Be ready at all times to give those you love the simply abundant gifts of Spirit. If you do, they’ll give you Christmas gifts you’ll never forget: happy smiles and contented hearts. And you won’t want to exchange them.
~ Meister Eckhart
Christmas Gifts
~ Meister Eckhart
Festivals of many faiths - January 2010
Friday 1 January
Christian—Circumcision of Jesus
Secular—New Year's Day
Shinto—Oshogatsu (or Shogatsu) - New Year
Orthodox Christian—Festival of St Basil the Great
Tuesday 5 January
Sikh—Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh (Nanakshahi calendar)
Wednesday 6 January
Christian—Epiphany (visit of the wise men (the magi) to the infant Jesus.)
Christian—Christmas Day (Armenian Orthodox)
Orthodox Christian—Theophany (baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan)
Thursday 7 January
Rastafari—Christmas Day (Ethiopian)
Christian—Christmas Day (Orthodox)
Thursday 14 January
Hindu—Makar Sankrant (celebrates the sun's journey into the northern
hemisphere—one of the most important Hindu festivals)
Friday 15 January
Shinto—Seijin Shiki (Adults' Day)
Wednesday 20 January
Hindu—Vasant Panchami (festival of Saraswati, the goddess of learning and Brahma's wife. It marks the beginning of Spring.)
Wednesday 27 January
Jewish & multifaith—National Holocaust Memorial Day
Saturday 30 January
Jewish—Tu B'Shevat (Jewish New Year for trees)
Sunday 31 January
Sikh—Birthday of Guru Har Rai (Nanakshahi calendar)
Source: BBC religion pages
Christian—Circumcision of Jesus
Secular—New Year's Day
Shinto—Oshogatsu (or Shogatsu) - New Year
Orthodox Christian—Festival of St Basil the Great
Tuesday 5 January
Sikh—Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh (Nanakshahi calendar)
Wednesday 6 January
Christian—Epiphany (visit of the wise men (the magi) to the infant Jesus.)
Christian—Christmas Day (Armenian Orthodox)
Orthodox Christian—Theophany (baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan)
Thursday 7 January
Rastafari—Christmas Day (Ethiopian)
Christian—Christmas Day (Orthodox)
Thursday 14 January
Hindu—Makar Sankrant (celebrates the sun's journey into the northern
hemisphere—one of the most important Hindu festivals)
Friday 15 January
Shinto—Seijin Shiki (Adults' Day)
Wednesday 20 January
Hindu—Vasant Panchami (festival of Saraswati, the goddess of learning and Brahma's wife. It marks the beginning of Spring.)
Wednesday 27 January
Jewish & multifaith—National Holocaust Memorial Day
Saturday 30 January
Jewish—Tu B'Shevat (Jewish New Year for trees)
Sunday 31 January
Sikh—Birthday of Guru Har Rai (Nanakshahi calendar)
Source: BBC religion pages
Festivals of many faiths - December 2009
Tuesday 8 December
Christian—Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Buddhist—Bodhi Day (celebrating Gautama's attainment of enlightenment
under the Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya, India.)
Saturday 12 December
Jewish—Hanukkah (Jewish Festival of Lights, marking the restoration of
the temple by the Maccabees in 164 BCE)
Sunday 13 December
Christian—St Lucy's Day
Thursday 17 December
Jewish—10th Tevet (An important Jewish fast day.)
Pagan—beginning of Saturnalia
Friday 18 December
Muslim—Al-Hijira (Islamic New Year. Marks the migration of the Prophet
Mohammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina)
Monday 21 December
Pagan—Winter Solstice - Yule
Thursday 24 December
Christian—Christmas Eve
Pagan—end of Saturnalia
Friday 25 December
Christian—Christmas Day
Pagan—birthday of the Unconquered Sun
Saturday 26 December
Christian—St Stephen’s Day / Feast of Stephen
Sunday 27 December
Shi’ite Muslim—Ashura
Source: BBC religion pages
Christian—Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Buddhist—Bodhi Day (celebrating Gautama's attainment of enlightenment
under the Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya, India.)
Saturday 12 December
Jewish—Hanukkah (Jewish Festival of Lights, marking the restoration of
the temple by the Maccabees in 164 BCE)
Sunday 13 December
Christian—St Lucy's Day
Thursday 17 December
Jewish—10th Tevet (An important Jewish fast day.)
Pagan—beginning of Saturnalia
Friday 18 December
Muslim—Al-Hijira (Islamic New Year. Marks the migration of the Prophet
Mohammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina)
Monday 21 December
Pagan—Winter Solstice - Yule
Thursday 24 December
Christian—Christmas Eve
Pagan—end of Saturnalia
Friday 25 December
Christian—Christmas Day
Pagan—birthday of the Unconquered Sun
Saturday 26 December
Christian—St Stephen’s Day / Feast of Stephen
Sunday 27 December
Shi’ite Muslim—Ashura
A major festival marking the martydom of the Prophet's grandson, Hussein
Source: BBC religion pages
Frenchay Chapel Choir
Frenchay Chapel Choir has now been singing regularly for just
over a year. We sing an introit on the first Sunday of the month, and
often sing a special song for particular Sundays sych as Mothering
Sunday and Easter Sunday. We even sang for Gethin’s christening in
May. Our introits often reflect the seasons, and May’s introit was
written by a choir member. Choir numbers fluctuate—on one occasion
just one member was available—she offered to sing solo but was struck
down with a sore throat!
We snatch a few minutes for practice after Sunday service, often
with coffee cups in hand! One of our best performances was the
November introit when all available members sang together for the first
time, even though rehearsals had attracted fewer members.
New members would be very welcome—you don’t need to be able
to read music, just to have a fairly good singing voice, plenty of
enthusiasm, and sometimes a sense of humour.
over a year. We sing an introit on the first Sunday of the month, and
often sing a special song for particular Sundays sych as Mothering
Sunday and Easter Sunday. We even sang for Gethin’s christening in
May. Our introits often reflect the seasons, and May’s introit was
written by a choir member. Choir numbers fluctuate—on one occasion
just one member was available—she offered to sing solo but was struck
down with a sore throat!
We snatch a few minutes for practice after Sunday service, often
with coffee cups in hand! One of our best performances was the
November introit when all available members sang together for the first
time, even though rehearsals had attracted fewer members.
New members would be very welcome—you don’t need to be able
to read music, just to have a fairly good singing voice, plenty of
enthusiasm, and sometimes a sense of humour.
An Appreciation of Alison Short
Frenchay Chapel and the Western Union will soon lose a most active
supporter when Alison Short makes her long threatened move to live in
Sheffield. Alison, herself the daughter of a Unitarian Minister, became a
member of Frenchay Chapel on her marriage to the Rev Basil Short. They
lived in Chepstow so were faced with an expensive journey with the tolls on
the Severn Bridge. Strong winds meant the closure of the old Severn Bridge
and a detour to the new bridge. Much depended on weather reports both
coming and going. It says much for Alison's sense of commitment that she
has maintained most frequent attendance at Frenchay Services.
She has regularly represented the Chapel by popular request at the
annual General Assembly meeting, held at various Universities. She has
been the Chapel representative at meetings of the Western Union Council
and at the Western Union Annual "Assembly". These necessitated journeys
most often to Bridgwater or Crewkerne on Saturdays four times a year taking
some ten to eleven hours away from home. Alison has mailed copies of
the Bristol Group Newsletter each month to individuals and to seek to ensure
coverage in South Gloucestershire libraries by sending some in bulk to
the central library.
She served for several years as Frenchay Membership Secretary and
only relinquished this task when appointed President of the Chapel some
three years ago. An able and enthusiastic singer, Alison has been part of the
Frenchay singing group which has enhanced our worship on a number of
occasions. She is also a keen member of the Unitarian Music Society. She is
known to the Unitarian International Singing Group with many tours
abroad a part of history.
Alison's knowledge of the Unitarian movement dates from infancy
and includes education at Channing School, Highgate, London, founded by
Unitarians. Her knowledge of Unitarian HQ London includes several years
spent working there. Her enthusiasm of the setting and activities of Great
Hucklow Conference Centre are infectious.
It follows from all that has been recorded that Alison cannot be replaced
but she cannot be persuaded to stay as she looks forward to living
nearer to her elder sister and other relations.
Alison's contribution, great as it is in outline, has been enhanced by
her invariable good humour and unflappability.
It is no cliché to say that Alison will be much missed but she will take
with her every good wish for her future happiness and wellbeing.
~ Bernard Omar
supporter when Alison Short makes her long threatened move to live in
Sheffield. Alison, herself the daughter of a Unitarian Minister, became a
member of Frenchay Chapel on her marriage to the Rev Basil Short. They
lived in Chepstow so were faced with an expensive journey with the tolls on
the Severn Bridge. Strong winds meant the closure of the old Severn Bridge
and a detour to the new bridge. Much depended on weather reports both
coming and going. It says much for Alison's sense of commitment that she
has maintained most frequent attendance at Frenchay Services.
She has regularly represented the Chapel by popular request at the
annual General Assembly meeting, held at various Universities. She has
been the Chapel representative at meetings of the Western Union Council
and at the Western Union Annual "Assembly". These necessitated journeys
most often to Bridgwater or Crewkerne on Saturdays four times a year taking
some ten to eleven hours away from home. Alison has mailed copies of
the Bristol Group Newsletter each month to individuals and to seek to ensure
coverage in South Gloucestershire libraries by sending some in bulk to
the central library.
She served for several years as Frenchay Membership Secretary and
only relinquished this task when appointed President of the Chapel some
three years ago. An able and enthusiastic singer, Alison has been part of the
Frenchay singing group which has enhanced our worship on a number of
occasions. She is also a keen member of the Unitarian Music Society. She is
known to the Unitarian International Singing Group with many tours
abroad a part of history.
Alison's knowledge of the Unitarian movement dates from infancy
and includes education at Channing School, Highgate, London, founded by
Unitarians. Her knowledge of Unitarian HQ London includes several years
spent working there. Her enthusiasm of the setting and activities of Great
Hucklow Conference Centre are infectious.
It follows from all that has been recorded that Alison cannot be replaced
but she cannot be persuaded to stay as she looks forward to living
nearer to her elder sister and other relations.
Alison's contribution, great as it is in outline, has been enhanced by
her invariable good humour and unflappability.
It is no cliché to say that Alison will be much missed but she will take
with her every good wish for her future happiness and wellbeing.
~ Bernard Omar
A visit to Rochdale Unitarians
On 14th November I went to the Unitarian Communications Commission, which is responsible for noticeboards, websites, leaflets, banners and other forms of communication. It was the first time that I had attended the meeting, and I was warmly welcomed. It was held in the Gaskell Room at Cross Street Chapel, Manchester, which is a fine new building with excellent design and acoustics. The Communications Commission has started a blog to share good communication practice.On 15th November I visited Rochdale Unitarian Church, met some lovely people, heard a lovely service about Jonathan Livingston Seagull (one of my favourite books), and saw the beautiful windows by Edward Burne-Jones (one of my favourite artists) there. They also sang some hymns from the new purple book, including the lovely Name Unnamed and We’ll Build A Land (two of my favourite hymns). So, all in all, a very satisfying experience. Rev Gillian Peel asked me to convey the greetings of Rochdale Unitarians to Bristol Unitarians.
The Burne-Jones windows represent a series of Virtues: Truth, Justice, Liberty, Prudence, Knowledge, Love, Faith, Humility (all very Unitarian values). Burne-Jones wasn't a Unitarian, but another Pre-Raphaelite painter, Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon (1827 - 1891), was one. She was also a pioneer of the women's rights movement, a founder of Girton College, Cambridge and The Englishwoman's Journal. She knew George Eliot, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Elizabeth Siddal, and was related to Florence Nightingale (another famous Unitarian). The concern of the Pre-Raphaelites for social justice is well-known, but they also painted controversial pictures of cliffs, showing the great age of the geological layers, which was seen as supporting Darwinism.Yvonne Aburrow
From the minister
Dear Friends,
I wonder how you are feeling now about Christmas… Are you excited at the prospect of parties and family gatherings? Are you worried that you may be alone, or may let people down who depend on you to give them the right gift and a good time? Are you concerned about friends who are ill and alone? And what about all those Christmas cards to send?
This joyous time of great expectation is so often fraught with anxiety. I know how important it is for me to find ways to be kind to myself and very forgiving of my shortcomings and to hold in mind “the reason for the season”!
I found this story in an old copy of The Unitarian which I hope will remind us in our busyness of the true meaning of Christmas:
Let us all be kind to ourselves and each other and find our own guiding light this Christmas and beyond.
Peace and love… Lindy
Christmas Reflection from Rev. Cliff Reed
I believe that there is truth in myth
I believe that there is divinity in every birth
I believe that we must heed the angels’ song
I believe that we must welcome the Christ-child
For he is every child, the world’s future.
I wonder how you are feeling now about Christmas… Are you excited at the prospect of parties and family gatherings? Are you worried that you may be alone, or may let people down who depend on you to give them the right gift and a good time? Are you concerned about friends who are ill and alone? And what about all those Christmas cards to send?
This joyous time of great expectation is so often fraught with anxiety. I know how important it is for me to find ways to be kind to myself and very forgiving of my shortcomings and to hold in mind “the reason for the season”!
I found this story in an old copy of The Unitarian which I hope will remind us in our busyness of the true meaning of Christmas:
There is an old legend that on the way to Bethlehem the Three Wise Men quarrelled about which of them was taking the most precious gift to the Christ child – the gold, frankincense or myrrh.
Then as they looked up at the sky, the star that they had been following disappeared from sight. They continued as best they could until they came to a village where a group of people gathered round a shallow well that had dried up.
The wise men were carrying bottles of water for their journey and each of them poured water into the well so that the thirsty villagers could share it. As the three bent over the well they saw a star reflected in the water, and looking up saw that their guiding light had returned.
Let us all be kind to ourselves and each other and find our own guiding light this Christmas and beyond.
Peace and love… Lindy
Christmas Reflection from Rev. Cliff Reed
I believe that there is truth in myth
I believe that there is divinity in every birth
I believe that we must heed the angels’ song
I believe that we must welcome the Christ-child
For he is every child, the world’s future.
Bright Lights
The Bristol Bright Lights group gathered on Nov 22nd to celebrate the theme "Preparing for Christmas." After October's bursting-at-the-seams attendance of 42 (a record), we were a more manageable 22. Activities on offer included making a Christmas pudding, making Christmas cards, and making tree decorations in preparation for the congregational Christmas tree decorating service.
As we were meeting on traditional "Stir-up Sunday," our meeting ended with each person stirring the Christmas pudding mixture and making a wish. Some people said their wish aloud, which contributed to a lovely atmosphere of fellowship. The cake will be baked and then brought back to the next meeting in January to be shared by all.
One procedural innovation was introduced at this gathering. A time for general tidying up was added just before our final circle time. Even the children joined in (see photo) and this meant less mess for those who regularly stay afterwards and tidy up.
Special thanks are due to Lindy, Claire, Louise and Frances.
~ Anna Sherman
PS From Lindy: The pudding is boiling away as I type, wrapped up in a cloth bag with THE INQUIRER printed on it!
As we were meeting on traditional "Stir-up Sunday," our meeting ended with each person stirring the Christmas pudding mixture and making a wish. Some people said their wish aloud, which contributed to a lovely atmosphere of fellowship. The cake will be baked and then brought back to the next meeting in January to be shared by all.
One procedural innovation was introduced at this gathering. A time for general tidying up was added just before our final circle time. Even the children joined in (see photo) and this meant less mess for those who regularly stay afterwards and tidy up.
Special thanks are due to Lindy, Claire, Louise and Frances.
~ Anna Sherman
PS From Lindy: The pudding is boiling away as I type, wrapped up in a cloth bag with THE INQUIRER printed on it!
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