the midland unitarian association executive committee

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the president Ash James Ash is a recent Unitarian, having joined the Kidderminster New Meeting House, where he is Vice-President, in 2008. he does have a family connection however to Unitarianism, through his wife Elaine, a fourth generation Unitarian. He was formerly a Deputy Headteacher at a large Dudley comprehensive school, but has over the last five years become increasingly involved within the voluntary sector. He works as a volunteer adviser at the Citizens Advice Bureau in Stourbridge, is a governor at a local school and a member of the Dudley Education Appeals team. He is an events organiser and fund raiser for various charities, organising charity weekends and music promotion events. He lives in Stourbridge. Ash James

the vice president Jane Couper Brought up as an Anglican in a family more interested in politics than religion Jane became a Unitarian as a teenager. In her professional life she taught Religious Studies at an academic independent school and from the late 1980s she was an active member of Hale Chapel becoming its Chairman, then President of the Manchester District Association. In 2003 she moved with her husband to Evesham and now attends Oat Street Chapel. Recently she has been involved with "future ministry" and the District Associations Project. Jane Couper

the immediate past president Bronwen Taylor, BEd, CertEd ACP Bronwen is a 4th generation Unitarian, on her mother's side, with links to non-conformism dating back to 1733. Originally from Manchester, she is still a member at Cross St Chapel & also worshipped at the John Pounds Unitarian Church, Portsmouth during her student days. She has been a member of Shrewsbury Unitarian Church since 1995, and its Membership Secretary and a Trustee since 1998. After leading services for a number of years, she completed the Worship Studies Course Foundation Step in 2008 and continues to lead services both in the Midlands and further afield. She enjoys hymn writing, having written 14 so far; 2 of which were published in the latest Unitarian hymn book, 'Sing Your Faith'. Bronwen has lived in Bridgnorth since 1973 and retired from school teaching in 2008 after 41 years in the profession. Bronwen Taylor

the secretary Rev. Sue Woolley, BA.,M.Phil Sue is a fifth generation Unitarian. She is minister of the Banbury Unitarian Fellowship, and District Facilitator and Secretary of the Midland Unitarian Association. She is also Secretary of the Unitarian Association for Lay Ministry and the Unitarian Peace Fellowship. Sue Woolley

the treasurer Sandy Ellis, TD, BA, FCMA Sandy, a fourth generation Unitarian, is a member of Oat Street Chapel, Evesham. He has served on the Executive Committee and as Midland Unitarian Association Treasurer since 1983. He has been a Manager of the Ministers’ Stipend Augmentation Fund since 1986 and is a Director of the Ministers’ Benevolent Society. He served as Treasurer of the Sustentation Fund from 1994-2003 and was a Trustee of the Hibbert & Gregson Trusts from 1991-2003. A Chartered Management Accountant with 40 years experience, he is a G.A. Qualified Lay Preacher and is a regular Preacher in Midland Unitarian Association Congregations and lives near Worcester. Sandy Ellis

elected members

Jill Hudson Never having felt quite comfortable with Anglicanism, she had been searching for a religion that matched her beliefs. She discovered the Unitarian church in Shrewsbury in 1997, and attended as frequently as possible. THIS was what she had been looking for. In 1999, she moved to Birmingham and attended Unitarian New Meeting, at first sporadically, and gradually more regularly. She was elected to UNM's Vestry in 2006, becoming its' Secretary in 2008 and Chair in 2011. Jill Hudson

Diane Rutter Is Salford born and bred! She spent the first 22 years of her life as a member of Pendleton Unitarians in Salford, then peregrinated via the Church of England and the wilderness back to Unitarianism over a decade ago. Diane is currently Lay Assistant to Kingswood (and by serendipity Warwick) congregations. A touch typist by trade and a cleric by profession, previous employers include Tootal Fabric, The Sunday Express Sports Desk and the University of Salford. Diane Rutter

David Mearman David has been a member of Stourbridge Presbyterian (Unitarian) Church since 1966. He succeeded his late father as Organist, continuing a fifty year family tradition, and is the Secretary, and a Trustee. He lives in Stourbridge, Worcestershire. David Mearman		Angela Maher Angela found the Unitarians in 2007 and is a member of Unitarian New Meeting, Birmingham where she edits the church calendar and website. She is active in the Unitarian Communication Coordinators Network and BUYAN, the Unitarian young adults network. Angela works in web content development in the civil service and lives in Birmingham. Angela Maher		Alison Thursfield, BSc, PG Cert Ed Alison is a member of Bayshill Unitarian Church, Cheltenham which forms part of the Cotswold Group of Unitarian & Free Christian Churches. She has served on the Executive Committee since 2002 and became Vice President in 2005 and President in 2007. She lives near Cheltenham. Alison Thursfield
David Heppinstall I'm a monumental stonemason and letter-cutter. I'm also a fourth generation Unitarian. I was christened at The Great Meeting Hinckley, where my grandparents were caretakers. I attended this chapel until my wife and I moved up to the Manchester area in 2004, where Cross Street became my main chapel. We moved to Banbury in 2011, and I'm now a member at Banbury, but still have very close connections to Hinckley as this is where my family are still based. David Heppinstall		Ian Kirby I have been a member of the Kidderminster congregation for three years, and have been a member of the church committee since November. From a Methodist background, I consider myself a Unitarian Christian, and have held Unitarian beliefs for many years. I am interested in making Unitarians known as a liberal faith group by working at the local community level. I will be looking to see what I can do as a committee member to this end. Ian Kirby		Rev. Jeffrey Bowes After a much chequered working life in hotel, garage, office, tyre depot and bingo hall, and some years as a lone parent, I trained for the Unitarian ministry at Unitarian College from October 1982. In between ministries in the Somerset and Dorset Group, Rochdale, Hinckley and Coventry (including pastoral oversight of Newchurch and Shelf) I've worked as an administrator. I've also been Chair of Directors for two Councils for Voluntary Services, and Chair of Governors for two schools (one an Outstanding Special School). I have a daughter and two grandchildren, and my wife is looking forward to retiring from teaching next year. My committee skills are mainly in the areas of governance and strategy. Rev. Jeffrey Bowes

representative members

Minister's Meeting Malcolm Sadler Malcolm, a third generation Unitarian, is a member of the Warwick Unitarians Congregation, serving the Congregation as its Musical Director since 1959 and was Lay Leader from 1982 - 2006. In latter years he has also provided leadership for the Banbury Fellowship. He has served on the Executive Committee since 1984, as Vice-President from 1985 - 1986 and as President from 1987-1988. He is also President of the Unitarian Association for Lay Ministry and Secretary of Warwickshire and Neighbouring Counties Monthly Meeting of Protestant Dissenting Ministers. Malcolm Sadler

Women's League Pamela Rose Pamela has been a member of the Oldbury Congregation since joining the Sunday School at the age of five. She has been Secretary and Treasurer to Oldbury for many years and is a Trustee of both the Oldbury and Dudley Congregations. In 2010 she was elected President of the Birmingham & District Women's League and represents them on the MUA Executive Committee. Pamela Rose