How long have
you been coming to Bury Unitarian Church?
I was christened at the
former Bank Street Chapel as my mother and grandmother were lifelong
members. As a child I attended the parish church in Tottington where I grew
up and I was married there in 1984.
My mother invited me to attend a service at
Bury Unitarian Church
over 30 years ago and I immediately felt at
home and have been attending ever since.
I left the Bury area 20 years ago, but I am
still a member at Bury and attend as often as I am able to.
What do you
enjoy most about coming to Bury Unitarian Church?
I enjoy the stimulation and
variety of the worship services. Services often follow a familiar structure,
but within that the prayers, readings, sermons, reflections and music centre
on a wide variety of themes. Occasionally we have special services which
have a different format, sometimes with more participants, a greater
proportion of readings or contributions. Whatever the format, I always come
away enriched:
either through being prompted to think
about something from a different point of view or by having my own thoughts
and feelings articulated and clarified further.
All this takes place within a welcoming
atmosphere where it feels comfortable to be yourself and to engage in your
own way.
Do you come
to the church apart from Sunday worship.
I’m a member of the Worship,
Junior Church and Communications Committee and Church Council. Both of these
are important forums where I’ve learned a lot about what it takes behind the
scenes to create the vibrant, loving community which we treasure. It’s
inspiring to see how every little decision or action no matter how small can
have an effect on the life of our church. It’s also good to feel that one
can offer ideas as well: they may not always be taken up but they are always
considered thoughtfully and it is rewarding to feel that all voices are
heard.
I ‘m excited about the potential of the web
site and social media to reflect
the richness of our church’s life
and to feel connected to wider Unitarian,
local and national communities.
I also enjoy coming to the
various seminar series that have run over the past few years which have
included Building your own Theology, Ethics and my particular favourite,
Everyday
Spirituality. I relish the exchange of
experiences and viewpoints in such a safe and respectful atmosphere. We talk
about all sorts, from our approach to ironing to the meaning of life! They
are the kind of conversations I love to have, but it is not always easy to
get to that level in the supermarket queue!
Describe a
service, event or aspect of Church life that you’ve enjoyed recently
I’ve enjoyed or appreciated
so many things it’s hard to choose just one. However – I came away glowing
after the recent St Valentine’s Day service on ‘Aspects of Love’.
Our minister had selected a wide range of
amusing, touching and challenging readings which were matched perfectly to
the talents and voices of the readers, and all was held together with some
lovely music.
What 3 words come to mind when you think of Bury
Unitarian Church?
Friendly; Stimulating;
Integrity
What do you
like doing in your spare time away from church?
I retired 18 months ago after
working full time (and I mean full time!) in education for the last 40
years. I still do a small amount of part time work but my work /life balance
is now very much tilted in favour of ‘life’.
Every
day feels like I have a smorgasbord of things to choose from:– walking,
meditation, art history, football (watching, unfortunately not playing!),
gardening, readers’ group, voluntary work and yoga. I’m at present involved
in the ‘Save our local library’ campaign in the village where I live and I’m
a governor in a local primary school.
Anything
else?
I’ve heard that for a marriage to be successful the
partners should be a ‘good fit’ on several levels; that’s how I feel about
being a member of Bury Unitarian Church – it’s a good fit with my values,
interests and outlook on life.( I just wish it was a bit nearer home!) .