1. Unikids and Youth Programme Social Media Weekend
• Unikids
There are just a few places left for Unikids Holiday, “Castles in the Clouds” from 1-4 August 2016 (3 nights) in Swanage Youth Hostel, Dorset. Activities include sandcastle building, games and a trip to Corfe Castle. This is a holiday for 7-14 year olds and return train journey from London is included in the fee of £110. There are grants available to subsidise this event further – just ask John. There is also a fund to help with transport. Closing date for bookings is 25 June 2016. Booking online and further information are avaiable at the event page.
• Youth Programme Social Media Weekend
This event will take place from 16-18 September 2016 at the Nightingale Centre, Great Hucklow. There is no charge as the Nightingale Centre Management Committee are generously providing the funding. The event is designed to gather together those who have skills in social media or those who would like to learn these skills and also be prepared to help the Youth Programme improve their outreach, publicity, marketing and ways of connecting with Unitarian and non Unitarian families who may be interested in youth events. Let me know if you would like to join us and if you would like to lead a workshop on tweeting, social media approaches, etc so I can add this to the programme. There are just a few places left.
2. National Churches Trust Resource Centre and Fundraising Ideas
Congregational Committees and Trustees may be interested in the online Resource Centre of the National Churches Trust. Here you will find a melting pot collection of expert advice and guidance from the National Churches Trust and many other organisations. It is a comprehensive collection of links and downloads.
From the very simple to the more complex, topics include maintenance, visitor welcome, writing a statement of significance and setting up a Friends group. There are also sections for all the main structural areas of your church, chapel or meeting house, containing expert guidance on caring for or doing work on that particular feature.
For those interested in fundraising ideas Ecclesiastical have published detailed descriptions of the Top 25 ideas for churches.
Derek McAuley
Chief Officer
3. Faith without Borders – Assembly of Unitarians in Europe 2017
Please save the date 2–5 June 2017 now and plan to join us at Ulm/Neu-Ulm, Germany (on the banks of the Danube).
In June 2017, Unitarians from all over Europe will gather on the bank of the Danube for the first ever Assembly of Unitarians in Europe, organized by EUU (European Unitarian Universalists) and DU (Deutsche Unitarier).
The event will be 3.5 days of thought-provoking lectures, workshops, worship, and fun. All are welcome.
We look forward to seeing you at this exciting event.
The Organizing Committee
Ulm2017@europeanuu.org
Ulm2017@unitarier.de
4. Media Coverage
Oldham Unitarian Chapel “Oldham unites across racial divides to fight poverty” (Al Jazeera)
Bayshill Unitarian Church, Cheltenham had a lucky escape (Gloucester Citizen, 22 May 2016)
Dublin Unitarian Church “Review: Saint Sister at Dublin Unitarian Church” (Hotpress)
Kidderminster Unitarian “Vigil for Orlando Shooting victims to be held in Kidderminster” (Kidderminster Shuttle, 17 June 2016)
And the sort of news you do not want:
Coventry Unitarian Church “Murder Investigation launched after man stabbed to death in Holyhead Road” (Coventry Telegraph, 10 June 2016)
Monton Unitarian Church “Arsonists strike twice in one night after attacks on housing estate and church hall” (Manchester Evening News, 15 June 2016)
Derek McAuley
Chief Officer