Quarterly Meetings

January 2011 - Light The Fire Weekend

52 people from throughout the District and beyond participated in the exciting Light the Fire event held at Aylesford , Kent on the weekend of 28 - 30 January. The weekend was designed not as a retreat for personal spirituality, or as a workshop on congregational life, but as an opportunity for all participants to reconnect with the fire of faith within themselves so that they could then be more inspired and better equipped to lead their congregations to greater vitality and outreach to the world.

From the Opening Celebration on the Friday evening, in which four people gave personal testimonies about their own Unitarian flame, it was apparent to everyone that this weekend had a special energy to it. Saturday was given mainly to creating dreams for all we might do in five different areas - Theology, Worship, Congregational Life, Social Justice and Personal Spiritual Development - and each of the five groups gave creative, inspiring and hilarious presentations. Saturday evening saw an unprecedented innovation - Unitarian karaoke! The weekend concluded with a service in which the six "spark" groups presented their mini-worships as part of a larger service.

One participant, attending a Unitarian event for the first time, announced it as the best weekend of her life, a comment not appreciated by the husband she had left at home!

Will people be wearing T shirts in years go come that proudly announce, "I was at Aylesford, 2011"? The calls from those present for more such events will be heeded. If you were not at Aylesford, 2011, don't miss the next opportunity.

Light the fire; we need to warm our souls.

Build up the blaze until it roars with light

And all the world's consumed with glorious coals.

Light the fire.

Watch carefully and tend it through the night

Feeding it with kindness which cajoles

Reluctant boughs to turn themselves to bright

Beacons of renewal where the goals

Are crystal clear for all who would unite

To face a world of obstinate black holes.

Light the fire .

By Dr Brian Hick (member of the Hastings congregation)

October Meeting at Brixton

'Facing your fears and finding your voice' was the theme of the Autumn Quarterly.

Jen Hazel and Kate Buchanan led a lively and innovative day of singing and worship at the Autumn Quarterly at Brixton on 23rd October. Jen is a professional singer and teacher, and in the workshop she had us singing far beyond many people's estimations of their own talent, and then in the worship which followed, both Jen and Kate led us through contemplation of how we can find our true voice when we face our fears. The gathering of fifty or so from throughout the District then enjoyed the hospitality of the Brixton congregation who had provided us with a truly sumptuous spread, and with the church looking in such well-cared for condition, and the sun shining brightly outside, everyone who had made the journey to Brixton felt well rewarded for their efforts in getting there. Thanks to Kate and Jen, and to the good people of Brixton congregation.

June 2010 meeting at Brighton

Brighton Unitarian Church was filled with people from throughout the District for the Summer Quarterly on 19 June. The excellent service of worship was led by Jef Jones, newly appointed Lay Leader of the Brighton congregation, who spoke with wit and eloquence of the continuing Unitarian contribution to the architectural, theological and spiritual conversation of that lively seaside city. He was ably supported by Nick Andrews on the piano, Pamela Nickels who sang a capella, and Adrienne Wilson who gave a reading, and the hymns were sung with great gusto.

Kate Whyman is Chair of the Brighton congregation, and also the Founder and Director of the excellent Festival of Sacred Music held annually in the city. Last November she represented British Unitarians at the World Parliament of Religions held in Melbourne, Australia which gathered under the banner "Making a World of Difference". She gave a fascinating presentation about that experience, conveying the complexity of such a gathering which had drawn more than 6,000 participants from around the world. She had discovered that Unitarians had been influential in organising the first ever such Parliament, held in Chicago in 1893, and challenged the audience not to allow our Unitarian witness at such events to be lost.

There followed an excellent afternoon tea, with a vast chocolate cake the centrepiece, with many lingering for conversation. Altogether, a most successful Summer Quarterly, with thanks to the many from the host congregation who had provided such a fine programme and hospitality.

April 2010 meeting at Essex Hall, London

Martineau Hall was full for the District Annual Meeting on 20 March, and more chairs had to be put out. Many present were young, first time attenders at a District Quarterly, and there was a real buzz in the air even before the afternoon began. Isobella Clarke, who as Caretaker for many years has welcomed us to Martineau Hall so graciously, expressed her sadness that this would probably be the last Quarterly Meeting to be held at Essex Hall and that she would miss seeing "her people" in the future.

Rev. Jim Robinson led a superb service, speaking to the theme that there is nothing more important in life than loving-kindness. Liz Hills again played piano beautifully to accompany the enthusiastic singing as well as offering times for reflection, and the collection gathered £218.80, almost all gift aided for District funds.

Following the service and afternoon tea, Tanya Morrison had to exercise her vocal chords to be heard over the buzz and call the Annual Meeting to order. Twenty one congregations were represented, and apologies from others received. The accounts were approved. They showed an excess of income over expenditure of £4,238 (not including transactions pertaining to the sale of the former manse in Croydon) - a remarkable result given the downturn in the national economy. Phillida Simpson was warmly thanked for her excellent work as Treasurer.

Rev David Usher spoke to his report as District Minister, with particular emphasis on the progress made on the six goals formally adopted two years ago. There had been encouraging progress on all six, though unsurprisingly there remained more work to do. Against the national trend of numerical decline, the District had grown by 11% over the past two years, with more than half our congregations reporting a net numerical increase.

Jeff Teagle has served as District President for the past two years, and had indicated his wish to retire. Rev. James McClelland was elected with acclamation as the new President.

January 2010 Meeting at Essex Hall, London

The District was delighted to have the noted Guardian columnist, Madeleine Bunting, as the Guest Speaker at the District Winter Quarterly Meeting. She gave a throught provoking talk about the new atheism and its antipathy towards religious belief which precludes intelligent and interesting conversations about god, faith and the legitimate role of the church. The preceeding service wasled by the District Minister, Rev. David Usher, and featured the fine tenor voice of Matthew Smith, former General Secretary Information Officer and now a member at Newington Green.