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CALENDAR FOR

SEPTEMBER 2010

STOCKTON

UNITARIANS

On an August day of blue skies and warm sunshine

contrasted with driving rain, some of us visited the Tall

Ships in Hartlepool. What a sight they were some of them

larger than one could imagine. Here is Margaret Robinson

on a ship from Indonesia posing with two of the crew who

were very popular with the crowds.

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Thoughts From The Chair

As I write this message for the September calendar David and I are almost ready to pack our suitcases for an unexpected holiday of a lifetime. We are about to make our first ever visit to the USA – and for a very special and happy reason. Our eldest son, Keith, and his fiancée Sally Thompson have arranged to be married at a chapel in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, on Thursday 26th August. Sally’s parents and David and I are to be the only guests, so it will be a very different wedding from any we have shared in previously.

The six of us are spending a few days together before the wedding, and then the following day we shall be going our separate ways to explore other parts of the country. To reach Gatlinburg we plan to drive over the Smoky Mountains, and we have been told that our hotel has fantastic views of the mountains from each bedroom. During the trip we shall try to visit at least one Unitarian Universalist church, of which there are several in the Tennessee Valley. All in all it promises to be an amazing adventure and we still can’t quite believe it is happening!

In the midst of our happiness and good fortune we are shocked by the disaster affecting millions of people in Pakistan. It is impossible to comprehend the desperation and suffering of those whose lives have been turned upside down by the floods which have devastated their country. Each day brings news of more areas becoming affected even as the lives of many of those displaced persons is further threatened by hunger and cholera. The scale of this natural disaster is totally unimaginable.

The Unitarian Peace Fellowship has launched a special emergency appeal on behalf of UNICEF, to help fund the supply of desperately needed food, clean water and medicines. If you are able to, then I strongly urge you to send a cheque, made payable to UNICEF (Pakistan Flood Children’s Emergency Appeal) and post it c/o Rev. Feargus O’Connor, 11, Claremont Square, Islington, London N1 9LY. If you write your name and address on the back a receipt will be sent and a Gift Aid form if requested.

If you would like more information please look at the UNICEF website: www.unicef.org.uk

Yours in fellowship Hazel WarhurstHazel WarhurstHazel WarhurstHazel Warhurst

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News of Members and Friends

Many congratulations to Mike and Jane Tomlin who celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary on 3rd September. Love and Best wishes to you both.

Congratulations to Lucy, granddaughter of Mike and Jane Tomlin, on achieving excellent results in her A Level examina-tions. Well done Lucy.

Congratulations to Danni on achieving excellent results in her A Level examinations. Danni is going to Durham University Queens Campus, Stockton to study for a Bio medical degree. Also congratulations to Connor on achieving excellent GCSE results. Margaret, Peter, Richard and Caroline Whitham are very proud of them. Well done Danni and Connor.

We send Wedding Congratulations to Keith Warhurst, Hazel and David’s eldest son, and Sally Thompson who were married on 26th August in Tennessee. They live in Keynsham, Bristol.

Congratulations also to Anna Towers, daughter of Linda Towers, on winning The Guardian Newspaper Short Story competition. Anna’s ambition is to become a writer and she is currently working on her first novel. Good Luck with having it published one day.

June Wood has moved to a new address not far from Edna Anderson. We hope she enjoys living in her bungalow once she has unpacked and got properly settled.

We shall be thinking of Edna Anderson on September 8th when she goes into hospital for a knee joint replacement operation.

We send wedding Congratulations to Mark Anderson (grandson of Edna) on the occasion of his marriage to Fiona MacKay on 4th September at St Andrew’s Church, Kerkella, Hull.

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More News of Members and Friends We send wedding Congratulations to Emma Harrison (granddaughter of Joan) on the occasion of her marriage to Tim Scourfield on 3rd September at St Mary’s Church, Beconsfield. Congratulations to Charles Hutton on completing the three peaks in 23 hours 47 minutes in aid of Help the Heroes. Charles thanks everybody for sponsoring him and he will report on how much he raised in the next edition of the Calendar. Congratulations to Brian and Merla Hopkins’ daughter Lynne and Kenny Burdon on the occasion of their marriage at Paphos, Cyprus on 23rd July 2010. A good number of their family took the opportunity to combine attending the wedding with a holiday in the sun. We wish Charlie Thompson (age 4), grandson of Pat and Alan Wilkinson, well on his starting full-time school in September, and to any other children also starting out on this first educational step. We hope we will soon see Joan Harrison among us again, after having been away for sometime due to illness. We are sorry to hear that Dr Barry Thomas has not been well and we wish him a speedy recovery. Best wishes to Merla Hopkins who celebrates her 70th birthday on September 18th.

If you have any news about present members, former members living away from Stockton, or friends of our congregation to share, please send them to the Editor. This part of our Calendar is very much appreciated by those who would otherwise feel more out of touch.

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Pictures to Ponder

Off and on, for some time now, the question of bare walls throughout the church building has been mentioned. There are those of us who say that something is needed – others say not – particularly in the worship area. However, I floated the idea that there might be a place for wall pictures in the small meeting room.

Here is the idea: Let us have three A3 photographs on the long wall. Not just any photographs, but something personal, by which I mean, taken by us. The church would buy a digital camera for use by those who do not have one of their own. Members and friends would photograph something of personal significance. The photographs would be printed, laminated, mounted and, preferably, accompanied by a short quotation or statement that sought to echo the feeling generated by the photograph. The photo-quote would remain on display until replaced by another. Later, when there are sufficient pictures, we might make an A5 booklet of, say, 30 pictures and quotes – called, perhaps, ‘Pictures to Ponder’. I see this as being a congregational exercise in spirituality. If there is some sort of general agreement, then I can see the possibility that there may be a workshop run by a member who would like to pass on some ideas about composing an interesting picture. I would look forward to this, and also look forward to hearing or reading about your response to my suggestion. What do you think? Peter Whitham

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Council Jottings

It is proposed that the church banner will have the reverse completed soon with embroidered pictures of the two previous church buildings and the present one. The church laptop and printer are now up and running. This edition of the Calendar is being produced by Margaret Robinson on them. Large print hymn words from both ‘Hymn for Living’ and ’Sing Your Praise’ are now available for all services. If you require a copy please let the Welcomer know. We are still trying to get a road sign pointing to the church, to make us more visible to visitors. We are hoping to have a Family Fun Day for all ages - suggested is activities in the morning, lunch and then an intergenerational outing on the afternoon. If you would like to join us on this occasion, date to be decided, let either Margaret Robinson or Margaret Whitham know. We are thinking about having an ash dado rail around both the Worship area and the small meeting room. Hazel Warhurst is compiling a complete list of who receives the Calendar. If you know of anyone who doesn’t receive the Calendar, but you think would like one, please let Hazel know. Also if you receive the Calendar in paper format, but would like to receive it electronically please inform Hazel. Margaret Robinson

Pete’s Pantry Saturday 11th September 2010 at 12.00 noon. Please let Peter Whitham have your meal order.

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Our Harvest Service is to take place on Sunday September 26th at 6pm,

to be preceded at 4pm by a Harvest Faith Tea.

This year we are collecting gifts for The Mary Thompson Fund which provides packs of food to refused asylum seekers in the Tees Valley who are homeless and destitute.

Following is a list of food you could contribute

Tins of: peas, potatoes, baked beans, *chick peas etc..., *chopped/plum tomatoes, vegetable or bean soup, *fish (tuna, sardines, mackerel), *corned beef.

Packets of: *rice , pulses (dried beans etc.), sugar, tea bags, orange juice (long life only), Powdered milk.

Jars/ bottles of: coffee, *cooking oil.

*Denotes items most in need. Thank you for your support.

Visits

Whitby Seven people from Stockton visited Flowergate Unitarian Chapel, Whitby on Sunday 18th July for their 2.00pm service led by Rev Margaret Kirk, followed by refreshments Some of us also enjoyed Whitby and the surrounding area, in the lovely sunshine, before and after the service. (Photograph to follow)

York Seven people from Stockton also visited St Saviourgate Unitarian Chapel, York on Sunday 15th August for their 11.00am service led by Myrna Michell. This was a musical service with the opportunity to try out many percussion instruments and hear an original piano composition.

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WHITBY HERITAGE OPEN DAYS

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11th & 12th 2010

100 YEARS LATER REMEMBERING

FRANCIS HAYDN WILLIAMS 1836-1910 (Minister of Flowergate Unitarian Chapel 1888-1910)

EXHIBITON AND TALK

‘CRUSADING, PASSIONATE AND TROUBLESOME’ A talk by Rev Margaret Kirk at 3.00pm on Sunday 12th September 2010

Flowergate Unitarian Chapel (along passageway between Java Cafe and

The Sutcliffe Gallery)

Open for Exhibition Saturday 10.30am-4.00pm and Sunday 11.00am-2.30pm

Admission Free

Life Spirit

We hope to start Life Spirit (A Course in Practical Spirituality) on Wednesday 29th September 2010 at 7.15pm in the Worship area. We will finish at 9.30pm. Do you want to be free to choose what to believe and why? Do you like to think for yourself? Does your life have meaning? Why are we here? Is there a God? If you want to find answers to these questions, but don’t like being told what to believe, then this is the course for you. Contact Margaret Robinson for more information. Format of sessions are: Arrival 5 mins; Ritual 5 mins; Check in 10 mins; meal; 25 mins; DVD & Discussion 60 mins; Check Out 10 mins; and Ritual 5 mins. Two hours in total.

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Behaviourism

When Victor Ball started his address at the service on 22nd August using the word “behaviourism”, having read a passage previously on the Russian philosopher Pavlov and his dogs, I must admit I did wonder just where he was going.

After however he had got into his stride I realised this was his introduction to the problem we all have of being conditioned by the media - radio, papers and TV - often very subtly it must be said, into thinking that something must be so because everyone is saying it.

His main point about the reaction to the devastating Pakistani floods following on Mr Cameron’s comments about the apparent reluctance of Pakistan to fighting the Taliban and al Qaida on their own territory was well made. It seems we need to see people really suffering before we are prepared to do anything to help if their government is not doing what we think they should be doing.

Surely this is where a dissenting tradition should make itself heard. We should not be swayed by the media and their manipulating stories but make our own minds up from the evidence we have sifted from all the sources open to us. And of course the immediacy of modern communications doesn’t help. We are required to make up our minds immediately often on incomplete information which doesn’t make for good decision making. So let’s take a little more time to make up our minds when there are deep questions to be answered. Mike Tomlin

Sing Your Faith

Come and learn some more new hymns, words and tunes, from the purple hymn book ‘Sing Your Faith’ on Wednesday 22nd September 2010 at 7.15pm Admission FREE. Refreshments will be available. Let Margaret Whitham have your choice of hymns, that you would like sung, by 12th September please.

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Dates for Your Diary

Wednesday 8th September - the Engagement Group meets at the home of John Turner, discussion topic ‘Great Lives’.

Saturday 11th September at 12.00 noon - a welcome return of Pete’s Pantry at church - please order your meal from Peter Whitham. 11th– 12th September Whitby Heritage Open Days. Wednesday 15th September Church Council meeting at 7.15pm at church. Monday 20th September Publicity group meet at 7.15pm at 25 Sheepfoote Hill, Yarm. Wednesday 22nd September at 7.15pm at church, come and learn some more new hymns from the purple hymn book “ Your Faith”. Let Margaret Whitham have your choice of hymns by the 12th September Sunday 3rd October Newcastle Unitarian Church Fellowship service at 11.00am led by Rev Margaret Kirk. Wednesday 6th October at church the Worship group meet at 7.00pm. Saturday 9th October NUA AGM at Newcastle church, speaker Rev Dr Ann Peart. Wednesday 27th October at 7.15pm talk by Mark Laycock, furniture designer. Friday 29th—Sunday 31st October UWG (Unitarian Womens Group) Conference at Hucklow

Quotation

“Well done is better than well said.”

Benjamin Franklin

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Sunday Services

September 5th 6.00 pm Rev Michael Unwin September 12th 6.00 pm Victor Ball

September 19th 10.45 am (To be announced)

September 26th 6.00 pm Rev Margaret Kirk Harvest Festival October 3rd 6.00 pm Rev Margaret Kirk October 10th 6.00 pm Rev Dr Ann Peart — NUA weekend 0ctober 17th 10.45 am (To be announced) October 24th 6.00 pm Mike Tomlin — One World week

October 31st 6.00 pm Victor Ball

Organists Welcome Rota

September 5th Margaret Whitham Margaret Robinson September 12th Jane Tomlin Jean Watson September 19th Joan Unwin Peter Whitham September 26th Margaret Robinson Margaret Whitham

October 3rd Margaret Whitham Mike Tomlin October 10th Jane Tomlin Joan Harrison October 17th Joan Unwin Denis Cheeseman October 24th Margaret Robinson Molly Rudge October 31st Margaret Whitham Edna Anderson

Flowers

September 5th David Sickling September 12th Mrs Beech September 19th Mr and Mrs Firth September 26th Mrs Powley

Saturday Coffee Morning Rota

September 4th: Margaret and Peter Whitham September 11th Freda Laverick and Denis Cheeseman September 18th Molly Rudge and Josie Squires

September 26th Hazel and David Warhurst

Coffee Mornings are held every Saturday from 10.00am to 11.30am

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Faith

Having been brought up as a Congregationalist, I joined the Unitarians at 16. At the UYPL week, that year, at Hucklow I was very impressed by Rev Dudley Richards’ talk, where he mentioned there being only one God. I had been questioning the Trinity for some time and thought hey he’s saying what I’ve been thinking. I have questioned further all my life and am more inclined to be humanistic. Either God is in everything, humans, animals and nature or God is a man- made explanation for things that cannot be explained in any other way. I’m undecided about heaven and life after death, but as trees and flowers die and come back again in the Spring, maybe there is life after death. Or maybe there are only so many souls in the universe and when a person dies their soul is re-cycled and returns in someone else. Margaret Robinson If you would like to share a few words, in the Calendar, on your faith, please send them to the editor David Warhurst.

Sponsored Walk

You will remember in the July/August Calendar seeing photos and a report of the Sponsored Walk which some of us went on in June. We certainly enjoyed the walk and as a result of our sponsorships we have collected £190. Thanks to walkers and sponsors this is a good start to our Charity Collection for the coming year for New Horizons. Incidentally New Horizons have now received further funding so that they want to open their sessions further with us and the Council is to meet with them to discuss their proposals. Mike Tomlin

Calendar contributions for the October edition to the Calendar contributions for the October edition to the Calendar contributions for the October edition to the Calendar contributions for the October edition to the Editor David by the 26th September 2010.Editor David by the 26th September 2010.Editor David by the 26th September 2010.Editor David by the 26th September 2010.

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Church Directory

Church Address: Wellington Street, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 1QQ

Church Telephone Number: 01642 671115

Church email address: suc_admin@stocktonunitarians.org.uk

Church Website: www.stocktonunitarians.org.uk

Chair: Hazel Warhurst “Greenlee Lough”

�01609 882442 18 Priory Way

Ingleby Arncliffe

Northallerton

North Yorkshire

DL6 3LR

Secretary: Margaret Robinson 25 Sheepfoote Hill

� 01642 782219 The Meadowings

Yarm

TS15 9QH

Treasurer: Mike Tomlin 1 The Oval

� 01642 592145 Brookfield

Middlesbrough

TS5 8ET

Lettings Edna Anderson 315 Surbiton Road

Secretary: � 01642 643179 Stockton-on-Tees

TS19 7SA

Worship Margaret Whitham 2 Burn Valley Road

Committee � 01429 298641 Hartlepool

Co-ordinator: TS26 9BS

Women’s Edna Anderson (details above)

League � 01642 643179

Contact:

Calendar David Warhurst (see Hazel

Editor: � 01609 882442 Warhurst above)

Email: hazndaz@warhurstfamily.co.uk

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From our Notice Board

There has been a non-conformist religious witness in Stockton-on-Tees

since 1688.

The first congregation worshipped in a room in Bolton House Yard, off

Thistle Green.

Later, a chapel was built in the High Street, paving the way for other Non

Conformist places of worship to be established in the town.

In 1873 the congregation built a church on this site. It was demolished in

2006. The present building opened in 2007.

In 1969, Middlesbrough Unitarian Church joined with Stockton Church.

Here we affirm the unity of the human family, regardless of race, colour, creed, class or sex. We believe that peace, compassion and justice should be the hallmarks of a spiritual society, pursued in a spirit of freedom, reason and tolerance.

This church exists to:

• Promote a free and inquiring Religion through worship and celebration

• Serve God and humanity in deeds of love and justice

• Honour the Liberal Christian tradition and remember the life and

ministry of Jesus of Nazareth

• Affirm our living heritage, learning from the insights of all humanity

• Respect and cherish the living earth and the universe of which we

are part

• Uphold the right of civil and religious liberty worldwide

• Encourage liberal religious people to come together without the

constraints of creeds and dogmas, to share their experiences and to

express their faith in their chosen way.

We are always pleased to assist with the celebration of special occasions such as naming ceremonies, weddings, funerals and dedications. You do not need to be a member.

For further information please contact: The Secretary, telephone (01642) 782219 email: suc_admin@stocktonunitarians.org.uk or look at: www.stocktonunitarians.org.uk