WINTER 1999

8 Bonnybank Road
DUNDEE
DD1 2PJ

Telephone: 01382 226653

Email: colin.wicker@virgin.net

Dear Members and Friends,

So not only Christmas is nearly upon us, but also the Millennium! Of course, Christmas is an artificial date set for the celebration of the birth of Jesus . . . . no one knows just when he was born, and the date which was decided upon depends more upon ancient mid-winter festivities than on actual fact. So too, is the date set for the Millennium! This is purely a Christian date, for each other major religion has its own time-span year. So you 'pays your money and takes your pick'! But all the ballyhoo about this particular New Year will probably put many people off anyway! We certainly intend having a very quiet 'Millennium' celebration - with the doors firmly closed!

So, what's new with anybody? We now have 53 non-church members spread mainly throughout Scotland. But we could bring our message to many more if you would carry the message to your friends! Maybe they could benefit from membership of our Fellowship. But remember, if you have a need, then you have my phone number . . . . USE IT! Meanwhile:

HAVE A VERY GOOD CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR

With all Best Wishes,

Rev. Dr. Colin Wicker,

 Colin

WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL
UNITARIAN CHRISTIAN CHURCH, DUNDEE

The Unitarian church in Dundee was founded in 1785 - a time when it was still  not lawful to be a Unitarian! Its first minister, the Rev. Thomas Fyshe Palmer was convicted (on a 'trumped-up' charge) of sedition against the State. He was transported to Australia, and paid the penalty for preaching 'Liberté; Fraternité; Egalité' at the time of the French Revolution. The personal name of the church comes from the Ministry of the Rev. Henry Williamson who served the church from 1860 - 1925. The Memorial Window which was created to celebrate his 50th Anniversary now stands in the Aberdeen church, much to the confusion of some visitors!

Its name describes the form of Unitarianism found within its services. It is the most Christian of the Scottish churches, and is indeed the only one in Scotland which celebrates Holy Communion! When being interviewed for the vacancy, some 25 years ago, I expressed some surprise upon discovering this feature of the Congregation. My surprise was met by an explanation given by one of the Committee: "Ah, but we use grapes in our Communion, and very nice they are. But its what to do with the bloody pips that gets me!"

You are invited to sample their form of service on Sunday mornings at 11.00. Your contact person is the Secretary at 01382 455588.

PLOWSHARES INTO SWORDS INTO PLOWSHARES We are born With hands Of the Worker Not claws Of the Hunter We are born For peace Of the plowshares Not war Of the swords We are born With feelings for love Knowledge And friendship Of the Human Not fear, suspicion and cunning Of the Animal 'Cause we're born with hands of the Worker Not claws of the Hunter. From 'THE SIXTH SENSE', collected poems of Sylvia Pertz

PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

IS THE CHURCH REDUNDANT?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

There has been some correspondence in the INQUIRER (the Unitarian Newspaper) recently under the heading ' Is the church redundant?'. The following is the gist of the letter I wrote to the editor as my contribution to the debate. In Dundee, as I'm sure it must be in other places throughout the country, churches are closing down to become clubs, Bingo Halls or public houses. And in most mainstream churches, the falling congregations are a common cause for concern. But IS the church redundant?

Certainly not, I wrote. But it all depends upon what you understand by the word 'CHURCH'. For me, I believe that my church is the whole wide world of Nature - that is to say, the people of the world, the animals of the world, the creatures of whatever form which occupy their own particular niche in the world; the air; the sea; the land of the world which helps to sustain life on this world.

For me, my congregation to whom I minister, is that part of the world which is known to me. This knowledge may come through experience - school, society, walking the hills, tending my garden etc., or it may come to me through personal contact, or by telephone, or even by E. Mail!

And for me, my ministry is my process of caring for the whole of that world which is within, or even beyond my ken, recognised or unrecognised, animal, vegetable or mineral. Of course, a definition of a 'CHURCH' which limits its meaning to just the four walls encompassing a small congregation which represents just a miniscule part of that 'Whole World' is necessarily limited by the human values by which that church exists. As J.G.Davies writes in his book 'Every Day God' " An event becomes meaningful because the perception of the holy within it affects my relation to the event". I would not wish to see the demise of the four-walled  church, but I do wish to see an expansion of the word 'Worship'. . . . 

Colin Wicker

HUGS There's something in a simple hug that always warms the heart. It welcomes us back home and makes it easier to part. A hug's a way to share the joy and sad times we go through Or just a way for friends to say they like you 'cause you're you. Hugs are meant for anyone for whom we really care; from your Grandma to your neighbour - or a cuddly Teddy bear! A hug is an amazing thing, it's just the perfect way To show the love we're feeling but can't find words to say. It's funny how a little hug makes everyone feel good In every place and language, it's always understood. And hugs don't need new equipment, special batteries or new parts - Just open your arms, and open up your hearts. Anon

 

'Tis passing strange! Arriving in this great and wonderful world Our companion is pain and suffering Tempered by love and joy And great expectation. Leaving this great and wonderful world Our companion is  pain and suffering In different guise Tempered by love and joy And great satisfaction. To know this is life Is to know something of the meaning of life For life is ours to make and mar. To choose the narrow path May bring the thorns of pain and suffering But love tempers this To bring content and great fulfillment. Colin Wicker

THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS Firelight, food and friendship warm us Creative life our spirits fill. The heart of Christmas shall be with us, The peace of God, his love, goodwill.

(Rev. Sydney H. Knight)

GORDON, you are certainly not alone in regretting the outcome of the last Scottish Unitarian Association Annual Meetings in Dunblane! What happened there was a shocking indictment of Unitarian principles - occasioned I am advised through the failure of so many attending members to read their Annual Reports!

However, I am informed that a very different attitude towards the future growth and development of our fellowship is now being made apparent within the S.U.A. circles. It is anticipated that at the next Annual Meeting of the S.U.A. a much happier outcome  can be expected!

I am leaving the rest of this page blank, as a cogent reminder to all of our readers that contributions are earnestly sought! In view of limitations on space, I, as editor, reserve the right to edit. But please don't let that deter you . . . . . . 

GIVE THANKS FOR CHRISTMAS! Give thanks for the Christmas  tree - filling the room with the scent of the forest; twinkling like magic in the soft darkness. Give thanks for the Christmas cards - Such a chore to write, such a joy to receive, too beautiful to throw away! Give thanks for the sweets, the dates and the nuts, even if they're hard on the teeth in one way or another! Give thanks for presents - both the practical and the fanciful; chosen with hope, bought with doubt, given with love. Give thanks for the Christmas dinner; for the things that die that we may live. Give thanks for the Christmas story - told in carols, plays and hallowed verses, and for its messages of hope reborn. Give thanks for all who share Christmas with us. May divine love enfold us and suffuse us; may it flow out from us to heal the world. AMEN (from 'Celebrating the Flame' by Rev. Cliff Read)

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