Events
Worship Studies Foundation Course (Liverpool)
This course is aimed at those wishing to ‘take the service’. It can be a daunting prospect, without any training. Let the North West Provincial Assembly show you the way. We are offering a five-part course, leading to a GA-recognised qualification – the Worship Studies Foundation Course.
All the sessions will be held at Ullet Road Church, 57 Ullet Road, Sefton Park, Liverpool. L17 2AA
All the sessions will be on a Saturday Dates 11th January 2020, 25th January 2020, 8th February 2020 & 22nd February 2020. Times: 10.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. (coffee/tea from 10.00 a.m.) Total Cost: FREE
You must attend the four parts and two services of worship must be assessed to get your certificate. Refreshments will be provided during the day, but please bring your own lunch. See our website for any updates: www.ukunitarian.org.uk/northwestprovincialassembly
Tutors will be the Rev Bob Janis-Dillon and the Rev. Phil Waldron.
Please contact Rev. Phil Waldron if you wish to attend the course:
Ullet Road Church, 57 Ullet Road, Sefton Park, Liverpool. L17 2AA.
Phone Phil on 07828 883484 or email for any other information.
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All the sessions will be held at Ullet Road Church, 57 Ullet Road, Sefton Park, Liverpool. L17 2AA
All the sessions will be on a Saturday Dates 11th January 2020, 25th January 2020, 8th February 2020 & 22nd February 2020. Times: 10.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. (coffee/tea from 10.00 a.m.) Total Cost: FREE
You must attend the four parts and two services of worship must be assessed to get your certificate. Refreshments will be provided during the day, but please bring your own lunch. See our website for any updates: www.ukunitarian.org.uk/northwestprovincialassembly
Tutors will be the Rev Bob Janis-Dillon and the Rev. Phil Waldron.
Please contact Rev. Phil Waldron if you wish to attend the course:
Ullet Road Church, 57 Ullet Road, Sefton Park, Liverpool. L17 2AA.
Phone Phil on 07828 883484 or email for any other information.
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Start Date: Sat 11 Jan 2020
End Date: Sat 22 Feb 2020
Rites of Passage Course (Birmingham)
Lay worship leaders are often asked to "do" christenings / namings / baptisms, weddings and funerals. And it can be a daunting prospect, without any training. Let the Midland Unitarian Association of Lay Preachers and Service Leaders show you the way.
We are offering a four-part course, leading to a GA-recognised qualification – the Rites of Passage Foundation Step.
Session 1: Christenings / Baptisms / Namings: 8th February
led by Rev. Sue Woolley, District Minister, MUA
Session 2: Weddings: 7th March
led by Rev. Martin Whitell, District Minister, LDPA
Session 3: Funerals: 18th April
led by Rev. Ant Howe, Minister at Kingswood & Ministry Tutor of Unitarian College
Session 4: Putting it all into practice: 16th May
led by Rev. Sue Woolley, District Minister, MUA
Where: Kingswood Meeting House, Worcs. B47 5DQ
Dates: Saturdays 8th February, 7th March, 18th April and 16th May 2020
Times: 10.00 a.m. to 4.15 p.m. (coffee/tea from 9.30 a.m.)
Total Cost: £55.00 (£16.00 in advance; £13.00 for each session)
This includes a £15 registration fee, covering both national & local registration (payable in advance). Or you can pay the whole amount up front. You must attend all four parts to get your certificate. Refreshments will be provided during the day, but please bring your own lunch.
Deadline for applications: Saturday 1st February 2019.
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We are offering a four-part course, leading to a GA-recognised qualification – the Rites of Passage Foundation Step.
Session 1: Christenings / Baptisms / Namings: 8th February
led by Rev. Sue Woolley, District Minister, MUA
Session 2: Weddings: 7th March
led by Rev. Martin Whitell, District Minister, LDPA
Session 3: Funerals: 18th April
led by Rev. Ant Howe, Minister at Kingswood & Ministry Tutor of Unitarian College
Session 4: Putting it all into practice: 16th May
led by Rev. Sue Woolley, District Minister, MUA
Where: Kingswood Meeting House, Worcs. B47 5DQ
Dates: Saturdays 8th February, 7th March, 18th April and 16th May 2020
Times: 10.00 a.m. to 4.15 p.m. (coffee/tea from 9.30 a.m.)
Total Cost: £55.00 (£16.00 in advance; £13.00 for each session)
This includes a £15 registration fee, covering both national & local registration (payable in advance). Or you can pay the whole amount up front. You must attend all four parts to get your certificate. Refreshments will be provided during the day, but please bring your own lunch.
Deadline for applications: Saturday 1st February 2019.
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Start Date: Sat 08 Feb 2020
End Date: Sat 16 May 2020
FUSE Festival 2020
Full information: https://www.ldpaunitarians.org/fuse
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Start Date: Fri 21 Feb 2020
End Date: Sun 23 Feb 2020
The Art of Creating Spiritually Healthy Communities
The art of creating spiritually healthy communities
A training retreat from the Unitarian movement
24-27th February, 2020
“How do we create communities that are spiritually healthy? What does spiritual health look like and how can it be developed in today’s secular culture? What is the unique role that Unitarianism can play in creating communities of human flourishing?”
The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches is offering a three-day training retreat to those who feel these questions to be important or are exploring them already, hosted by a team of experienced trainers and facilitators.
What we’re offering
Over this residential training retreat we will be learning and practicing the art of hosting and harvesting conversations that matter - a practice of holding space for meaningful dialogue that’s being used by thousands of practitioners all over the world.
We will explore and practice tools and techniques that focus attention and encourage participation in a way that gives everyone the opportunity to offer their most valuable contribution.
Alongside a practical toolkit, we will learn about a practice of being in connection - with ourselves and others, so that we are able to hold spaces that enable trust and understanding.
We will all be invited to dive right in, trying out what we learn as we learn it, exploring questions of the things that matter to us in our communities now and in the future, with the help and support of our training team.
These are tools that can be used in our congregations and wider communities to encourage greater participation and connection.
Why are we doing this now?
Our society needs us more than ever.
The lack of participation in religion has led to a loss of connection and a longing for meaning that’s missing from a stressful, individualistic way of life.
Along with existential crises like climate change, ecological destruction and growing inequality, and it’s no wonder that many people are feeling uneasy about the state of the world and their place in it.
As a national faith organisation with a non-dogmatic ethos, we recognise our responsibility in creating spaces that offer the opportunity of meaning and belonging for all.
This training will equip us with the skills and confidence to create opportunities for our wider communities to engage in new ways and enable a different kind of being together.
By the end of our training, the intention is that everyone who attends will feel part of a wider network of support that in turn opens the door for new possibilities within the Unitarian movement and beyond, and invites further learning and development for everyone.
What you need to know
The training will place at Woodbrooke Quaker Study Center, Birmingham from the evening of Monday 24th February to the afternoon of Thursday 27th February, 2020.
This training is largely funded by the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, however we’re inviting differing levels of financial contribution based on your ability to contribute in order to support some of our accommodation and venue costs.
If you’d like to join please fill in this application form where you will also find more details about costs.
We have a limited number of places and the selection criteria will be based on ensuring we have the most diverse group possible.
About our team
We are being taught and supported by a team of international trainers and facilitators who have worked with faith groups, NGOs and both public and private organisations across the world.
Max St John
Max is a trainer, facilitator and writer working across the UK and Europe. He is driven by a belief that giving more space to listen for what matters will enable the personal and systemic shifts we need to take place. In the past he’s been an independent advisor to the UK Government and led a democratically-run business. He teaches Qi Gong, is a forest school practitioner and lives on a smallholding in North Cornwall.
Linda Mitchell
Linda is a process design artist, crafting and hosting meetings, gatherings, trainings and spaces for personal, collective and whole system transformation. A steward of the Art of Hosting with over 40 years’ experience of working alongside people in the social justice and the ‘more than profit’ field, also within the European Institutions, training leaders in participatory process. She dances and sings and loves a good laugh.
Maaike Boumans
Maaike is a host, trainer and poet working with organisations and communities who seek to create change in the world around them. Her work is rooted in new ways of learning, organising and working together around issues that matter. She believes in the power of community building and focuses on the intersection of environmental and social justice. She is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Jon Dorsett
Jon is a visual facilitator, trainer, and participatory learning practitioner. He works with groups, organisations and communities to develop and communicate individual and collective understanding through creative means. Jon is passionate about connecting inner transformation with outer action and has been working to enable this ‘spiritual activism’ for over 20 years. Jon lives in Leeds with his young family, and loves to spend time out walking, cycling and running in the Yorkshire Dales.
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A training retreat from the Unitarian movement
24-27th February, 2020
“How do we create communities that are spiritually healthy? What does spiritual health look like and how can it be developed in today’s secular culture? What is the unique role that Unitarianism can play in creating communities of human flourishing?”
The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches is offering a three-day training retreat to those who feel these questions to be important or are exploring them already, hosted by a team of experienced trainers and facilitators.
What we’re offering
Over this residential training retreat we will be learning and practicing the art of hosting and harvesting conversations that matter - a practice of holding space for meaningful dialogue that’s being used by thousands of practitioners all over the world.
We will explore and practice tools and techniques that focus attention and encourage participation in a way that gives everyone the opportunity to offer their most valuable contribution.
Alongside a practical toolkit, we will learn about a practice of being in connection - with ourselves and others, so that we are able to hold spaces that enable trust and understanding.
We will all be invited to dive right in, trying out what we learn as we learn it, exploring questions of the things that matter to us in our communities now and in the future, with the help and support of our training team.
These are tools that can be used in our congregations and wider communities to encourage greater participation and connection.
Why are we doing this now?
Our society needs us more than ever.
The lack of participation in religion has led to a loss of connection and a longing for meaning that’s missing from a stressful, individualistic way of life.
Along with existential crises like climate change, ecological destruction and growing inequality, and it’s no wonder that many people are feeling uneasy about the state of the world and their place in it.
As a national faith organisation with a non-dogmatic ethos, we recognise our responsibility in creating spaces that offer the opportunity of meaning and belonging for all.
This training will equip us with the skills and confidence to create opportunities for our wider communities to engage in new ways and enable a different kind of being together.
By the end of our training, the intention is that everyone who attends will feel part of a wider network of support that in turn opens the door for new possibilities within the Unitarian movement and beyond, and invites further learning and development for everyone.
What you need to know
The training will place at Woodbrooke Quaker Study Center, Birmingham from the evening of Monday 24th February to the afternoon of Thursday 27th February, 2020.
This training is largely funded by the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, however we’re inviting differing levels of financial contribution based on your ability to contribute in order to support some of our accommodation and venue costs.
If you’d like to join please fill in this application form where you will also find more details about costs.
We have a limited number of places and the selection criteria will be based on ensuring we have the most diverse group possible.
About our team
We are being taught and supported by a team of international trainers and facilitators who have worked with faith groups, NGOs and both public and private organisations across the world.
Max St John
Max is a trainer, facilitator and writer working across the UK and Europe. He is driven by a belief that giving more space to listen for what matters will enable the personal and systemic shifts we need to take place. In the past he’s been an independent advisor to the UK Government and led a democratically-run business. He teaches Qi Gong, is a forest school practitioner and lives on a smallholding in North Cornwall.
Linda Mitchell
Linda is a process design artist, crafting and hosting meetings, gatherings, trainings and spaces for personal, collective and whole system transformation. A steward of the Art of Hosting with over 40 years’ experience of working alongside people in the social justice and the ‘more than profit’ field, also within the European Institutions, training leaders in participatory process. She dances and sings and loves a good laugh.
Maaike Boumans
Maaike is a host, trainer and poet working with organisations and communities who seek to create change in the world around them. Her work is rooted in new ways of learning, organising and working together around issues that matter. She believes in the power of community building and focuses on the intersection of environmental and social justice. She is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Jon Dorsett
Jon is a visual facilitator, trainer, and participatory learning practitioner. He works with groups, organisations and communities to develop and communicate individual and collective understanding through creative means. Jon is passionate about connecting inner transformation with outer action and has been working to enable this ‘spiritual activism’ for over 20 years. Jon lives in Leeds with his young family, and loves to spend time out walking, cycling and running in the Yorkshire Dales.
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Start Date: Mon 24 Feb 2020
End Date: Thu 27 Feb 2020
Inter Weekend March 2020
Booking for the next Inter and Senior weekends is now open. The theme is: What do I stand for? Putting your faith in action.
Together we’ll explore the different ways we share our beliefs with the world and take action on the issues that matter most. That might mean taking steps to tackle climate change or creating welcoming places for those fleeing violence and persecution. Maybe you’re passionate about supporting those without homes or in changing perceptions around identity and LGBT+ issues. Whatever the cause we’ll work together to ensure the biggest possible impact.
We’ll also take time to relax, get to know each other and create new friendships.
Booking details can be found by clicking on the link below.
Booking Link
The booking deadline is Friday 21st February 2020.
If you have any further questions contact youth@unitarian.org.uk - Always happy to help.
Hope to see you there!
Gavin
GA Youth Officer
Save the date! The autumn 2020 weekend will take place from the 13th – 15th of November. Details to follow.
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Start Date: Fri 20 Mar 2020
End Date: Mon 23 Mar 2020
Senior Weekend March 2020
Booking for the next Inter and Senior weekends is now open. The theme is: What do I stand for? Putting your faith in action.
Together we’ll explore the different ways we share our beliefs with the world and take action on the issues that matter most. That might mean taking steps to tackle climate change or creating welcoming places for those fleeing violence and persecution. Maybe you’re passionate about supporting those without homes or in changing perceptions around identity and LGBT+ issues. Whatever the cause we’ll work together to ensure the biggest possible impact.
We’ll also take time to relax, get to know each other and create new friendships.
To book click on the link below.
Click to book
The booking deadline is Friday 21st February 2020.
If you have any further questions contact youth@unitarian.org.uk - Always happy to help.
Hope to see you there!
Gavin
GA Youth Officer
Save the date! The autumn 2020 weekend will take place from the 13th – 15th of November. Details to follow.
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Start Date: Fri 20 Mar 2020
End Date: Mon 23 Mar 2020
Annual Meetings 2020
Join us for a three day gathering for worship, action, democracy, workshops, connection, hope, training and inspiration.
Keynote Speaker - 'The Revolution Will Be Spiritual' Dr Alastair McIntosh (writer, academic and activist)
7-9th April 2020
Birmingham Hilton Metropole
Registration is now open!
Full information: www.unitarianmeetings2020.com
Book before Tuesday 18th February 2020. Bookings made after this date will be subject to a late booking fee.
Before booking, please read the booking information sheet.
Online bookings
To use our online booking system, you must have a user account. If you already have an account, please login. If you have forgotten your password, please use the password reset link.
If you do not have a user account, please contact us to request one. When you contact us please leave your full name and email address - we will then send new login details to your email address.
Offline bookings
Prefer to book offline?
Please download and print the correct booking form(s) below and post them to us.
Adult Registration Form
Child Registration Form
Retired Minister & Lay Pastor Registration Form
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Start Date: Tue 07 Apr 2020
End Date: Thu 09 Apr 2020
Unitarian Music Society Annual Conference
The annual conference and AGM of the Unitarian Music Society (UMS) takes place at The Nightingale Centre. This year the dates are Friday evening 14th - Monday after lunch 17th August. It features the first performance of a new musical Oliver's Journey Home set in Yorkshire, with music by our President David Dawson, and libretto by member Nick Morrice. As well as singers, we particularly need string players and other instrumentalists for the orchestra. There will be other opportunities for music and fellowship plus worship in the Hucklow Chapel conducted by Ed Fordham. Non-members, newcomers, young and older, all welcome. Booking form at https://www.ukunitarians.org.uk/music/events19.htm
Contact: adie@adiewilson.co.uk
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Contact: adie@adiewilson.co.uk
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Start Date: Fri 14 Aug 2020
End Date: Mon 17 Aug 2020
Hucklow Summer School 2020
For more details, please see the Summer School website, at:
http://www.hucklowsummerschool.co.uk/
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http://www.hucklowsummerschool.co.uk/
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Start Date: Sat 22 Aug 2020
End Date: Sat 29 Aug 2020
The Unitarian Societies Weekend
Members of some of the Unitarian societies enjoy time together for a weekend at the Nightingale Centre at Great Hucklow in Derbyshire. It is a time to socialise while each of the six societies give a presentation of their work and ethos. The weekend concludes with a joint service of worship on Sunday in the Great Hucklow Unitarian chapel.
Taking part in the weekend are members of the Unitarian Renewal Group, the Findhorn Unitarian Network, the Unitarian Society for Psychical Studies, the Unitarian Peace Fellowship, the Unitarian Earth Spirit Network and the National Unitarian Fellowship.
The guest speaker will be Elizabeth Slade, the Unitarians Chief Officer.
Full information: https://thesocietiesweekend.wordpress.com/
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Taking part in the weekend are members of the Unitarian Renewal Group, the Findhorn Unitarian Network, the Unitarian Society for Psychical Studies, the Unitarian Peace Fellowship, the Unitarian Earth Spirit Network and the National Unitarian Fellowship.
The guest speaker will be Elizabeth Slade, the Unitarians Chief Officer.
Full information: https://thesocietiesweekend.wordpress.com/
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Start Date: Fri 20 Nov 2020
End Date: Sun 22 Nov 2020