Kensington Unitarians

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "In this service we will mark the remarkable development of Unitarian thought in 16th century Transylvania. Come and find out about the one and only Unitarian monarch, consider the value of religious pluralism and hear more about the 80,000 Unitarians living in Romania today." Including a reading given by Antony Bunsee. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 21st October 2012.

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "The Vikings had a word 'aefintyr' to describe humanity's restless curiosity. This is the yearning that led to so many of the world's discoveries. It is the spirit that encourages us to explore within. Yet it is balanced by our understandable fears and our desires for security. How can we best live a life that balances our curiosity and our fear?" From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 14th October 2012.

Sermon by Jane Blackall: "From time to time we may experience the sensation of 'hot' ambivalence towards the opportunities that life presents to us - more than just a cool 'take it or leave it' - occasionally feeling strongly drawn towards a new experience and yet held back at the very same time. This kind of tension can feel quite uncomfortable but in this service we will explore the possibility that it may be a sign which can help us identify our 'growing edge'." Featuring readings given by Antony Bunsee and Caroline Blair. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 7th October 2012.

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "In October we'll be starting a new small group with this title. In this service we will ask the question 'what makes an actively spiritual orientation in life so valuable for us humans?'" Featuring a reading given by Harold Lorenzelli. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 30th September 2012.

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "Separated as we city dwellers may sometimes feel from the land, it's perhaps all the more important to recognise our connection with the changing seasons and to make time to give thanks for all that we have." From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 23rd September 2012.

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "This service will recognise the work of St Ethelburga's Centre and other projects from around the world that seek to repair and re-build relatedness. How might this be relevant in our own lives?" Featuring a reflection by special guest Simon Keyes of St. Ethelburga's. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 16th September 2012.

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "Why do we have a concept of evil and what other paths might we take in coming to terms with life's most difficult issues?" Featuring a reflection by special guest Marian Partington. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 9th September 2012.

Sermon by Tristan Jovanović: "When looking through symbols from the world of fashion, branding and art, can we catch a glimpse of how we construct our spirituality and theology?" From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 2nd September 2012.

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "This service will explore the symbolism of doors and windows in religious life." Featuring a reading from Jonathan Frewin. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 26th August 2012.

Sermon by David Francis Darling: "In this service we will be looking at how writings and writers can help us understand ourselves and the world around us." From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 19th August 2012.

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "As artist Jeremy Deller's inflatable replica of Stonehenge tours the country, we'll find out a bit more about the time in which the original was constructed, as well as marvelling at all that we have yet to understand about it." Featuring a reading given by Antony Bunsee. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 12th August 2012.

Service of readings led by Members of the Congregation: "Who knows how it will feel to be in Central London at the midpoint of the 2012 Olympic Games...? Many Londoners have mixed feelings, feeling concern about the impact of the event, yet hoping that our hometown comes out of it well when the eyes of the rest of the world are upon us. In this service, we will be reflecting on our ability to give of our best, regardless of the situation we find ourselves in." Featuring Sonya Leite, Howard Hague, Ned Prideaux, Gina Bayley, Antony Bunsee, Caroline Blair, Gisela Boehnisch and Annie Fowler.

Service by Heidi Ferid and Rev. Sarah Tinker: "Heidi's background in art and personal growth work will helpfully guide us through the rich imagery of transformation and the ways in which change can manifest in our lives." Featuring a poem written and co-read by John Hands. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 29th July 2012.

Sermon by Howard Hague: "Based on the book by John Naise, with a sub-title of 'breaking free from the world of excess', this service will reflect on Naish's powerful message that we sometimes have too much - too much 'stuff', too much information, too much food - to mention just a few of the modern issues he confronts. And when might 'less' be 'more'?" Featuring and introduction and readings from Sarah Tinker. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 15th July 2012.

Sermon by Caroline Blair: "In this service, led by Caroline Blair, we are promised a strictly non-academic look at how we approach a debate." From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 8th July 2012.

Reflections by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "The Bible can be approached from many different academic stances. Today we'll consider the historical and literary elements of Biblical Studies and ask ourselves how we view this sacred text." From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 1st July 2012.

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "Nonconformists have been drinking a toast to 'civil and religious liberty the world over' ever since the so called Glorious Revolution of 1689. Such liberties are still threatened today. What are the threats and what can we do about them?" Featuring a reading from Harold Lorenzelli. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 24th June 2012.

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "First established by Czech Unitarian Minister Norbert Čapek, the flower communion is a simple yet evocative ritual. Bring a flower and take a different flower home with you (and we will have a few spares just in case...). Together let us celebrate the unique, the beautiful and the transient in human life." From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 17th June 2012.

Sermon by Rev. Sarah Tinker: "As the country celebrates the Queen's Diamond Jubilee this year, in our service we will consider the Judaic and Christian meaning of Jubilee as a time of resting and restoring." From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 10th June 2012. Please note: due to a technical problem the introduction to this service was not recorded, so it begins quite suddenly with the first reading, given by Tristan Jovanović.

Reflections by members of the congregation: "This summer, Londoners will be called upon to offer a welcome to visitors from all over the world, as we host the 2012 Olympic Games in our home city. In this service members of the congregation including Jo Ridgers, Jim Blair, and Juliet Edwards will offer reflections on different aspects of 'hospitality'." Introduced by Jane Blackall with a reading given by Caroline Blair. From a service at Essex Church, Home of Kensington Unitarians, on 3rd June 2012. Please Note: Juliet had a tickly cough during the service so Annie Fowler kindly volunteered as a stand-in and we re-recorded her contribution for the podcast.