Services in December
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SUNDAY 2 December AT 11AM
Waiting Upon The Lord
It has been a unique year for British sport. In Isaiah it says: ‘they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.’ Olympic sprinter Eric Liddell quoted this in a church sermon he delivered shortly before the 1924 games.
Liddell felt divinely inspired when running, and that not to run would be to dishonour God: ‘I believe that God made me for a purpose,’ Liddell affirms. ‘But He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.’
In this service Guido will talk about Sport as a spiritually uplifting experience and unpack what it means to ‘wait upon the Lord’.
Guido Casale will take this service.
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SUNDAY 9 December AT 10.50AM
Considering Advent
We will be looking at the season of Advent and related seasonal events through the words from different faiths.
Karen Hanley will take this service.
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SUNDAY 16 December AT 11AM
Carol Service
Readings from members of the congregation will accompany the singing of carols.
The Vineyard Lunch follows this service.
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SUNDAY 23 December AT 11AM
Peace At Christmas
An opportunity to reflect on the still centre of the whirling world at the festive season. We will sing carols, hear beautiful music and poetry and share some precious time of silence at this holy time. An opportunity to repose and reinforce our souls before re-joining the excitement of celebration.
Jo James will take this service.
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MONDAY 24 December AT 5PM
Christingle Service
You are invited to enter the mystery and magic of the festive season with songs, stories, readings and the lighting of our traditional Christingle candles in the darkness. Suitable for children and adults alike.
Rev Lindsay Stevens, Interfaith Minister, will take this service
Mince pies and mulled wine will be served after the service.
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SUNDAY 30 December AT 11AM
Meditation
A service based around meditation on transformation, endings and beginnings.
Services in January 2013
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SUNDAY 6 January AT 11AM
Forgive The Old Year
The New Year is a time of reflection and promise. In Jainism, Judaism and Islam forgiveness features in their New Year celebrations. Forgiveness is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. The nature of forgiveness and benefits to society and us as individuals will be explored along with the inherent guilt. Does God forgive? Who holds the gift of forgiveness? Can we ask for forgiveness? The New Year is a time move on, but maybe we should concentrate on forgiving the Old Year, before launching into 2013.
Martin Gienke will take this service.
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SUNDAY 13 January AT 11AM
Service led by John Carter
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SUNDAY 20 January AT 11AM
A Few Words On The Soul
Is the idea of the soul an out-of-date religious concept or a possibility that helps us stay alive and open to the mysteries of this world?
John Harley will take this service.
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SUNDAY 27 January AT 11AM
Reasons To Be Cheerful
January is a time to look back on the past year and to look forward to the coming year. It is also a time to adjust back into our daily lives after the celebrations of the festive season. In this service, we will explore the spiritual practice of gratitude and how it can lift us up, in the depths of winter.
Kate Buchanan, member of Rosslyn Hill Chapel in Hampstead, will take this service.
What to Expect at a Sunday Service
Who will be there?
There are usually around 25-30 people attending a Sunday Service. Children stay for the first 10 minutes or so and then join their own programme in a separate room on the premises. If they prefer to stay with you, that is fine. Likewise, babies and very small children are welcome to stay with you through the service.
Who leads the service and what style is it?
The service is usually led by our minister. From time to time (and for the next several months while we are in the process of appointing a new minister), there may be a visiting preacher or occasionally a member or friend of the congregation might lead a service. In format and content, the services tend to be an interesting mix of traditional and more creative elements.
How do you begin?
In common with Unitarians worldwide, we start by lighting a candle - our chalice lighting. The flaming chalice is a symbol of our Unitarian faith.
Tell me more about the service
We continue with hymns, a story, readings, times for prayer/meditation/reflection and a sermon of ten minutes or so. The readings are often prose or poetry from contemporary spiritual writers.
The service lasts about an hour in all and is followed by time for tea, coffee and fellowship to which everyone is welcome and invited to attend.
Do you have any special services?
We have some special services which recur annually, for example: a Christingle service at Christmas, Remembrance Sunday in November, a Flower Service in May or June, a Gathering of the Waters Service in September and celebrations of the Celtic Wheel of the Year.
What about music?
Margaret, our Music Director, invites vocal and instrumental soloists to participate in services, usually several times a month. We are also very lucky to have a talented harpist as one of our members.