These words are from the wallpaper on the Inquirer website. Words can hurt or Words can uplift. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth - That I may not say anything rashly, unadvisedly, improperly.

Autumn Newsletter 2012 of the

Merseyside Unitarians (M.D.M.A.) Including

The Women`s League Newsletter

Let the words of my mouth - The words that I speak; all the words that I speak. And the meditation of my heart - The thoughts of my heart. Be acceptable in thy sight - Be such as thou wilt approve; or, be such as will be pleasing to thee; such as will give thee delight or satisfaction; such as will be agreeable to thee.

Barnes Notes on the Bible

Unitarians: ‘many beliefs- one faith’

As Unitarians we find a bond of unity in shared values e.g. ♦ the nurture of life's spiritual dimension. ♦ the use of reason and honest doubt in the search for truth. ♦ mutual respect and goodwill in personal relations. ♦ constructive tolerance and openness towards the sincerely-

held beliefs of others. ♦ peace, compassion, justice and democracy in human affairs. ♦ reverence for the earth and our natural heritage.

For more information, local and national Local: www.ukunitarians.org.uk/merseyside National website: www.unitarians.org.uk

Greetings It is time again for the Mersey News. Since I have been the editor I have been finding my feet and trying to find “news” that will interest you. At first I found this difficult as I didn`t know many of you and which church you belonged to. I have begun finding my way around the District and some of you have begun to send in articles for me to include in this newsletter. I have always thought that this should be about our churches and not just articles about Unitarians and I believe that we are going along the road of achieving this. Thank you to everyone who wrote something this time but I am sure there are many more people out there who could contribute a little something to show and reflect what your church is doing. My address is 78 Western Avenue, Blacon, Chester, CH1 5PP; my phone is 01244 390590 and my email is pocketsow@hotmail.co.uk. I am not sure what the next date will be but I think it will be in January / February. You can send anything at anytime; don`t wait for the deadline. You don`t need to type it out I can do that.

Eileen

Revisiting Northern Ireland

Some four years ago I visited Belfast with the family and we took a trip on the river Lagan to view the site of the old and then derelict shipyard, Queens Dock. Our guide was obviously very proud of his city heritage and told us of the building of the great ship Titanic, ‘built by Irishmen, and sunk by an Englishman’ was his quip. He also told us of the plans to build a dedicated exhibition hall on the site; this bold plan seemed a million miles away as we sailed by and saw only the old drawing offices left standing. We visited Belfast again this summer with the Unitarian Christian Association, we took advantage of the trip and with a few others paid a visit to the brand new Titanic Experience, where we saw how the great liners were built and how the Titanic met its fateful end 100 years ago. The whole of the once derelict Queens Dock is now a well presented area with not only the exhibition hall but shops, restaurants and hotels. On the Saturday we visited All Souls Church in Belfast for our meeting and were royally entertained in the evening by the congregation and its minister Rev Chris Hudson, who has and continues to be involved with the peace process in Northern Ireland.

Rev Lynne Readett

Titanic Building - Belfast

District Weekend in Great Hucklow When Lynne Readett told us she was arranging another `fun`weekend in Hucklow I said I would love to go but didn`t drive long distances, Sylvia (Spencer) said “Well drive up to mine

(about 1/2 hour drive) and come with Linda and I”, I booked my room right away. As a child with the Domestic Mission I used to go to Hucklow every year, the first in the early 1940`s. As a teenager I sometimes went two or three times a year and took my fiancé there. He loved it too and we even went to a few “Hucklow Hounds” reunions after we were married, before the children were born. We had a lovely drive through Cheshire, lunching at a lovely “Gift” type shop with nice Café. We continued into my beloved Derbyshire with its stone walls and stopped off briefly in Buxton and through Tideswell to arrive at the Nightingale Centre and tea time.

What a difference in Nightingale! Quite different from years ago.

We were welcomed by the friendly staff and given a tour of the Centre. I was very impressed. I had a lovely single room and the shower room was next door. We had a beautiful meal in the newly appointed Dining room. In the evening some of the “younger” ones, led by Lynne and her husband, walked up the hill to the Barrel Inn. I remember the lovely views from that hill. I opted to go on the shorter walk around the “triangle” and have a walk around the lovely village, familiarising myself and imagining the sound of the hundreds of children on the field where the Childrens Home (Huts) used to be. Standing for a while at the tiny entrance and up the steps by the horse trough (still there). We had a lovely relaxing evening and a good nights sleep. Saturday the weather was good and we all discussed our plans for the day. Some opted for Bakewell, Buxton, Haddon Hall etc. Sylvia suggested Eyam! I was very excited as Eyam has always interested me. The village has updated itself as interest in its history has spread and there is now a very good museum in which we spent an hour. There was also a nice little courtyard of crafty-type shops and little cafés. We headed back for lunch at Nightingale. Some took packed lunches which were excellent but we had heard there was to be a wedding in the Unitarian Chapel and I was very keen to see it. It was lovely - we sat outside listening to the music and seeing all the fashions as the party came out. Its nice to know the Chapel is in a very good state of repair and is well used. The only other Chapel in the village is now used as offices.

KK...continued

Saturday evening - after another super dinner, we had a social gathering where John Readette kindly entertained us with his folk songs and guitar. Another Unitarian lady played the piano and a good night was had by one and all, including a glass of wine (purchased on the premises) was enjoyed by some.

Our final day and we packed, ready for home. After a good

breakfast (what a choice) we walked for morning service and the Chapel. It brought back such happy memories for me.

The lovely service was taken by the “retired” minister from Sheffield, Ernest Baker. It was a very apt service, the theme being about our Project “Send a Child to Hucklow”. Ernest had some very interesting slides to show us - lovely - and the singing was excellent.

It was lovely meeting up with familiar faces from the district, I don`t know all the names but I remember Joan, Lynne`s friend and Ray Beecham and his wife. Also it was nice to see Bev and Peter and their two delightful children from Ullet Road Sunday School.

Book me in for next year Lynne please. Jacqui Edwards

Thank you Jacquie for this wonderful article about the District Weekend. Eileen

NORTH WEST UNITARIAN PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY COURSE FOR LAY WORSHIP LEADERS

HATCHES MATCHES AND DISPATCHES

At ULLET ROAD CHURCH, 57 Ullet Road, (entrance on Cheltenham Avenue)

Sefton Park, Liverpool, L17 2AA

13 October Marriages/Civil Partnerships with Rev Jane Barraclough and Rev David Shaw 3 November Funerals with Rev Andrew Parker

10 November Baptisms/Baby Namings with Rev Dr Vernon Marshall from 10.00am until 3.45pm

Participants are encouraged to attend all 3 sessions but each session may be taken separately.

Cost of the Course: Registration Fee: £5.00. Sessions: £10.00 each

pay on the day or add to Registration Fee total £35.00

(Cheques made payable to Prov Ass of Lancs & Chesh) Drinks will be provided. Please bring your own lunch

To register complete the form below and return by September 30 to Course Administrator Dawn Buckle, 20 Wheatfield STALYBRIDGE

SK15 2TZ Tel: 01457 763 721 Email: dawnbuckle@ymail.com From whom further information is available

KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK.. Hatches, Matches and Dispatches

Name (Please print) .AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Address AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Tel:AAAAAAAAAAAA Email:AAAAAAAAAAAAA I enclose Registration Fee £5.00/Full Fees £35.00. (Cheques made payable to Prov Ass Lancs & Chesh)

Coming Events at Gateacre 11 November 10.45 a.m. : Remembrance Service. Sunday, 2 December.11 a.m. : Christmas Tree Service During the service members of the congregation can hang on the Christmas tree a star to remind them of a loved one who has passed away. Sunday, 16 December 11 a.m. : Toy Service All gifts will be donated to Liverpool social services. Thursday, 20 December 9 p.m. : Carol Singing This will be in the Black Bull pub Gateacre. All proceeds will be donated to send a child to Hucklow fund. All members in the district are invited to attend. Monday, 24 December 6.30p.m. : Christmas Eve Carol Service.

David Buckley

There`s so much good in the worst of us And so much bad in the best of us It ill behove any of us To find fault with the rest of us.

The Women`s League Newsletter Dear Friends The other week someone quoted that old adage:

“Don`t look for flaws as you go thro` life And even if you find them. It is wise and kind to be somewhat blind And seek for the virtue behind them.”

It made me think of others of that ilk - my mother had quite a collection learned in her early years. Perhaps others remember this one:

“If your lips would keep from slips Five things observe with care Of when you speak, To whom you speak, And how! And when! And where!”

I know I have quoted these before because, searching for Trinity Street information I came upon a newsletter written for Mersey News by mum and me and there they were. Remembering the words is one thing, acting on the sentiments is rather harder isn`t it? Thinking of you - Sylvia

Chester Women`s League were good keepers of minutes. The earliest found so far 1957. In March 1963 numbers were being encouraged to go to the District Annual General Meeting at Ullet Road as “Miss Barr would be speaking in the course of the afternoon”. Names at this meeting might ring a bell - Misses C and R Herford, Miss Mitcham, Mrs Duncan Norman. The 1957 ones had our much loved Mrs Connie Wynne in the choir. The current Chester group don`t `do` minutes but are regular attenders at District meetings.

District Women`s League Meeting Thursday 11th October at Ullet Road

Gathering at 11.00 a.m. Service : Send a Child to Hucklow Business meeting: Short Bring your own lunch and social time Send a Child to Hucklow: Reg Ashe There will be the usual sales table for District funds. Chester will bring a small raffle for the Project. Advance Notices : Christmas Gathering 18th December. Presidential visit 14th March; this will also be the Annual General Meeting and we hope to have a speaker from a group that benefitted from a Send a Child to Hucklow break. District Secretary

Music for the coming Season The Unitarian Music Society produced a new disc in September for Advent, Channukah and Christmas. This is available at £7 from David Dawson. dcdawson3@hotmail.com In our congregation we sings to discs, sing unaccompanied i.e. make a cheerful noise or read the words. How about you?

Opening Words : Andrew Hill Based on HL133 - My Life Flows On

How can we keeping from singing? Well sometimes we can, Sometimes it is difficult to sing; And so let us pray.

Prayer

How can we keep from singing?

♦ It is difficult to sing when years ago someone told us that we couldn`t;

♦ but in time we have learned that it doesn`t matter what we sound like because singing is good for our health.

♦ It is difficult to sing when the lights go our or our eyes have grown dim and we can`t read the words;

♦ but soon we learn that la-la-ing can be just as effective.

♦ It is difficult to sing when the bottom has dropped our of our lives and we are tongue-tied with anger;

♦ but after a while the words will come and the tune later.

♦ It is difficult to sing when a much loved life has ended and our eyes are awash with tears;

♦ but slowly we find that singing is actually one way of saying `thank you`.

♦ It is difficult to sing when all around there is war or tumult; ♦ but eventually we realise that singing is a way to keep the vision

bright.

Singing God, when we find it hard, nigh impossible to sing, please keeping singing for us. We`ll join in later when we are able and ready. Amen

My life flows on in endless song; Above earth’s lamentation I hear the sweet though far off hymn That hails a new creation: Through all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing; It finds an echo in my soul - How can I keep from singing?

The British League of Unitarian and Liberal Christian Women (Women's League) was founded in 1908. Its Objects are:-

• to quicken the religious life of our churches and

to bring Unitarian and other Liberal Christian Women into closer fellowship.

• to promote the formation of branches in

connection with the Churches and Fellowships.

• to suggest ways and means of providing for the needs and

extending the influence of such Churches and fellowships and to collect and spread among members, information of Liberal religious interests.

There are now 76 branches, grouped in 14 Districts throughout the United Kingdom, all represented on a Central Committee. There is a gathering for the Annual General Meeting at the Denomination's General Assembly Meetings and a Triennial Conference with a Rally in the years between.

At District and Local Level, the branches serve their churches communities in many interesting and varied ways such as educational talks, craft work, care of the elderly and disabled, money raising and social gatherings. Each branch arranges its own unique programme. Some of the money raised so far:

The Rev Lynne Readett has set up a Facebook page called

Unitarian Merseyside Churches Network.

Look up this page and post any information that you wish to share with other Unitarians.

Kay Lyon`s take on a very old adage : Yesterday is a cancelled cheque; Tomorrow is a promissory note; Today is the only cash you have - So spend it wisely.

Re : Last Mersey News 1. The missing TOME has surfaced and is currently at Ullet Road. 2. Whilst sorting items for a service 2 copies of The New Hymnal (1905) have surfaced; one with music. Does anyone remember it?

Cairo Street News

On Sunday the 16th of September at 2.45 the chapel appeared to have a congregation of only five for our annual Academy Service, By 5 minutes past three we had a congregation of over sixty. Our own congregation was supplemented by guests and fellow Unitarians from Cross Street Chapel, Chorlton, Knutsford, Chowbent, Wirral Unitarians, Park Lane, Ullet Road and Bank Street Bolton, What a service we had in store, a super introduction by Rev Lynne Readett, excellent readings from the works of Charles Dickens and then a fascinating insight into the correspondence between Charles Dickens and Elizabeth Gaskell. Title a ‘Talking Heads’ Presentation’ between the great man and Elizabeth it commemorated the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens. The two readers in period costume were Gordon and Veronica Walker members of Bank Street Chapel Bolton and members of the Dickens Society.

The correspondence they delivered gave us all an insight into the characters of both Charles and Elizabeth and the vision of a more humane and caring society that they strove to achieve. It also showed that whilst Charles Dickens had a strong personality and liked his own way he met a match in Elizabeth Gaskell. At the conclusion of the correspondence the congregation broke into a spontaneous applause to show their appreciation of an inspired presentation. As a member of Cairo Street Chapel I felt uplifted by the whole service, the size of the congregation and the warmth of fellow Unitarians in attending.

Congratulations to our Minister Lynne and to Gordon and Veronica. To those members of my own congregation who did not attend I can only say ‘you missed a great day’ and to fellow Unitarians book Gordon and Veronica for your own congregations. Next year on the third Sunday in September our Academy Service will commemorate the life of John Howard the prison reformer who attended the chapel whilst on his many visits to Warrington. I hope to see you,

On Sunday the 16th of December at 4pm the Chapel will once again be holding a Light For Life Service when after carols and readings members of the congregation will be invited to write the names of deceased loved ones and place the writing on the Christmas Tree in the memorial garden.

From the 1st of October Shammy Webster a student from Unitarian College will be taking charge of Cairo Street until July 2013. We have at Cairo Street met Shammy a number of times and are looking forward to her pastorate. Lynne will be spending her proportion of her Cairo Street Ministry with Southport.

Ray Beecham

A Sideways Move

I took my last service on the 16th of September at Cairo Street Chapel in Warrington; the focus was on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens. Veronica and Gordon Walker from Bolton Bank Street Chapel and of the Dickens Society, treated us to a ‘Talking Heads’ presentation of correspondence between the great man and the novelist Elizabeth Gaskell, husband of Unitarian minister Rev William Gaskell.

It was lovely to see so many people who had travelled from across the North West to Warrington for this very special service. The photographs show Veronica and Gordon in full period costume firstly with me and then mingling with the congregation enjoying a well-earned cup of tea afterwards.

My sideways move is a change around of duties, Shammy Webster will begin her duties at Warrington on the 1st of October, this will be a 10 month pastorate, we are lucky to be able to secure the services of Shammy, this is her 2nd year at Unitarian College and she relishes the opportunity to work with this forward thinking chapel. I will be taking up duties on the 1st of October for this 10 month period with Southport Church and I am so happy to be able to give some time to the congregation at Southport. Rev Lynne Readett

'Rev Lynne Readett with Veronica and Gordon Walker aka Elizabeth Gaskell and Charles Dickens at the Academy service at Cairo Street Chapel'

Shammy Webster - Pastorate at Cairo Street I’m a southerner, born and raised in north Kent and then South-East London. I attended an ‘All abilities school’ but left with only CSE’s (very low GCSE’s in today’s money). My family were not church goers and purely described themselves as Christian because they didn’t know any other description, but church, to them, was purely for hatches, matches and dispatches. My lack of academic qualifications has not held me back and I have held quite a few respectable positions including Mortgage Processor, Mortgage Adviser, Building Society Manager and Store Manager. Then it happened! I fell in love with Pat at a night out with friends in London. Our biggest hurdle was that she lived in Manchester and I lived in London. I think ‘The Almighty’ realised the difficulty and arranged for me to be made redundant so that the choice was easy, and so I moved North West and we’ve been together now for 10 years. Unlike my family, I had been struggling with my spirituality and religious beliefs for a long time but couldn’t accept the mainstream Christian beliefs. It was only when Pat and I decided we would like to make vows of life-long commitment to each other in front of God, that the Unitarians were the only denomination willing to do this for us, this being Dunham Road chapel in Altrincham. Not only did Celia Midgley do a wonderful service for us, she also captured us into the Unitarian family, having introduced a path of self searching and allowance for individual religious belief and understanding.

By 2006, Pat and I had moved to another area and I had started leading worship at various chapels, but was adamant that I did not feel the need to enter the ministry. As the years went by that situation began to change, slowly at first and then there came a point where I realised where I wanted to be but had to get a little ‘dutch courage’ (a stiff cognac) in order to break the news to Pat. Thankfully, she has been fully supportive of my decision. I’m presently about to commence my second year of study at Unitarian College Manchester for Ministry and I feel very privileged to have been given the opportunity to serve Cairo Street Chapel in Warrington for my Student Pastorate. My special thanks to Rev Lynne Readett for assisting in providing this opportunity. Pat and I live in South Manchester with our eight animals which include four cats; Freddie, Veronica, Joshua and Matthew, three Degu; Solomon, Jacob and Daniel and a dog called Harry who has been baptised a Unitarian in the trough at Hucklow and sometimes attends worship with Pat and I. I am very much looking forward to my time in the Merseyside district and look forward to meeting you all.

God be with you

Shammy

'The congregation of Cairo Street Chapel enjoy a cup of tea after the Academy service

The Nightingale Centre - Autumn For enquiries about general activities at the centre contact Stella Burney 01298 871218 info@thenightingalecentre.org.uk

26th-28th Oct Unitarian Women's Group The Power of Anger in the work of love.

29th Oct-2nd Nov

Autumn Break Free time during the day with plus quizzes, play reading, games and music.

2nd-4th Nov National Unitarian Fellowship (NUF) Annual Conference - Theme:’ Worship in the home'

Wirral Unitarians Service Details

6.30 pm on 2nd and 4th Sundays at The Quaker Meeting House, Heswall

Minister: Rev John Keggen.

Following our summer break we are now back ‘in full swing’ with a full programme of activities with our Women’s League, Discovery Group, Book Group, a theatre trip and other social events. More details can be found on our website www.ukunitarians.org.uk/wirral. Some events that may be of particular interest are:

Sunday 4th November 3pm

Charity Classic Concert in aid of St JoDahn’s Hospice.

Gail Gray (mezzo-soprano) and the Tafelmusic children’s choir will be offering a concert of song.

Sunday 11th November 6.30pm

Remembrance Service

Sunday 23rd December 4pm

Carol Service followed by a Christmas buffet

All are welcome

Date for your Diary : This is just to give you advance warning that the MDMA service in 2013 will be conducted by Bill Darlison at 3pm on 28th April, hosted by Matthew Henry Chapel Chester.

Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.

Merseyside District Churches http://www.ukunitarians.org.uk/merseyside/congregations.php

Ancient Chapel Toxteth, Park, Liverpool, L48 4UE

11.00 a.m. (Fortnightly from Dec 7th)

Chester Chester Offices Sports Club Lounge, Plas Newton Lane, Chester, CH2 1PR www.chesterunitarians.co.uk

10.30 a.m. (1st & 3rd Sundays)

Tel: 01829 740533

Gateacre Chapel Gateacre Brow, Liverpool, L25 3PB www.ukunitarians.org.uk/gateacre/

11.00 a.m. each Sunday

Tel: 0151 608 7271

Isle of Man Fellowship Meeting in members homes

As arranged

Park Lane Chapel Wigan Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, WN3 0BY http://parklanechapel.ukct.net

11.00 a.m. each Sunday

Southport Unitarian Church Portland Street, Southport, PR8 1LT www.ukunitarians.org.uk/Southport

11.00 a.m. each Sunday

Ullet Road Church Cheltenham Avenue, Sefton Park, Liverpool, L17 2AA www.ukunitarians.org.uk/ulletroad

11.00 a.m. each Sunday Tel: Vestry 0151 733 1927

Warrington Cairo Street Chapel Cairo Street (off Sankey St) Warrington, WA1 1EE www.ukunitarians.org.uk/warrington

1st and 3rd Sunday 3.00 p.m. Tel: 07966 883 694

Wirral Unitarians Quaker Meeting House, North Drive, Heswall, Wirral, CH60 0BD www.ukunitarians.org.uk/Wirral

6.30 p.m. (2nd and 4th Sundays) (No services in August) Tel: 0151 632 5256

MDMA President Phil Waldron

MDMA Secretary Mr Richard Merritt : 37 Kings Walk, West Kirby, CH48 8AF Tel: 0151 625 5488

Lay Preachers Secretary Miss Beryl Black Tel 0151 733 2927