SOUTHPORT UNITARIAN NEWS (SUN)
May 2011

COURAGE

“Onward and upward for ever and ever”.
Hopes once we cherished are fading away,
Saving them should be our common endeavour –
Times are so urgent they brook no delay.

Learn then to labour for human salvation,
Build from the ashes the dreams we have lost,
Shrink not from hardship nor scorn tribulation,
Spurn no endeavour nor reckon the cost.

For though our hopes may have faltered and dwindled,
Heights still call upwards and beckon us on;
Courage shall conquer when hearts are re-kindled,
Dreams find fulfilment in victories won.

John Andrew Storey

 

DIRECTORY

District Minister:Rev Lynne Readettemail:

Chair:Rev Daphne M Robertsemail:
(Church Council)
Editor (Calendar)

Secretary :Miss Pennie Yaffe

Treasurer :Mrs Pat Birtles

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A Message from the Chairman

I basically repeat the message Lindon set out last year because nothing has been done, and it is important. He said – “Another year has come and gone and we are on the threshold of a new beginning, but in order that we take advantage of all that we hope this will give us, we need to first set our house in order and start thinking about what we need to do now, and not what we need to do when we have sold the property.

We have much sorting out to do, over the years we have accumulated quite a lot of old papers and correspondence which has been put in cupboards in the vestry. We need to start thinking what we should do with all of this, also what we need to keep and where to store things. It is no use leaving all this to the last moment, or to a few willing members. I am quite aware that we are all getting older and find that we cannot do all we would wish, but a little help can go a long way”. How right he was!

We really DO need to start doing some sorting – will YOU volunteer?

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Services each Sunday at 11.00am

		Preachers	Flowers
May	1st	Graeme Pilborough	Rose Burley
	8th	Dr A Buchanan	J & J Dewsnip
	15th	NO SERVICE
	22nd	Sylvia Merrick	Pat Birtles
	29th	Jean Longworth	Flower Fund

Dates for your Diaries

May

15th

Sun

The District Annual Service will take place at Ancient Chapel, Toxteth, when the General Assembly President will take the Service. Our church will be closed for this reason.

 

The Secretary says:

As I write, we seem to be no further forward in the sale of our Church. But looking at it realistically, I would suggest a couple of reasons for this :-

1. Because of the uncertain economic climate, both corporate bodies and individuals are reluctant to risk large sums of money until things become clearer and more settled:
2. Regardless of other circumstances, this is the wrong time of the year to try and sell property. How much better everything looks on a bright sunny day :

However, our Agents are confident, so we press on!

On a different subject. We all had an interesting experience recently. When we arrived at Church one Sunday, we found that the heating, for whatever reason, had not come on, and it was perishing ! However, our Chairman in her commonsense way, shepherded us all into a much warmer place – the kitchen ! Our speaker, Graeme, said that he had preached in a variety of places, but never before in a kitchen! We had a lovely, warm, though somewhat crowded service !

There was just one snag, however – no music.

Our Organist, John, always gives us much pleasure with his accompanying, and in his pieces played at different points in the Service. At the end, after Benediction, his music always gives us a brief opportunity for quiet contemplation, and preparation for the week ahead.

Pennie

Southport Unitarian Church, Portland Street, is a member of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches. Our Object – to promote a free and inquiring religion through the worship of God and the celebration of life, the service of humanity and respect for all creation, and the upholding of the liberal Christian tradition.