Judy led us in an inspiring seasonal service which brought together aspects from Judaism, Hinduism, Druidism and mysticism, as well as the traditional Christian themes. The children brought in green leaves to decorate the flame and an act of communion brought the service to a fitting conclusion. Many thanks.
8 January Kay Millard 12 February 11 March Frank Butler (Western Unitarian Union President) 8 April - this is Easter Sunday 13 May 10 June possibly Lis Dyson-Jones (national Unitarian General Assembly President) 8 July 12 August 9 September 14 October November - to be arranged 9 December If anyone would like to offer to coordinate one or more of these services or suggest themes, that would be splendid. As I've discovered, one of the lovely effects of the Marshfield meeting house is that a congregation of a few participants is enough for a really worthwhile service. I took a great deal from Sunday's service led by Di. It was telling I think that the general emphasis was on the 'spirituality' aspect rather than the 'everyday', the assumption being that the spiritual is, by its very nature, concerned with the everyday. Kay coordinated a very good service based round the One World Week theme of Living for One World. It was good to welcome Miles and Jane Howarth, who have recently moved to Marlborough in Wiltshire from Essex. In the service Arthur Brown read two moving contributions of his own, which it is hoped will be posted here shortly. The next service will be led by Di Marshall on Sunday 27 November (4th Sunday). The theme is to be Spiritual Living in an Everyday World. Kay Millard will be leading the service on 12 June. She will also be doing the meal booking, so please let her know if you intend to come, rather than Tim. The theme for June will be "OUR PLANET" and prayers will be said at midday to join the prayers of others - thanks to Di Marshall for picking this up: on 12 June there will be "a worldwide prayer at 12 md for the planet and nature in general and I wondered if something along those lines would make a good subject for the service? Perhaps we could have a time at 12md to say our own prayers if we wanted to." It was very good to welcome Arthur Brown and Yvonne Aburrow to the May service. Yvonne's enthusiasm may have got the better of her, for she volunteered to lead the June service, on the theme of The Sacred. She hopes the following questions will be useful when we think about what contributions we might make: What kind of quality is sacredness? Is it the opposite of profanity, or something else? Is there a difference between holiness and sacredness? Is it something set aside for religious use? Can it be profaned? Who or what makes it sacred? Is it more sacred if it is hedged about with taboos? Does a sacred thing or place have power in it? How do you make something sacred? What is sacred to you? As we shall be celebrating Kay's birthday afterwards, do let me know as soon as you can whether you'll be coming for lunch. And on that subject, the theme for Kay's birthday lunch will be Farewell to the Fifties. She asks that we come with a tale about the 1950s, whether a personal reminiscence or the product of some historical research, written down so that Kay has a physical record of this occasion. I have added to this website (in this section below) Sarah Lewis's lovely piece on beauty from the May service. It is particularly special when people bring to a sevice something they have written themselves for the particular theme, and I should like to be able to add further contributions in future. The weekend of 12/13 June is the occasion of Judy Ryde and Peter Hawkin's Open Garden Day at their estate at Barrow Castle, Rush Hill, Bath. It's part of the National Gardens Scheme 'Open Gardens' to raise money for charity. If you are able to help on the day (open 2.30-7pm), or make a cake for sale, it would be much appreciated. Let Judy know (JudyRyde@BarrowCastle.co.uk). A weblink to the event is here. | News and ViewsThe place for latest on news and thoughts on services, themes and so on. ArchivesMay 2012 CategoriesAll |
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