Unitarians do it together

So: a bit more about the way faith is dealt with by Unitarians might be useful before you go any further.  Have a look at the other blogs at the bottom of this blog to see what sort of things Unitarians are saying at the moment.  Then at the link you can download

A FAITH WORTH THINKING ABOUT

a pdf leaflet from the Headquarters in London.  It's a steal from the UK Unitarians homepage which is linked from this blog.  That website has other leaflets too.

Also, below the posts on this blog you will find a video that was put together by our National Youth Panel in 2013, conveying through words and images what today's young Unitarians feel about the Flaming Chalice symbol we use for our denomination.

If you've dipped in to these and are still interested, you may by now be wondering what sorts of things it is that Unitarians do together.  It depends.  Where there are larger congregations, some of it might look a bit like other churches' regular services, but just like other churches we do all sorts of other things too.  Here is a sample of activities that are recent or planned for Ringwood's neighbours - Southampton, Bridport and Salisbury Unitarians.


Southampton

• We meet for worship at 10.30 a.m. For a list of upcoming services click here. After the service we gather for coffee and biscuits at 11.30. All welcome.
• Southampton Interfaith Peace Walk in June
• Stress Engagement group began again in April (has been very successful)
• Small informal singing group, mainly for fun which meets by arrangement after coffee.
• Assisted Dying Discussion at end of April which contributed to the UK Unitarians national position in this debate.
• Talk and slide show by Hans Swegen, who bought a piece of rainforest to preserve it, as his contribution to ecology. An extremely interesting talk which hopefully will have social action response from the Unitarian movement.
• At present we do not have a functioning Junior Church. Whilst families with children are not regular attendees, they are always very welcome. We have trained and vetted junior church leaders and a structure in place which conforms to all the requirements of our General Assembly code of Practice.  We are intending to establish a monthly event to include children.

Bridport

A growing church taking inspiration from a wide spectrum of formal faith systems and building a more secure base in the local community.

• Traditional Unitarian service - readings, singing, silences - 'Always an inclusive, sanctuary of calm on a Sunday.'
• All Day workshop - with Charlotte Gush of Shamanic Way www.shamanicway.co.uk
• Full Moon Fire Ceremony - "Come and warm your hand by the fire" An opportunity to give your prayers to the flames, a time to ask for healing, clearing and setting your intention for the time to come. We meet at Symondsbury church at 7 p.m. and walk up the hill together. Everyone is welcome.
• Journey Circle - Monthly - with Rahima Ferguson www.rahimaferguson.co.uk/
• Wednesday Lunchtime Meditation with Veda

Salisbury
Salisbury Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists (SFUU) holds meetings once a month on a Sunday evening. Our title reflects the modern meaning of the word “Universalist” (i.e. taking inspiration from world faiths and seeking what applies to everyone) rather than the old one (i.e. believing every soul to be bound for salvation) !

Meetings take a range of forms, some of which are discussions on a topic, some of which include music and singing, some have elements of prayer, most include readings and introduce thoughts brought by one of the group for wider airing.

Recent meetings have had these themes:

• Guided meditation and layers of language around the Sermon on the Mount
• Poetry – bring and share
• A Tale from Dorset (led by Bridport Unitarians)
• The Golden Rule – theory and practice in modern religion (led by a Southampton Unitarian).
• Christmas through poetry and story – bring and share
• The good, the bad and the godly (led by a Humanist)
• Past, Present and Future
• Selected Insights for 21st century living from Christian Monasticism
• The blessing of birdsong
• Yoga as prayer with the body (led by an Anglican priest)

Individually members of the SFUU participate in Quaker meetings for worship, Humanist Society meetings and a Benedictine Group, among other things.