Our Bigger Picture
- Apr 12
- 18 min read
Updated: Apr 13
Sunday Service, 12 April 2026
Led by Rev. Sarah Tinker
Musical Prelude: ‘The Circle Game’ by Joni Mitchell (performed by George Ireland)
Opening Words from ‘All That You Need Lies Within You’ by Angela Herrera
Consider this an invitation to you.
Yes – you
With all your happiness
And your burdens,
Your hopes and regrets.
An invitation if you feel good today,
And an invitation if you do not,
If you are aching –
And there are so many ways to ache.
Whoever you are, however you are,
Wherever you are in your journey,
This is an invitation into peace.
Peace in your heart,
And peace in your heart,
And – with every breath –
Peace in your heart.
Welcome and Introduction:
Words by the Rev Angela Herrera to open this Sunday gathering with Kensington Unitarians, here at Essex Church in central London, words of invitation to welcome those of you joining us here in Notting Hill as well as all of you joining us online today. It’s good to see you all on our screen here. And a further welcome to anyone who is watching or listening to this service at some future time, via the YouTube channel or our podcasts. I hope life is treating you well, whoever you are, wherever you are and whenever you are joining this service. If we’ve not met before I’m Sarah Tinker, now retired from congregational ministry and really enjoying coming back to see people from time to time. Good to be with you today.
Five of us from this congregation recently attended our General Assembly Annual Meetings, along with 300 or more other Unitarians. And this service is partly to bring back some of the buzz and energy we felt at those meetings to all of you.
The service title is ‘Our Bigger Picture’ and that refers to our wider Unitarian movement, both here in the UK and abroad – with congregations to be found in many countries of the world. It also refers to the wider world in which we live and the many geopolitical pressures and threats we are witnessing in these days. Complex times – times when we really do need a quiet hour spent in gentle company with others, helping each other to find that place of peace within, and to rest awhile, finding peace in our hearts with each and every breath. Let’s take a moment to find that quiet within.
Chalice Lighting:
Our chalice flame is now lit and it connects with people the world over who are committed to a faith of freedom and a faith of responsibility, encouraging each of us to seek meaning and purpose in ways that express who we truly are, and sharing that journey in good company with those we meet along the way. One light, one people, one planet earth home, all playing our part in the life of our wider world.
Hymn 100 (grey): ‘I’ve Got Peace Like a River’
Our first hymn today is in this grey hymnbook, number 100, or the words will appear on our screens. It’s called ‘I’ve got peace like a river’ and it speaks of the many shared experiences of being human, our lives filled with joy and pain, strength and tears. Look out for the two verses hidden at the bottom of the page, so six verses all together – let’s sing, for we have peace like a river in our souls.
I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.
I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.
I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul.
I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul.
I’ve got love like an ocean, I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul.
I’ve got love like an ocean, I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul.
I’ve got pain like an arrow, I’ve got pain like an arrow,
I’ve got pain like an arrow in my soul.
I’ve got pain like an arrow, I’ve got pain like an arrow,
I’ve got pain like an arrow in my soul.
I’ve got tears like the raindrops, I’ve got tears like the raindrops,
I’ve got tears like the raindrops in my soul.
I’ve got tears like the raindrops, I’ve got tears like the raindrops,
I’ve got tears like the raindrops in my soul.
I’ve got strength like a mountain, I’ve got strength like a mountain,
I’ve got strength like a mountain in my soul.
I’ve got strength like a mountain, I’ve got strength like a mountain,
I’ve got strength like a mountain in my soul.
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)
Responsive Prayer: by Rev. Dr. Jane Blackall
We are moving into a time of prayer now – the words are printed on your separate sheet or will appear on your screen – I invite you, if you wish, to join in with the responses printed in bold. These words were written by your minister Jane, who led the worship at our Anniversary Service at the Annual Meetings. They’re heartfelt words and I wanted to share them with you today as they express some of what it means to be part of a bigger picture, part of an organisation, where we can each do the bit we can do. Let’s pray together with the words we’ll find on our handout or on our screens. And do join in with the words in bold print if you wish.
Spirit of Life, God of All Love,
in whom we live and move and have our being,
we call on you to bless our endeavours as activists and stewards
of this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches,
and of all the many groups and congregations that we represent.
We are living through troubled and troubling times;
we each have a part to play in the world’s healing.
Spirit of Preparation, equip us, that we may
gather our resources to fulfil what life is asking of us.
We know struggle and suffering in our own lives, our communities,
and in the life of the world, which can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Spirit of Consolation, comfort us, as we face tough realities,
wrestle with life’s complexities, and mourn our losses.
We ache for something better, something more; we are
so ready to see a realm of love and justice made real.
Spirit of Liberation, embolden us, that we may break free,
get unstuck, and let go of that which holds us back.
We pledge our gifts in service to the greatest good,
striving to live well and faithfully in our places.
Spirit of Contemplation, guide us, as we discern
the way forward, directed by our spiritual purpose.
We face change and uncertainty with courage, acting boldly
in the midst of the mess, and daring to try something new.
Spirit of Transformation, revitalise us, that we may
discover and embrace fresh possibilities as they emerge.
We claim our place in the unfolding story of this movement,
affirming our belonging to it, and our responsibility for it.
Spirit of Perpetuation, strengthen us, as we uphold
our beloved tradition and shape it for future generations.
We are called to join in imagining a world transfigured;
and commit ourselves to making that dream a reality.
Spirit of Co-Creation, inspire us, that we may
bring diverse and wonderful things to life, together.
May it be so for the greater good of all. AMEN.
Online Reflection: ‘My first time at the Annual Meetings’ by Aisha Animashaun
When I signed up as a delegate for my first General Assembly, I was unsure what to expect, but excited to finally experience this annual event I'd heard so many Unitarians speak of fondly. The beautiful descriptions of the venue, along with the lineup of events and workshops, drew me in too. As the weekend drew closer, it dawned on me I'd also be meeting Kensington Unitarians in person for the first time, and I felt a flutter of nerves.
My travel was smooth, and being greeted by Jane on arrival helped me settle in straight away. Three words sum up my experience: community, enriching, and inspiring.
Community: From the moment I walked through the gates of the Hayes, I felt a refreshing sense of community. Meeting Sarah, Roy and Heidi in person left me with a warm feeling, and it was lovely to see familiar faces from the engagement groups alongside many new ones. I enjoyed talking, eating, laughing, singing, and praying with people from congregations across the country. Participating in the shared decision-making, and seeing the care taken to honour different perspectives, stood out for me. At the opening and closing sessions, I joined the banner parades carrying the Kensington Unitarians' banner and felt a sweet sense of belonging.
Enriching: It was truly a weekend of many firsts. I experienced my first Hindu Satsang and my first Pagan Earth ceremony celebrating Ostara. From meditation and worship sessions to craft and seminar workshops, the keynote and anniversary service, I left each one having learnt something new, gained a fresh perspective, or been prompted to reflect on important parts of life.
Inspiring: A common thread ran through many of my conversations. Whenever I mentioned I was from Kensington Unitarians, people would light up: "That's Jane's church!" This happened especially with those involved in ministry or running engagement groups themselves. They'd share stories of Jane's great work and generosity, how she'd offer without hesitation to jump on a call and help them with their own groups. On the last morning at breakfast, someone said it must feel very nice to have a connection to Jane, and it crystallised what I'd been quietly noticing all weekend. Watching Jane lead the anniversary service with the same grace she brings here, with over 300 people gathered, was a joy to witness and the perfect exclamation mark to those conversations.
Thank you for the invitation to represent Kensington Unitarians at the General Assembly. It was an honour, and an experience I'll treasure.
Hymn 391 (grey): ‘Voice Still and Small’ (sung twice, remaining seated)
(Sarah will introduce hymn and explain that we’ll sing it through twice in full)
Voice still and small, deep inside all,
I hear you call, singing.
In dark and rain, sorrow and pain,
Still you remain singing.
Calming my fears, quenching my tears,
Through all the years, singing.
Words for Meditation: ‘All That You Need Lies Within You’ by Angela Herrera
So after that lovely chant, let’s ready ourselves for a quiet time. We’ve just sung about that ‘voice still and small’ and our words for meditation continue the opening words we heard at the start of our service by Unitarian Universalist minister and writer Andrea Herrera – and this piece is called ‘all that you need lies within you’. It’s a fine piece of writing to meditate on and after I’ve read it 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, a piano piece written by Andrea Vanzo. So let’s do what we need to do to get comfortable – adjust your position – put your feet flat on the floor to ground yourself – close your eyes. As ever, these words and music are just an offering, feel free to use this time to meditate in your own way. Angela Herrera writes:
Consider this an invitation to you.
Yes – you
With all your happiness
And your burdens,
Your hopes and regrets.
An invitation if you feel good today,
And an invitation if you do not,
If you are aching –
And there are so many ways to ache.
Whoever you are, however you are,
Wherever you are in your journey,
This is an invitation into peace.
Peace in your heart,
And peace in your heart,
And – with every breath –
Peace in your heart.
Maybe your heart is heavy
Or hardened.
Maybe it’s troubled
And peace can take up residence
Only in a small corner,
Only on the edge,
With all that is going on in the world,
And in your life.
It doesn’t matter.
All that you need
For a deep and comforting peace to grow
Lies within you.
Once it is in your heart
Let it spread into your life,
Let it pour from your life into the world,
Let it shine upon all beings.
Period of Silence and Stillness (~3 minutes) – end with a bell
Interlude: ‘Soulmate’ by Andrea Vanzo (performed by George Ireland)
In-Person Reading: from Daniel Costley’s sermon in the Anniversary Service
‘And that’s what is so wonderful about congregations. That continuum of worship, friendship, fellowship, support and love. From the very first time you take that often difficult and brave step to enter in to you church, your Meeting House, your Worship Space, you are brought into the love and care of all those present.
You are many. And you are one.
But the members of this wide Unitarian and Free Christian community are not identical. We do not all agree on everything. We probably often have disagreements between ourselves. Yes, really.
We are human, we are individuals. We are not, therefore, identical nor perfect..
Yet we have all chosen to be part of these communities.
Why?
Well, there are of course as many reasons for joining a congregation as there are people in it. Indeed, as Unitarians there are probably more reasons than there are people.
But I wonder whether these words from Mark Morrison-Reed, a Canadian Unitarian Minister, might strike a chord with some of us:
It is the church that assures us we are not struggling for justice on our own, but as members of a larger community. The religious community is essential, for alone our vision is too narrow to see all that must be seen, and our strength too limited to do all that must be done. Together, our vision widens and our strength is renewed.
In true Unitarian style, I suspect that some of you are now thinking ..’yes, that’s exactly it’. Others will be thinking ‘hmm, sort of, but I come for other reasons instead’. And yet others are simply worried there may be a test on that quote – because they are using the time here (this evening) to let the words wash over rather than be examined.
But I think, and hope, that Mark’s final words find a home in most, if not all, of our reasons for being here:
‘The religious community is essential, for alone our vision is too narrow to see all that must be seen, and our strength too limited to do all that must be done. Together, our vision widens and our strength is renewed.’
Reflection: ‘Our Bigger Picture’ by Rev. Sarah Tinker
Thank you for that reading from our friend Daniel Costley’s recent sermon, the full script of which you can find now in the Inquirer newspaper.
Some of you will know that this congregation of Kensington Unitarians is part of an organisation called the General Assembly of Unitarian & Free Christian Churches – formed back in 1928 to bring our many different congregations together. It’s a legal requirement for a charitable body to hold an annual general meeting – so our Annual Meetings have been held almost every year since 1928. The General Assembly is our umbrella body and it has some staff and they help us as congregations – but they can only advise – Unitarian congregations are often fiercely independent. Congregations send delegates to the Annual Meetings and our delegate this year was Aisha Animashaun. It was lovely to hear your enthusiasm Aisha as a first time attendee. I’ve been to a lot of these gatherings over the years and can sometimes feel like I’ve been to one too many! But not this year. This year had an energy about it, helped for me by the many new faces of people I’d not met before and who had interesting stories to tell of how they’d found their Unitarian community and what had attracted them to it.
There was a buzz for me in the resolutions the meetings passed –
The first resolution gives our Chief Officer Liz Slade freedom to issue statements on our behalf, so we Unitarians can be seen to be responding speedily when some serious issue that we care about is suddenly on the front page of the news.
The second resolution speaks against legislation here in England and Wales that limits people’s freedom to protest. You’ll perhaps be aware of recent protests, indeed another such demonstrations took place only yesterday here in London,where Unitarians and others have been arrested simply for holding up placards in support of a banned organisation, Palestine Action. This resolution strongly affirms that protest is a fundamental Unitarian spiritual practice.
The third resolution that was passed at the Annual Meetings asks us to stand in solidarity with all people who are suffering from the effects of warfare in the Middle East, to advocate for peace and to help fund medical and other humanitarian aid.
These last two resolutions strongly connect our current movement with our history of non-conformity and dissent. Unitarians have long insisted on freedom to speak out, freedom to protest, and the importance of standing alongside those who are oppressed and marginalised.
Many people who find a religious community are happy staying at a local level – and there’s nothing wrong with that. But I’d also always encourage those who are interested to get involved in the bigger picture of which we are part. Maybe you’d like to be our delegate at next year’s Annual Meetings, or get involved in other local and national Unitarian activities. There’s a Festival of Unitarianism being run in November – which is being advertised as a spiritual spa – this could appeal to me. Or maybe you’d like to join the London District’s AGM online next Saturday where the speaker is our friend Sheena Gabriel.
And I don’t need to encourage any of us to be involved in the wider picture of the world in which we live. I know from so many conversations over the years how much people care about the injustices of our world, I know the quiet but determined activities that many of you engage in - activities that demonstrate your solidarity with those who are suffering. If you are free this afternoon do join us at the quilt making session, part of the Each Child A Light art project, to commemorate the names of 20,000 children killed in Gaza in just the last few years.
On the front of today’s Order of Service there is a photo of Aisha carrying our congregation’s banner at the opening ceremony of our Meetings. This banner shows symbols from many of the world’s religions and philosophies. It has our Unitarian chalice symbol at its centre, with the cross of Christianity, which is the religious root from which Unitarianism sprang, and lives on in our Free Christian tradition. But other religions are also represented and this banner for me makes a vital point that we Unitarians support religious pluralism. Respect of all faith traditions is vital to us. There cannot be just one true faith for us. Alongside the photo of Aisha and our banner on the front of this order of service is a quote from Daniel Costley’s anniversary service when he reminded us that ‘Journeying together is what we must do. In this fractured, divided and complex world, journeying together is what we really must do. This General Assembly is a journeying together, a path on common ground, of congregations for the last 98 years’.
That journeying together is not just a journey within our congregation – lovely though it is to have each other as companions on the road of life. But we know we are journeying with the whole of humanity, and indeed the whole of creation, all living beings sharing one planet earth home. So whether we are new to our Unitarian movement or have been connected for many decades – let’s keep our bigger picture alive – our part in our local communities, our part in our wider Unitarian movement and the small parts we might play in the life of our world; knowing that by joining together with others we can help to ease suffering and help to create a world that is more peaceful and more loving and more just. And may this be so for the greater good of all, amen.
Hymn 151 (grey): ‘I Wish I Knew How’
Time now for our closing hymn, a jazz classic that expresses our yearning for transformation and liberation, one we all enjoyed singing together at the Annual Meetings. It’s a stirring tune , famously composed by jazz pianist Billy Taylor in the 1960s, then sung by Nina Simone and many others. It became an anthem of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement and that heartfelt cry: ‘I wish I knew how it would feel to be free’. Stand or sit as you prefer and let’s sing up and enjoy.
I wish I knew how it would feel to be free.
I wish I could break all these chains holding me.
I wish I could say all the things I could say,
say 'em loud, say 'em clear for the whole world to hear.
Say 'em loud say 'em clear for the whole world to hear.
I wish I could share all the love in my heart,
remove all the bars that still keep us apart.
I wish you could know what it means to be me,
then you'd see and agree everyone should be free.
Then you'd see and agree everyone should be free.
I wish I could give all I'm longing to give.
I wish I could live like I'm longing to live.
I wish I could do all the things I can do,
though I'm way overdue I'd be starting anew.
Though I'm way overdue I'd be starting anew.
I wish I could be like a bird in the sky.
How sweet it would be if I found I could fly
I'd soar to the sun and look down at the sea,
then I'd sing 'cause I'd know how it feels to be free.
Then I'd sing 'cause I'd know how it feels to be free.
Announcements:
Thanks to Ramona for hosting and Aisha for co-hosting and for bringing us her impressions from her first General Assembly meetings. Thanks to George as always for marvellous music. Full of soul today. Thanks to Benjie for supporting our singing. Thanks to our John for greeting, and Pat and Anna for making coffee, and all who do those behind the scenes tasks. If you’re online stay for a chat with Aisha if you can. If you’re in-person please do stay as there’s things happening - Community Yoga with Hannah and the Memorial Quilt for Gaza project with Patricia.
Tonight and Friday at 7pm we’ve got our online ‘Heart and Soul’ online contemplative spiritual gathering – this week it’s on the theme of ‘Looking Back’ – sign up with Jane if you want to join. Or you could come for Heart and Soul in-person this Wednesday which has added cake! Jane would especially appreciate you coming along to that this month – let her know you’ll be there.
Sonya will be here with her Nia Dance class on Friday lunchtime – have a word with Sonya.
We’re having a walk on Tuesday 21st April, exploring Greenwich Park, sign up with Jane for that.
This month the Better World Book Club is talking about ‘Finding the Mother Tree’ by Suzanne Simard and we still have a copy to lend out if you’d like to come along on the 26th on Zoom.
Next Sunday Jane will be back with a service for Earth Day titled ‘The Ark’ (featuring folk music). That’ll be followed by our regular Crafternoon so do bring your lunch and your craft projects or you can just do some colouring or play with the contents of our art and craft cupboard.
Jane tells me that nearly everyone has renewed their membership now – well done – if you still need to renew please do fill the form in today and she will be very pleased. And if you’ve been coming to the congregation for a few months or more and you feel a sense of belonging with us do have a think about joining – it’s not about money – but about your support and engagement. There’s just a simple form to fill in. Do get in touch with Jane if you want to know more about it. Members will be receiving the Annual Report in the next day or so. The AGM is on 26th April.
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:
Mark Morrison-Reed writes that ‘alone our vision is too narrow to see all that must be seen, and our strength too limited to do all that must be done. Together, our vision widens and our strength is renewed’.
So let’s keep working together to do what needs to be done, all that vital work of protest, of care for others, of envisioning a future for each and every person that gives them freedom to hope and freedom to speak and freedom to be who they truly are. And to that aspiration let us say together amen, so may it be. And go well each and every one of you in the week ahead.
Closing Music: ‘I wish I knew how it would feel to be free’ by Nina Simone (performed by George Ireland)
Rev. Sarah Tinker
12th April 2026