The home of Unitarianism in the West Midlands
A goodly number of us met the incoming GA Chief Officer, Elizabeth Slade, on Friday 29th March, at Unitarian New Meeting Church in Birmingham. It was a very fruitful and interesting exchange of views – she told us something of her background, and of her hopes for the future. We shared our concerns and joys … Read more
MUA Annual General Meeting: this will be held at Shrewsbury Unitarian Church on Saturday 30th March. Guest Speaker: Karen Hanley, Parliamentary liaison person for Unitarians. Spring Training Day: the theme will be ‘Music in Worship’. Course Leaders are Revs Ant Howe and Danny Crosby. At Kingswood on Saturday 16th March. Meet the new Unitarian Chief … Read more
MUA Annual General Meeting 2019 will be held at Shrewsbury Unitarian Church on Saturday 30th March. Guest Speaker to be confirmed. Spring Training Day: the theme will be ‘Music in Worship’. Date to be confirmed. MU Now: the deadline for the next issue is Friday 4th January. The theme is ‘New year, new hope’. All … Read more
Twelve of us spent a very enjoyable day at Kingswood on Saturday 10th November, discovering how to ‘put the worth into worship’. This training day was led by Rev. Ant Howe, Kingswood’s minister. He had asked each participant to bring an “item of personal worth” with them, and after the opening devotions, we sang ‘Bring … Read more
More than 30 Unitarians gathered at Kingswood Meeting House on Saturday 3rd November, to share food and fellowship, and to listen to our Guest Speaker, Rev. Daniel Costley, who is the minister of five congregations in Kent. His talk was both instructive and entertaining. Here he is in Kingswood’s pulpit (photo by Ant Howe): … Read more
We are sad to report that Malcolm Sadler, a past President of the Midland Unitarian Association, died in hospital on 17th October. His memorial service was held on Friday 2nd November, at Warwick Chapel, which he served faithfully for more than 50 years. Indeed it is not too much of an exaggeration to say that … Read more
Professor Ewan Fernie has given a fascinating talk about George Dawson, minister of Church of the Saviour in Birmingham in the mid-19th century. It is well worth a listen. https://www.historywm.com/podcasts/meet-birminghams-lost-philosopher-george-dawson-1821-1876
1. Model Contracts: It was agreed that it would be good practice for the District Minister to hold blank copies of model contracts (e.g. for the employment of lay workers, the hiring of sub-contractors, the letting of premises) so that congregations planning to do any of these things would have an approved contract to hand. … Read more
1. Stronger Data Protection Act: The Data Protection Act is being strengthened, which will have implications for how all congregations hold personal data. It comes into force on 25th May 2018. Please could all congregations ensure that they have asked their members to complete the forms circulated by Sandy Ellis, and return a list of … Read more
More than 30 Unitarians from 11 congregations around the District assembled at Unitarian New Meeting Church in Birmingham for the District’s 152nd Annual General Meeting. Following a commendably brief business meeting, followed by an even briefer AGM of the Midland Unitarian Association of Lay Preachers & Service Leaders, both in the church itself, during which … Read more