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BURY
UNITARIAN
CHURCH:
2020 Annual Report:
Annual Report 2020
In the January, 2020, Calendar, the Minister wrote that she hoped for another
successful year for us; it would be good not to experience a period without
grief, pain, bad or worrying news, but if we did, we would support each other
through whatever had to be endured. For two and a half months, we continued as
usual, but became increasingly aware that reports from
Wuhan
indicated that Coronavirus was swiftly spreading worldwide. By mid-March, the
decision had been taken to close the church-premises completely, and we have
never opened totally since.
During
January and February, all the usual services and formal meetings took place; the
Lunch Circle, the Book Club, the Camera Club, and the Women's League met
regularly; coffee was served on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and the Traidcraft
stall was open. In January. Kate introduced a "Second Sunday Lunch" session, and
Anne Mills, the GA V-P presented the Junior Church Prizes. Anne also conducted
the Women's League Service, in February, when the Manchester District held its
AGM, at Bury. Donations to the Foodbank continued; we attended
Rochdale's
Film Evening. Our annual Quiz Evening was very successful, and the profits went
to church-funds, Hope for Justice, and Médecins Sans Frontières; we also took
the decision to support the Woodland Trust. We survived Storms Ciara and Dennis.
On the first Sunday in March, we were informed about The Peace Forest in
Rossendale, to which we sent a sizeable donation. We held a Give and Take event;
we planned a trip to "Phantom of the Opera", in
Manchester.
Alas! From
March 17th, none of this was to be; we entered the realms of lockdown,
self-isolation and social-distancing. Our services, written by Kate, and
distributed by her, were read at home; later, some of us managed to join
services by Zoom, but, sadly, this excluded many members. When we
were allowed to
hold services at church, stringent restrictions had to be observed, and November
saw us back in lockdown, once again; the church-officers spent a great deal of
time debating when we might reopen, and under what conditions. None of this was
what we were used to, or wanted. Some regular groups transferred successfully to
Zoom: the Camera Club, the Book Club, Saturday Coffee; more and more formal
meetings moved to Zoom, too. We adapted as best we could, and did amazingly
well! We poured out our hearts and souls into each calendar, with great
creativity!
On April
1st, our church-community increased by one, with the birth of Ethan;
congratulations to
Lorraine
and Pete! Sadly, we lost two long-term members with the deaths of Alf Howson and
Dorothy Roberts, both of whom are remembered with affection, and much-missed.
Our best wishes go to everyone who has suffered ill-health, during 2020; get
well soon.
Finally, on
behalf of the whole congregation, I offer heartfelt thanks to Kate and Ade, both
of whom have worked indefatigably, during the past year and into 2021. Ade began
his job as our Property Manager, just over a year ago, and has taken on a
multitude of tasks---all carried out with quiet efficiency and professionalism;
this has relieved pressure on Roger and Peter, and we thank them, and Howard,
the fourth member of our practical HARP Team. Once Zoom services began, Ade
assisted Kate by providing technical support. It is to Kate, however, that we
owe the greatest appreciation and gratitude---for all her services, particularly
on Remembrance Sunday and at Christmas; for all the time and care she has
devoted to our congregation; and for the hours and energy spent in her ministry
towards each of us individually. 2020 was a difficult year for everybody; 2021
sees us still in uncertainty, but we know that we have been held and heard, in
so many ways, by our Bury Unitarian community. Let us hope and pray that, by the
end of this year, we can be fully-open, permanently, and able to take up the
reins of church-life, together and in freedom. Thanks to everybody for coping
and adapting, and for keeping our church viable, despite problems.
Anne Mills: Chairman of the Congregation, and Church
Secretary: March, 2021.
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INTRODUCTORY BOOKLET:
A
FAITH WORTH THINKING ABOUT
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