UNI-NEWS 170th Issue 30th August 2016

1. Reminder - Youth Programme Social Media Weekend, 16-18 September 2016

There are just a few more free places available for anyone who would like to attend this weekend which will take place at the Nightingale Centre, Great Hucklow, Derbyshire.

This event, made possible by the Nightingale Centre Management Committee, is intended to bring together people who have skills in social media or creative ways of using the Internet to help the youth programme develop and expand its outreach. I am looking for people who may like to come and share social media tools and techniques to a small group of adults who are committed to making our Unitarian youth events known to more young people and families including families who have yet to discover Unitarianism. Cost of your travel will also be paid for. The weekend starts on Friday evening and ends at Sunday lunchtime.

Please contact Rev John Harley if you are interested in attending. 

 Rev John Harley
 

2. International Women’s Convocation (IWC) - Weaving Global Partnerships to Enrich Women’s Lives

Members of the International Women’s Convocation (IWC) are excited about plans for their Third International Convocation, which will take place at the Asilomar Retreat Center, Monterey Peninsula, CA, 16-19 February 2017, where UU women and women of liberal faiths will be attending from many countries. 

IWC is pleased to announce two of the Convocation keynote speakers: Dr. Cecilia A. Conrad, managing director of the MacArthur Foundation, and Zenshin Florence Caplow, author and Soto Zen priest in the Suzuki Roshi lineage. 

Here's the link to the Convocation event, with registration and other details - please note that the early bird discount has been extended to 30 September 2016.

As a teaser, here's the 5-minute video of the Second Convocation (Transylvania 2012). 

Further discounts for ministers and young adult women are available, as are optional tours before and/or following the Convocation. More information can be found at IWC. 

Register Now for Best Rates for the Third International Convocation. We hope to see Unitarian delegates from the UK. 

Zsófia Sztranyiczki 
Executive Director
International Women's Convocation
 

3. Unitarian Renewal Group  - Articulating Your Faith

Join the Unitarian Renewal Group for their next day gathering which will take place on Saturday 17 September 2016 from 10.30am to 4pm at Dunham Road Unitarian Chapel, Altrincham, WA14 4NU. The theme is “Articulating Your Faith - Who do you think you are?”. It will be a day of discussion and exploration for everyone to consider how we explain our faith to ourselves and others.

Speakers are Rev Bob Janis-Dillon,  Minister on Merseyside; Rev Margaret Kirk, Retired Minister at Whitby and Jim Timiney, member of Bradford Unitarians and Lay Preacher. There will be worship and discussion.

Admission is free,  however, donations are welcomed. There is no need to book but if you can let us know you’re coming it helps. Please bring a packed lunch.

Secretary URG 
 

4. Community Sponsorship Scheme launches for refugees

The following information has been published on the newly-launched full community sponsorship scheme which will enable community groups including charities, faith groups, churches and businesses to take on the role of supporting resettled refugees in the UK.

An online service to help refugees in the UK has been developed to make it easier for any member of the public to support refugees in the UK and allow local authorities to focus support on the goods and services that refugees need.

More information can be found at the gov.uk website

Home Office
 

5. Women's League Photograph Album

The Central Committee of the Women's League have decided to endeavour to put together a photograph album comprising of Past National Presidents.

Below is a list of those for whom we still require photographs and we would be most grateful if anyone has any suggestions where any of these may be located or maybe you have one tucked away in a cupboard!   Ideally we would like a portrait photograph in her Presidential year, however, looking at the amount of years that have passed since some of them were Presidents any photograph would be appreciated, even in a group. If you can help please initially contact Mary Wightman by email or telephone on 01382 775718.

Photographs still required for Women's League Past Presidents - Can you help?

1908  Lady Bowring

1919  Mrs Bernard Allen

1922  Mrs Currer Briggs

1924  Mrs. Mary E. Richmond

1927  Miss Ruth Nettlefold

1932  Mrs. Willmer

1934  Mrs. A.A. Taylor

1936  Mrs. E. Lewis Lilley JP

1938  Mrs. F. Cottier BA

1944  Mrs. M. Severs

1946  Mrs. H. Baily D.Sc

1947  Mrs. A. Nightingale JP

1949  Mrs. F. Sokell

1951  Mrs. A.D. Mitchell BA

1955  Mrs. Jessell MA

1957  Miss Ruth Herford

1959  Miss Margaret Stevenson

1960  Mrs. M. Whitaker

1965  Mrs. I Matheson

1967  Mrs. Sheila Stooke

1968  Mrs. S.A. Fraser       

1970  The Rev. F. Whitby

1971  Mrs. J. D. McLachlan

1973  Mrs. M.E. Butler

1976  Mrs. E.Q. Smith BA

 

Thank you in anticipation.

Mary Wightman
 

6. Latino Ministry

Are you from a Latino background and/or do you speak Spanish? The Latino Ministry is an initiative of the Church of the Larger Fellowship with the ICUU and the International Office of the UUA. I recently met with Rev Jorge Espinal who works to support local communities and individuals as they explore the Unitarian and UU faith. He is keen to be in touch with anyone in the UK who would be interested in supporting or would benefit from his work. He can be contacted on jespinel@clfuu.org.

Derek McAuley
Chief Officer
 

7. Media Coverage

Rev Danny Crosby was named Slimming World Man of the Year 2016 which received extensive coverage including:

More news

St Saviourgate Unitarian Chapel, York “Ruth and James Sanderson to play lunchtime concert at York Unitarian Chapel” (York Press, 2 August 2016) 

Cullompton Unitarian Chapel “New Minister brings fresh sense of spirituality to Cullompton Unitarian Chapel” (Express and Echo, 12 August 2016) 

Belper Unitarian Chapel was in the news for its registration for same sex marriage, the holding of their first ceremony and also featured on Open Country on Radio 4.

Derek McAuley
Chief Officer