Finding Our Religion

Sunday Service, 4 January 2026

Led by Rev. Dr. Jane Blackall

Musical Prelude: Allemande from French Suite in E-Flat Major, BWV. 815 (performed by George Ireland)  

Opening Words: ‘Our Own Way of Being Religious’ by Alex Brianson (adapted)

We gather this morning to share a particular kind of community –

a community of faith in which each of us is free to quest

for our own way of being religious and faithful.

We gather this morning to turn our attention to our spiritual journey;

the path we have travelled until now, and the road leading onward.

We are none of us the same as we were twenty years ago or even last week;

we are none of us the same as we shall be in five weeks or ten years.

As the paths of our lives cover new terrain,

may we find helpful new concepts, insights,

and understandings of Spirit, or of the highest good in life,

and new ways to interpret those ways we have loved long and hard.

And may we be open to the voice of wisdom, wherever – and however – we may find it,

as we create, imagine, and embody religious community here, together.  (pause)

Words of Welcome and Introduction: 

These words from our own Alex Brianson welcome all who have gathered this morning for our Sunday service. Welcome to those who have gathered in-person at Essex Church, to all who are joining us via Zoom, and anyone tuning in at a later date via YouTube or listening to the podcast stream.  For anyone who doesn’t know me, I’m Jane Blackall, and I’m minister with Kensington Unitarians.

Our service today is titled ‘Finding Our Religion’. This is a subject I’ve spent a lot of the last year thinking about – it was the theme of Hucklow Summer School last August so a few of us gave it a great deal of thought in that week we spent together exploring it from all sorts of different angles – and this coming Tuesday a new online study group is launching to reflect on the topic with Unitarians from all over the country (and you’re all very welcome to join that – I’ll give it another plug later on).

This morning we will explore what it means to be religious and how we might feel about our own sense of religious belonging. I’ve put some words from Albert Schweitzer on the front of today’s order of service to suggest one approach to the question of what religion is all about; he says: ‘In religion, we try to find an answer to the elementary question with which each one of us is newly confronted each morning: namely, what meaning and what value is to be ascribed to our life?’ Perhaps that’s what it means to be religious – to be actively engaged with life’s ultimate questions – or maybe there’s more to it than that... We’ll ponder this further in the coming hour (and beyond!)

Chalice Lighting: ‘We Bind Ourselves Together’ by Michael W Hennon

Let’s light our chalice flame now, as we do each week. It’s a moment for us to stop and take a breath, settle ourselves down, put aside any preoccupations we came in carrying. This simple ritual connects us in solidarity with Unitarians and Unitarian Universalists the world over, and reminds us of the proud and historic progressive religious tradition of which this gathering is part.

(light chalice) 

We covenant with one another

and do bind ourselves together

in the presence of this religious community

To express our deepest and most cherished convictions,

as they are borne by each person

to find a common vision for a better world;

To seek the life of the spirit,

as it is known by each person,

choosing with reverence its name;

And to walk together in the way of truth and love,

as it is shown to us and to all people,

in word and in deed.

Hymn 208 (purple): ‘When Our Heart is in a Holy Place’

Our first hymn is number 208 in your purple books: ‘When Our Heart is in a Holy Place’. For those joining on zoom the words will be up on screen. Feel free to stand or sit as you prefer. Hymn 208.

When our heart is in a holy place,

when our heart is in a holy place,

we are blessed with love and amazing grace,

when our heart is in a holy place.

When we trust the wisdom in each of us,

ev’ry colour, ev’ry creed and kind,

and we see our faces in each other’s eyes,

then our heart is in a holy place.

When our heart is in a holy place,

when our heart is in a holy place,

we are blessed with love and amazing grace,

when our heart is in a holy place.

When we tell our story from deep inside,

and we listen with a loving mind,

and we hear our voice in each other’s words,

then our heart is in a holy place.

When our heart is in a holy place,

when our heart is in a holy place,

we are blessed with love and amazing grace,

when our heart is in a holy place.

When we share the silence of sacred space,

and the God of our heart stirs within,

and we feel the power of each other’s faith,

then our heart is in a holy place.

When our heart is in a holy place,

when our heart is in a holy place,

we are blessed with love and amazing grace,

when our heart is in a holy place.

When our heart is in a holy place.

Candles of Joy and Concern:  

Each week when we gather together, we share a simple ritual of candles of joy and concern, an opportunity to light a candle and share something that is in our heart with the community. So we’ve an opportunity now, for anyone who would like to do so, to light a candle and say a few words about what it represents. We’ll go to the people in the building first, then to Zoom.

So I invite some of you here in person to come and light a candle and then if you wish to tell us who or what you light your candle for – please keep it brief – be considerate of others. I’m going to ask you to come to the lectern to speak, as we want people to be able to hear you. 

(in person candles)

And if that’s everyone in the room we’ll go over to the people on Zoom next – you might like to switch to gallery view at this stage – just unmute yourselves when you are ready and speak out – and we should be able to hear you and see you up on the big screen here in the church.

(zoom candles)

And I’m going to light one more candle, as we often do, to represent all those joys and concerns that we hold in our hearts this day, but which we don’t feel able to speak out loud. (light candle)

Time of Prayer & Reflection: based on words by Calvin Dame

Let’s take those joys and concerns into an extended time of prayer. This prayer is based on some words by Calvin Dame. You might want to adjust your position for comfort, close your eyes, or soften your gaze. There might be a posture that helps you feel more prayerful. Whatever works for you. Do whatever you need to do to get into the right state of body and mind for us to pray together – to be fully present here and now, in this sacred time and space – with ourselves, with each other, and with that which is both within us and beyond us.

Spirit of Life, God of All Love, in whom we live and move and have our being,

   we turn our full attention to you, the light within and without,

      as we tune in to the depths of this life, and the greater wisdom

         to which – and through which – we are all intimately connected.

      Be with us now as we allow ourselves to drop into the

         silence and stillness at the very centre of our being. (pause)

May we this day be grateful for the gift of life which is ours,

remembering that today and always that the

precious life we have and hold is to us a mystery.

May we this day be reminded of the responsibilities we carry,

not so that we may be intimidated or overwhelmed,

but so that we may be true to them,

so that we may be faithful in carrying them forward.

May we this day maintain a sense of perspective,

remembering who we are, engaging the tasks at hand,

but understanding our limitations, understanding our own shortcomings,

forgiving ourselves and others when we fall short of perfection.

May we this day be inspired, be filled with new breath,

be filled with new enthusiasm, ready to see fresh possibilities,

new perspectives, unnoticed avenues for fruitful action and resolution.

And may we this day remember those virtues

that bless our lives and bless the lives of others,

the virtues of caring and concern,

the virtues of truthfulness and integrity,

the virtues of charity, good work, and persistence,

remembering that this world may yet be made a little

more fair, more just, more equitable, by our humble efforts,

as we stand up to be counted, when it matters, and live according to our faith. (pause)  

And in a few minutes of quietness now, let us seek a higher perspective, a longer view;

starting right where we are, let us shift our awareness ever outward, in circles of concern.

Let us bring to mind those we know to be struggling this day – perhaps including ourselves –

those friends and family we hold dearest – our neighbours in community –

others around the globe we may only have heard about on the news.

And let us take time to send prayers of loving kindness to all who suffer. (longer pause)

Let us take stock of our own lives – the challenges we face – and our part in those difficulties –

perhaps we are all too aware of mistakes we have made, or missed opportunities –

times in this week where things didn’t turn out how we intended or had hoped.

And let us take time to ask for what we need to start afresh this week and do better. (longer pause)

Let us look back over the last week, taking time to notice what was good, to count our blessings –

all the ways in which others helped or encouraged us, inspired or delighted us –

all the goodness and beauty we have known even in the midst of struggle.

And let us take time to give prayers of thanks for all we have been given. (longer pause)

Spirit of Life – God of all Love – as this time of prayer comes to a close, we offer up

   our joys and concerns, our hopes and fears, our beauty and brokenness,

      and we call on you for insight, healing, and renewal.

As we look forward now to the coming week,

     help us to live well each day and be our best selves;

     using our unique gifts in the service of love, justice and peace. Amen.

In-Person Reading: ‘Religion at Its Best’ by Sarah Gibb Millspaugh (adapted) (read by Patricia)

Religion is as much about faith in humanity as it is about faith in deity. And many of us will find that, over and over, our faith in humanity gets tested. We are immersed in a culture that's deeply corrupted by selfishness, greed, and oppression-borne privilege and fear. It seems it's all too easy for us humans to justify the dehumanization, ostracization, suffering, and death of others. It seems it’s all too easy for us humans to devalue some people’s lives, and feel, somehow, like we're still good upstanding moral people ourselves.

Religion at its best asks us to do better than this: to rise above the selfishness and status-seeking, the othering and xenophobia that come so easily to us. Religion at its best — and our Unitarian faith — calls us to honour that which is sacred in each person, even those we might hate, even those who we find appalling. It impels us to accept, on faith, that there is a sacred spark, a worthy spark, in every person. This can sound mundane but it's very radical — revolutionary even. Each person, sacred. Each person, worthy.

Accepting this, on faith, changes how we live. In this time when so many of us live in fear of a dehumanizing political climate, and horrified by the cruelty we witness all around, let us renew our pledge to live out those sacred and humane teachings that draw us toward compassion, love, and justice in ever-widening circles of care.

Hymn (on sheet): ‘Church is More than Just a Building’

Let’s sing again – our second hymn is on your hymn sheet – ‘Church is More than Just a Building’.

Church is more than just a building,

more than wood or metal or brick.

Church is how we love our neighbour.

Church is how we tend to the sick,

Feed the hungry and heal the suffering,

welcome strangers and give to the poor.

All our service is as worship,

all our presence an open door.

Church is more than a weekly gathering.

Church is faith that’s come alive,

Filling hearts and minds with passion,

peace and hope that ever abide.

Even when our building’s empty,

we are touched by the deepest of grace.

When the holy lives within us

we are in a holy place.

We’re the church in the path we follow,

showing care to those in pain.

In the midst of fear and sorrow,

we’re the church and here we’ll remain,

Seeking justice, showing kindness,

singing praises in all that we do.

Church is more than just a building.

It’s our work toward a world made new.

In-Person Readings: ‘The Purpose of Religion’ and ‘True Religion’ by Cliff Reed (adapted) (read by Juliet)

The purpose of religion is

to create loving community;

to foster relationships of mutual caring and respect;

to nurture the human spirit;

and to comfort, challenge, and inspire us, as the need arises.

The purpose of religion is

to seek and find a moral compass for the soul;

to make responsible use of the mind’s powers;

to help us become good stewards of God’s green earth;

and to be humble explorers of the universe.

The purpose of religion is

to celebrate life in its fullness;

to follow in the footsteps of those who have

taught and lived the better way for humankind;

and to uphold the universal values that make for

peace, justice, and happiness the world over.

The purpose of religion is

to free itself from inhumanity, bigotry, and empty dogma;

and to serve the cause of human welfare in a

global commonwealth, with joy and compassion.

(short pause)

If a religion is true, it sets you free to be your true self;

it nurtures loving-kindness and generosity in your heart;

it humbles you before the Ultimate – and before your neighbour.

If a religion is true, it challenges your conscience and opens your mind;

it makes you responsible for yourself and for your world;

it stirs you to seek the liberation and wellbeing of others.

If a religion is true, it deepens your awareness and nourishes your spirit;

it brings you comfort and strength in times of grief and trial;

it connects you to other people and to the life of the universe.

If a religion is true, it will care less for dogma and doctrine than it will for love;

it will care less for rules and customs than it will for compassion;

it will care less for the gods we make than for the people we are.

As we gather together in community, may ours be a true religion.

Words for Meditation: ‘Poetry and Religion’ by Les Murray

Thanks Juliet. We’re moving into a time of meditation now. To take us into stillness we’re going to hear a rather enigmatic poem from Les Murray, titled ‘Poetry and Religion’, which Brian is going to read for us. It’s one of those that probably needs a while to tune into – perhaps you can just listen and let the words wash over you – see what leaps out and catches your ear. But I have also printed it on the back of your hymn sheet (and it’s on the website with the rest of the service text) in case you want to ponder it later. I don’t want to try and pin down its meaning but I encourage you to spend a bit of time with it if you can. After the poem we’ll hold a few minutes of shared silence which will end with the sound of a bell. Then we’ll hear music for meditation. So let’s do what we need to do to get comfortable – maybe adjust your position – put your feet flat on the floor to ground yourself – close your eyes. This is just an offering, an invitation, feel free to use this time to meditate in your own way.

‘Poetry and Religion’ by Les Murray (read by Brian)

Religions are poems. They concert

our daylight and dreaming mind, our

emotions, instinct, breath and native gesture

into the only whole thinking: poetry.

Nothing’s said till it’s dreamed out in words

and nothing’s true that figures in words only.

A poem, compared with an arrayed religion,

may be like a soldier’s one short marriage night

to die and live by. But that is a small religion.

Full religion is the large poem in loving repetition;

like any poem, it must be inexhaustible and complete

with turns where we ask Now why did the poet do that?

You can’t pray a lie, said Huckleberry Finn;

you can’t poe one either. It is the same mirror:

mobile, glancing, we call it poetry,

fixed centrally, we call it religion,

and God is the poetry caught in any religion,

caught, not imprisoned. Caught as in a mirror

that he attracted, being in the world as poetry

is in the poem, a law against its closure.

There’ll always be religion around while there is poetry

or a lack of it. Both are given, and intermittent,

as the action of those birds – crested pigeon, rosella parrot –

who fly with wings shut, then beating, and again shut.

Period of Silence and Stillness (~3 minutes) – end with a bell  

Interlude: Sarabande from French Suite in E Major, BWV. 817 (performed by George Ireland) 

In-Person Reading: ‘Religion: Just What Is It?’ by Jacob Rumble (excerpts, adapted)

This piece is an excerpt from an excellent essay by Jacob Rumble titled ‘Religion: Just What Is It?’, it was written about ten years ago, and is available online in full, I really recommend it. I can find almost no information about Mr Rumble except that he was a long-term member of Cape Town Unitarians in South Africa and he died just a few years after writing this piece, in 2019, at the age of 82. It’s quite a long reading (maybe 6 minutes) but I think it’s really worth your time. The language is quite gendered in places, and of its time – I tried de-gendering it but it was really clunky, and obscured the message, so this is as-is – but I think the spirit of the message shines through.

Jacob Rumble writes: So what is this thing called religion? An endlessly fascinating aspect of religion is that so many people are so confused about it. The dictionary offers the usual traditional definition: Religion is a belief in a divine or superhuman power to be worshipped as the creator of the universe. [But is that the whole story?]

A Catholic might say that the essence of religion is authority and obedience. A Protestant speaks of it as a feeling of absolute dependence. A liberal philosopher describes religion as one’s conscious concern for self and others, growing out of an effort to find meaning in the universe, and to create the good life on earth. An agnostic tells us that religion is, quite simply, to do good. A sociologist might pronounce an obituary on religion by saying it is, in most people, a “hotchpotch mixture of amateur cosmology, private superstitions and neuroses, fossil folklore, conformity, guilt, fear, and impulses toward common decency.” And as some of us know, the word religion is said to come from the Latin word religio meaning “to tie fast,” or “to bind together”.

To some of us, religion is a good word, while for others it has acquired a bad or dubious reputation. But what do people mean by religion anyway? What does it mean to be a religious person? If we are to use these terms responsibly we must try to include in them Schweitzer’s reverence for life, the Catholic’s colourful ritual of the Mass, the cosmic piety of Einstein whose vision transcended a personal God, the Bible-believing of a Protestant, the Jew’s faith in a righteous God, and the beliefs and rituals of devout Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists too. All of these aspects are seen by their advocates as the essence of religion. To say the least, the word ‘religion’ does not carry any uniform meaning any longer – if it ever did.

For someone to say they have no use for religion, or that they are or are not religious, leaves us almost totally in the dark as to what kind of person they actually are, what they are rejecting or accepting. People often say, “I haven’t any religion” or “I’m not religious”. Yet these are individuals seeking meaning and purpose in their lives. We must learn to see past this semantic block; they are not without religion, but they can no longer take seriously the beliefs and myths they picked up in childhood. Having rejected these in the process of growing up or thinking things through in later life, they have come to think that they have no religion any more.

But really, everyone has some religion, whether he is aware of it or not, whether he wants it or not, and whether he knows what it is or not. It may not be a very adequate or mature expression, but everyone has some inner conviction, and it is his responsibility to develop it so that it can help him live life effectively and well. This conviction, such as it is, consists of the values by which he actually lives, and these are not always the same as the beliefs he thinks constitutes his religion. Our religion is our way of life – in the most inclusive meaning of that hackneyed phrase – the quality, depth and breadth of our existence, the spirit that animates our living.

Our religion, as the “binding-together” of our life, has to do with our commitment to the supreme values of our existence, our convictions on what in life really matters, what is most worthy of our effort and sacrifice. The religious person is actively devoted to the values to which they are committed: these values are held to be of the greatest worth and urgency in the world. (short pause)

He ends by quoting the prominent Unitarian minister John Haynes Holmes who said: “To be compelled to serve an ideal cause by conviction of its enduring value, not merely for ourselves, but for humanity and its high destiny, this is religion. Whatever unselfishly occupies as the heart of life, for him is his religion... Religion is a mysterious, mystic impulse working within us to make us greater than we are, and the world through us better than it is; to lift us to levels above the low range of appetite and satisfaction; to drive us to goals beyond the prudential goals of time and sense. Religion belongs distinctively to man, not because he can think, speculate, build churches or rear altars, but because he can sense the whole of life, catch a vision of the ideal in things real, and because he is willing to give his life to fulfilling this vision among men.”

Mini-Reflection: ‘Finding Our Religion’ by Rev. Dr. Jane Blackall

So, having shared that piece from Jacob Rumble, I want to ask you a question. And I want you to ponder quietly in your heart this morning rather than answering out loud: are you religious? What do you reckon? For some of us it’s not a difficult question. For me it would be a wholehearted ‘yes’ (though I haven’t always felt that way about it). For some it may be a definite ‘no’ (I know some are very squeamish about the word). Perhaps many of us would respond ‘well, it depends what you mean by “religious”…’)

That’s precisely why I wanted to share that long piece from Mr Rumble, and indeed the quote from Albert Schweitzer that I shared at the top of the service, to offer a view of religion that we can work with as Unitarians. They both characterise religion as primarily being about an ongoing engagement with the fundamental questions of life and how to live it (in contrast to the typically very limiting dictionary definition which states that belief in, and worship of, a supernatural being is the core of all religion).

When I studied Philosophy of Religion at Heythrop, some years ago, the very first lesson looked at that question – how do we define religion? – and on day one they made a point of impressing on us students that it’s a much more difficult thing to define than you might imagine. There’s no straightforward set of rules or characteristics that you can reliably use to determine if something counts as a religion or not. Every ‘common sense’ rule of thumb you might come up with either excludes something that you would surely want to call a religion OR includes something you wouldn’t want to call a religion. For example, if you insist that religion has to be about God, then you throw out most forms of Buddhism. And that doesn’t seem right. So if you relax that rule, and you say that religion isn’t necessarily about God, then it turns out that a lot of other collective human activities (like fanatically supporting a football team) share a lot of the same characteristics that we associate with religion – devotion, ritual, tradition, belonging – but do we want to say that to be a fanatical football fan is to be religious? Fans of Wittgenstein might recognise this as a situation where perhaps the best we can do is appeal to a certain ‘family resemblance’ and admit that it’s inevitably a bit fuzzy.

I came across another really good recent essay on this by Kwame Anthony Appiah titled ‘Undefinable yet Indispensable’ (I’ll put links to both essays in the service text on the website). He comes to a similar conclusion to Rumble: ‘Religion… shapes the inner lives of those who use it… it continues to name a space where meaning is made, defended, or denied. When it comes to what the word means, no one gets to say, and everyone gets a say… For now, [he says], religion endures as a shared act of attention: one of those serviceable maps by which we try to find our bearings, and keep faith with the world.’

I reckon Jacob Rumble is right when he says (I’m paraphrasing here) that we all have an implicit religion – a bundle of values and principles we live by, even if we don’t realise it – stuff we’ve picked up from family, or the wider culture, or our life experiences, for good or ill – and that it’s a good idea to make this more explicit, more conscious, to look at what it is that’s shaping our choices and way of being in the world – it’s good to live an examined life. And to own our own religious identity, reflect on it intentionally, rather than either unconsciously accepting or reflexively rejecting our religious inheritance. (There are some echoes here of last week’s service on ‘Roots and Wings’, I realise).

Religion is not just one thing. If we are (consciously or subconsciously) holding in our minds an image of ‘real religion’ as the version of religion that we grew up with (or perhaps the caricature of religion that we were brought up in opposition to) then it may be that we still have a bit of deprogramming or deconstruction to do in order to truly accept that it doesn’t have to be that way. We really do have religious freedom.

Religion is a powerful human invention, and as such, just like all the other human inventions, it can be used for good or ill. We don’t have to be afraid or embarrassed about it. We can shape it. It’s in our hands. It’s up to us to take hold of religion – claim it – discern, create, uphold, and embody good religion, true religion as Cliff Reed said. Of course, there are so many ways in which religion has been misused, and we do right to reject harmful beliefs and practices. But let us harness religion’s power for good.

For me, a key part of being religious, is that it’s something I can’t do alone. Think of the supposed origin of the word religious – from re-ligare – binding together. In contrast to spirituality, which is perhaps more of a private and individual endeavour, religion binds us together in community, as part of a tradition or lineage, connecting us with others who have been wrestling with the same questions of meaning and purpose, questions of how to live, for generations. And they – we – have wisdom and insight to share. I know all too well: I can’t make sense of life’s struggles all by myself – I need to draw on wisdom that’s stood the test of time – and to talk things over with comrades in the here and now. Others who are also consciously engaging with the religious questions that matter most. And let’s not forget how counter-cultural that is in these times we are living through. Religion can help us resist some of the dominant – and harmful – cultural narratives.

So if we do embrace our religious identity – individually and collectively – our job is to work out what that means to us and what sort of religious we are going to be. That’s something we’re not going to conclusively settle this morning! We’re work in progress. But to close this mini-reflection I’m going to invite you to join in with a responsive reading by Unitarian Universalist Scott Alexander which sketches out an image of the sort of religion we might need. The words are in your OOS and will appear on screen.

‘We Need a Religion That…’ by Scott Alexander (adapted)

You are invited to join in, if you wish, with the responses printed in bold.

In a world with so much hatred and violence,

We need a religion that proclaims

the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

In a world with so much brutality and fear,

We need a religion that seeks justice,

equity, and compassion in human relations.

In a world with so many persons abused and neglected,

We need a religion that calls us to accept one another

and encourage one another to spiritual growth.

In a world with so much tyranny and oppression,

We need a religion that affirms the right to freedom

of thought and conscience, and the proper use of the democratic process.

In a world with so much inequity and strife,

We need a religion that strives toward the goal

of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.

In a world with so much environmental degradation,

We need a religion that advocates awareness and respect

for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

In a world with so much uncertainty and despair,

We need a religion that teaches our hearts to hope, and our hands to care.

In a world where so many people yearn for connection and for love,

We need religious communities like ours to welcome all people of goodwill,

offering a place to call home, to belong, where each can be who we truly are.  Amen.

Hymn 200 (purple): ‘What Does the Lord Require?’

Time for one last hymn and it’s number 200 in the purple books: ‘What Does the Lord Require?’

What does the Lord require

for praise and offering?

What sacrifice desire,

or tribute bid us bring?

But only this: true justice do,

love mercy too, and walk with God.

True justice always means

defending of the poor,

the righting of the wrong,

reforming ancient law.

This is the path, true justice do,

love mercy too, and walk with God.

Love mercy and be kind,

befriend, forgive, always,

and welcome all who come

to sing with us in praise:

and in this way, true justice do,

love mercy too, and walk with God.

Yes, humbly walk that way,

free from all pompous pride,

in quiet simplicity,

God always at our side:

thus evermore, true justice do,

love mercy too, and walk with God.

Announcements:

Thanks to Ramona for hosting and Jeannene for co-hosting. Thanks to George for lovely music as ever. Thanks to Patricia, Juliet, and Brian for reading. Thanks to Juliet for greeting and David for making coffee. If you are in-person do stay for cake (I’ve made a new experimental Pina Colada Cake! Let me know what you think. And a more reliable Jamaican Ginger Loaf).

After you’ve had your cup of tea please come back into the church for a short congregational meeting so me and Patricia can tell you a bit about the CIO project. We’ll do that at 12.30.

Tonight and Friday at 7pm we’ve got our ‘Heart and Soul’ online contemplative spiritual gathering – it’s week 300! Another milestone – this week it’s on ‘Asking’. Email me if you want to join.

On Tuesday we’re starting a new online study group on ‘Finding Our Religion: Being Unitarian in the 21^st Century’. That’s a joint venture with Mill Hill Chapel in Leeds who have been incredibly keen to sign up – we’ve also got loads of sign-ups from around the country – so I’d love to see our own congregation well-represented. Each time we’ll watch a 40-minute talk from summer school and then we’ll take some time to consider some questions arising from the talk alone and in small groups. That’s on alternate Tuesday evenings from 6^th Jan. Sign up with me if you want to come along to that. You don’t have to come to all of them, you can drop in, but the more the better. This week’s talk is primarily by Sheena Gabriel but contains a cameo from our own John Humphreys. The second session will be a talk given by Mel Prideaux and me (25 mins telling my personal religious journey).

On Wednesday in-person there’s the poetry group. Speak to Brian if you’d like to join.

Looking further ahead we have the Better World Book Club at the end of the month when we’ll be talking about ‘Don’t Forget We’re Here Forever’ by Lamorna Ash – a very interesting reflection on how some younger people are returning to religion – and a slice of life in varied churches in the UK. There are still a couple of copies for you to borrow if you’d like to come along.

Next Sunday we’ll be back here at 11am when our service will be titled ‘We Live and Learn’.

Details of all our various activities are printed on the back of the order of service, for you to take away, and also in the Friday email.  The congregation very much has a life beyond Sunday mornings; we encourage you to keep in touch, look out for each other, and do what you can to nurture supportive connections. Just time for our closing words and closing music now.  

Benediction: based on words by Theodore Parker

Be ours a religion which, like sunshine, goes everywhere;

its temple, all space;

its creed, all truth;

its shrine, the good heart;

its ritual, works of love;

its profession of faith, divine living.

May it be so, for the greater good of all. Amen.

Closing Music: Gigue from French Suite in G Major, BWV. 816 (performed by George Ireland) 

Rev. Dr. Jane Blackall

4th January 2026