Kensington Unitarians

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "Our congregation is a member of the General Assembly of Unitarian & Free Christian Churches. Today we will be celebrating this organisation and its role in supporting the cause of liberal religion."

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "We are fortunate as Unitarians in being free to create unique ceremonies to mark life's stages. We will consider the importance of rites of passage and ways we might balance tradition and innovation in such ceremonies."

Sermon by Rev. Danny Crosby: "This service will explore the moments in our lives when we meet those forks in the road and have to make important decisions. The key to making those wise choices is discernment. Danny is minister with the Unitarian congregation in Altrincham." Featuring readings given by Veronica Needa and Sarah Tinker. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 14th July 2013.

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "It's hard to imagine that until 1813 it was against the law to hold Unitarian beliefs. July marks the 200th anniversary of the Unitarian Toleration Act - clearly a piece of legislation in need of celebration and where better to celebrate than here at Essex Church, with the first avowedly Unitarian congregation here in England. Founded in 1774, how did our congregation manage to break the law for 39 years?" Featuring a reading given by Roy Clark. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 7th July 2013.

Sermon by Kate McKenna: "Visiting preacher Kate McKenna of Norwich Unitarians offers a service about accepting and embracing our flaws." Featuring readings given by Juliet Edwards and Tristan Jovanović. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 30th June 2013.

Sermon by Tristan Jovanović: "In this service (a late change from the previously advertised theme) Tristan offers readings and reflections on the theme of 'getting through the day'." Featuring readings given by Caroline Blair and Michaela von Britzke. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 23rd June 2013.

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "In this service we will explore life's miracles and our own response to the seemingly miraculous. Are we believers or explainers of the seemingly inexplicable?" Featuring a reading given by David Francis Darling. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 16th June 2013.

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "This is our annual Flower Communion service. Originally devised by a Unitarian minister in pre Second World War Czechoslovakia, this service celebrates a congregation's unity and diversity. We can also celebrate the beauty of flowers at this time of year." Featuring a reading given by Antony Bunsee. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 9th June 2013.

Service by Rev. Sheena Gabriel and Rev. Sarah Tinker: "'All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.' What are we to make of these words by Dame Julian of Norwich (1342-1416) and how might they be applied to our own lives?" From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 2nd June 2013.

Sermon by Caroline Blair: "Throughout the almost unimaginably long period of human pre-history we were a coast-dwelling species. The sea provided food, safety, comfort, mythology and magic. No wonder we say that the sea is in our blood. This service will look beyond the sunbathing and beach volleyball to conjure up something of the deeper meanings of the sea." Featuring readings from Jim Blair and Antony Bunsee. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 26th May 2013.

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "A new book written by London's Unitarian District Minister gives useful advice on how to live a spiritually healthy life. This service will recognise the important work of 12 Step programmes and take a first look at David Usher's advice. During the service we will be welcoming new members to the congregation and inviting all members to re-affirm their commitment to the community in a simple ceremony." From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 19th May 2013.

Service by Rev. Sarah Tinker and Sonya Leite: "Spring cleaning can make a difference in our wardrobes and bookshelves. Today we'll consider how the clearing of 'stuff' might assist our spiritual lives too." From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 12th May 2013.

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "In this service we will explore some of the sources of comfort in life." From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 5th May 2013.

Sermon by Kate Hill: "This sermon includes reflections on death and becoming more organised and aware around our own death. It explores how understanding our mortality can enhance our lives, give more meaning enriched with a sense of appreciation and awareness of the transitions of day to day life." From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 28th April 2013.

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "In this service we will explore some of the best advice on how to live life, gathered from assorted sources - the world's religions, historical and literary characters and various family relations." Featuring a reading from Veronica Needa. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 21st April 2013.

Sermon by Jane Blackall: "According to Irenaeus, the early church father, the task of humanity is to complete the process of creation by developing and growing into the 'Likeness of God', perfecting their moral character through their responses to life's many difficulties. Philosophers and spiritual leaders have regarded the cultivation of virtue as a path to human flourishing and self-realisation. In this service we will consider the possibility of more consciously cultivating virtue in our own lives and in today's society." Featuring readings from David Darling and Annie Fowler. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 7th April 2013.

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "In music and silence, words and prayer, we will mark the Christian Easter festival and consider the ways in which its powerful imagery and narrative have inspired writers and artists over the last two millennia." Featuring readings from Jo Ridgers and Antony Bunsee. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 31st March 2013.

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "The theory of evolution in biological terms is one that most Unitarians accept, yet delve a little deeper and some may also have a sense of a spiritual evolution fuelling our existence. We won't be giving any answers in this service but will make space for people to explore their own ideas about this fascinating topic." From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 24th March 2013.

Service led by Rev. Sarah Tinker and Rev. Elizabeth Birtles: "As our book group celebrates reading its 100th book this month, this service celebrates the human urge to write things down - from diaries to shopping lists, great literature and graffiti on walls, we'll appreciate this wondrous ability to communicate in writing. We are pleased to welcome Liz Birtles, one-time minister of our Croydon congregation and founder member of the Bangor Fellowship, who will lead our meditation today." From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 17th March 2013.

Service led by Rev. Frank Walker and Rev. Sarah Tinker: "Perhaps the greatest spiritual injunction is for us to explore who we truly are, beyond the pressures to conform to other people's expectations and society's rules. In this service we will also mark the occasion of Mothering Sunday. We are pleased to welcome Rev. Frank Walker, minister emeritus of our Cambridge congregation, as our preacher." Featuring a reading given by Antony Bunsee. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 10th March 2013.