which is common to all religions, then I’m all for it. If it is just an excuse for over-consumption, a couple of days off work and some good films on the telly, then why bother? But the very fact that we are people of faith, who get together in our chapels, churches and meeting houses to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas, shows that it means more to us than that.

So let us celebrate Christmas as a time when the Christian message of love and peace and goodwill to all people is brought to the front of people’s minds, and our bit of the world grows a little bit more charitable and more kindly. This is the true spirit of Christmas.

I wish you a blessed, peaceful and merry Christmas, and a bright and hopeful New Year.

Rev. Sue Woolley

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We are excited to announce the launch of a new website Worship Words, a collaborative online space sharing resources for worship from across the UK Unitarian community and beyond.

Worship Words hosts a collection of beautiful, inspiring, and meaningful readings for worship, bringing together new work alongside much-loved favourites from the Lindsey Press.

It is fully searchable by keyword, category, or theme making it easy to access high quality readings for use in your services. The site is free, open to all, anyone is welcome to use it and to submit their own resources. We already have our first 120 readings, and the collection is growing all the time.

With huge thanks to the team of volunteers from across the movement who made the site possible and to the ministers and lay leaders who have submitted readings so far.

Join us online at 7pm tonight (Wednesday 23 November 2022) for our official ‘Worship Words’ launch event.

Click here to visit the new ‘Worship Words’ website.

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The Unitarians have joined others from across the faith and belief spectrum in calling on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to stand by his pledge to govern with integrity.

In a letter signed by 19 different faith and belief groups, signatories highlight how democracy has been weakened by the repeated undermining of integrity, and the failure of existing structures to hold politicians to account. It asks the Prime Minister to strive for a culture of truth and integrity in government and parliament.

The full letter was published in The Times on 18 November 2022. Read the letter in full here.

Find out more about the context here.

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BBC Radio 4’s ‘Sunday’ programme welcomed Rev. Cody Coyne onto the programme this weekend to talk about wayside pulpits – those attention-grabbing posters outside churches. Rev. Cody is minister of Cross Street Unitarian Chapel in Manchester city centre, which was the first church in Britain to have a wayside pulpit back in 1919.

You can listen to the programme (from 8 min 50 secs in) in full here.

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Longtime LGBT+ rights campaigner Ed Fordham has publicly condemned the Church of England’s continued discrimination against LGBT+ people as “fundamentally wrong” and called for it to be disestablished in England, as it is in Wales and Scotland.

Ed Fordham, who is a local Unitarian leader at Great Hucklow Chapel in the Peak District, and a Liberal Democrat councillor in nearby Chesterfield, wrote that: “The C of E is currently exempt from the equality laws that apply to all other institutions and employers in the UK ” adding this meant the church could “ignore the progress being made to enable all couples who love each other to marry. Further, this also empowers the church to bully, sideline and ultimately sack clergy who exercise their legal right to marry.”

“It is time to disestablish the C of E, it is time to reassess the role of the church in the work of CBC and it is time to enable each mayor to choose the location and content of their civic service to reflect their own faith or indeed their secularism. What is not an option is for the council to support and enable the practise of homophobia through these historical partnerships. It is time to end the hatred and the exclusion and separate church from state.”

The Unitarians are proud to be longstanding advocated of LGBT+ equality and were among the small number of faith groups who campaigned for equal marriage in the 2010s. Click here to find out more about Unitarian LGBT+ history.

For more coverage of Ed Fordham’s comments, see The Derbyshire Times and The Derby Telegraph.

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The American Unitarian Universalist podcast ‘Juust Breathe’ interviewed two young British Unitarians recently about how their faith inspires them to work for a better world through Unitarian youth and young adult groups – and how this work has changed and evolved since the covid-19 pandemic.

The hosts were joined by Aly Champion (member of ‘Bad Coffee Club’ youth group) and Zac Baker (member of #Blessed, a youth group at Gellionnen Chapel in Wales), as well as our Youth Officer, Gavin Howell.

You can watch the podcast in full here (video).

You can listen to the podcast in full here (audio).

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Bury St Edmunds Unitarians in Suffolk came up with a novel way to raise money for a disabled access ramp for their meeting house, by hosting their first ever Gin Festival. Over £500 was raised during the evening and the Meeting House’s manager, Amanda Martin, said: “We thought: ‘If CAMRA can have a beer festival at the cathedral, why don’t we open up our beautiful, baroque, 300-year-old building, and have something classy, like a gin festival? A lot of people had never been in the building before the festival, and they were absolutely flabbergasted by how elegant the building was. We’re really keen that the Unitarian Meeting House continues to be a venue for people to hold their meetings at, hold their celebrations at – and, also, to hold wellbeing events at.”

Read the full story in the Suffolk News here.

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Photo credit: Hannah De Boltz / Newsquest

Edmund Kell Unitarian Church in Southampton hosted the city’s first Transgender Pride this month. Southampton Trans Pride featured a parade through the city centre, speeches on a wide range of transgender-related issues, charity and advice stalls, and quiet zones.

Organiser of the event and chairwoman of People’s Pride, Mabel Wellman said that she was “overwhelmed” by all the support for the event. The 20-year-old said: “I’m ecstatic. I never thought we could reach this height. It’s humbling too because of all the people behind this today and behind me. I am so lucky I could do something like this with the support of the city, People’s Pride, and the transgender community. I hope we can create many more events like this in the future. It is so important to represent and to spread information for our community.”

Read the full story in the Southern Daily Echo here.

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Phil Tomlin writes movingly in ‘The Guardian’ about his late father Mike Tomlin, who played a leading role in charities dealing with social deprivation in Teesside. Phil writes that his father “was driven by his Unitarian beliefs to do whatever he could for his community to leave the world a better place.” Mike was a lifelong Unitarian, members of Stockton Unitarians, and served as our national President in the 1990s.

Click here to read Mike Tomlin’s obituary in full in the ‘The Guardian’.

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We are delighted to welcome Ann Howell to the General Assembly staff team, in the role of Social Action Officer.

This is a part time position with the aim of supporting congregations and individuals across the Unitarian and Free Christian movement in making an impact in our social justice work. Ann will be working in partnership with the Penal and Social Affairs Panel, a Unitarian group that has been active in promoting social justice issues for the last thirty years, expanding from its original focus on prison reform to stay abreast of the key issues affecting our society. We are grateful to the Bowland Charitable Trust for their support of this role.

Ann has a strong background in communication and community development. She had a 15-year career in technical communications, working mainly in the printing and software industries, before moving to the UK from Montreal, Canada and shifting gears into the non-profit world.

A long-time Unitarian, her passion for social action in the movement spurred her to become one of the founding members of SimpleGifts: Unitarian Centre for Social Action, a community project at the former Unitarian chapel in Bethnal Green, East London. Since then, she has worked with other community projects near her home in Southeast London, including Lewisham Churches Care and Lewisham Pensioners Forum, as well as strengthened her involvement with her congregation, Lewisham Unity, serving as Chair/Co-chair since 2019.

Ann is very excited to be working formally with the Unitarian HQ and collaborating with the Penal and Social Affairs Panel, shining a light on the work that is already happening at a local level and developing a plan for future social action projects that will benefit Unitarians across the UK. She believes that living our values through work that reaches out to the most vulnerable among us is at the heart of what it means to be a Unitarian.

Find out more about our staff team here.

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Young people have been learning skills to protect and preserve historic buildings as part of the restoration project at Grade II listed Westgate Unitarian Chapel in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

The Wakefield Express reports that: “Westgate Unitarian Chapel needs urgent repairs that is being funded as part of the £3.8m Wakefield’s Upper Westgate Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) project.

Part of the work at the chapel involves working with Yorkshire Lime Company, a specialist building contractor, that is teaching students from the building department at Wakefield College, about traditional methods for restoration.”

Sarah Cobham, Committee member of Westgate Unitarian Chapel, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be offering this opportunity to local people so that they can become upskilled and help restore our chapel at the same time. “Being part of the HAZ project is very important to us and we are proud to be enabling such important skills to be gained.”

Read the full story in The Wakefield Express here.

If you want to learn more about the fantastic developments at Wakefield Unitarians and how they have secured their funding, join us for a free online workshop led by Sarah Cobham and Paul Lindsay Dawson from Wakefield Unitarians: ‘How To Write a Bid for Funding’ on Monday 17 October at 7pm.

Photo: Chapel members with local teachers and students, Wakefield Express

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One the largest Unitarian congregations in the UK, New Unity in north-east London have welcomed a new minister, Rev. CJ McGregor, to serve their congregation. Rev McGregor arrived in the country on 1 September from the United States, where he previously served as a Unitarian Universalist minister. A warm welcome to Rev CJ on behalf of British Unitarians!

Rev CJ told the local press that he was particularly excited to join the New Unity community, as he was attracted by “the congregation itself, the work that it’s doing, who it wants to be in London in terms of justice work and definitely its historical nature”, adding: “We’ve considered ourselves dissenters for over 300 years.”

Click here to read ‘”Radically inclusive” congregation in Hackney and Islington welcomes new minister’ in The Hackney Gazette.

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The National Unitarian Fellowship (NUF) is excited to offer a new ‘Digital Connections Award’ to a Unitarian congregation or group demonstrating innovation and excellence in reaching out to people over the past two years, using technology.

The NUF has a long history of supporting and connecting Unitarians who are not part of a Unitarian congregation or other groups and it has been has been rewarding to see all the new ways of connecting with individuals via technology over the last two years. They want to acknowledge all the creativity and dedication and while the prize for the winner is £200, they hope to showcase all submissions in an (online) event in 2023, as an opportunity for connection and learning from each other. The deadline is 31 October 2022.

You can find more details about this prize, and the four others available on the NUF website.

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On behalf of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, we are deeply saddened by the news of the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II and extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to her family and loved ones. May she rest in peace.

The Reverend Sue Woolley, President of The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, has written to Buckingham Palace on our behalf. You can read her letter in full below:

Dear Sir or Madam,

The Queen’s death marks the end of an era. For more than seventy years, she was the one constant point in British life – an important symbol of stability in a rapidly changing world. Her long and unwavering commitment to her role, right to the end, and her high sense of duty as Queen was always impressive. She stood above the political fray and was respected by leaders and people the world over.

She was also widely loved. This Summer, during her Platinum Jubilee, people all around the country showed how deeply she was held in their affection. She will long be remembered. But we cannot wish her back. She is now at peace, with her beloved Philip.

And so we, the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, in common with the rest of the British people, give thanks for her life and her long years of service. We hold her family and all those who mourn her in our prayers.

We also hold our new King, Charles III, who has stepped into the role of monarch, in our prayers.

Rev. Sue Woolley
President
The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches

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Manchester Unitarians took their place with pride in the Manchester Pride parade on Saturday 27 August. Unitarians have long been at the forefront of the battle for LGBTQ+ equality in the city and today continue to advocate for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people in the city and beyond.

Cross Street Unitarian Chapel in Manchester city centre was the first place of worship in the UK to register for civil partnerships back in 2012, later registering to conduct full same-sex marriage ceremonies once that became legal.

Find out more about Unitarians in the Greater Manchester area here.

Find out more about our ongoing LGBT+ Unitarian Voices project here.

Photo credit: Impact Photography, Cheshire.

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In the Annual Meetings in April, the membership voted to pass the following motion on 2021’s General Assembly rebranding work:

“That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches regrets the lack of consultation over the rebranding exercise and requests that the Executive Committee (EC) consults the constituent congregations and fellowships on whether to introduce the new logo or retain the traditional Chalice Design adopted in 2007 in the interests of maintaining a consistent denominational identity.”

In response to this, we are pleased to invite people to some ‘listening circles’ as a chance for the General Assembly (GA) to hear what’s on people’s minds and hearts relating to the design work, and their relationship to the chalice symbol (of any design).

Initially, there will be two opportunities:

1pm, Tuesday 20^th September – Zoom Link

7pm, Wednesday 21^st September – Zoom Link

We ask that people register in advance if they wish to come (by clicking on the links above). It is possible to join by telephone if you are unable to join by videocall.

These won’t be forums for decision-making or debate, but a chance for people to be heard.

What we learn from these initial listening circles will inform our next steps in consulting with the wider community.

Beyond the specific issue of chalice design, we heard a wish for more communication and engagement more broadly, and we will be considering how we can develop the ways in which the GA communicates with the wider Unitarian movement.

From some of the feedback received so far on the branding work, we recognise there are some elements of the approach that have not come across clearly, and there have been some misunderstandings in the intention and ethos. We hope that the information below will help to clarify some of these.

As ever, we welcome anyone to get in touch by email.

An overview of the branding work

You can read more about our approach here and in the Inquirer via interviews with Liz Slade, and with the design team we worked with, This Ain’t Rock & Roll. You can also read about what they said about working with us, here.

We started the work in spring 2020 and launched the new GA website in February 2021.

In mid-2021 we launched a ‘design programme’ that helps to guide congregations through the process of deciding for themselves how they want to communicate to the world – what words, images, ideas, colours, fonts are right for their individual community. This included a WordPress website template that can be adapted for use, as well as a series of ‘how to’ videos to guide people in setting them up. We have also created new information leaflets which were distributed at the Annual Meetings and can be requested from Essex Hall, so that you can have a pack to give out locally.

The reason for the work is that we know we need to stop being a well-kept secret. We know that we have much that we can offer people, but we have been hiding our light in lots of ways – including behind out-dated looking websites and leaflets.

The ethos of how the design work is used

The steering group recognised the importance of empowering each congregation to express their unique ethos clearly and authentically, seeing the strength in the diversity of what each congregation offers. We are not a ‘top down’ denomination, and it is down to each congregation to communicate with their local community in the way that is appropriate to them and their context. This means that we have moved away from the ‘consistent identity’ approach that was used in the past to encourage all congregations to use the same design for their chalice symbol.

The design programme aims to give congregations a helping hand in reflecting on what they want to communicate, and a toolkit for helping them do that. Congregations have total freedom in what text, images, colours and symbols they use. If they use the design programme, there are elements that can help show visually that they are part of the wider Unitarian and Free Christian family.

We recognise we didn’t make this freedom of choice clear enough, and can understand that people may feel upset if they felt that a new design was being imposed on them without an ability to choose whether or how to adopt it.

We have seen a rich array of congregational websites appear over the last year, using different elements of the design programme in beautiful and creative ways. Some use the ‘old’ chalice, some use the new one, some a different version completely, and some no chalice at all. From the GA’s perspective, all are welcome.

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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 2023 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: 4 October 2022.

Photo: ‘Ministry In The Making’ at The Nightingale Centre, 2022

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We are excited to announce a new role on the GA staff team – Social Action Officer. This is a part time position with the aim of supporting congregations and individuals across the Unitarian and Free Christian movement in making an impact in our social justice work. The Social Action Officer will be working in partnership with the Penal and Social Affairs Panel, a Unitarian group that has been active in promoting social justice issues for the last thirty years, expanding from its original focus on prison reform to stay abreast of the key issues affecting our society. 

This is an exciting new role at a critical time, that will help Unitarians to make a bigger collective impact in creating a more just society. Please see job description for more information.

If you would like to apply, please submit your CV and a short covering letter outlining why you are interested in this role and what you would hope to bring to it. We are grateful to the Bowland Trust for their support of this role.

Deadline for applications: Monday 22 August 2022

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Rev. Anna Jarvis, minister of Monton Unitarian Church in Greater Manchester, made a bold statement at Salford Pride earlier this month, decked out in full rainbow gear with a large sign saying simple: “Free Mum Hugs”. Anna, who is herself a mother, wanted to offer hugs to Pride attendees to give out a message that “whoever and wherever you are, know that you are a precious, cherished, wonderful human being – and you are loved.”

Lots of people came in for a hug – and Anna and her congregation members staffing the Unitarian stall had a fantastic day. Their stall offered, amongst other things, the opportunity to write a name on a prayer tree. A total of 61 names were added, which were then read out in the church’s special Pride service the following day, where the congregation celebrated “the uniqueness of every human being, and pledged to continue working towards justice for all in the continued battle against discrimination.”

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Earlier this month Shana Parvin Begum, who is training for the ministry at Unitarian College, hosted a campfire discussion on faith, sexuality and gender diversity at the UK’s first wellbeing festival for queer, questioning, curious women and those who are non-binary. The ‘Out & Wild Festival’ took place in Pembrokeshire in June. Shana’s gathering offered the space to talk about religion and LGBTQ experiences and bring two often conflicting topics together in a safe place. Click here to find out more about ‘Out & Wild Festival’.

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We are sorry to announce the death of the Reverend Cen Llwyd earlier this month, at the age of 70. From 1976, Cen served as minister at various times to seven Unitarian chapels in Camarthen, Cribyn, Alltyblaca, Cellan, Ciliau Aeron, Felinfach and Llanwnnen, before retiring in 2020. As well as his work as a minister, Cen was well known in Wales and beyond as a passionate Welsh-language campaigner and pacifist. He was a longtime activist in both Cymdeithas yr Iaith and the campaign for nuclear disarmament.

Elin Jones MS, Llywydd of the Senedd (speaker of the Welsh parliament) said: “He gave his life and soul to the Welsh language and to Wales. And for his community and his belief with tenacity of principle and a wicked sense of humour.” You can read tributes to Cen in the Cambrian News, North Wales Live, and BBC Cymru.

The funeral will be held on Saturday 25 June at 2.30pm at Capel y Fadfa, Talgarreg, Ceredigion. Our condolences go to Cen’s widow Enfys and daughters Gwenllian and Heledd.

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One the largest Unitarian congregations in the UK, New Unity in Islington and Newington Green, London, has been saying farewell to its longtime minister, Rev. Andy Pakula. During his sixteen year ministry, the church grew from one of the smallest Unitarian congregations into a thriving, vibrant and energetic community, describing themselves as a “non-religious church.” New Unity have appointed a new minister, Rev. CJ McGregor, to succeed Andy. You can read more from Rev. Andy and his congregants in this article in the local press. We wish Andy a very happy retirement in Scotland!

Image: Rev. Andy Pakula with Emily Thornberry MP at his farewell party.

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The historic Bank Street Chapel in Bolton, Lancashire, held its final service on Sunday 14 May after 160 years of serving the local community. With an ageing congregation and a large historic building to maintain, members of Bank Street took the decision to close and will attend other local Unitarian chapels.

Mayor of Bolton Cllr. Linda Thomas took part in the service, and said: “I thought it was going to be such a sad occasion. People have been worshipping in that building for 160 years. But it was a celebration… unfortunately, things come to an end and things change and people have to move on, and they’ll find another area to worship and do their good work.”

Read the full story in The Bolton News here.

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The fortified Unitarian church in Nagyajta,Transylvania, Romania, built between 1360-80, has been painstakingly restored thanks to 1.1 million euros of funding from the European Union and 443,000 euros from the Hungarian government.

Follow this link to see beautiful photos of the exterior and interior of the church.

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TV presenter Jay Blades spent time at Newington Green Unitarian Church (New Unity) as part of his recent Channel 5 documentary ‘No Place Like Home’, exploring the Newington Green area of London where Jay grew up.

Best known as the presenter of The Repair Shop, furniture restorer Jay Blades spent time at Newington Green Unitarian Church with historian Katie Donnington, learning about the historical links between the area and the slave trade. The church’s congregation included people who benefitted from slavery, as well as leading radical anti-slavery campaigners like Anna Letitia Barbauld.

You can watch the programme, broadcast on Channel 5 earlier this month, online here (from 24 minutes in to 33 minutes).

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Congratulations to Kieran Bohan and Warren Hartley on the tenth anniversary of their ground-breaking civil partnership ceremony, which took place on 6 May 2012 at Ullet Road Unitarian Church, Liverpool.

Unitarians were pioneers in the campaign for civil partnerships, same-sex marriage, and LGBTQ+ equality – find out more here.

Read the story of Kieran and Warren’s civil partnership in this Liverpool Post article (6 May 2022).

Photo: Simply Perfection Photography / Carl Crozier

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We are delighted to announce that following its launch at the Unitarian Annual Meetings, our new book Why Are We Here? Discerning our Unitarian Mission in an Upturned World is now available to buy. This latest title from the Lindsey Press was commissioned by Dr. Jane Blackall, with contributions from Shana Parvin Begum, Rev. Dr. Rory Castle Jones, Rev. Jo James and Rev. Kate Brady McKenna, and a foreword by our Chief Officer Elizabeth Slade.

The book is a radical exploration of the ways in which the landscape of “doing church” has changed, especially during the Covid pandemic. Five contributors, all of whom are serving or aspiring Unitarian ministers, draw on their own experiences to consider how Unitarian communities can flex and adapt in turbulent times while remaining true to their religious roots. Their chapters are a selection of talks given at the 2021 Summer School at Great Hucklow, addressing a wide range of challenges, from the impacts of climate change on our planet to invisible types of social discrimination, both within and beyond church congregations. Each chapter ends with questions for reflection and discussion. Lindsey Press, 2022, ISBN: 978-0-85319-096-7, Softback, RRP £5.00. 

You can buy the book online from all major retailers, including Waterstones, Amazon and others. Or, if you would prefer to make your purchase directly from Unitarian HQ, please ring +44 (020) 7240 2384.

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At the Annual Meetings of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches held on 19-21 April 2022 in Birmingham, delegates voted in favour of a motion calling on the UK and devolved governments to make a renewed commitment to a well-funded NHS and to abandon plans and practices which divert public resources to private healthcare companies.

Chief Officer Liz Slade said: “The NHS is rightly a source of great pride for many people in Britain, and I’m glad that as a movement we are speaking out against the privatisation of our health service. My previous career was in the health sector, working with the NHS and with health systems in many other countries, and I know that while our NHS may not be perfect, the moral principles for which it stands, and the impact it has on the overall health of our society are worth protecting. While we as a movement look to create spiritual health, we know that the NHS’s role in serving people’s physical and mental health needs is essential for everyone’s overall wellbeing.”

The full text of the resolution is as follows:

“That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches supports a well-funded NHS, free at the point of use and considers that the increased use of the private sector in delivery of NHS healthcare, benefitting shareholders at the expense of patients, is ethically reprehensible. We therefore call on the UK Government to make a renewed commitment to a well-funded NHS free at the point of use and to abandon plans and practices which further divert public resources to private healthcare companies.”

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At the Annual Meetings of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches held last week in Birmingham a collection was taken for Ukraine, raising over £4,000. These funds will now be donated to the Red Cross Appeal to help the people of Ukraine as they face the horrors of war. You can support the appeal here.

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At the Annual Meetings of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches held on 19-21 April 2022 in Birmingham, delegates voted overwhelmingly in favour of a motion to reaffirm transgender people’s rights and to support the adoption of a self-declaration model for gender recognition.

The motion was debated, with a number of transgender Unitarians speaking passionately in favour, as well as careful and compassionate voices speaking against it, raising concerns about elements of the motion. An overwhelming majority of delegates voted in favour of the motion, which was passed and received with applause and emotion in the hall.

Chief Officer Liz Slade said “Unitarian congregations have long been places that allow and encourage individuals to explore and express their true nature, offering belonging and acceptance. I’m proud that as a movement we have now formally expressed our support of trans people. My hope is that as a society we can move beyond the oppositional and divisive ways in which trans issues are often discussed, and I hope Unitarians can play our own small part in that.”

Unitarians have long been advocates for LGBTQ+ equality, dating back to the 1960s (find out more here). Today, Unitarians are the leading faith group in the UK offering same-sex marriage ceremonies and campaign for equal rights and justice for transgender, bisexual, lesbian, gay, and queer people. There are 160 Unitarian churches, chapels and meeting houses in Britain.

The full text of the resolution is as follows:

The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches:
a) Affirms with joy that each person’s understanding and statement of their own gender identity is a matter of conscience;
b) Affirms that transgender rights are human rights;
c) Joins the British Medical Association, the Trades Union Congress and others in civil society in urging the adoption of a self-declaration model for gender recognition by the UK and devolved governments; and
d) Requests that the Chief Officer lobby for this model in response to UK or devolved government consultations and on any other suitable occasion.

If you would like further information about this story, please get in touch with us.

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The Annual Report of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches for 2021 has now been published, ahead of our Annual Meetings in Birmingham next week. Inside you can find out what we’ve been doing as a movement, with reports from our President, Chief Officer, trustees and much, much more. Click here to read it in full.

“As we look to the future, let us appreciate our current unique opportunity. In our denomination, districts and churches, as we assess the after-effects of lockdown, as we must, we can adopt innovations, introduce improvements, embrace changes – without feeling unduly tied to the past.” – Anne Mills, President

“We see part of our responsibility as leaders for the GA to take some leaps of faith too. We are not in a time societally or as a Movement to rely on tried and trusted playbooks; yes, we must learn from what has gone before, but recognise that today’s circumstances are new.” – Liz Slade, Chief Officer

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It’s hard to make change happen without learning from what hasn’t worked. That’s why our Chief Officer Liz Slade has taken part in the Ratio network’s project around making mistakes and learning from them. The project has resulted in a publication, ‘How To Be Wrong’, which is now available to download here.

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Rev. Jim Corrigall (pictured front row, second from left) represented the Unitarians at an ‘Act of Witness’ in West London on Sunday 3 April, called by British churches in support of Ukraine.

After a vigil outside the Ukrainian embassy, church leaders gathered nearby at the statue of King Volodymyr, who established Christianity in Ukraine 1000 years ago. Those taking part included the Greek Orthodox Archbishop in the UK, the Ukrainian Catholic bishop, Methodists, Welsh non-conformists, and several Anglican bishops. 

The event was organised by Christian Aid and supported by Churches Together and other groups. The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches was a founder member of Christian Aid in 1945.

Unitarians have been organising appeals, fundraisers and vigils in support of Ukraine since the Russian invasion on 24 February 2022. You can support Ukraine through the DEC Appeal here.

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Unitarian Chief Officer Liz Slade has written in The Guardian about the need for religion to evolve. You can read her article on The Guardian’s website, or below:

“Robin Dunbar’s article (The big idea: do we still need religion?, 28 March) outlines the scientifically measurable benefits of religion. After two years of the pandemic, when our collective physical health has been prioritised, it is now time to focus on these benefits to our spiritual health.

Though Dunbar states that religion is not going anywhere, most congregations have been shrinking for decades. Most churches in Britain today would be flabbergasted if 150 people turned up on Sundays. In order to offer community that works for most people, churches must evolve.

The benefits of religion that Dunbar explains – community cohesion, greater trust, greater happiness – will be vital as we crawl out of the pandemic, and if we are to navigate the climate crisis.

Evolution is part of the DNA of Unitarian churches, which are open to wisdom from all sources, and practise free inquiry into faith and belief, rather than all conforming to a single doctrine.

Religion is here to stay – but we must adapt it to what is needed and what works for us right now. Unitarians don’t have that finished version yet – but anyone joining us can be part of creating it.”
Liz Slade
Chief officer, General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches

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Photo: Students with Rev. Maria Pap (Mansfield and Ashfield Chad newspaper)

Mansfield Unitarians in Nottinghamshire have organised a large-scale operation to gather supplies for Ukrainian refugees, with local students joining Rev. Maria Pap and her congregation in an operation to gather much-needed items including food, drink, medical supplies and pet food. Like many of our congregations across the country, Mansfield Unitarians felt compelled to do something to help the people of Ukraine in their hour of need.

Thanking students for their efforts, church member Pauline Smith said they had been: “totally overwhelmed by their response and the enthusiasm and willingness they showed.”

Read the full story in the local press here.

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We are delighted to announce the appointment of Rev. Dr. Claire MacDonald as Tutor in Ministerial Studies at Harris Manchester College Oxford, which was founded in the eighteenth-century by Unitarians and today is one of two colleges which train people for the Unitarian ministry in the UK, along with Unitarian College.

Rev. Claire says: “I am thrilled to have been appointed as the new Unitarian ministry tutor at HMCO. It is the college where I trained as a minister and a place whose commitment to inclusion and diversity is matched by its commitment to creativity and innovation. It’s wonderful to feel that I too will be part of shaping its future. It will also be an honour to share new possibilities for ministry education with colleagues at Unitarian College.

Radical collaborative, spiritually rich, approaches to education have been part of our long history as Unitarians and I look forward to being part of developing life-long learning for lay leaders and communities as well as present and future ministers. As we say at Lewisham Unity, it’s where sacred meets social.”

Professor Jane Shaw, Principal of Harris Manchester College, says: “Claire MacDonald’s dynamic vision for ministry is very much in tune with the college’s longstanding commitment to educational innovation and inclusion, and her wide-ranging background and gifts in the arts will be greatly valued by colleagues and students. We all very much look forward to welcoming her to the college and working with her.”

Unitarian Chief Officer Liz Slade says: “Rev. Claire McDonald’s appointment as Tutor marks the start of an exciting new chapter in our movement’s long relationship with Harris Manchester College. In this time of great societal change and uncertainty, the role of ministers in serving the spiritual health of communities is more important than ever, and we know that the future of ministry will look different to its past.

I know that Claire’s thoughtful and creative approach in collaborating with colleagues at Harris Manchester College, and at Unitarian College, as well as partners beyond our Unitarian movement and outside the traditional borders of faith communities will help us to ensure that Unitarian ministers are equipped to serve the congregations of the future.”

Unitarian ministers serve their communities by supporting their spiritual health. They do this by hosting the inspiration and togetherness of services and gatherings, sharing wisdom reflecting their own theology while holding space for learning and reflection from other perspectives; they help build connections between members of a congregation, and with partners in the wider community; they provide pastoral care, as well as encouragement and challenge; they help their congregation to serve their community and the wider world, and work towards making a more just and loving society.

Anyone interested in knowing more about leadership in the Unitarian movement is encouraged to read more on our website, attend a Ministry Inquiry Session, or get in touch with Simon Bland (Ministry & Congregational Support Officer).

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Wakefield Unitarians in West Yorkshire have been running a project to discover and share the stories of the forgotten women of their community, including: Ann Hurst, a newspaper proprietor who campaigned for the abolition of slavery; Clara Clarkson, an early suffragist and Unitarian who rejected social conventions around class and gender; and botanical artist Eliza Gleadall.

Image: Sarah Cobham of the Forgotten Women of Wakefield project (Photographer: John Clifton, Yorkshire Post)

Read more about this project in the Yorkshire Post.

Find out more about the Forgotten Women of Wakefield project by visiting their website.

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Leading Unitarians have signed a joint faith and belief letter to MPs ahead of final votes on the Policing Bill.

The letter asks MPs to support the Lords’ amendments to Part 3 of the bill, including removing the ability to put noise limits on protests.

It urges MPs to speak out against measures that remain unchanged in the bill, particularly those that will disproportionately affect marginalised communities. 

Chief Officer Liz Slade and seven Unitarian ministers signed the letter alongside 80 other faith and belief representatives.

Full text of letter and list of signatories

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The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

We condemn the unjustifiable attack on Ukraine and call for an immediate withdrawal of Russian forces and for an immediate ceasefire. 

We urge the UK Government and devolved administrations to offer whatever humanitarian aid is possible to prevent catastrophe in the region. 

Safe corridors for the passage of civilian refugees are now an urgent priority and we urge the UK Government and devolved administrations to offer safe haven and refuge to those fleeing this war. 

Warfare creates terrible suffering, reinforces social inequality and causes incalculable environmental damage. We resolve to prioritise peace and peacemaking in our Unitarian worship and culture.

This statement was issued by the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches on 2 March 2022.

A message from our President, Anne Mills:

“As President of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, I endorse the sentiments of horror, apprehension, and fear aroused by the recent Russian attack on Ukraine. On behalf of us all, I send messages of solidarity, sympathy and support to the people of this war-torn country; we are thinking of them and praying for them, in their need; and we are glad that their neighbouring countries are freely offering them help and care, in their suffering. Many of our chapels are organising vigils, which we may join, either in person or in spirit, and I know that our prayers will bring encouragement and reassurance to Ukraine. Please remember that we may be able to help, tangibly, by donating funds; Unitarians have long supported the Red Cross as a way of providing relief in disasters, raising over £115,000 in the last ten years, and you can donate online to support humanitarian work in Ukraine here. Let us all help, in whatever ways we can; no contribution is too small or insignificant. Thank you for your empathy, your efforts – and your hopes.

With very best wishes,

Anne.” 

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Rev. Melda Grantham appeared on BBC Songs of Praise this Sunday for their St. David’s Day special, explaining how the leek became a symbol of Welshness. Melda met up with presenter James Lusted at a leek farm on the Gower peninsula, near Swansea.

Melda is a Unitarian minister in Ceredigion, Wales, and works as the Secretary of Unitarians Wales, as well as our Weddings Lead.

You can watch the programme in full on BBC i-player here (from 14 minutes in)

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Congratulations to Coventry Unitarians, who have successfully registered their Meeting House to be able to conduct same-sex marriage ceremonies. The Unitarian Meeting House is one of only two places of worship in Coventry offering same-sex marriage ceremonies, along with the United Reformed Church. Since the law was changed in 2014 to allow churches to offer same-sex weddings, over two thirds of Unitarian churches, chapels and meeting houses have successfully registered to do so.

Click here to find out more about same-sex weddings in Unitarian places of worship.

Click here to search for your nearest Unitarian congregation registered for same-sex marriage.

Click here to find out more about Unitarian LGBT+ History.

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We are delighted to announce that three candidates have been accepted for Unitarian ministerial training in 2022. Robert Foreman, Hannah Stephenson and Francis Elliot Wright will be studying at Unitarian College for their training.

Rev Sarah Tinker, Chair of the Interview Panel said: “Interview Panel members were glad to once again hold interviews for ministry training at Harris Manchester College in Oxford. We recognise the commitment and hard work that have brought candidates to this stage and wish them all the very best for the years of study ahead of them.”

All three new students recently met with Unitarian College staff for a 24 hour orientation retreat at The Nightingale Centre, Great Hucklow. At this gathering, students were given a training overview and an individualised learning plan was begun.

Training will consist of a blend of Unitarian College residentials, study of academic theology, congregation-based placements, online modules and other courses.

Helen Mason, Director of Unitarian College said: “Unitarian college is delighted to welcome Francis, Hannah and Rob to our student body and we look forward to walking with them as they embark on their ministry journeys.”

Rev Ant Howe, Ministry Tutor of Unitarian College, who will have primary responsibility for coordinating training said: “I am excited to welcome three excellent and talented new students who will – in time – become valued colleagues. I look forward to working with all three over the next few years as Unitarian College helps them prepare for professional Ministry within the Unitarian & Free Christian Churches. It is a particular joy to me that all three of our new Ministry students have previously undertaken lay training courses with Unitarian College and have now chosen to return to us for our Ministry Training programme.”

Unitarian ministers serve their communities by supporting their spiritual health. They do this by hosting the inspiration and togetherness of services and gatherings, sharing wisdom reflecting their own theology while holding space for learning and reflection from other perspectives; they help build connections between members of a congregation, and with partners in the wider community; they provide pastoral care, as well as encouragement and challenge; they help their congregation to serve their community and the wider world, and work towards making a more just and loving society.

Anyone interested in knowing more about leadership in our movement is encouraged to read more on our website, attend a Ministry Inquiry Session, or get in touch with Simon Bland (Ministry & Congregational Support Officer).

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Unitarians are marking LGBT+ History Month with special services and events throughout February. Unitarians have a long history of campaigning for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people’s equality and inclusion and have the largest number of churches offering same-sex marriage of any denomination in the UK. Below you can find a timeline of Unitarian LGBT+ history and useful resources.

Many of our congregations are currently holding special events under the umbrella ‘A Celebration Of Love’ between 25 January and 14 February, the respective days of two patron saints of love, St. Dwynwen and St. Valentine. As part of this, one Welsh Unitarian minister appeared on Welsh television with his husband to talk about LGBT+ inclusion in the church.

UNITARIAN LGBT+ RESOURCES

Find out more about same-sex marriage ceremonies in Unitarian churches, chapels and meeting houses.

Download an LGBT+ Pride Chalice Logo, created by Rosslyn Hill Chapel Unitarians, Hampstead

Video: Unitarians at London Pride (2016)

‘Where We Stand’ LGBT+ Leaflet (2010)

‘We are proud to be an LGBT+ inclusive church’ social media images for Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

UNITARIAN LGBT+ TIMELINE

Some important dates in the story of LGBT+ inclusion in the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches:

• 1963 – The General Assembly passed a resolution urging a more liberal approach to homosexuality.
• 1964 – The booklet “Man, Woman and Child” by the Social Service Department of the General Assembly called for implementation of the Wolfenden Report‘s recommendations on homosexual law reform (which did not happen until 1967 in England and Wales).
• 1970 – One of the first grassroots church initiatives in the UK supporting LGBT+ people ‘Integroup’, led by Dudley Cave, was set up at Lewisham Unitarian Church by Rev. Dr. Tony Cross, and also at Golders Green Unitarian Church by Rev. Keith Gilley, who began conducting “gay union” ceremonies in the 1970s. Carol Steele has recently written that Rev Keith Gilley was the first clergyman to accept her as a woman in “Trans Britain: Our Journey from the Shadows”. From ‘Integroup’ emerged the Lesbian and Gay Switchboard and the Lesbian and Gay Bereavement Project.
• 1972 – The Unitarian Young People’s League held an autumn convention at Great Hucklow focussing on homosexuality and agreed to raise the subject at the next General Assembly.
• 1973 – The General Assembly passed a resolution on ‘Homosexuality’ after considerable discussion, setting up a ‘study group’ to examine the question. Guest speakers were Anthony Grey (Trustee of the Albany Trust and Chairman of the National Federation of Homophile Organisations) and Stephen Etherington (Campaign for Homosexual Equality and the Gay Liberation Front). The same year, Rev G.L. Pruce, in a lecture at Manchester College, Oxford, on “Love, Marriage and the Family”, convened by the General Assembly’s Department of Social Responsibity, called for homosexual relationships to be given legal and social sanction, like heterosexual marriage. 
• 1974 – The General Assembly was presented with a Report on Homosexuality.
• 1975 – Gay Sweatshop performed the play Mister X in Golders Green Unitarian Church.
• 1977 – The General Assembly passed a resolution on ‘Open Ministry – Gay Rights’ which confirmed Unitarian ministry was open to all regardless of sex, race, colour or sexual orientation. The same year, a second resolution on ‘Homosexuality’ declared: “abhorrence of discrimination solely on the basis of sexual orientation” and pledged to “to bring liberalising pressures to bear on those public bodies where discrimination against the homosexual still persists”.

• 1984 – The General Assembly passed a resolution on ‘Homosexuality’ in favour of the age of consent being the same for homosexuals and heterosexuals.
• 1993 – “Celebrating Life: a book of special services in the Unitarian and Free Christian tradition” included a section on the blessing of a same-sex partnership. It was recognised with an Institute of Social Inventions Award.

• 2000 – The General Assembly passed a resolution on ‘Sexual Equality’ against discrimination on the grounds of sexuality, and called on the government to outlaw such discrimination, and a second resolution calling for repeal of the infamous Section 28 legislation that prohibited the “promotion of homosexuality” by local authorities.

• 2008 – The General Assembly passed a resolution calling for same-sex civil partnerships in church.

• 2012 – Cross Street Unitarian Church (Manchester) became the first place of worship in the UK to register for civil partnerships and Ullet Road Unitarian Church (Liverpool) conducted the first religious same-sex civil partnership in the UK.

• 2012 – The General Assembly passed a resolution calling for same-sex marriage in church and campaigned for a change in the law, along with allies including Liberal Judaism, Reform Judaism, and the Quakers.

• 2013 – The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill was passed, allowing for same-sex marriages in churches and other places of worship. The change in the law was celebrated by the Unitarians any Unitarian churches immediately began the process of registering to offer same-sex marriage ceremonies.
• 2016 – Rev. Stephen Lingwood, as bisexual queer man, wrote on “Navigating relationships and sexuality” in the Lindsey Press publication “Living with Integrity: Unitarian Values and Beliefs in Practice”.

• 2021 – A report by York and Leeds universities showed that Unitarians were leading the way in offering same-sex marriage ceremonies in church.

If you have more information, photos, memories or resources to share about Unitarian LGBT+ History, please get in touch.

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“Reverend Kate Dean has really fulfilled her mission of creating an inclusive and thriving community spirit offering something for everyone which comes at a most prescient time in our lives. It’s inspiring to meet someone with such a passion for people and helping others. A true local hero.”

Rev. Kate Dean, minister of Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel in Hampstead, London, was interviewed by Russell Bentley for the ‘Hampstead & Highgate Express’ local newspaper. She tells her unique story from a childhood choice between biscuits and Buddhism, through her career as a toy designer, before becoming a Unitarian minister. You can read the full piece here.

Photo credit: Russell Bentley

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Rev. Lena Cockcroft has been celebrating 40 years since being ordained the first female minister in our sister organisation, the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland (NSPCI). Rev. Cockcroft was ordained in 1982 and has served as minister to Cairncastle & Glenarm (1982-2016), Ballymoney (1982-97), Downpatrick (1999-2003), Dunmurry (2012-14), and Holywood (2019-20). Now retired, she has been enjoying celebrations within the NSPCI to mark the anniversary.

The denomination will be holding a Service of Thanksgiving and Reflection celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Lena Cockcroft, and 40 years of women being ordained into the NSPCI as ministers of religion. This service will be held at The Travel Lodge in the grounds of The Lodge Hotel in Coleraine at 4pm on Sunday 6 March 2022. Click here for more information.

Rev. Cockcroft also spoke to the Belfast Telegraph about her life in ministry. You can read the article (behind a paywall) here.

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