Issue 8057

THE

INQUIRER £1 | Issue 8057 | 15 April 2023

Inside this issue…

Funny old World at the GA Sue Woolley speaks of kindness Learning from Icarus and Goldilocks

www.inquirer.org.uk

The voice of British and Irish Unitarians and Free Christians

Showing up for justice

Winnie Gordon calls on Unitarians to make a difference

THE

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Shown above: GA delegates sing ‘Showing up to fight for Justice’.

Some mark the time with heartbeats. GA photo by Aaron Scott Richards ©

Showing up to fight for justice Showing up to fight for justice, Moving forward hand in hand, Working, praying, singing, striving For a fair and equal land; Marching on the side of justice, Let our banners be unfurled.

May our words and actions lead us To a fair and equal world.

Standing on the side of justice, Reaching out in care and love, Let us seek a higher order On earth as it is above.

There’s an equal share of starlight Animates each living soul.

There’s no justice for each of us ‘Til there’s justice for the whole.

A hymn written by Stephanie Bisby for the Unitarian General Assembly Anniversary Service. The tune was written by Jen Hazel.

Births, marriages and deaths: 50p a word + VAT. Find out more about Unitarians The General Assembly, Essex Hall 1-6 Essex Street, London WC2R 3HY T: 0207 2402384 E: info@unitarian.org.uk

www.unitarian.org.uk Page 2 | Issue 8057 – 15 April 2023

Shown above: Peter Flowers, Anniversary Service musical director, plays piano as the choir, led by Jen Hazel, sings. Photo by John Hewerdine

In a powerful Anniversary Service address, Winnie Gordon calls Unitarians to activism

Justice does not just happen World leaders agreed in 2015 that we should do everything possible to limit the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Currently it stands at 1.15°C, dangerously close to that limit. An estimated 30% of species face increased extinction rates as earth’s temperature rises, according to the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Last year saw record-breaking temperatures, floods, and droughts. Storms devastated many regions, destroying crops and livelihoods, pushing communities to the brink of famine.

One-third of Pakistan was plunged The biggest injustice of all: those underwater. Wildfires devastated suffering the worst impacts did little wildlife, land and homes. Of the to cause the problem. When will we 59.1 million people internally diswake up and truly be aware of the placed in 2021 across the world, problems and how we are complicit “The biggest injustice of most were displaced by climate-rein them? all: those suffering the lated disasters, according to the First, they came for the trans people, UN. Last year, the World Food and I did not speak out—because they worst impacts did little Programme assisted 160 million had complicated issues, and I was to cause the problem. ” people. While humanitarian budgets fearful. are tightening, food insecurity injusThen they came for the environmentice is worldwide. Climate change, talist, and I did not speak out—bewars, poverty, and dictatorships cause I was sick of their roadblock caused mass migration like we have campaigns and train delays. never seen.

Then they came for the refugees, and Closer to home, energy and the cost-of-living emergenI did not speak out—because they told me boat arrivals were cy escalated the crisis for the marginalised. Low-pay and not true refugees, and anyway, there were better legal ways no-contract employment perpetuate a cycle of poverty to arrive. injustice. Recorded sexual offences in the UK hit their Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak highest level in 2022. Misogyny injustice is also rising, for me. with 96% of recorded female victims killed by male susThis modern reinterpretation of Martin Niemöller quote pects. LGBTQ+ injustice is rife, with hate crimes doubling reminds us that justice does not simply happen. We need in the last five years. A full 12% of reported hate crimes to show up to make it happen. were committed against transgender people.

The often quoted – ‘love our neighbours as ourselves’ Let’s not forget Baroness Casey’s report concluding our originates from Leviticus 19:33-34, When a foreigner Metropolitan Police Force is institutionally racist, horesides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The mophobic, and sexist. Nor the government’s Migration foreigner residing among you must be treated as your naBill, designed to stop migrants and refugees from coming tive-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in to our shore by boats – while criminalising the most vulEgypt. nerable seeking asylum. Asylum injustice.

Continued on page 6 > www.inquirer.org.uk | Page 3

Beauty and humour in the everyday At our Annual Meetings, I’m usually happy to cut off from the outside world for a few days. I admit that this time I was intrigued by the happenings around former President Trump’s arraignment in court in Manhattan.

Thirty-four felonies were laid against him, with more to come. His arrogant denial of the charges and his abuse of those opposing him were enthralling to watch on large TV screens in the lounge area of the conference centre.

Outside the court, his fans waved flags and chanted slogans. By contrast, if I looked out of the window, I could survey the rolling green lawns and lovely trees on the golf course, with a blackbird singing to a few players in the distant sunshine. In between, the busy comings and goings of our meetings. * * * Stories of how someone became a Unitarian never cease to interest me. It was good to meet Rob Foreman from our Padiham congregation. He had an Anglican background but realised that he didn’t fit there anymore.

One of his interests is genealogy, including gene testing.

Tracing back a few generations he discovered that both his great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather were eminent Unitarians in Padiham, the latter being a local carpenter.

As well as putting up some of the money towards the cost of the new building, opened in 1869, he was responsible for the pews and woodwork in the chapel. The grateful congregation included a picture of Mr Whitehead in the stained-glass windows. Rob was thrilled to discover this, enjoyed learning about Unitarianism, joined the congregation and is now training for the Unitarian ministry. His student placement is at Padiham, so he conducts worship with his stained-glass ancestor smiling benevolently behind him. How many others have found their way into our movement through genealogy? * * * I’m grateful to Rev. Melda Grantham, who handed me an historical gem. Her daughter Elen recently bought a picture from a charity shop. She wanted it for the frame, so unsealed the back to remove the picture. To pad out the backing, an old newspaper had been used, which turned out to be a copy of The Unitarian Herald, dated 3 December 1869. Edited by eminent ministers William Gaskell and Brooke Herford, it was a rival of The Inquirer.

Four pages of tiny print contain articles on current religious affairs, including robust criticisms of a Roman Catholic Ecumenical Council. The front page is filled with small ads, including a notice from the Home Missionary Board of the ‘Public Examination of the Students for the Unitarian ministry’, with a soiree presided over by Sir John Bowring. Linguist, preeminent British statesman of his Page 4 | Issue 8057 – 15 April 2023

FUNNY OLD WORLD AT THE GA

By John Midgley

day, one time Governor of Hong Kong, Sir John was twice a member of Parliament and much more, knighted in 1854. Did the students shudder in his presence? * * * For those interested in Unitarian social justice projects, the paper includes: ‘Rev. S.A. Steinthal will ADDRESS a MEETING of Reclaimed Drunkards on Tuesday evening next. A Cordial Invitation is hereby given to any lady or gentleman who will kindly volunteer to teach a good-sized class of ragged street youths, from eleven to seventeen years of age, on Sunday mornings at the mission.’

Steinthal was an energetic opponent of slavery, supported women’s franchise and the study of social science.

Bearded and impressive, one wonders what the ‘drunkards’ made of him. For more intellectual types, the Memorial Hall, Manchester, offered two lectures from the Rev Dr John Relly Beard on the Papal Council in the Light of the New Testament. All types catered for in those days. * * * It was good to catch up with Unitarians from the Prague congregation. The Rev Dr Petr Samojský has been Minister there now for 21 years and brought a halfdozen members to see how we do Annual Meetings.

The movement there has slowly but surely grown, from three main congregations in Prague, Brno and Pilsen, to several small house groups in different parts of the Czech Republic (It’s old name, preferred, I learned, to the new ‘Chechia’). The Prague centre secretary, Lucie Hrabánková told me that their building in city centre Karlova 8 is providing a meeting room for some refugees from Ukraine. There is also an international, Englishspeaking group led by the Rev Mark Shiels, which meets online weekly and face to face once a month (See: https://tinyurl.com/PragueUnitarians). * * * A delightful funny moment came in the engaging talk given by the Rev Eric Jones to the annual meeting of the Unitarian Historical Society. In Sixty Years of Welsh Unitarianism, he recalled a seaside day out with his wife in Porthcawl. They sat in the sunshine enjoying an ice cream opposite a church. A notice outside the church read, ‘If you’re tired of sin, come in.’ Underneath, someone had written, ‘If not, phone 0165 321432.’

Sue Woolley reflects on her time as Unitarian General Assembly president

Grateful for kindness

Shown above: 2022-23 GA President, the Rev Sue Woolley, conducts a Plenary session.

Photo by John Hewerdine

As many of you will know, I took ‘Living our values’ as the theme for this presidential year. I have visited many congregations around England and Wales and have received a warm Unitarian welcome wherever I have gone.

But the quality I have valued the most in my journeying has been the kindness I have found. For example, the trouble you have all taken to put me up in lovely hotels or welcoming me into your homes and ensuring that I have had gluten-free food.

That kindness has been evident, it again – do you want it?’ I tried it particularly when things have gone on and it fitted perfectly and to this wrong. I can think of two major day, no-one in the Western Union “Throughout the year occasions when this has happened, knew that it was not what I had and although they are funny in planned to wear all along. Her kindI have been blessed hindsight, they were troublesome at ness had saved my bacon. by the kindness and the time. The kindness and thoughtThe second occasion was near the fulness of the people concerned has end of my presidency, only a few consideration of others, been exemplary. weeks ago, when the two Welsh both Unitarians and The first one happened when I Districts invited me down to Carmtravelled down to Taunton one hot arthen to address a Saturday morncomplete strangers. ” July Friday to attend the Western ing meeting. I had a smooth journey Union’s Annual General Meeting down on the Friday, covering the the next day. I had worn lightweight 200 miles in only four and a half cotton leggings in an arresting strihours. And, after spending a lovely py pattern, plus a vest top, to drive down in. Fran Pitt, afternoon with Welsh Secretary Melda Grantham, we met lay leader at Taunton, and an old friend from my days as fellow minister Wyn Thomas in Carmarthen and enjoyed a secretary of the Unitarian Association for Lay Ministry, convivial meal together. Melda had kindly booked me into had kindly offered to put me up for both the Friday and a B&B a few miles out of town and I had the postcode for Saturday nights, and we spent the Friday evening catching it, so I was all set for an early night. up on each other’s news.

But it was not to be. My sat-nav played me false, and took Saturday morning came and I opened my case confidentme down a dark, single track lane. About three-quarters of ly, in the expectation of finding my black work trousers the way along, I managed to run into a rock, which caused to change into. You’ve guessed it – I had left them at a three-inch gash to open in my left front tyre. It was home! Panic stations! I rushed into the lounge and asked pitch dark and I had no idea where I was, nor how much Fran whether there was either an M&S or a Next in town damage I had done. I felt like bursting into tears. I tried to so that I could buy myself a replacement pair before we ring Melda – no reply. And my phone was rapidly running arrived at the chapel for the AGM. She disappeared into out of charge. So I abandoned the car and squelched back her bedroom and reappeared with a beautiful dark grey through the mud to a house I had passed on the way down Per Una skirt. She offered it to me, saying ‘I’ll never wear – the only house on the lane. The kind people there, who Continued on page 8 > www.inquirer.org.uk | Page 5

Stand up for Justice Continued from page 3 >

The Genesis creation story invited tion, and fight oppression. We may us into ‘stewardship’ – not to be degrapple with understanding God’s “Unless we recognise vourers – of creation. plan, or even with whether God The parables give us examples of exists. But we have agency to make our own culpability, and how to be: The good Samaritan – right the world. If circumstances really understand how caring for our enemy. Feeding the of our birth, gave us an advantage, 5000 – food justice and anti-povwe bear some responsibility for the the advantages we were erty. Stories of the blind, the leper, world’s inequalities. I have come born with disadvantage the tax collector, the woman at the to believe we will only achieve the well, and the prostitute, calls us into Beloved Community when we let so many others, we are inclusion-justice and lifting up the go of our focus on individualism and far from woke.” marginalised. How can we live out a embrace the power of our interdeUnitarian/Christian theology withpendency and collective piety. out showing up for justice?

We must name the injustices close Activism takes many forms, as to our heart. Unless we recognise Anthea Lawson holds in her book: The Entangled Activist: our own culpability, and really understand how the advanLearning to Recognise the Master’s Tools: Justice does not tages we were born with disadvantage so many others, we just happen without change. It’s about living our values are far from woke. and setting our priorities. Activism can be the quiet supIt’s time we move outwards, away from the glories of the port of an arm around the shoulders of the marginalised, past, away from the internal bickering about autonomy, or speaking to power on matters important to us. It can be chalices and names, quotas and theological representation. the battle for fairness and equality on a picket line/strike We are too entangled in this normalcy, turning a blind eye line, or letters to MPs, or our General Assembly motions to the dangers in our world. and resolutions. It’s supporting those made voiceless. How It feels like we have forgotten that we are an inclusive do you show up? faith, that our strength is in what Unitarian Universalist historian Conrad Wright called, ‘the community of auJustice and love prevail through connectedness tonomous churches…’ for joint action. We are stronger Our quest as spiritual people is not just the search for together. Our interrelationality, covenantal unity, and truth. Dr Howard Thurman, African-American theoloprogressive move towards equality, under a collective efgian, philosopher, scholar, author and civil rights leader fort of a General Assembly umbrella, is spiritual. It is the (who didn’t do protest marches) states our quest is ‘to voice this wilderness world needs. confirm and affirm the integrity of the person in the midst of the collective necessities of existence.’ Justice and love Proud history of activist resolutions prevail through our connectedness to the issues. When At our annual meetings in 1979 we passed a resolution: we recognise the inherent worth of every person, life, and ‘That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Chrisspecies, we touch the infinite something – transcendent tian Churches, the members of which traditionally share mystery. a common concern for civic and religious freedom and Our faith calls us to responsibility for the fate of this respect for human dignity, recognises a growing need to planet. Calls us to account for each other in our working, witness to, and work for, tolerance, justice, and peace.’ It playing, nurturing and growing, our educating and profcalls for Unitarians to give their full and active support to iting – in this world, now and for all generations to come. social initiatives and day-to-day activities which serve to Activism transcends creed, dogmas, doctrine, and social promote these ideals. constructs (if done right), and mends, (makes whole), the Look back at our resolutions: The abolition of slavery, divisions and separateness that our individualistic beliefs equality of education, disarmament from 1929, accepcreate. tance of refugees since 1943, gender rights, abortion Showing up for justice is an expression of connectedness rights, LGBTQ+ equality, anti-poverty initiatives, prison to the infinite, relatedness to our bodily existence, and our reforms, peace calls, freedoms, human rights and environspiritual reverence to life, equality and equity. Showing-up ment justice. Our service to humanity has always burst for justice gives physical agency and spiritual meaning to out through our doors. We are a faith that calls for right the ministries of prophets and our ancestors. It is a way to relationship with each other and the world, not despite – live faithfully, bridge inequality, counteract marginalisabut in spite – of our differences of beliefs. I am reminded Page 6 | Issue 8057 – 15 April 2023

“It’s time we move outwards, away from the glories of the past, away from the internal bickering about autonomy, chalices and names, quotas and theological representation. ” Shown above: The Revs (l-r) Kate Dean, Winnie Gordon and Stephanie Bisby celebrated the Anniversary Service. of the Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s words in his letter Let us call on the healing spirit of hope to arise. from a Birmingham Jail: Our commitment to wholeness calls us to offer safe haInjustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are vens – not in hiding away, but in giving space and support caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single for the truth to speak to power. To offer prophetic minisgarment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all try to the world. indirectly.

Unless you care …

Dismantling systemic inequities means recognising we Dr Seuss’s Lorax says, ‘Unless someone like you cares a are entangled activists, campaigning for change while whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.’ still dependent on the source we wish to change. We are This is why it matters so much that we show up to fight for entangled activists wanting others to dismantle their dejustice, as Stephanie Bisby’s gift of hymn tells us. (See it pendency on fossil fuels, oils, weapons, while reaping the on page 2) It’s why it matters so much that our Unitarian benefits ourselves. We are entangled activists when we faith not be theologically neutral; that we participate in a demand changes that benefit us, and yet not speak of our community of mutuality of activism entrenched in faith. It complicity in positioning the injustice. How do we bend matters that our Unitarian faith survive and thrive. the moral arc of the universe towards justice?

This affirmation of activism, in the pursuit of our purpose Influence through our values, priorities and activism and objectives, this intersection between our faith and Let’s be clear we don’t have to be loud and proud, but we interaction with our world, in this we will find ourselves are called to be active. Or as Lawson expresses, ‘activism is challenging the ignorance, cultivating our connectedness, the constant task of trying to mitigate against the worst of comforting the afflicted, inspiring the frightened, lifting what we humans are capable of, while orienting our sociup the voiceless, healing the broken, living into our faith, eties towards the flourishing of the best.’ and touching the beloved in all of us through the power of We need to influence others through our values, priorities, love. and activism. Our motions need to move from reactive It’s about who and what we can become. Only then will to proactive. They must include the voices of those exoppression cease, the marginalised be uplifted and injusperiencing the oppression. When we give agency to the tice confounded. Only then will we live out those famous oppressed and marginalised, justice can prevail. scriptural words, spoken by the Rev Dr Martin Luther We must fulfil the promise of our ancestors by directing King Jr from his dream speech, as, ‘justice rolls down like our commitment to end social injustices and attacks on waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.’ civil liberties today. Focus on inter-dependence – not inOnly then. dependence.

Let us be ‘awake’ and engage with our world again, calling on all of our religious sources of inspiration. Let us imbue into our faithful practice the right of conscience to conWinnie Gordon front the injustices, the powers and structures of evil, and The Rev Winnie Gordon is a Unitarian give expression to our liberal theism, religious freedoms minister serving Unitarian New Meeting, and civil liberties. Let us raise our voices that all lives can Birmingham. only matter when black and brown lives matter! Let us celebrate the diversity of life and the inter-dependency of all people, responding to the cries of pain and brokenness in ourselves, our world. www.inquirer.org.uk | Page 7

A presidential year full of kindness Continued from page 5 >

had been expecting a quiet Friday evening in, took me in and allowed me to plug my phone into their electricity, so that I could ring Melda.

A few minutes later, Wyn rang my phone and the man of the house kindly explained to him – in Welsh – where I was. Both he and Melda turned up and provided much-needed sympathy and moral support. Wyn waited with me for the recovery lorry, but they couldn’t find us in the dark. So Wyn offered to put me up for the night and we transferred all my luggage to his car.

Wyn and Matthew couldn’t have been more kind. The next morning, he drove me to the recovery garage to drop off the key and the garage owner not only recovered the car while I was fulfilling my speaking engagement at Carmarthen, but repaired it, checked the suspension, balanced the wheels – and even cleaned it for me.

The engagement with the people of the two Welsh districts went really well, and Wyn kindly offered to put me

up another night, so that I would be fresh for the journey home on the Sunday. And during the evening, he received a message forwarded by Melda from the B&B I had never reached on the Friday evening. It read, ‘As you probably know, Sue never made it to the B&B. We would normally charge for the room, but in the circumstances we have decided to waive the fee. It must have been a stressful and probably expensive weekend for her.’ Again, so very, very kind.

Had it not been for the kindness of not only Wyn and Melda, but also of the two strangers who took me in, the mechanic who recovered and repaired my car so efficiently, and the generous B&B owner who waived my accommodation fee, my predicament would have been very much worse. I was incredibly grateful to all of them.

Throughout the year I have been blessed by the kindness and consideration of others, both Unitarians and complete strangers.

FUSE offers bursaries The LDPA is offering bursaries to families and those under 35 for the Festival of Unitarians in the South East (FUSE). Apply by email to administrator@ ldpaunitarians. org before 5 May. Children’s workshop leaders, Jenny Canfield and Jim Blair, (pictured right) are planning a weekend of fun. They say: ‘We hope to make new friends, new memories and have new experiences. We will play games indoors and out, have adventures and also spend time doing craft and more reflective activities.’ This exciting children’s programme for ages 5 to 18 will run alongside the main Festival ‘taking place at The Friars in Aylesford, Kent, from 2 to 4 June.

For the full programme, booking and further details visit: www.ldpaunitarians.org/fuse2023 Page 8 | Issue 8057 – 15 April 2023

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Goldilocks and Icarus teach us about balance A balanced life is considered a good life. We are told we need to balance the books. A balanced diet is vital to healthy living. Power needs to be balanced in the public sphere; too much power in any individual’s or group’s hands is dangerous. Balance is vital to performing physical activities. Most athletes are admired for their balance as much as for their strength and speed.

Balance is valued by virtually all spiritual and philosophical traditions; extremes lead to destruction. Aristotle said the key to authentic happiness beyond momentary pleasure comes from living a life of ‘Virtue’, achieved by the ‘Doctrine of the Golden Mean’ – by living a life centred on a dampened equilibrium and avoiding excess. He saw courage as something between cowardice and recklessness.

A Greek myth illustrates this perfectly. Icarus was advised

by Daedalus to fly somewhere between the sun and the sea, but he flew too close to the sun and died. Centuries later, we tell the story of Goldilocks. She rejected the toohot porridge – and that which was too cold – for the one that was just right. She chose the middle way, following the virtuous life.

I am not suggesting that we never rock the boat. Balance is not static. It is important to keep stirring the porridge.

It is important to live humbly and to avoid the hubris that caused Icarus to burn and fall. We are here to fly – of course we are – just not too close to the sun. We need to see ourselves – and life itself – as it actually is, to not think too low of ourselves, nor too high. We should put no one on a pedestal, nor should we dismiss anyone. We all have something to contribute. It is vital to live with healthy pride and to acknowledge our gifts, whilst watching for the dangers of hubris.

I was out with Molly, my puppy, recently. I had just returned from Urmston having led a ‘Common Search for Meaning’ group, exploring identity and belonging. I was feeling tired. The day before, I had conducted the funeral service of my cousin Charlton. It was an emotional day and I was wondering if I could find the energy to fulfil my duties. As hard as it was, I believe I had done a good job in conducting the service and holding our Charlton’s loved ones through this heart-breaking rite. I had also led a good conversation at Urmston and despite my own grief had fulfilled all my recent commitments will care and attention. I felt I had done all there was to do. But I was tired.

One thing I have learnt is that when I am emotionally tired I have to watch for signs of depression. I was considering this as I took in the life of the town, and allowed life to wash over me.

As Molly and I returned home, she found a huge tree branch she decided she must bring home. She walked out

FROM NOTHING TO EVERYTHING

By Danny Crosby

of the town centre with her head held high and with a strut in her stride. You could see the pride she had in what she was doing. Several people we passed commented on this. It made me smile. I thought to myself, ‘this is healthy pride’.

Pride is a word I don’t feel comfortable with. I get a sense of unease when asked if I take pride in my work. A psychologist I saw for a few months noticed this about me too. There is something in me that does not like to acknowledge a sense of pride.

It is because I have seen the destructive nature of the negative aspects of pride; how it can stop people making the first move, bringing healing. How it stops folk admitting where they are wrong and putting things right. Unhealthy pride and hubris, at its most dangerous extreme, can be deeply destructive.

The ancient Greeks were correct to warn of the danger of hubris, something to which our leaders should pay close attention. Yet there is a place for healthy pride. It is vital to knowing you are ok and acceptable as you are.

A healthy, balanced pride is vital to human flourishing. It is the same as the Goldilocks and the three bears story. One bowl was too cold and another too hot, whilst another was just right. Isn’t this just another way of saying you need to fly above the sea, but not too close to the sun?

I find it very uncomfortable to feel proud of my work, even when I know I have done a good job. I don’t do a perfect job, no one can. Yet I can be overly aware of my shortcomings and this can be crippling.

We are all works in progress. We all must find ways to get the balance right. I see clearly that some aspects of my humanity are out of balance. I can see that whilst my relationships with life out there is in healthy balance, in some ways my relationship with myself is still somewhat out of kilter.

It is vital to find a healthy pride balance in order to find harmony in our relationships with life, with each other, with ourselves and with God. If we get these in balance, we can contribute fully to life, we can live to our potential and truly know the joy of living.

www.inquirer.org.uk | Page 9

A well-loved minister The Rev Ernest William Sutherland Baker BA (Theol.)

Dip Soc Pas Theol. 1940 - 2023

By John Midgley Ernest was born in wartime industrial Leeds. Taking the advice of family GP, Dr William Sutherland, his parents (who gave their son their doctor’s names) to deal with Ernest’s childhood illness moved for a few years to the seaside air near Scarborough. Returning to Leeds he passed the 11-plus and attended West Leeds Grammar School. His mother took him along to her church, Holbeck Domestic Street Unitarian Chapel, which later merged with city centre Mill Hill Chapel. As well as Sunday School, he became actively involved in the Unitarian Young People’s League (UYPL), locally, nationally (eventually becoming national secretary) and internationally through the International Religious Fellowship (IRF). He successfully recruited to UYPL membership John Allerton, to whom, after decades of friendship, the task fell of delivering the funeral oration for Ernest, to a well-filled Underbank Chapel, Stannington.

Dozens more watched and listened on Zoom. Along with the Revs Maud Robinson and Andi Phillips, it was a task which John fulfilled wonderfully well with warmth, humour, appreciation and affection.

From school Ernest went to University at King’s College, London to study physics, but found it uncongenial.

After a couple of years, he was glad to bow out and take up a job at Unitarian Headquarters, in the then-Essex Hall Bookshop, happy to be surrounded by books and Unitarians. In London he shared a flat with John, who recalled: ‘In the flat upstairs was an aspiring young actress called Julie Christie. She was stunning, friendly and totally out of our league!’ Ernest found further work in the RKP Bookshop and continuing with UYPL activities in the London area and nationally, at Great Hucklow met Manchester UYPL member Marion. They married on 1 April 1967. John adds: ‘They began married life in a flat in Archway, London, but in time Ernest felt the pull of becoming a minister. In 1969 they moved north for him to begin training at Unitarian College, Manchester.’

Completing a degree in theology, he added a Diploma in Social and Pastoral Theology, which was to underpin his career-long commitment to the person-centred, community based pastoral ministry.

Ernest’s first appointment was overshadowed by the death of his parents, who died within a few short weeks of each other. He took on a demanding group ministry of four congregations in West Yorkshire, requiring much travelling and the conduct of three services every Sunday in three different churches. He and Marion lived in one of those notoriously big, cold, draughty parsonages, but were often happy to entertain friends for parties and social gatherings. After five years he moved to Sheffield Unity Church, linked to Stannington. In 1982, son Tim was born.

Page 10 | Issue 8057 – 15 April 2023

John adds: ‘Ernest had acquired rather a good camera and became a photography geek, so Tim became the most photographed baby in the North of England.’

The Unity congregation folded but Ernest remained at Stannington for a total of 25 years of much-appreciated ministry, until his retirement in 2005. His wider interests continued with the UYPL until its closure, when he transferred to the Foy Society and its conferences. The international involvement remained with the ‘IRF oldies’ gatherings in various parts of Europe and the US. He particularly enjoyed helping to create their internationally themed worship services. He also enjoyed a nine-week summer exchange ministry in Watertown, Massachusetts.

For 29 years he was a tutor in the distance-learning Worship Studies Course. Also, for almost 20 years, he was secretary of the Send a Child to Hucklow Fund, managing much of the administration, and publicising the Fund, often in hilarious ways. It was to become a Unitarian success story. He saw both of these interests as part of the pastoral ministry, for the support of individuals finding their spiritual paths, or for the less fortunate youngsters having their horizons broadened and lives uplifted on a holiday with caring helpers in countryside surroundings.

Ernest enjoyed sport. Watching Leeds United began as a boy with his father, standing on a milk crate so he could see everything. He enjoyed tennis and table tennis and could hold his own on the squash court. He was a social animal. He loved getting together with friends, dancing, singing, goodly fellowship, and fun. A favourite pastime was a good pub lunch with a few friends and a glass or two of his great love, real ale, of which he was a connoisseur.

Music tastes ranged from Gustav Mahler to George Clinton and Hamilton Bohannon. He read, widely and deeply, as evidenced by his own choice of a reading for his funeral, on ‘Grace’, from theologian Paul Tillich’s The Shaking of the Foundations. Surrounded still by books and Unitarians. He died lovingly cared for to the end

by McMillan nurses, with Marion, his wife of 55 years, and Tim close by. People representing all these interests and connections filled Underbank Chapel, Stannington, along with Zoom, to bid farewell and offer love to Marion and Tim. In his sometimes-reticent way, Ernest was very successful. He wanted to live a full life, enjoy a good home and his family, holidays abroad where possible, spend his days in friendship being an effective pastoral minister and a good, positive, helpful Unitarian. His ashes will rest in the garden at Underbank Chapel.

Treasurer extraordinaire Martin Graham West 8 November 1938 – 23 March 2023

By Neville Kenyon Martin began his long career serving the wider Unitarian movement back in the late 1950s, when – as a teenager – he was elected to the National Committee of the Unitarian Young People’s League (UYPL). As a child he attended Stand Unitarian Sunday school, Whitefield, now within the ambit of Bury Council where his parents were chapel members. He joined the Stand branch of the UYPL, a thriving group with up to 40 members. He was elected to the National Committee of the UYPL and became its national treasurer in 1961.

In the 1960s, with a small team of UYPL members, Martin persuaded the Stand Chapel management committee, against all the odds, to adopt a completely new organisational structure which largely survives to this day. Martin’s leadership role was again emphasised when the minister at Stand, the Rev Sidney Knight announced his retirement.

Only one replacement was suitable for Martin and sure enough, the Rev Leonard Smith became minister at Stand thanks largely to Martin’s determination.

These events occurred at the beginning of Martin’s leadership role which started at local level and in later life expanded widely to the national Unitarian platform.

Martin married his fellow UYPLer, Jackie Allen at Stand chapel in 1962, and after Martin qualified as a Chartered Accountant, they moved to Darlington. But in 1970 they returned to the Northwest, settling in the Cheshire countryside with their children Angela, Janine and Jeremy.

From the very start Martin voluntarily devoted his time, knowledge, and professional skills to enhance the lives of the village community in High Legh. In the 1990s he led a patron’s initiative at Manchester Art Gallery which resulted in over 80 businesses becoming involved in the gallery’s membership scheme, providing vital funds for the gallery’s programme.

The Cheshire plain was also an ideal background for driving fast cars. Being so close to Tatton Park allowed Martin to conveniently exhibit his restored vintage motors. (He generally allowed Jackie to polish the wheel spokes.) At least one of Martin’s cars appeared on a prestigious calendar. He was for many years a collector of Eddie Stobart models and a keen philatelist. He sold the former at a loss but his face lit up when his stamp collection went to the highest bidder.

Martin had managed to keep a low profile on the Unitarian front until 1990 when The Inquirer reported that the

Great Hucklow Holiday and Conference Centre was in dire straits and threatened with closure.

Martin’s enthusiasm for Great Hucklow and the larger Unitarian cause was quickly re-ignited. He had benefitted from Dudley Richards’ Youth Leadership courses at Great Hucklow in his younger days, and was only too happy to give something back to that iconic Unitarian institution.

He was invited to join the management committee and worked with Ken Johnson, Tony Atkinson and others in an effort to put the centre on a proper business footing.

It wasn’t long before he became treasurer of what is now the Nightingale Centre management committee and was largely instrumental in attracting funding sources and ultimately transforming the finances.

In order to become a member of the management committee, Martin was required to become a Unitarian member once again. He joined the Altrincham congregation in 1992 and remained a loyal member of that community until his death – and served as its efficient and effective treasurer.

Other Unitarian societies spotted the contribution Martin was making as treasurer and soon he was elected as our General Assembly Honorary Treasurer, treasurer of his own Manchester District, finance director of The Inquirer board, the Ministers Pension Fund, and various other groups – all of which he served with enthusiasm, and keen financial acumen. Every group he served is to this day so much the better for his professional involvement.

Martin was a very generous man and made significant financial contributions to Unitarian causes particularly in the Manchester District. He also ensured that UKunitarianTV was supplied with state-of-the-art equipment worthy of the enthusiasm and commitment of its protagonists.

Martin retired as Chairman of London Scottish Bank Plc in 2004 and continued to serve our Unitarian community quietly and efficiently in so many ways. He suffered from Parkinson’s Disease for the last 10 years of his life, and many will recall his attendance at Annual Meetings, year after year when his disability gradually became more severe. He suffered bravely and died peacefully with Jackie by his side in the comfort of Tabley House, Knutsford, where they had recently made their home.

Martin was truly worthy of his appointment as Honorary Member of the Unitarian General Assembly in 2019.

Martin’s funeral is planned for noon on 2 May at Lymm United Reformed Church. www.inquirer.org.uk | Page 11

All are welcome at this first ‘in-person’ FUSE weekend for 3 years!

2nd-4th JUNE 2023 The Friars Aylesford

• Theme and Guest Speakers • Workshops • Creativity and Music • Meditation and Prayer • Nature Walks With an exciting children’s programme led by Jim Blair and Jenny Canfield

F E S T I VA L O F U N I TA R I A N S IN THE SOUTH EAST

Building Paradise

Theme Speaker

Stephen Lingwood Author of “Seeking Paradise”

Further details and bookings - closes 5th May

www.LDPAunitarians.org/fuse2023 Engagement Groups to Explore and Connect:

A: ‘It Ain’t Necessarily So…’ B: ‘A Life Less Ordinary?’

C: ‘The Natural Network’ D: ‘Keeping It Real’ (ONLINE via Zoom) ) ) )) )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) E: ‘Reality vs Virtual World’ (for under 18s) ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) ))) thi) the real life? )) thi) ju)t fanta)y?”

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For more details and to apply visit our website ASAP! Price): Adult (Re)idential): £595 / Age) 12-16: £435 / Age) 5-11: £370 / Under 5): £165 (A )upplement of £50 will be payable for place) in )ingle room) or )hared-en-)uite room)) / Adult (Online-Only Programme): £75.