coventry unitarians news

Parkinson's Disease Society Christmas Service

We were delighted to host the Christmas service for the Parkinson's Disease Society, who are regular users of the Heaviside Hall, on Thursday 26th November. Over 50 people attended, and the service was led by Mrs. Sue Woolley, District Facilitator of the Midland Unitarian Association. Her theme was that the message of Jesus - love your neighbour as yourself, and don't forget to love yourself - was relevant all the year round, not just at Christmas, the season of goodwill. Carols were sung with gusto, ably accompanied by the pianist from the Welsh Church, Margot.

After the service, the company adjourned to the Heaviside Hall, to be served with hot pork batches. A good start to Christmas!

Miss Janice Ashley: 1932 - 2009

The Great Meeting House Unitarian Church is very sad to announce the death of one of our long standing members, and a dear friend to many of us, Miss Janice Ashley. She died peacefully in her sleep following a battle with cancer on 20th July 2009.

Janice was an active member of our Church all her life, being Church Secretary and Lettings Secretary - posts she took over from her parents. She was also a Church trustee.

In the 1960s and 1970s she was one of an active group of young Unitarians in the Midlands who organised annual activities and competitions for the Midland Sunday Schools Association.

Under the guidance of the late Philip Spencer (of West Bromwich) she studied to become a lay preacher, and led worship regularly around the Midlands District until the end of 2008. She was President of the Midland Union of Unitarian & Free Christian Churches from 1983 - 1985, and its Secretary from 1985 - 1987. She was also a leading member of the Birmingham District Women's League, being its President from 2007 until her death. She had also represented the District on Central Committee. She was able to attend the District AGM in March 2009.

She was also involved with the Unitarian Lay Preachers Association (which later merged with the Unitarian Association of Lay Leaders), being its President from 1992 - 1993, and was its conference organiser for many years.

She was also very much involved with Moose International, the local branch of which meets here in the Church.

She will be greatly missed by her Congregation and many friends throughout the Unitarian Movement. Our sympathies are sent to her brother Anthony and sister-in-law Sheila, and to her cousin Jean Dyer.

Midland Unitarian Association AGM held at The Great Meeting House Unitarian Church, Coventry.

38 members from 13 of our 18 congregations, plus two visitors (Mrs. Joyce Ashworth, President of the Unitarian General Assembly and Mrs. Lis Dyson-Jones, MUA link member on the GA's Executive Committee) came together on a beautiful Spring day at Coventry's Great Meeting House Unitarian Church.

The business part of the meeting went very smoothly, and then we came to item 19 on the Agenda, choosing a new name for the Midland Union of Unitarian & Free Christian Churches. After a spirited debate (see above), we decided on Midland Unitarian Association.

After a congenial lunch and a short service led by our new President, the Rev. Peter Hewis, who took the life of famous conductor and Unitarian Sir Adrian Boult as his theme, we enjoyed a stimulating and interesting talk by Rev. John Harley, the General Assembly's Youth Coordinator. He was full of good ideas for involving children and young people in worship and other activities in our churches and chapels, and those present made good contributions too. John emphasised the need to have at least one adult present who has been CRB checked, and that it was better to have adults working in pairs. Keeping a log of activities was also recommended. He finished his talk by giving us some information about the GA's Chalice Award Scheme for children and young people. We all went home with a lot to think about, and inspired to be more inclusive to our younger members and attenders.

coventry unitarians events

Coming soon...

Coventry Unitarians The Great Meeting House Unitarian Church, Coventry
Home Page Unitarian Beliefs Services News & Events Our History Facilities & Activities How to Contact Us How To Find Us Links "Life is not a vessel to be drained, but a cup to be filled" Ancient Chinese Proverb PAGE VIEWS: 10115		coventry unitarians news Parkinson's Disease Society Christmas Service We were delighted to host the Christmas service for the Parkinson's Disease Society, who are regular users of the Heaviside Hall, on Thursday 26th November. Over 50 people attended, and the service was led by Mrs. Sue Woolley, District Facilitator of the Midland Unitarian Association. Her theme was that the message of Jesus - love your neighbour as yourself, and don't forget to love yourself - was relevant all the year round, not just at Christmas, the season of goodwill. Carols were sung with gusto, ably accompanied by the pianist from the Welsh Church, Margot. After the service, the company adjourned to the Heaviside Hall, to be served with hot pork batches. A good start to Christmas! Miss Janice Ashley: 1932 - 2009 The Great Meeting House Unitarian Church is very sad to announce the death of one of our long standing members, and a dear friend to many of us, Miss Janice Ashley. She died peacefully in her sleep following a battle with cancer on 20th July 2009. Janice was an active member of our Church all her life, being Church Secretary and Lettings Secretary - posts she took over from her parents. She was also a Church trustee. In the 1960s and 1970s she was one of an active group of young Unitarians in the Midlands who organised annual activities and competitions for the Midland Sunday Schools Association. Under the guidance of the late Philip Spencer (of West Bromwich) she studied to become a lay preacher, and led worship regularly around the Midlands District until the end of 2008. She was President of the Midland Union of Unitarian & Free Christian Churches from 1983 - 1985, and its Secretary from 1985 - 1987. She was also a leading member of the Birmingham District Women's League, being its President from 2007 until her death. She had also represented the District on Central Committee. She was able to attend the District AGM in March 2009. She was also involved with the Unitarian Lay Preachers Association (which later merged with the Unitarian Association of Lay Leaders), being its President from 1992 - 1993, and was its conference organiser for many years. She was also very much involved with Moose International, the local branch of which meets here in the Church. She will be greatly missed by her Congregation and many friends throughout the Unitarian Movement. Our sympathies are sent to her brother Anthony and sister-in-law Sheila, and to her cousin Jean Dyer. Midland Unitarian Association AGM held at The Great Meeting House Unitarian Church, Coventry. 38 members from 13 of our 18 congregations, plus two visitors (Mrs. Joyce Ashworth, President of the Unitarian General Assembly and Mrs. Lis Dyson-Jones, MUA link member on the GA's Executive Committee) came together on a beautiful Spring day at Coventry's Great Meeting House Unitarian Church. The business part of the meeting went very smoothly, and then we came to item 19 on the Agenda, choosing a new name for the Midland Union of Unitarian & Free Christian Churches. After a spirited debate (see above), we decided on Midland Unitarian Association. After a congenial lunch and a short service led by our new President, the Rev. Peter Hewis, who took the life of famous conductor and Unitarian Sir Adrian Boult as his theme, we enjoyed a stimulating and interesting talk by Rev. John Harley, the General Assembly's Youth Coordinator. He was full of good ideas for involving children and young people in worship and other activities in our churches and chapels, and those present made good contributions too. John emphasised the need to have at least one adult present who has been CRB checked, and that it was better to have adults working in pairs. Keeping a log of activities was also recommended. He finished his talk by giving us some information about the GA's Chalice Award Scheme for children and young people. We all went home with a lot to think about, and inspired to be more inclusive to our younger members and attenders. coventry unitarians events Coming soon...