Chorlton Unitarians Christmas 2015 Newsletter

Transcription

1 Chorlton Unitarians Christmas 2015 Newsletter Minister s Musings Happy Festive season everyone! We have, as usual, had a very busy Autumn season. In September I had the opportunity to hear Rex Hunt, an Australian Minister, speaking under the auspices of the Progressive Christian Network. Besides meeting a few faces I recognised from Luther King House and Chorlton Clergy, I was amused that we were taught a new hymn For everyone born. pretty familiar to Chorlton Unitarians. I think we are already embracing the concept of alternative worship quite well. I had the pleasure of attending the Induction of Rev Anna Jarvis as she took up her position as Minister at Monton, a welcome addition to our group of Ministers in the Manchester District where we have 16 churches and chapels! The Build Your Own Theology Group has just completed and the participants have drawn up their personal credos which they will be sharing with us on Sunday 13 th December. 1

2 I am continuing my Healthy Leadership Course online and finding it beneficial to get together for video conferencing and discussion. I am pleased that the committee is determined to take care of me and my spiritual and emotional needs and supports my ministerial retreats and counselling. Our new members service was a great highlight which tied in with our Anniversary Sunday service. In October I went along to support Derby Unity at the launch of their new Unitarian congregation based at the Multi-faith centre at Derby University. A very positive occasion! And at the beginning of December Rev Danny Crosby very kindly came along to Chorlton and led a singing meditation which was greatly enjoyed by all who attended. A baby naming, foodbank training and a funeral included the circle of life. And just in the last week I had an enlightening day at The Faith Network for Manchester interfaith event on education followed by our own movement s day of Vision into Action in Sheffield. Many Blessings as we move through the Christmas season and into the sparkling New Year! Nicky Jenkins I am available for Pastoral matters and Weddings, Baby Namings and Funerals and can be contacted on or by on revnickyj@icloud.com 2

3 New Members At our Anniversary Service this year we welcomed eight people into membership of the Church. expression of gratitude for gaining their own understanding of spirit/god. The new members are welcomed by Mary Crumpton, Chairperson and Rev Nicky Jenkins Mark Hutchinson writes: When I joined Chorlton Unitarians the average attendance struggled into double figures. This year we welcomed eight new members. In their off-the-cuff expressions we received comments on the warmth of the reception, the comfortable nature of the sacred space: we had an We had gratitude and an admission that they still wouldn't tell their friends they went to church. We had an evocatively expressed acknowledgment that after a lifetime of religious community and personal hypocrisy it was 3

4 very satisfying to be in a community and able to ditch the hypocrisy. Those choosing not to speak spoke volumes as they help set up, attend and contribute. Eight new members and eight more contributions to the Spirit of Chorlton! We had a treasurer almost with a tear in his eye; long standing members smiling and wow what an atmosphere! Our Minister always welcomes and holds us with her words: Truth, meaning, love and deep connection. It was all there and we look forward to the next eight new members. Flowers We love nature and rejoice in fresh flowers adorning our church during Sunday services. These are kindly arranged for us each week by Miriam Dewhurst. We support this by contributing to the flower fund. Please see 4

5 Miriam and choose two or three dates which are important to you to remember when you would like to donate the flowers. Miriam collects the money and buys the flowers each week and arranges them beautifully for us. Haikus of Meaning Our Build Your Own Theology Group looked at what gave their lives meaning and wrote a haiku to express it. A haiku is a poem of 17 syllables arranged in a 5, 7, 5 on three lines. For many of us it was the first attempt at the form. Soft petalled rose bloom Raindrop on spikey pine tip Beech leaves burnishing Nicky Challenging myself Is a creativity Which I find useful. Sheila 5

6 I sit in stillness my mind settles, grows quiet clear water from mud Rachel Leaves dance, kiss the air Roots reach deep down in the earth Trunk holds us steady Laura To understand all - - Explain it to everyone - This is my true quest. Mike Transylvania: Holiday or Pilgrimage I was lucky enough to go this year at the end of September to Transylvania. Strange to say I have always wanted to go, but I haven't always been Unitarian. Arriving on the overnight sleeper from Budapest at 9 am on a Sunday (the things you do to save money!) Brasov train station is the kind of station it's important you leave to the city, as opposed to never seeing the city. A drab, almost 1980s station is modernised as the bus approaches the centre, but even as we walked nothing prepared us for the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang feel of beautifully painted houses nestled amongst hills just tall enough and very green enough. 6

7 Hearing the bell tolling, we walked to discover The Black Church, the doorman proudly informing us the service was an hour long, Lutheran, in German and once we were in we couldn't leave. Spotting a place to stay, bags dumped and quick Internet directions for Brasov Unitarians. Unsure on crossing at the park we asked at the Orthodox Church who, with no sense of irony at all, sent us in the wrong direction! If in doubt ask a pharmacist and right on time we arrived at the Unitarian Church just as the service began. 250 in attendance. (Nicky Jenkins take note.) It was thanksgiving and a certain discomfort for me: very dressed up, communion, and men and women sitting separately. The minister hunted us out and over tea I asked about the communion and segregation. Tradition was the response. Reflecting on the Bible, he said we don't know how much of the Bible is true but we know what parts mean to us and we know our traditions. They have great lodgings with a kitchen too; we returned the following weekend and stayed at 10 for both of us. What a start! Cluj Napoca (Romanian) Kolozsvar (Hungarian) was day three and the birthplace of Unitarianism. We called at 7

8 the college late afternoon and met the vice principal. A tour of college and church were arranged for the next morning. A whistle-stop tour of the churches of Cluj was breath-taking. The college is 25% assisted places and the rest paid, (step down Manchester Grammar), and about 30 per cent Unitarian by faith. It costs about 500 per year per pupil so maybe a fund-raising day for us to help somebody from rural Romania to an education? Holder of the earliest science school lab in Eastern Europe, and with only one original painted room left in original condition, the building is a testament to the journey of communism also. Lucky enough then to sit in the church as the minister gave us a 45 minute history. Francis David in 20 years a Catholic, a Calvinist and a Unitarian Bishop. As the myth goes, on his return from the Diet the people were so excited to hear from him that he had to stand on a stone. (Picture below) It s more likely he returned to the then Catholic church and pronounced. This church became Unitarian and is once again Catholic. I learn more of the liberal nature of a young king, of how an Italian doctor and a Greek free spirit influenced him and Francis David. And this was how religious tolerance began and ended. Once the king died Francis David was imprisoned and died, effectively executed. It was a humbling experience. 8

9 Travelling throughout Transylvania we were struck by the quality of the Orthodox Church buildings everywhere. A couple of interesting facts: 97% of Romanians consider themselves religious. Such is the sway of the Orthodox Church, the state pays all ministers salaries, of all denominations. Perhaps we should George and see what he thinks? No wonder all the buildings were in good nick and that in my early rising I was always able to find 7:30 am worship. As regards the rest. Yes, we did some Dracula stuff. I knew of Vlad the Impaler but didn't know that meant the ramming of a sharpened tree trunk into the victim, who is then upended crucifixion-like until death. We visited Viscri, of Prince Charles fame, gorgeous and ancient and breathing of a life long gone. And finally back to Brasov and service number two, just the 120 there this time. More to tell including the mountain drive to end all mountain drives; green upon green upon green. It was wonderful to touch the spirit of our origins, to feel a less liberal tradition than ours there now, yet still modern. It was great to meet and be welcomed. This is the right home for my spirit and thank you to all those who came before giving love, warmth and their own lives to enable us to seek Truth, Meaning, Love and Deep Connections. Mark Hutchinson 9

10 What s On Nationally For a wide listing of Unitarian events around the UK check out get-involved/events Feb 19, :00pm- Sun, Feb 21, :00pm. FUSE Festival of Unitarians in the South East Letting go Services Letting Go celebrations have been such a success that they will carry on in the New Year on the last Friday of the month. They will start at 7pm Life reveals to all of us many things that constrain our spiritual and physical movement forward. Bereavement, jobs, empty nest or simply a tough day, week or month; we all need the calm and transcendence to let difficult things go. A participatory service led by Mark Hutchinson, this is aimed at all comers to meet in community and seek the comfort of letting go. This is a personal journey to be kept private, yet in the warmth of a loving, spiritual and supporting environment. 7 pm Chalice lighting and opening prayers Service with readings, songs and music Letting go Closing Reflection. Tea and close by 8. Open to all our friends in the wider community as a means of spiritual support. Mark Hutchinson 10

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12 Dates for your Diary Sunday 29 th November- Café Church. We re all going a little potty! Raising funds for hygienic toilets in Africa. Friday 11 th Dec Festive Quiz Night.Bring your mates. Play in teams Sunday 20 th December Evening Carol Service pm Mulled wine and mince pies! Friday 25 th December Christmas day short service 10.30am 2016 Sunday 3 rd January No service. Church closed 28 th December 4 th January Church Closed for floor sanding and varnishing Where to find us Facebook page: Chorlton Unitarian Church Website Chorlton Unitarian Church Rear of Regency Court Flats Wilbraham Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, M21 9LB Chorlton Unitarian Church is grateful to the for the contribution to their parttime paid Ministry 12