midland union news
July 19 2008 Tercentenary Open Day at Kingswood Meeting House
All on edge that the weather would be kind to them, the congregation of Kingswood Meeting House in Hollywood near Birmingham, prepared for an Open Day that would be in recognition of their forebears who founded the Chapel in 1708. Even all those years ago it was an unusual place in so much that it was built for the Dissenters as a quiet place to worship away from all the disapprovers in the City. Today it is still unusual in that its’ lively congregation, led by the Reverend Anthony Howe, is bucking the trend by its growth in numbers.
There was no need to worry about the weather, it behaved quite well. The Open Day on Saturday 19th July was visited by people from near and far. Other religious denominations were well represented and joined in the activities – there were stalls, Irish dancers, games and displays as well as cream teas - they were all appreciated. A visit from the local MP Julie Kirkbride was very well received – people were so pleased that she had been able to fit the visit into her busy schedule.
A short service of thanksgiving was held late afternoon and this was followed by a Musical Evening to which people were invited to bring picnics. The music was a fine selection led by the Chapel’s organist Peter Flower.
The congregation went home tired but very content that the day had been a huge success.
Picture can be viewed in the Events Gallery >
May 18 2008 Tercentenary Service at Kingswood Meeting House
Over 100 members and guests crowded into Kingswood Meeting House on 18th May, to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Unitarian witness in Kingswood. A meeting house was built in Dark Lane, Hollywood in 1708. It suffered in the Sacheverall riots of 1715, when an attempt was made to burn it down. During the Priestley riots in July 1791, the mob had more success, and the Chapel and Parsonage were actually burnt down. It was decided to rebuild the Chapel on the current site in Packhorse Lane, which opened in 1793. Since then, Unitarians have been worshipping in the same building.
The celebration service started with a splendid prelude by Charles Callahan, played most proficiently by organist Peter Flowers. We sang several rousing hymns and the Kingswood congregation received greetings from the General Assembly and the Midland Union. Malcolm Sadler of Warwick Unitarians, Kingswood's sister chapel, presented a fine certificate to Bob Edwards, Chairman at Kingswood, and received in turn a special medal that had been struck for the occasion. Former minister Rev. Keith Hill did a reading, and the newly re-formed choir sang a piece. Rev. Ant Howe's address touched briefly on the history of the Meeting House, before talking about the present and the future. His message was that the most important thing about any religious organisation was the people who make it up. He was thrilled by what they have achieved together and looks forward to a bright future for Kingswood. The service ended with Widor's Toccata, when Peter once again put the new organ through its paces.
After the service, we all adjourned to the School Room, where a lavish buffet was laid out. The weather smiled on us, and it was sunny and warm enough to eat outside. The proceedings ended with the cutting of a cake, which everyone present sampled before heading for home. As Ant said in his address, may Kingswood flourish for another 300 years!
Pictures can be viewed in the Events Gallery >
May 14 2008 Asparagus Lunch at Oat Street Chapel, Evesham
Nearly 40 Unitarians from across the Midlands met at Evesham's Oat Street Chapel at the invitation of the Warwickshire and Neighbouring Counties Monthly Meeting of Protestant Dissenting Ministers (known to its friends as the Ministers' Meeting) to join with them in the annual Asparagus Lunch. Following a thought-provoking service by Rev. Don Phillips about differing strands of Unitarian belief and the need for fellowship in diversity, we adjourned to the Gate House, where we were served a delicious three-course meal, including (of course) asparagus.
The guest speaker this year was GA President Mrs. Joyce Ashworth, who spoke with great feeling about the sadly continuing need to protect civil and religious liberty, citing repression and abuses of human rights from many countries. She concluded by proposing the traditional toast "To civil and religious liberty the world over."
She was thanked by Rev. Ann Latham, who was followed by Rev. Peter Godfrey, who thanked Don Phillips for his excellent service. Midland Union Treasurer Mr. Sandy Ellis then proposed a toast to the Ministers' Meeting, and Rev. Keith Hill thanked the congregation at Oat Street Chapel for their splendid hospitality.
Pictures can be viewed in the Events Gallery >
April 2008 Midland Union AGM at Park Lane Unitarian Chapel, Cradley
This was a great success - no less than 54 of you attended - a record for recent years. After the business meetings and a splendid three-course lunch provided by the Park Lane congregation, the afternoon was devoted to Engagement Groups, including a 'taster session' when we all split up and discussed how to grow our congregations
April 2008 Midland Union Executive Committee
Also at the AGM, we said goodbye to two members of the Executive Committee, Mr. Ben Rowntree (Evesham) and Ms. Suzie Winder (Women's League) and are pleased to welcome three new members: Miss Winnie Gordon (UNM), Mrs. Bronwen Taylor (Shrewsbury) and Rev. Ann Latham (Women's League). The new Committee may be viewed on the Executive Committee page.
Notice Board Grants
Did you know that up to £250 is available from the GA to renew or replace your notice board? But time is limited, so you need to act now! Contact Sue Woolley (details on District Facilitator page) for more details.
other unitarian news
Unitarian Minister on YouTube
Unitarian LDPA District Minister David Usher is now on youtube.co.uk.
To see David talking about different aspects of Unitarianism please go to http://uk.youtube.com/user/kylaphotographics
Reverend Death: a Unitarian response to the programme on Channel 4, Monday 19th May 2008.
This two hour documentary programme by Jon Ronson, a journalist with The Guardian, was about a so-called “Unitarian minister” named George Exoo.
Exoo is a leader in the American right-to-die movement, and has assisted over a hundred people to die. Ronson was initially in favour of assisted-suicide, but in the four years he followed Exoo around America, he became more and more horrified at what Exoo was doing. He was helping people who were more in need of psychiatric help, to kill themselves. Exoo’s justification is his belief that “life after life” was so much better than what we have here, but his recently recruited assistant named Susan, is downright evil and seems to be motivated mainly by profit.
I myself, am probably in favour of euthanasia for those who have horrific terminal illnesses and whose quality of life is really dreadful, but the people Exoo was “helping” weren’t like that – they were sad people who needed counselling, not death. And his cosy pastoral manner was truly creepy – he obviously believed that he was doing his best for these people. At one point he said “I've never done anything as important as this in my ministry. I think it's the reason I was placed on this planet. I'm a midwife to the dying, for those who want to hasten their deaths." His clients were referred to him by the mainstream right-to-die organisations, who wouldn’t help people who weren’t terminally ill, because they believed it is wrong.
This programme could damage the reputation of British Unitarians by suggesting that “Unitarians are the ones that help people to die” Although Exoo was referred to several times as a Unitarian minister, he resigned from ministerial fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association in 2001. There was even a brief interview with his successor in Beckley, West Virginia, who mentioned that Unitarians are in favour of the right to die, which muddies the waters even further. That’s not true, especially in this country. Our attitude is described by Rev. Cliff Reed, when he writes “Most Unitarians would see tackling evil and the suffering it causes as a higher priority. As adult individuals, we are responsible for ourselves. Our prime task is to examine what we do and think. Then it is to direct our own lives in such a way that they will be a blessing to those whose lives we touch.” In other words, British Unitarians believe in helping others to improve the quality of their lives, not to end them.
Sue Woolley
District Facilitator, Midland Union of Unitarian & Free Christian Churches
2008 GA Meetings at Hatfield
Many Midland Union delegates attended these meetings. The centenary of the National Women's League was celebrated, and the Friday was a special Growth Day, with opportunities to discuss all aspects of growth and development.
midland union events
Worship Studies Course Foundation Step
A three-part course leading to a GA-recognised qualification (you will also need to do two assessed services)
Where: Kingswood Unitarians, Packhorse Lane, Hollywood, Worcs. B47 5DQ
When: Saturdays 7th June, 5th July and 2nd August 2008
Time: 10.00 am to 4.15 pm (coffee available from 9.30 am)
Total cost: £26 (to Midland Union delegates) / £35 (to others)
Contact Sue Woolley (details on District Facilitator page) to book your place
Birmingham District Women's League
Saturday 6th September 2008
Autumn meeting at Unitarian New Meeting Birmingham, between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm
other unitarian events
Unitarian Experience Week at Great Hucklow
The theme for this year is "To everything there is a season".
Saturday 26th July to Saturday 2nd August.
Full details from Kathy Beckett on (02380) 273 420
The Meditation Fellowship: Retreat
8th - 10th August 2008
The next retreat of the Meditation Fellowship will be held at Ammerdown, Somerset. Ammerdown is a comfortable retreat centre dedicated to Peace. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds. The retreat is suitable for people new to / interested in / experienced at Meditation Practice.
For details contact: David Monk 01204-698064
For bookings contact: Margaret Davis 02380-557829
Hucklow Summer School 2008
"Reclaiming the language of faith"
Saturday 16th August to Saturday 23rd August
Team of Theme Speakers: Rev. Margaret Kirk, Rev. Chris Goacher, Rev. Celia Cartwright, Rev. Nancy Crumbine, Rev. Simon John Barlow. Morning Workshops: (A). "Being Creative in Movement - Dance!" with Dawn Buckle and Maggie Davies, (B). "Poetry: The Language of the Heart" with Rev. John Harley and Andy Pakula, (C). "Beyond Words: Visions of the Holy" with Jane Blackall and Sheena Gabriel.
A leaflet/application form can be downloaded from: http://www.unitariansocieties.org.uk/summerschool/summer_school_leaflet_2008.pdf
Unitarian Association of Lay Leaders (UALL) Annual Conference 2008
Friday 31st October to Sunday 2nd November at the Nightingale Centre, Great Hucklow.
Theme: Ways of Worship. Aimed at: lay pastors, lay leaders, lay preachers, students, all worship leaders. Details and a booking form from: Sue Woolley sue.woolley@virgin.net tel: 01604 870746