The Unitarians

02/06/2026

NEW TRAINING ALERT!

Nobody becomes a Unitarian trustee because they love charity law.

Our brilliant volunteers step into governance because their congregation matters to them and someone needed to step up. Congregations tell us time after time that their trustees arrive in the role with the best of intentions, but have a slightly uncertain grasp of what the Charity Commission actually expects of them.

We're going to help with that.

The Essential Trustee is a full-day online workshop from the General Assembly, working through the Commission's trustee guidance in plain language, with time built in for questions and proper discussion.

We'll cover legal duties, conflicts of interest, financial responsibilities, what happens if things go wrong.

This one-day course will help trustees get on with running a healthy, vibrant congregation.

We have two dates, and you can register for whichever works. If you know a trustee in your congregation who'd find this useful, please pass it on.

Register below

📅 Monday 15 June, 10am–2pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/aShoD6hKQRCS3Sc2MV9xdw
📅 Saturday 18 July, 10am–2pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/K7GRA3FLToS7xbjvfNnKbQ

24/05/2026

How are you holding up with the record temperatures? It is HOT 🔥

Get yourself a cool drink, or maybe an ice cream, and settle down with these beautiful Worship Words from

The Earth –

Soil feels in your hands
As life itself
Blessed Earth thank you
May we remember Earth
Commit to our connection
Today and every day.

The Air –

This breath in your lungs
As life itself
Blessed Air thank you
May we remember Air
Commit to our connection
Today and every day.

The Sun –

This heat and light
As life itself
Blessed Sun thank you
May we remember Sun
Commit to our connection
Today and every day.

The Water –

This energising in your mouth
As life itself
Blessed Water thank you
May we remember Water
Commit to our connection
Today and every day.

Earth Blessings Mantra –

Earth
Soil soul
Life itself.

Air
Breath soul
Life itself

Sun
Heat light soul
Life itself

Water
Energising soul
Life itself

Blessings to you
Our incomprehensible
Incomparable Earth
I offer myself Earth in connection
To your living being
In gratitude
In hope
For a future together

Blessed be.

16/05/2026

"When I look at the parts of our movement that are flourishing, I try to see what they have in common.

"My best theory at the moment is this.

"There is someone there with a clear vision and sense of calling, and they are able to express that vision with credibility in a way that inspires others. Their inspiration means that the vision-holder isn’t working alone, but holding something that others can support – giving their time, their gifts, and making resources flow.

"I wonder who comes to mind for you when I say that. Who are the people in your neck of the woods holding a clear vision and a sense of calling, who you feel inspired by? Are they getting the support that they need? What would it mean to back that person? To let resources flow? To let them have the space to see clearly?"

Read this month's Letter from Liz to hear more reflections from our chief officer, Liz Slade.
https://www.unitarian.org.uk/2026/04/30/mays-letter-from-liz/

12/05/2026

If you've ever felt like your congregation's communications are falling short, but you're not quite sure what to do about it then come and join us!

On 18 May at 6pm, Pamela Welsh, Communications Lead for the General Assembly, is running a free webinar for those who couldn't make it to this year's Annual Meetings, or who want to dig into the ideas in more depth.

It's called No, You Don't Have to Be on TikTok, and it's designed for anyone involved in communicating about their congregation, whether you're a minister, a secretary, a trustee, or the person who somehow ended up running the page.

This isn't a session about the latest digital trends or how to grow your following overnight. It's about stepping back and asking a better question: what are we actually trying to achieve, and who are we trying to reach? When you get clear on those two things first, everything else gets simpler.

The session looks at real examples of communications that work — and why they work — and participants leave with something concrete to try, whatever stage their congregation's communications is at.

It's free, it's on Teams, and it's open to everyone. Link in the comments.

10/05/2026

When the world feels uncertain, with big changes that feel out of our control, we can take comfort from these Worship Words from Rev Laura Dobson - a version of the Serenity Prayer.

01/05/2026

A message of solidarity from Golders Green Unitarians

At Golders Green Unitarians we are deeply shocked and saddened by the appalling attack on two members of our local Jewish community on 29 April 2026. Golders Green is home to many Jewish families, elders and community institutions.

As minister I affirm that our Unitarian community stands with our Jewish neighbours in sorrow, in outrage and in unwavering solidarity. To our Jewish neighbours we hold out the hand of friendship.

Our Golders Green Unitarian community is built on the values of peace, compassion and the inherent dignity of every individual. Violence and hatred have no place on our streets. An attack on one part of our community is felt by us all.

We are holding the victims and their families and all who are walking our streets in fear in our thoughts and prayers. In the face of fear let us reaffirm our commitment to being a neighbourhood where everyone—regardless of faith or family origin —can walk in safety and peace.

At the close of every service at Golders Green Unitarians we speak a communal blessing that feels especially urgent now:
“In the name of us all let there be peace and love among us.
May the skies be clear and may the streets be safe.

In the name of us all let there be peace and love and understanding.”
In faith and solidarity,

Rev. Michael Allured MBE
Golders Green Unitarians

26/04/2026

It's way too early to have a summer reading for Worship Words, but the sun is out and the sky is blue, so why not?!

Enjoy the beautiful words of Rev Celia Cartwright's This Day Is Warm.

This day is warm
The air is still
Gone is the threat
Of thunder
And rain.

This day requires
A slowing down
A letting go
Of musts and
Shoulds and
Oughts.

This day
Is a day
Simply
To Be.

Today is a day
To open doors
To open windows
To welcome in
The wide blue sky
And golden sun
And be.

This is time
To recline
To ponder the
Grand questions
Of life
And love
And sip
On something
Cool.
Words like
Languid
Were made
For days
Like this.

Too soon
The summer’s
Glory will be gone.
Don’t waste it.

25/04/2026

Throwback to four weeks ago, when we held our Anniversary Service as part of the Annual Meetings.
We caught up with Rev Melda Grantham the day after the service, to ask how she'd found the weekend

22/04/2026

Just a few days left to apply ⏰
For more than 300 years, Unitarians have been free thinkers, radicals and pioneers.
Our members have helped shaped the world, by making laws, and by breaking them.
We've led protests and campaigned for social justice, led by our strong beliefs and inquiring minds.
But not enough people know about where we've come from, or where we're going.
Maybe you can help.
We're hiring a communications officer to help tell our story.
The link is in the comments - come and join us!

21/04/2026

At this year's Annual Meetings, Unitarians passed a resolution affirming that protest is a fundamental spiritual practice.

As part of that commitment, our Chief Officer Liz Slade joined leaders from Quakers in Britain, Oxfam, the Muslim Charities Forum and others in signing an open letter to the Culture Secretary warning that proposed new powers for the Charity Commission risk silencing legitimate advocacy.

We share that concern. Our resolution also calls for repeal of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and the Public Order Act 2023, and withdrawal of further plans to expand police powers in the Crime and Policing Bill.

Unitarians have been speaking inconvenient truths for a long time. We're not stopping now

Exclusive: Letter urges ministers to consult on Charity Commission measures meant to tackle extremism