the fellowship
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We'll Meet AgainOur Christmas service was the last to be held at the Friends' Meeting House in Bath. We have been meeting there at least monthly since 1993, so it was the end of an era - an era that saw the Murch Centenary, attended by the Mayor of Bath; the Coleridge bicentenary with Peter Hawkins in 18th century costume delivering a Coleridge sermon; and the induction of Wessex Area Minister Rev Mark Shiels, among its high spots.Perhaps even more importantly, though, it has seen the constant renewal of fellowship among Unitarians in Bath. Some have come, some have gone, and some have done both, but all have, I hope, found a spiritual home for as long as they wanted it and could benefit from it. Now it is time to move on to a new home. It will be different. It will offer new challenges, and new opportunities. But it will continue to offer Unitarian Fellowship in Bath.
Sunday 21 January 2007
Family AnnouncementsA warm welcome to Tim and Lucy Powell's baby son, George Edmund, who was born on Saturday 18 November 2006.Best wishes to Katie Starkey and Roderick Millard, whose wedding will be celebrated on 9 June 2007 at Barrow Castle.
Tapping Into ...It is customary in a New Year to look to the future and speculate on what it will hold. In recent years it has become equally customary to predict the death of liberal religion. The growth of fundamentalist Christianity in our society reflects a polarisation of being religious - and fundamentalist - or being non-religious. My own research, however, suggests that this is only the case at the extreme edges - full-blooded, card-carrying atheists represent only slightly more of the British population than active Christians, and even when Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Hinduism are added to Christianity they only just outstrip the Atheists. Theoretically at least, the middle range population (over 75%) should provide fertile ground for liberal views on religion.There are many ways of interpreting the word "liberal" in terms of religion, and today it is a somewhat abused word, as if its failure was already manifest. My preferred definition is that liberalism emphasises conscientious freedom of interpretation. In this sense, it is indeed opposed to the new evangelical churches springing up that do not adhere to any of the Protestant traditions. These have been referred to as "theology-lite" and they clearly appeal to the emotions, rather than considered and informed thinking. Of course emotions have a place in religious life - but they should know their place. For traditionalists there is always a text or an authority to refer to. The liberal view, however, is more often akin to the very early Christian experience of the mystery of faith, and the symbolic nature of language and imagery. In our post-modern world, where the traditionalist idea of a founding moment or leader becomes less trusted than personal experience and perceived historical development, traditionalism is - if it did but know it -under more potential threat than liberalism. This is not to deny that liberalism in religion faces an uphill struggle. There are, however, signs of hope. One is that the liberal modernist agenda of the early 20th century, far from disappearing in post-modernity, has become accepted by nearly all reputable theologians. What theologians think may not appear to be relevant, but since they train future generations of Christian ministers, their influence will have an impact on the pulpit. Another is that the fundamentalists may find themselves faced with the "law of diminishing marginal returns". I am not a fan of economic parallels with religion, but there are only so many people who are prospective evangelical converts. The Alpha Course, for all its hype, has proved that. I wish you all a Liberal New Year. Kay Millard
General AssemblyYe Hon Sec now has details of the General Assembly, to be held from 10-13 April 2007 at Hertford. Anyone interested in attending, please contact Kay for details.In case anyone has missed the announcement elsewhere, the new Chief Executive of the GA is to be Rev Steve Dick, currently the London District Minister, who will take office at the GA Meetings.
Leadership MattersThe departure of Karen and Peter Hanley has seriously depleted the Lay Chaplaincy Team. In addition, Rev Don Phillips, who has facilitated the team, will be moving this month and it is unlikely he will be able to continue his role. It is time for a review, and the LCT will be arranging a meeting soon to discuss possible ways forward. Following that, a full meeting of the Fellowship will consider the matter. Watch this space.
Mayor of Bath's Interfaith EventThis will be held on Sunday 4 February at 3 pm at the Guildhall, and is an opportunity to show our commitment to Interfaith activities.Of interest to any Unitarian dedicated to Inter-faith ideas will be Rev Dr Vernon Marshall's forthcoming book The Larger View - Unitarians and World Religions, to be published by the Lindsey Press in time for the General Assembly.
This Year's Good CauseOur One World Week collection was given to it ...Kate has sold scarves for it ... We all collect bronze coins for it ... It is a local charity that helps people with mental health problems to live independently.
We need more before we hand over our cheque! And please start thinking of the next Good Cause!
Just a ThoughtI believe that in each life there is a spiritual line, an upward curve, and all that adheres to and strengthens this line is our real life - the rest is but as chaff falling from us as our souls progress.
Isadora Duncan
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