midland unitarian association news archive
Oxford member Catherine Robinson has article in The Guardian (28/3/2009)
Below is the text of a splendid article by Oxford's Pulpit Secretary, Catherine Robinson, which we are reprinting here with the permission of the author. As a succint summary of what Unitarianism is about, it can hardly be bettered.
"Tim Berners-Lee's invention symbolises Unitarian desire to foster communication, says Catherine Robinson
Unitarians sometimes describe themselves as "Quakers with hymns", or "Quakers with attention-deficit disorder". Although close in ethos to the Society of Friends, our worship is more structured: typically a sequence of prayers, hymns, readings, silent meditation, music and a sermon. But the liturgy, unlike that of the mainstream churches, changes shape every Sunday, and our sources of inspiration may include the scriptures of Buddhism, Islam and other world faiths; or poetry or philosophy; or even an editorial in the previous day's Guardian. Perhaps the key difference is the absence of a creed. To pay lip service to dimly understood (or privately rejected) religious formulas is the antithesis of Unitarianism. Honest doubt is encouraged, not suppressed.
The Unitarian movement took root in Poland and Hungary in the mid-16th century, spreading to western Europe in the 17th century and North America in the 18th. Early thinkers such as Faustus Socinus (1539-1604) rejected the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity, for which they could find no justification in the Bible. Their emphasis on the unity (or "unipersonality") of God led some to die at the stake, convicted of heresy. They believed - and we still believe - in the absolute humanity of Jesus, while revering him as a great soul and moral guide. They denied - and we deny - the doctrines of original sin and atonement, affirming instead all human beings' innate worth and potential for holiness, and individual responsibility for one's own spiritual state. As the final authority for a Unitarian lies within the individual conscience, we have no formally ordained priesthood.
Nowadays we tend to avoid theological disputes about the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, preferring instead to affirm our belief in divine unity - the oneness of God - and the essential unity of humankind and of creation. But certain values are enduring, and they include a commitment to civil liberty and social justice: our forebears include Thomas Jefferson, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Albert Schweitzer. A characteristic desire to foster communication is symbolised by the inventions of Unitarians Samuel Morse (the Morse code), Alexander Graham Bell (the telephone) and Tim Berners-Lee (pioneer of the world wide web, who declined to patent his invention and thereby derive personal profit from it).
For more than 200 years Unitarians have sought contact with other faiths, beginning with Sir William Jones (1746-1794), who produced the first European journal devoted to Oriental studies. A Welsh Unitarian, Jenkin Lloyd Jones (1843-1918), helped to organise the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, a pioneering initiative which inspired the founding, also by Unitarians, of the International Association for Religious Freedom (1900) and the World Congress of Faiths (1936). Unitarian minister Will Hayes (1890-1959) championed the cause of universalism or "panreligionism" - the idea that all religions are different aspects of the same truth. Our ministers express this conviction in their willingness to conduct interfaith weddings and funerals.
My own congregation in Oxford is typical: it includes members from Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish and Sufi backgrounds. We have held joint services of worship and colloquia with representatives of these and other faiths: Jewish, Muslim, Zoroastrian and Baha'i. We have particularly close links with the Muslim Educational Centre of Oxford, a liberal Islamic community with whom several of us have studied the Qu'ran.
A recent book, The Larger View: Unitarians and World Religions, traces the long history of Unitarian links with other faiths and also addresses the difficult question of whether the Unitarian movement is a liberal Christian denomination or a separate religion in its own right - a question to which there is (and can be) no officially sanctioned answer."
Oxford's website is http://www.oxford-unitarians.org.uk/
Goodbye Midland Union - Hello Midland Unitarian Association!
At our AGM on 21st March 2009, at the Great Meeting House Unitarian Church, Coventry, it was decided by the meeting that our 'working name' (in other words what we are known as) should be changed from 'Midland Union' to 'Midland Unitarian Association', MUA for short.
Four names had been put forward for consideration: 'Midland Unitarians', 'Midland Unitarian Association', 'Association of Midland Unitarians' and 'Midland Unitarian District Association'. After a discussion, and an initial straw poll of those present, the last two suggestions were dropped, and the meeting voted for one of the first two options.
The reasoning behind this was that our former title 'Midland Union' gave no indication that we were Unitarians. Our full name 'Midland Union of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches' will remain the same, until we amend the Constitution later this year, for Charity Commission purposes, but we will henceforth be known as 'Midland Unitarian Association', which we think shows clearly both that we are a Unitarian organisation and that we are a District Association.
Midland Unitarian Association AGM held at The Great Meeting House Unitarian Church, Coventry.
38 members from 13 of our 18 congregations, plus two visitors (Mrs. Joyce Ashworth, President of the Unitarian General Assembly and Mrs. Lis Dyson-Jones, MUA link member on the GA's Executive Committee) came together on a beautiful Spring day at Coventry's Great Meeting House Unitarian Church.
The business part of the meeting went very smoothly, and then we came to item 19 on the Agenda, choosing a new name for the Midland Union of Unitarian & Free Christian Churches. After a spirited debate (see above), we decided on Midland Unitarian Association.
After a congenial lunch and a short service led by our new President, the Rev. Peter Hewis, who took the life of famous conductor and Unitarian Sir Adrian Boult as his theme, we enjoyed a stimulating and interesting talk by Rev. John Harley, the General Assembly's Youth Coordinator. He was full of good ideas for involving children and young people in worship and other activities in our churches and chapels, and those present made good contributions too. John emphasised the need to have at least one adult present who has been CRB checked, and that it was better to have adults working in pairs. Keeping a log of activities was also recommended. He finished his talk by giving us some information about the GA's Chalice Award Scheme for children and young people. We all went home with a lot to think about, and inspired to be more inclusive to our younger members and attenders.
Kingswood Tercentenary Celebrations rounded off by visit from HRH the Duke of Gloucester
The congregation at Kingswood Meeting House, Hollywood, were honoured to be visited by HRH the Duke of Gloucester on Thursday 12th March 2009.
Also in attendance were the Mayor of Bromsgrove, and Mrs. Joyce Ashworth, President of the General Assembly of Unitarian & Free Christian Churches.
The Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire and his wife accompanied the Duke.
The visit was to mark the 300 year witness of Kingswood Meeting House. The congregation was founded in May 1708, with the original chapel being opened in April 1709.
The Duke was able to meet Committee and Trustees of the Chapel, the volunteers who tend the grounds, the choir and organist, Women's League members, WI members, and the leaders of Kingswood's young people's groups (Boy's Brigade, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides).
He spent some time looking at a historical display created by Kingswood's archivist Ms. Nina Caddick, and went on to enjoy a drink and a slice of cake whilst chatting with various members of the congregation.
The visit was originally planned to be 35 minutes long, but in the event the Duke was able to stay for nearly an hour. This extra time meant that he was able to take an extended tour of the grounds, as well as to hear the choir give an impromptu performance.
Before leaving, the Duke was presented with a limited edition medal, which has been cast especially to mark Kingswood's Tercentenary. He also unveiled a stone tablet which is to be situated in the Chapel. The tablet contains the names of the Ministers who have served Kingswood during its 300 year history.
Midland Unitarian Association of Lay Preachers and Service Leaders elects a new Lay Preacher member
Our congratulations to Miss Janice Ashley of our Coventry congregation, who has been elected as a Lay Preacher Member of our Lay Preachers & Service Leaders Association on account of her lifelong contribution to Unitarian services throughout the Midland Union.
Two Midland Union candidates accepted for Ministry / Lay Pastor training
Kath Riley, member at Evesham and Cheltenham, and editor of MU Now, has been accepted by the GA's Interview Panel for Lay Pastor training at Unitarian College Manchester.
Sue Woolley, member at Northampton, and Secretary & District Facilitator of the MU, has been accepted by the GA's Interview Panel for Ministry training at Harris Manchester College Oxford.
Our congratulations to them both!
Pastoral Care Training Course, 22nd November 2008
19 delegates from 8 Midland Union congregations met at Kingswood Meeting House to participate in a day-long training session on the basics of pastoral care. It was led by Rev. Don Phillips of the Cotswold Group, and Rev. Ant. Howe of Kingswood & Warwick. The course was divided into four parts:
Part 1 covered the basics of pastoral care, whether it is a home or hospital visit, or someone button-holing you before or after a service. Advice was given on basic approaches, and some good ideas were shared. The emphasis was on the community caring for the community.
Part 2 was on the art of listening. We were given tips on how to listen and how to respond, including examples of inappropriate responses; and then did a listening and recalling exercise in pairs, which was most enlightening!
Part 3 covered the limits of confidentiality and no-go areas. We learned that the key question is: is the person a danger to themselves or others? If so, involve the emergency services. We were also advised on the limits of what we should try to cope with ourselves, and when we should refer matters on. And also a list of people to refer on to - most useful!
Part 4 covered the particular issues concerned with the pastoral care of children and the bereaved.
It was a useful and reassuring day. We were reminded at the end that most pastoral care issues are not life and death ones, and that the vast majority of people just want recognition, comfort and the reassurance that they matter.
Midland Union Annual Lunch 18th October 2008
Thirty four Midlands Unitarians (representing 17 of our 18 congregations) and guests gathered on a crisp and sunny Autumn morning at Unitarian New Meeting Church, Birmingham, to attend the Midland Union Annual Lunch. After a welcome cup of tea or coffee, we gathered in the church to hear the Rev. Penny Johnson, National President of the Unitarian Women's League, give an interesting talk about the past and future of the League. She also introduced us to her friends, puppets Goliath (a seriously cute white bunny), Miranda and Jack.
After the speech, we drank pre-luncheon sherries in the vestibule, before adjourning to the Hall to enjoy the usual splendid lunch by our regular cateres, ANDDOR. This was followed by a loyal toast, given by Mr. Gavin Lloyd; the Unitarian toast "To civil and religious liberty the world over" by Mr. Sandy Ellis; and a vote of thanks to the caterers by Mr. Malcolm Sadler, who presented them with a big box of chocolates.
It was a most enjoyable event, and a good opportunity to meet up with old friends and make new.
SANDY ELLIS