The home of Unitarianism in the West Midlands
1. The deadline for 2020 Expressions of Interest has been extended to 28th September 2013.
2. The MUA Investment Committee has four new members (in addition to Mr. Ash James (President), Mr. Sandy Ellis (Treasurer) and Mr. Clive Weston (consultant): Rev. Jeffrey Bowes; Mrs. Jane Couper (Vice President); Mr. David Mearman and Mrs. Pamela Rose. Our thanks to them all.
On a wonderfully warm and sunny Summer’s day, Unitarians from across the MUA joined together with Unitarians fromSouth Walesto enjoy a service of celebration in the beautifully restored small chapel of Pen-rhiw.
It was good to see several other people from “Winnie’s congregations” at the Valedictory Service – three from Kingswood, where she shadowed Rev. Ant Howe in her first year of training, four fromShrewsbury, where she did her pastorate this year, and one from her home congregation ofBirmingham. Many of her family members were also present, including her daughter Xaymca.
1. Three new members were welcomed onto the Committee: Rev. Jeffrey Bowes (Coventry), Mr. David Heppingstall (Banbury) and Mr. Ian Kirby (Kidderminster).
2. MU Now deadline the deadline for the Summer 2013 issue is 11th July, and the theme is Freedom of Belief, but other articles of local interest are always welcome. Contributions to Rev. Sue Woolley please (contact details below)
Over 50 Unitarians from 14 MUA congregations attended the 147th Annual General Meeting of the Midland Unitarian Association at New Meeting Kidderminster on Saturday 6th April. Mr. Ash James of Kidderminster was elected as the new President, with Mrs. Jane Couper of Evesham becoming Vice-President.
Nine of us gathered at Unitarian New Meeting Church, Birmingham, to learn how to and to experience writing our own prayers. The workshop was led by Rev. Andrew Hill, who guided us through the whole process. By the end of the day, all of us had produced a 140-character ‘Tweet prayer’, some opening words, some … Read more
Over 80 people from the Midlands and further afield, including the Mayor of Banbury, gathered at Banbury Town Hall on Saturday 2nd March, to participate in a joyous service of Welcome and Induction for Rev. Sue Woolley. The service was led by Rev. Alex Bradley, with Rev. Peter Hewis doing the charge to the minister … Read more
This enjoyable Unitarian occasion took place at Kingswood Meeting House on Saturday 3rd November 2012. 34 Unitarians from 13 MUA congregations assembled to hear the Convenor of the General Assembly’s Executive Committee, Rev. Martin Whitell, speak about the EC and answer questions, before adjourning to the schoolroom for a delicious lunch.
Twelve people from seven congregations round the Midlands attended the Autumn Training Day. This time it was slightly different, less of a training day and more of a taster workshop for different spiritual practices. It was led by Rev. Sue Woolley, District Minister, and Rev. Gillian Peel, minister of Rochdale Unitarians.
The Great Meeting House Unitarian Church was filled to capacity on the afternoon of 22nd July, when Unitarians from all over the Midlands, members of organisations who use the building, and the Lord Mayor of Coventry joined the congregation to celebrate the 350th year of the congregation’s life, and its’ 75th year in the church on Holyhead Road.