THE SCOTTISH UNITARIAN ASSOCIATION

The Scottish Unitarian Association (S.U.A.) was established on the 28th.July, 1813 and re-established in 1830 after a short period of remission. It's Constitution states that among it's Objects it shall "promote fellowship among Unitarians in Scotland by all possible means".

A further Object is that it aims to " promote the spread of Unitarian ideas and principles in Scotland by linking together for mutual support and endeavour, Unitarian churches, fellowships, societies and individuals."

It aims also "to give such financial and other help as may be thought desirable to church and other groups in Scotland."

One other section of the S.U.A Constitution states: "to recognise the worth and dignity of all people and their freedom to believe as their consciences dictate." 

These extracts illustrate very clearly that the S.U.A. should support the work of the Scottish Unitarian Fellowship and that the rejection of that support by the S.U.A. at their A.G.M held in Dunblane in 1999 was at the best, a rejection of the tenets of their own Constitution!

 HOWEVER, after further consideration, the S.U.A. at their A.G.M. at Dunblane this year agreed to recognise the S.U.F. as a constituent 'Society' and thereby to give the S.U.F. its full support. In terms of their Constitution, I am advised that this will become effective the 13th, February, 2001.

This is a very important step for the S.U.F and its Members. And on your behalf I would like to express our appreciation and thanks to the members of the S.U.A. for their expression of support. I took forward to this closer co-operation with the broader band of Unitarians in Scotland.

The next meeting of the S.U.A. will be at Dunblane on the weekend of 9th/10th June, 2001 . You will be welcome to attend at these meetings which consists of discussions, debates, social gatherings and meetings with fellow Unitarians. 

Even when the darkest clouds are in the sky
You mustn't sigh, you mustn't cry.
Spread a little happiness as you go by.

We shall spread happiness if we pass on news of our own fellowship to those lonely folk who seek but cannot find. We each have a duty to reach out to friends, neighbours and fellow-beings to offer them something of our won wealth. I hope and trust that your membership of the S.U.F. constitutes a least part of that wealth that each of you possess in the life that each has. The S.U.F. needs more membership which can be attained by advertising, but is much better achieved by personal contact. If you know of anyone who would benefit from knowing about our S.U.F., then please, I ask you, tell them about it and, if necessary, refer them to me. I am confident that there are many, many more potential members just waiting to learn about the freedom we enjoy. 

Thanks,

Colin.

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SCOTTISH UNITARIAN FELLOWSHIP
CONSTITUTION 13th.FEBRUARY,1999

1. NAME: The Society shall. be called: The Scottish Unitarian Fellowship.(S.U.F.). At all times it shall seek to be affiliated to the Scottish Unitarian Association (S.U.A.)

2. OBJECTS: The objects of the. S.U.F. shall be:

 a. to promote fellowship among isolated Unitarians both within Scotland and with    those outwith Scotland who wish to maintain contact with Scottish Unitarianism;

b. to promote fellowship with the members of the four Scottish churches;

c. to encourage the education of its members in spiritual and in personal growth, and in the principles of Unitarianism; 

d. to encourage social responsibility amongst its members

e. to encourage the spread of Unitarian values amongst the people of Scotland. 

3. MEMBERSHIP: The membership shall consist of:

a. Primarily those individuals within Scotland who express an interest in the principles and values of Unitarianism but who cannot for whatever reason participate in the life of any of the four churches; 

b. Those outwith Scotland who fulfil the conditions of a.above; but who also have expressed a desire to maintain contact with Scottish Unitarians;

c. Those members of the Scottish Unitarian Churches who wish to support the work of the S.U.F., may join in an Associate capacity without the right of vote - but with all other privileges of full membership.

d. Those young people, below the age of 16 years who fulfill the conditions of the above clauses a-c, may join as Junior Associates as in c. above. 

4. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS: The business of the S.U.F. shall be conducted by the Officers together with the Minister/Chaplain of the S.U.F. supported by the Committee. Such business shall normally be conducted by post or by other electronic means is may be appropriate.

4a. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: An A.G.M. will be called to which all members will be invited to attend, The A.G.M will receive the report of any postal voting and will be bound by the terms of that voting in reaching any decision.

5. OFFICERS: The Officers of the S.U.F. shall be President/Chairperson; Secretary; Treasurer; all of whom shall be ex-officio members of the Committee. All Officers and up to three Committee Members shall hold the post in a non-stipendiary capacity, but may be reimbursed expenses of office. Officers and Committee Members shall be appointed initially to hold office for one full year; thereafter by election. Officers and Committee Members may be co-opted to meet temporary exigencies.

5a. A MINISTER or chaplain may he appointed, who shall be expected to serve in a non- stipendiary capacity but who may be allowed reasonable expenses arising from his/her duties in that capacity. Within the limitations of the appointment, the relationship with the minister/chaplain shall be guided by the General Assembly Guidelines 'Ministers and Congregations'.

6. FINANCE. The funds of the SU.F. shall be held by or on behalf of the Treasurer who shall be accountable to the full Committee at the end of the calendar year, and at any other time on demand. The Annual Accounts shall be subject to inspection by an independent person.

7. MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS:

a. The subscription year shall be the calendar year;

b. The level of subscription shall at all times be determined by the Committee. 

8. ANNUAL REPORT: A report of the state of the affairs of the S.U.F, including the financial statement, shall be sent to each member of the S.U.F., and to the Secretary of the S.U.A., immediately following the end of the calendar year.

9. ALTERATION OF THE CONSTITUTION. Any proposed alteration to this Constitution shall be referred to every member who shall be invited to submit a timely and timed response to the secretary. In this event only, a 2/3rds majority of those voting members who respond to the postal vote shall be taken as being decisive.

 10. Winding-up of the S.U.F. In the event that a decision of the members is taken to wind-up the S.U.F., the residual funds of the S.U.F. shall be given into the hands of the S.U.A. Treasurer to be used at the discretion of the Executive Committee of the S.U.A.

  THE LITTLE VAGABOND

 William Blake

It has become increasingly apparent to me that many, if not most Scottish men no longer know real Scotch Whisky, and certainly do not enjoy it. One can find a greater range of good malt whiskies in English hotels and pubs than in most Scottish! When I was minister at the Dundee church, the congregation knew fine that I enjoyed a good whisky, and as I have often said, 'moderation in all things is a mighty fine thing' . It is the abuse of alcohol that is wrong, not the enjoyment of it. But unfortunately, a fine malt whisky is becoming increasingly difficult to find. Most Scotch Whisky distilleries are now controlled not by a traditional Distiller, but by an impersonal computer! And of course, the determining factor in getting up that computer is efficiency' and 'cost-effectiveness'.

But then, this applies to just about every feature of our 'modern' society - and that includes churches as well. William Blake was alive from 28th November 1757 until 12th. August, 1827. His poetry was prophetic in character and not well-liked, for he never tried to fit into the world, like Robert Burns, he was a rebel,. Even in religion he wrote: The Worship of God is honouring his gifts.

In other men & loving the greatest men best, each according To his Genius which is the Holy Ghost in Man; there is no other God than that God who is the intellectual fountain of Humanity.

 But then, he recognised the constant battle between the, two sides of human life in his 'Songs of Innocence' and 'Songs of Experience'. 

The Rose is a beautiful flower, and one- which gladdens the eye of any observant viewer, BUT:

 THE SICK ROSE 

Ah well, life must go on, so we must make the best of it! 

Colin 

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TIME TO GO SLOW

The world in which we now live is faster than at any time before -the aircraft in which we fly can speed along faster than sound; the trains or the cars on which we travel go so fast that we hardly notice the trees, let alone the birds that sing in the trees. And of course, fast food is the staple item of our diet. But at the Opera Comique in Paris, France, on the 9th.November, 1989, a delegation representing 15 nations adopted: THE SLOW FOOD MANIFESTO! which reads: 

"Our century, which began and has developed under the insignia of industrial civilisation, first invented the machine and then took it as its life model.

We are enslaved by speed and have succumbed to the same insidious virus; Fast Life, which disrupts our habits, pervades the privacy of our homes and forces us to eat Fast Foods.

To he worthy of the name, Homo Sapiens should rid itself of speed before it reduces us to a species in danger of extinction.

A firm defence of quiet material pleasure is the only way to oppose the universal folly of Fast Life.

May suitable doses of slow, long-lasting enjoyment preserve us from the multitude who mistake frenzy for efficiency.

Our defence should begin at the table with Slow Food. Let us rediscover the flavours and savours of regional cooking and discard the degrading effects of Fast Food.

In the name of Productivity, Fast Life has changed our way of being, and threatens our environment and our landscapes. Slow Food is what real culture is all about: developing taste. And what better way to set about this than au international exchange of experience; knowledge, culture?

Slow Food guarantees a better future. It needs plenty of supporters who can help to turn this (slow) motion into an international movement, with the little snail as its symbol." 

Mike Lowson in the Aberdeen Press and Journal wrote: "It seems that the traditionally healthy pre-war diet was actually enhanced by the lack of processed and refined foods in war-time. People were leaner and fitter and altogether healthier. With little money, few clothes, limited food, restricted entertainment and most people facing similar hardships, war-time brought an atmosphere of realism mixed with fatalism which served to make people appreciate what they had and strive to make the best of everything. Perhaps we have lost the place somewhat since then." 

THINK!
BEFORE YOU SPEAK
Be careful of the words you speak
Try to make them soft and sweet,
You never know, from day to day
Which ones you'll have to eat.

(A Red Indian saying)

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THREE MINUTE GAME

Before you start it may be helpful if you get yourself a pen or pencil! 

1. Read everything before you do anything.
2. Put your name in the upper right corner of this page.
3. Circle the word 'name' in the second sentence.
4. Draw five small squares in the top left hand corner of this page.
5. Put an 'X' in each square mentioned in Number 4.
6. Put a circle round each square.
7. Sign your name down one of the sides of this page.
8. Down the other side write 'YES,YES,YES.'
9. Draw a circle around sentences seven and eight.
10.Draw an 'X' in the bottom left-hand corner of this page.
11.Draw a triangle around the 'X' you have just made.
12.Draw a circle around the word 'page', in sentence number 4.
13.Loudly call our your first name when you get to this point.
14.If you think you have carefully followed all the directions given above, call out: "I have carefully followed all the directions given above."
15.Punch three small holes with your pen or pencil just here...
16.Now that you have finished reading this very carefully, do only the first two words contained in sentence 1.

(with thanks to my wife Sheila, who included this in the June 1972 edition of the N.U.F.Junior Newsletter of which she was editor.) 

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If nobody smiled and nobody cheered,
And nobody helped us along,
If everyone looked after oneself,
And good things all went to the strong;
If nobody cared just a little for you
And nobody thought about me,
And each stood alone in the battle of life,
What a dreary old world this would be! 

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God loves everyone who is good like me and my friend Lucy,
but not people like Gillian who takes other peoples rubbers!

(Katy, aged 6.)

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