The home of Unitarianism in the West Midlands
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
Unitarians: Together in Diversity A Survey of the Beliefs, Values, and Practices of Contemporary British Unitarians by Sue Woolley Published by the Lindsey Press, April 2018 £9.50 Dating back 450 years and still evolving, Unitarianism is a faith which imposes no creed or dogma on its followers. It is a community of individuals, each on … Read more
13 participants from eight congregations met at Kingswood on Saturday 17th February, for a training day on Building Resilient Congregations. The main guest speaker was Mr Simon Bland, the General Assembly’s Ministry and Congregational Support Officer. He explained what resilience is – the ability to bounce back in adversity, and spoke about it in relation … Read more
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. Further information to follow shortly. Unitarians Together In Diversity: following her survey in 2017, the District Minister’s book will be published by the Lindsey Press, … Read more