The Annual Meetings of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches will take place from Sunday 13 April to Wednesday 16 April at Whittlebury Hall, Northampton.
The meetings will consider an emergency motion welcoming the latest United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, Climate Change 2014 Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. The motion will be proposed by Rev Feargus O'Connor of Golders Green and St Albans Unitarians and seconded by Professor Geoff Levermore, from Norcliffe Chapel in Styal, Cheshire who has contributed to the work of IPCC with a particular concern about the part played by buildings in climate change.
The Assembly will be called upon to recognise the urgent call for action and its stark warning of the 'severe, pervasive and irreversible impact' of unmitigated climate change with the dire predicted consequences of sea level rising, coastal and inland flooding, melting of glaciers, desertification, heat waves and droughts, decreased crop yields, threats to animal and plant species, food and water security, shelter and to the livelihood of millions of people.
Unitarians worldwide and all people of goodwill will be urged to support national and international legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and explore all possible ways to reduce our carbon footprint by adopting a life style which respects the Earth's vital eco-systems and promotes the well-being of this, future generations and all fellow living beings on this planet.
The General Assembly will also consider a motion supporting the campaign by the Howard League for Penal Reform urging the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Chris Grayling, to reconsider the Prison Service Instruction that limits books and other essentials being sent to prisoners from family and friends. Unitarians believe that "Reading is a right and not a privilege".
A motion calling upon the BBC religion and Ethics advisers to broaden the BBC Radio 4 Thought for the Day by including secular speakers is intended to recognise that current rules do not represent the more complex spiritual culture of our time. This follows the controversy about a non-theist Unitarian minister, Reverend Andy Pakula, not being permitted to appear despite being invited by Unitarian Universalist Sir Tim Berners-Lee when he guest-edited the Boxing Day 2013 edition of the Today programme. The normal slot was taken by a Unitarian Christian minister, the Reverend Jim Corrigall. Commenting on the occasion, Sir Tim observed that, 'It was worth trying to point out that somebody who doesn't believe in God can still think'.
Unitarians will also be asked to give support to the campaign by the Hungarian Unitarian Church, other churches and environmental protection groups against extensive mining operations in the Rosia Montana area of Transylvania. It is anticipated that 300 Unitarians and Free Christians will attend with representatives of local congregations and ministers possessing voting rights. Other events will include an extensive programme or workshops and opportunities for evening worship, celebration and enjoyment.
10 April 2014