Diary Dates Please scroll down to see the appropriate month, but please also note that some of the details are provisional.
JANUARY
5 January, Saturday - At the Unitarian New Meeting, Edgbaston, Birmingham: an open forum to discuss the future of the Unitarian and Free Christian movement. Starts 12 noon, ends 4 pm. Please take sandwiches. No need to book. The venue is 15 minutes' walk from Birmingham New Street Station.
6 January Preacher: Revd. Martin Whitell, Associate Minister to the Portsmouth Unitarian congregation. The service will end with a short, celebration of communion for all who wish to take part.
13 January Preacher: Dr. Julie Adams, of the Chapel Society. After the service: a sandwich lunch (please bring your own) and a forum about mental-health matters, led by chapel members Dr Mphala Mogudi, Jan Laker, and Alison Butler. All welcome; meeting ends at 2.30 pm.
17 January, Thursday - The first lunchtime concert of the term will be given in the college chapel at 1.30pm: a recital by a distinguished Oxford organist. All welcome; admission free; retiring collection in aid of the organ restoration fund.
20 January Preacher: Alan Ruston, Chair of the British and Foreign Unitarian Association. Children’s activities will be organised during the service. Extraordinary General Meeting after the service to discuss the following resolution, to be submitted (if the congregation approves) for debate at the annual meetings of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches):
That this General Assembly, mindful of the need for marriages and civil partnerships to be placed on an equal footing, and the need for full compliance with the spirit of the Human Rights Act, resolves that the Marriage Act 1949 should be amended so as to enable ceremonies creating civil partnerships to be performed in any church, chapel or other premises licensed for the celebration of marriage.
24 January, Thursday - Lunchtime recital in the College Chapel at 1.30.pm. Scotland The Brave! Harris Manchester Musicians celebrate Robert Burns with Voices, Pipes, Harp and Organ. All welcome; admission free; retiring collection in aid of the organ restoration fund.
27 January Preacher: Revd. Peter Hewis, Chaplain Emeritus, Harris Manchester College. Holocaust Memorial Day.
31 January, Thursday - Lunchtime recital in the College Chapel at 1.30.pm. Sonatas da Chiesa or da Camera? Featuring works by Vivaldi, Corette & Domenico Gabrielli, Corrina Connor, Baroque Cello, Myles Hartley, Harpsichord. All welcome; admission free; retiring collection in aid of the organ restoration fund.
FEBRUARY
3 February Preacher: Patrick Timperley, Unitarian Lay Preacher. After the service: a sandwich lunch (please bring your own) and a talk about prison conditions, given by Diana Marshall. All welcome; meeting ends at 2.30 pm.
6 February, Wednesday - All welcome at a reception at 5.30 pm at Essex Hall, 1-6 Essex Street, London WC2, organised by the World Congress of Faiths and the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists, to mark the launch of a new book about religion and our planet: The Home We Share, with contributions by Dawn Buckle, Cliff Reed, Alan Ruston, and Richard Boeke.
7 February, Thursday - Lunchtime recital in the College Chapel at 1.30.pm. Full Circle! Harris Manchester artists and musicians explore ideas of circularity & the journey in music, drawing & painting. All welcome; admission free; retiring collection in aid of the organ restoration fund.
10 February Preacher: Dr. Howard Oliver, Chapel Society.
14 February, Thursday - Lunchtime recital in the College Chapel at 1.30.pm. L’Amore featuring lyrical music to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day, Lucia Simon, Soprano, Peter McMullin, Piano. All welcome; admission free; retiring collection in aid of the organ restoration fund.
17 February Preacher: Revd. Dr Arthur Stewart, Tutor in Ministerial Studies, Harris Manchester College; minister to the Leicester Unitarian congregation. Special collection for the Ministerial Students’ Fund. Chapel Committee meets after the service. Children's Group activities during the service.
21 February, Thursday - Lunchtime recital in the College Chapel at 1.30.pm. Love & Mortality A recital of French & German Song with works by Brahms, Hahn, Wolf & Fauré, John Buckley, Tenor. All welcome; admission free; retiring collection in aid of the organ restoration fund.
22 February, Friday - The initial deadline for receipt of applications for Hucklow Summer School 2008 to be held on 16-23 August (see entry below) is Friday 22nd February.
24 February Preacher: Professor Terence Copley, Professor of Religious Education, Fellow of Harris Manchester College.
28 February, Thursday - Lunchtime recital in the College Chapel at 1.30.pm. Folk Festival! Traditional music of England, Scotland & Ireland, Robert Ryan, Fiddle, Emily Spiers, Voice. All welcome; admission free; retiring collection in aid of the organ restoration fund.
MARCH
2 March Preacher: Sue Wooley, Midland Union Secretary. Discussion of the GA resolutions after the service.
5 March, Wednesday - Homiletics tutorials, 10 a.m. in the Charles Wellbeloved Room, Revd. Dr Arthur Stewart, Tutor in Ministerial Studies, Harris Manchester College; minister to the Leicester Unitarian congregation.
6 March, Thursday - Lunchtime recital in the College Chapel at 1.30.pm. Violin Visions Featuring Mozart’s Sonata in B flat, Cathy Markall, Violin. All welcome; admission free; retiring collection in aid of the organ restoration fund.
9 March Preacher: Catherine Robinson, Secretary of the Chapel Society. International Women's Day.
16 March Preacher: Professor John Toye, Chair of the Chapel Society. Children's Group activities during the service.
19 March, Wednesday -The funeral of HILDA CHART, who died on 7th March at the age of 98, will take place on Wednesday March 19th. A brief committal at 11.30 am at Oxford Crematorium for the family only will be followed by a full service in the college chapel, conducted by Revd Peter Hewis, at 12.30 pm. If you plan to attend the service, please arrive by 12.15 pm. (NB: we are not entitled to use the college car park on week-days.) Hilda's family have asked for donations in lieu of flowers to be made to the 'Send a Child to Hucklow' Fund.
23 March Preacher: Revd. Peter Hewis, Chaplain Emeritus, Harris Manchester College. Easter Sunday, optional communion.
26 March, Wednesday - 29 March, Saturday - The AGM of the General Assembly (GA) will be held at the University of Hertfordshire. To apply for a contribution towards the cost of attending the GA meetings for one day or the whole event, please contact our Treasurer, Valerie Walker by 20th January at the latest.
30 March Preacher: Revd. Ernest Baker, retired Unitarian Minister.
APRIL
5 April, Saturday: Annual General Meeting of the Midland Union at Park Lane Unitarian Chapel, Halesowen, West Midlands. Coffee 10.30; AGM at 11; shared lunch 1pm; service 2pm; talk on Nurturing Community at 2.30pm; ends 4 pm.
6 April Preacher: Revd. Phillip Hewett, Minister Emeritus, Vancouver Unitarian Church. Report back from the GA.
13 April Preacher: Revd. Martin Gienke, lay leader, Bury St Edmunds Unitarian congregation.
18 April, Friday - 20 April, Sunday: West Sussex, led by ministers John Harley, Linda Hart, and Andy Pakula: “Touching Wholeness: The Way of Silence”. Details and registration materials on the London Spirituality Network website: http://www.ukspirituality.org/
19 April, Saturday: Study Day at Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, a short distance from Hampstead underground station, 11 am to 2pm. Exploring the life of Jesus through readings, meditation, discussion, and simple worship. Facilitated by Revd Jim Robinson, the Minister at Rosslyn Hill. All welcome; please bring a packed lunch. Drinks will be provided. No need to book.
20 April Preacher: Revd. Dr Ralph Waller, Principal, Harris Manchester College. Children's Group activities during the service. Committee meeting after the service.
24 April, Thursday - Lunchtime recital in the College Chapel at 1.30.pm. Of Foreign Lands & Peoples - a musical journey, featuring works by Bartók, Chopin, Debussy and Schumann: piano recital by Julian Bank; admission free, with retiring collection for the organ restoration fund.
26 April, Saturday - Evening recital in the College Chapel at 7.30.pm. Splendours of the Italian baroque - featuring duets by Monteverdi, Pergolesi, and Rovetta, sung by Helen Maxey, soprano, and Sally Mears, soprano, with The Pergolesi Ensemble. Admission free, with retiring collection for the organ restoration fund.
27 April Preacher: Revd. Feargus O'Connor, Minister to Golders Green Unitarian congregation. Note, anyone wishing to book for the annual Asparagus Lunch at Oat Street Unitarian Chapel in Evesham on Wednesday 14th May (see entry below) should call the secretary (01865 511307) by evening of Sunday 27 April to book a place.
MAY
1 May, Thursday: Recital in the chapel at 1.30 pm. A Song of Sunshine! English music for May Day, played on the organ by Myles Hartley, FRCO. Admission free; retiring collection for the organ restoration fund. The first in a series of varied Thursday lunchtime recitals, every week at 1.30 pm until 12 June (inclusive).
4 May Preacher: Revd. Peter Hewis, Chaplain Emeritus, Harris Manchester College.
8 May, Thursday: Lunchtime recital at 1.30 pm in the college chapel: A Musical Banquet: music from the 16th & 17th centuries, performed by Adrian Boorman, Countertenor; Tricia McLaughlin, Gamba & Treble Viol; and Malcolm Pearce, Keyboard. All welcome; admission free; retiring collection for the organ restoration fund.
11 May Preacher: Alan Ruston, Vice President of the Unitarian Historical Society and Chair of the Watford Unitarian Fellowship.
14 May, Wednesday - the annual Asparagus Lunch at Oat Street Unitarian Chapel in Evesham, will be held on Wednesday 14th May (in commemoration of the 18th-century dissenting ministers who used to meet on the pretext of sampling the local asparagus crop). The annual service of worship will be conducted at 12 noon by Revd Donald Phillips, followed by luncheon (£10 per head), including asparagus of course. Please ring the secretary (01865 511307) by evening of Sunday 27 April to book a place.
15 May, Thursday: Lunchtime recital at 1.30 pm in the college chapel: Scandinavian Scenes: music from Norway, Finland and Sweden, by Grieg, Sibelius and Lindberg, performed on the organ by Myles Hartley, FRCO. All welcome; admission free; retiring collection for the organ restoration fund.
18 May Preacher: Dr. Howard Oliver, Chapel Society. Children's Group activities during the service. Due to the Fun Run this will be an evening service starting at 6 p.m. with tea, coffee and cake from 5 p.m. when some material on the Wesleys will be available for browsing.
22 May, Thursday: Lunchtime recital at 1.30 pm in the college chapel: The Virtuoso Violin: showpieces for the Violin from Mozart to the modern era, performed by Cathy Markall, Violin. All welcome; admission free; retiring collection for the organ restoration fund.
25 May Preacher: Revd. Linda Hart, Minister at the Richmond and Putney Unitarian Church.
29 May, Thursday: Lunchtime recital at 1.30 pm: A Danish Sampler: An exploration of Danish song, featuring music by Buxtehude, Heise, & Nielsen, performed by Anni Nakamura, soprano. All welcome; admission free; retiring collection for the organ restoration fund. Please note that due to the organ restoration work in the college chapel, this recital will be held in the Arlosh Hall.
JUNE
1 June Preacher: Revd. David Usher, London and South-East District Minister. After the service: sandwich lunch (bring your own) and visit to the University Botanic Garden (a 10-minute walk from MCO).
5 June, Thursday: Lunchtime recital at 1.30 pm: Celtic Colours: Inspirational music from the lands of mists and mountains, performed by Laurelle Rond, voice and clarsach (harp). All welcome; admission free; retiring collection for the organ restoration fund. Please note that due to the organ restoration work in the college chapel, this recital will be held in the Arlosh Hall.
7 June, Saturday: Annual Garden Party of the Oxford branch of the Unitarian Women's League at 2.30pm at the home of Chris Jones, Standlake. Revd Penny Johnson, President of the Women's League, will give a talk entitled A Woman in the Ministry. Afterwards there will be tea and the chance to enjoy Norman Chart's lovely garden at Brittenton House next door. Those wishing to attend should let Heddwen Hewis know numbers, by Wednesday 4th June latest.
8 June Preacher: Revd. Penny Johnson, Chair of the Unitarian Women’s League, celebrating the UWL centenary. Special collection for this year’s UWL good cause: Sightsavers International.
12 June, Thursday: Lunchtime recital at 1.30 pm: Summertime!: An end of term concert including favourites by Gershwin & Oscar Peterson, performed by Harris Manchester musicians. All welcome; admission free; retiring collection for the organ restoration fund. Please note that due to the organ restoration work in the college chapel, this recital will be held in the Arlosh Hall.
15 June Preacher: Revd. Dr Arthur Stewart, Tutor in Ministerial Studies, Harris Manchester College; minister to the Leicester Unitarian congregation. Children's Group activities during the service. Committee meeting after the service.
19 June, Thursday: the launch of the Oxford Council of Faiths in the Quaker Meeting House and Garden (42 St Giles). Garden and Meeting Hall open from 6.00 pm, official welcome: 6.15 pm, speeches finish 7.00 pm. After this there will be food and hospitality until about 8.30 pm. Everyone of faith who lives, works or worships in Oxford is welcome to attend this event, which will begin with an exchange of ideals, and possibilities, and hopes between members of Oxford's faith communities and representatives of the city's police, the NHS, and the City Council.
22 June Preacher: Revd. Martin Gienke, lay leader, Bury St Edmunds Unitarian congregation.
29 June Preacher: Alison Thursfield, President of the Midland Union of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches.
JULY
6 July Preacher: Revd. Martin Whitell, Associate Minister to the Portsmouth Unitarian congregation. After the service, a sandwich lunch, followed by a talk by chapel member Dr Jacqueline Woodman about the impact of certain religious and cultural practices on the health of women in general and Muslim women in particular, drawing on her own professional experience.
13 July Preacher: Patrick Timperley, Unitarian Lay Preacher.
20 July Preacher: Alan Ruston, Chair of the British and Foreign Unitarian Association. Children's Group activities during the service.
26 July, Saturday - 2 August, Saturday: Unitarian Experience Week, at The Nightingale Centre, Great Hucklow, Derbyshire: a week of singing, music, art, discussion, walking; talks on science, theology, and sociology. All welcome.
27 July Preacher: Revd. Peter Hewis, Chaplain Emeritus, Harris Manchester College.
AUGUST
3 August Preacher: Revd Frank Walker, retired minister of the Cambridge Unitarian church. After the service: a picnic at the Oxford University Arboretum in Nuneham Courtenay (to be confirmed).
8 August, Friday - 10 August, Sunday: The next Unitarian Meditation Fellowship Retreat, will be held from 8th to 10th August at Ammerdown, a comfortable retreat centre in Somerset, surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds. The Retreat is suitable for people for all levels of experience, including beginners. For further information please get in touch with the Chapel Society Secretary who has full contact details.
10 August: Preacher: Dr Martin Pulbrook,Unitarian lay preacher based in the Republic of Ireland.
16 August, Saturday - 23 August, Saturday - Hucklow Summer School 2008, "Reclaiming the Language of Faith", Team of Theme Speakers: Rev. Margaret Kirk, Rev. Chris Goacher, Rev. Celia Cartwright, Rev. Nancy Crumbine, Rev. Simon John Barlow. Morning Workshops: (A). "Being Creative in Movement - Dance!" with Dawn Buckle and Maggie Davies, (B). "Poetry: The Language of the Heart" with Rev. John Harley and Andy Pakula, (C). "Beyond Words: Visions of the Holy" with Jane Blackall and Sheena Gabriel. The initial deadline for receipt of applications is Friday 22nd February. A leaflet/application form can be downloaded from: http://www.unitariansocieties.org.uk/summerschool/summer_school_leaflet_2008.pdf
17 August Preacher: Professor John Toye, Chair of the Manchester College Chapel Society. Special collection for the funds of the Manchester Academy Trust. If you are away but would like to contribute to the special collection, please send a cheque, in a Gift Aid envelope if appropriate, made payable to ‘MCO Chapel Society’, with ’MAT Appeal’ written on the reverse, to the Secretary, Catherine Robinson. Children's Group activities during the service. Committee meeting after the service.
24 August Preacher: Dorothy Haughton, lay preacher, Shrewsbury Unitarian Church.
31 August Preacher: Jim Corrigall, Chair of the Golders Green Unitarian congregation.
SEPTEMBER
7 September Preacher: Val Worthington.
13 September, Saturday - 14 September, Sunday - Heritage weekend. The Chapel will be open for visitors. Details of times to follow.
14 September Preacher: Revd. Martin Gienke, lay leader, Bury St Edmunds Unitarian congregation.
21 September Preacher: Revd. Peter Hewis, Chaplain Emeritus, Harris Manchester College. Harvest Thanksgiving. Children's Group activities during the service.
28 September Preacher: Dr Taj Hargey, Muslim Educational Centre of Oxford (MECO). This will be a joint service with MECO and is being organised by Drs Ruth & Eric McCairns of the Chapel Society.
OCTOBER
5 October Preacher: Catherine Robinson & Penelope Newsome, Chapel Society. Talk on Ethical research at Oxford after the service.
12 October Preacher: Revd. Dr Arthur Stewart, Tutor in Ministerial Studies, Harris Manchester College; minister to the Leicester Unitarian congregation. Committee meeting after the service.
19 October Preacher: Joyce Ashworth, GA President. The 115th anniversary of the opening of the chapel. Children's Group activities during the service.
26 October Preacher: Revd. Martin Gienke, lay leader, Bury St Edmunds Unitarian congregation.
NOVEMBER
2 November Preacher: To be finalised.
9 November Preacher: Dr. Howard Oliver, Chapel Society. Remembrance Sunday, optional communion.
16 November Preacher: Alan Ruston, Chair of the British and Foreign Unitarian Association. Children's Group activities during the service.
23 November Preacher: Revd. Peter Hewis, Chaplain Emeritus, Harris Manchester College.
30 November Preacher: To be finalised.
DECEMBER
7 December Preacher: Revd. Dr Arthur Stewart, Tutor in Ministerial Studies, Harris Manchester College; minister to the Leicester Unitarian congregation.
14 December Preacher: To be finalised. Committee meeting after the service.
21 December Preacher: To be finalised. Christmas Service. Children's Group activities during the service.
28 December No Service, College closed