Unitarian Events within the LDPA
Course in Congregational Leadership
Starting on Saturday 17th May 2008
This is a four-session course designed for London and South East Unitarians who are interested in assuming a more active leadership role in congregational life.
The four sessions will cover:
- 17th May - Worship
with Rev. David Usher at Sevenoaks
- 7th June - Congregational Life
with Rev. David Usher at Godalming
- 28th June - Rites of Passage
with Rev. Jane Barton at Brighton
- 19th July - Leading Groups
with Rev. Jim Robinson at Hampstead
Each session will be held from 11.00am to 4.00pm. Attendance at all four sessions is strongly encouraged. The course is sponsored by PULSE (The London and South East District) and is free of charge to participants. For further information, or to register, please contact Rev. David Usher.
Informal Garden Party at Lyndhurst Farm
Saturday 31st May 2008 from 3.00pm
Please click on the image above to view a larger version.
Newington Green Tercentenary Celebrations
Saturday 21st June 2008, 2.30 pm
The Newington Green Unitarians will hold a celebratory service to mark the 300th anniversary of the construction of the Newington Green Unitarian Church - the oldest operating dissenting place of worship in London. The service will be followed by a celebratory tea at the nearby Mildmay Club. All are welcome to come and celebrate this very special birthday. There will also be a series of events throughout the year to mark the tercentenary. A listing may be found online by clicking on 'tercentenary' at www.new-unity.org.
(Please note that this would have been the date for the District Summer Quarterly. However, in order to support Newington Green, and encourage the maximum possible attendance by other PULSE Unitarians, District Council has decided not to hold a Quarterly in the summer.)
Past Events
Touching Wholeness: The Way of Silence
Weekend Retreat, 18th-20th April 2008
In our searching for a sense of wholeness in our lives, learning to be quiet and to find a stillness within is a powerful tool. Join with others in this mindful retreat where we will explore silence in a variety of ways. We will walk a labyrinth, use art materials and creativity, employ movement, and experience the power of our presence to each other in our search.
The retreat will be held at Duncton Mill Retreat Centre, a highly rated, lovely site located in West Sussex. The centre is spacious and beautiful.
Co-leaders John Harley, Linda Hart and Andrew Pakula will guide the time with reflections, meditation and instruction. All are welcome to participate in this weekend of exploration and rejuvenation.
Arrivals after 17:00 on Friday 18th April - programme begins 19:30 and ends at 14:30 Sunday 20th April.
Registration: For more information and to register, please click here.
Retreat: Explore What Jesus Means To You
Saturday 19th April 2008, 11am-2pm
Open to all who value a non-dogmatic setting.
Widely differing viewpoints welcomed.
Deepen your understanding of what Jesus taught.
Consider how to integrate this into your daily life.
This will be the first gathering of a new Liberal Christian group initiated by Unitarians in London and South-East England. It is open to all viewpoints of Jesus which enable us to live in loving kindness. The group will be facilitated by Rev. Jim Robinson
Location: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, Hampstead
Tube: Hampstead - Northern Line, Edgware Branch
Buses: 46, 268 or 168, 24 to South End Green
(light refreshments/sandwiches provided)
Enquiries: 020 7433 3267
Email: admin@rosslynhillchapel.com
Website: www.rosslynhillchapel.com
Click here to download a poster for the Jesus Retreat at Rosslyn Hill.
Unitarian Women's Group: Day Gathering
Saturday 8th March 2008, 10am-5pm
This day, at Rosslyn Hill Chapel, is open to any member of the Unitarian Women’s Group or any woman interested in being part of the Unitarian Women’s Group.
Click here for a printable flyer.
The day will feature:
- Powerpoint presentation on "Images of Female Divinity" presented by Hillary Ratna.
- Peace Dance and Chants led by Ingrid Tavkar.
- Group work on accessing the Divine within each of us.
- Fun, laughter and community.
Please bring food to share OR we can order in some pizzas and have salad things available. Coffee/teas will be available. If anyone in London can offer overnight accommodation, please contact Danielle Wilson on . If you have any favourite images/icons/statues/etc of the Divine Feminine, please bring them along. If you have something you would like to contribute to the day, please contact Danielle.
Location: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead, London, NW3 1NG. Click here for a map.
District Conference:
Making Your Congregation Grow
Saturday 16th February 2008
at Croydon Unitarian Church
The London District is developing programmes for the next five years which are designed to enliven congregations and to enhance our profile. One goal is to increase our membership by 50% by 2013.
As a first step towards identifying what might be done towards achieving that goal, the District is sponsoring this day conference on Saturday 16th February at Croydon Unitarian Church. The conference will address some of the issues around growing a congregation, including obstacles which need to be overcome.
Please inform the district minister if you are intending to come.
Engagement Group Facilitator Training Day
Saturday 10th November, 11am-4pm
If you are interested in finding out more about Engagement Groups - particularly if you would like to set up a small group, or are already facilitating one, in your own congregation or fellowship - you are most welcome to come along to one of the forthcoming training days, organised by the Engagement Support Panel, to be held in London and York this autumn.
The training day will begin by covering the basic principles of Engagement Groups in some detail. We will discuss best practice for group facilitation, share our varied experiences of small group work, and address some of the challenges that facilitators might anticipate or encounter in congregations. This event will also provide an opportunity to connect with the regional engagement support network.
The training day will be facilitated by Rev. Jim Robinson and Dr. Jane Blackall. Please contact Jim to let us know that you are planning to attend or for more information: Telephone: 020 7435 3506 or email: maryjimrobinson@btconnect.com
There will be no cost to attend these training sessions but places will be limited, so please register in advance. Reasonable travel expenses will be covered by the Engagement Support Panel. Please bring a packed lunch - drinks will be provided.
Location: Rosslyn Hill Chapel, Hampstead, London NW3 1NG.
Nearest station: Hampstead (Northern line, Edgware branch).
Advent Art and Craft Fair
Sunday 2nd December, 12.30-3.30pm
This is the third annual art and craft fair at Essex Church. Members of the Kensington Congregation's Creativity Group will be showing and selling a wide range of their art and craft works to raise money for various church projects. Refreshments will also be available throughout the afternoon so this will be an enjoyable social event for all. Please do come along and encourage friends and family to drop by too.
Location: Essex Church, Notting Hill, London W8 4RT.
Nearest station: Notting Hill Gate (Central and Circle lines).
Interfaith Peace Service
Sunday 28th October, 3.00pm
Service organised in conjunction with the World Congress of Faiths.
Location: Mansford Street Unitarian Church, E2 6LX.
Nearest station: Bethnal Green (central line).
Animal Rights Service
Sunday 16th September, 3.00pm
Golders Green Unitarians, 31 1/2 Hoop Lane, London, NW11 8BS.
Nearest station: Golders Green (northern line).
Spirit Play: "Wild Thing - You Make My Heart Sing"
Saturday 12th May, 2.00-4.00pm
We will explore our spiritual links with the animal kingdom, through shamanic meditation and art work, and the traditions of the North West coast of Canada. No special skills are required. Please wear old clothes.
The session will be led by Rev. Jane Barraclough and Rev. Sarah Tinker. A £ 2 donation is requested to cover costs. Please phone or email Jane to book a place.
Location: Mansford Street Unitarian Church, E2 6LX.
Nearest station: Bethnal Green (central line).
Click here to download a PDF flyer for this meeting.
"How Your Congregation Can Make the Most of the Internet", Saturday 28th April, 11.00am-3.00pm
Jane Blackall, a member of the Unitarian congregation in Kensington, will be leading a day-long workshop on how congregations can get the best out of the internet. It promises to be a fascinating day and everyone is welcome. Bring your own lunch. Hot drinks provided.
RSVP to David Usher by 23rd April 2007 please.
Sponsored by Kent and East Sussex Unitarian Union
Location: Dover Unitarian Church. Nearest station: Dover Priory.
Spirit Play: "Transforming Anger"
Saturday 14th April, 2.00-4.00pm
A creative workshop for adults on the theme of "Transforming Anger": both finding it (for those who can't) and managing it (for those who can much too easily!) using Tibetan mythology in the process of reflecting on this difficult area of life.
The session will be led by Rev. Jane Barraclough and Rev. Sarah Tinker. A £ 2 donation is requested to cover costs. Please phone or email Jane to book a place.
Location: Mansford Street Unitarian Church, E2 6LX.
Nearest station: Bethnal Green (central line).
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