IMPORTANT NOTICE . . . .

It has been in my mind for some time just who is going to take over from me as Minister/Correspondent of the S.U.F. at some time in the not too distant future. After all, I am supposed to be retired and the weeks are just flying by. Our daughter, the Rev. Anne Wicker, is in the process of moving back to Dundee having had to give up her ministry of the Aberdeen church due to ill health caused by stress. She has accepted a proposal that she could be appointed Minister of the S.U.F. with me continuing, for the time being, as Secretary/Correspondent. The appointment as minister is, of course, non-stipendiary although she will be entitled to claim necessary expenses. The proposal has been accepted by the Officers and Committee of the S.U.F., but it is now being put before all members to give them the opportunity to make any comment and to vote 'Yes' or 'No'.

According to our Constitution as a 'Church Without Walls' those supporting the proposal need make no answer to this Notice as non-voters are considered to be in agreement. HOWEVER, if you wish to speak or vote against the proposal, you must reply to me before 30th October, 2001.

Best wishes to all our Members,

Rev Dr Colin Mackenzie Wicker

ODE TO JOY

 (Another favourite hymn of mine!) 

(Words by Gustav Spiller; Music by Beethoven)

"May the Spirit of Eternal Love be with us now and for ever. Amen"

Colin

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From our member: Mrs Susanna Mitterer:

"Dear Colin, I have just discovered a poem that seems to say it all - I must share it with you!" 

They came to realize    That the Land of Opportunity    Is more than a place.... 

It is a state of mind. 

The Land of Opportunity is an attitude.
It is    An openness to new ideas 
An eagerness to learn,    A desire to grow,
And the flexibility to change. 

The Land of Opportunity    Is a new way of dealing with one another.
It becomes a reality    When we stop judging each other
By superficial criteria    And begin to see 
And appreciate Everyone As uniquely Talented, Capable, And Valuable 

The Land of Opportunity    Is where we live and work
When we choose     To see with new eyes,
Live from our hearts,    And allow ourselves 
And others    To be what we truly are. 

Ourselves. 

(A. Peacock in the Land of Penquins - Barbara 'BJ'Hateley and Warren H. Smidt) 

Thank you Susanna for sending me this poem, Colin 

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Pause for Thought

At the time of writing there have been 'race riots' in Bradford, .which have similar events in other English cities. In such situations there is always an immediate cause, a spark -.which may be quite minor - and also, more importantly, underlying causes.
."Write something about Gandhi", requested your editor, knowing my interest, Well, does Gandhi give us any guidance in such situations?

 When violence breaks out in our streets we expect the police to deal with it, and if the police are genuinely neutral they can be effective. be But Gandhi would undoubtedly have encouraged individuals to intervene nonviolently, and at some personal risk, to attempt to calm the situation, Indeed this happened to a young Asian in Oldham who was attempting to stop the rioting but was, beaten up, this time, by a police officer.
Recent causes of disturbances have centered around white, racist organisations. Here Unitarians have a real dilemma - do we allow racists to express their views publicly by marching and other means or do we restrict their liberties? I think there is no easy answer. Such people should not be physically attacked, this is likely to make the situation worse, but if such freedom is very likely to lead to violence it may be expedient to restrict their freedom.

Most importantly, though, are the underlying condition. In some of our cities communities are separating out, forming ghetto housing, and consequently schools consist of predominantly one ethnic group or religious tradition. There are ceasing to see each other as individuals and see only the colour of skin or difference in dress. Also very important is high unemployment among the youth. The solution to these requires the sort of political action that is not always popular, and politicians reflect the general opinion. But is it sensible for the Government at this time to encourage the growth of religious (i.e.sectarian) schools? And should we as individuals move out of an area or move our children to another school because we are becoming part of a minority group? Now that it has taken place in some cities, community separation will not be easy to  reverse and yet it must be. Multiculturalism must be encouraged - no other way is sensible or is sustainable in the long run. Mutual respect and appreciation of the best in different cultures is the way.

In South Africa early this century Gandhi worked for Muslim merchants, many of his colleagues were Jews and Christians, and the labourers were mostly Hindus. All of them worked together (including Chinese too) for the common good, Surly we can do as much.

George Paxton

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From Mr Dan Stewart, a member who now lives in Stirling. Only yesterday I discovered that he worked alongside Mr Jack Dunbar (a well-known member of the Dundee church) at a now-closed hardware shop just two minutes walk away from the church! He writes:

"Dear Colin. Just a wee note to thank you for your visit, and to return the leaflet. I found it very interesting and have an idea now what the Unitarian Church is all about ..... enclosing cheque for the work of the S.U.F."

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From our latest member, Mrs de Soria of Bolivia: 

".... Having read the leaflets you have sent, I can say that I am completely in accordance with their precepts. I f irst heard of the Unitarians through reading about Mrs Gaskell, and many years ago visited her grave in Knutsford ..... While resident in Edinburgh I was a member of the Baha'i Faith and also for a few years out here. But I think there has always been a feeling at the back of my mind that, though broad, it was not broad enough. So I am glad to have this link with like-minded people, especially to your Scottish members. 

With best wishes to your enterprise,

 Mrs de Soria (chq encl. for sub.)" 

In response to this letter, I related to Mrs de Soria my experience with the Bahai's whilst in Orkney. A 'Hand of the Cause' came to visit the Orkney Group from Canada and, having been informed that I would make a very valuable member of that group, He offered to me a Membership card to sign. I declined saying that I was not able to do so. He then offered me his pen! To which I replied that i t was not the shortage of a pen that led me to decline! I asked him whether I could be both a Baha'i AND a Unitarian? CERTAINLY NOT! was his reply. To which I pointed out that as a Unitarian, I could also belong to the Baha'is! FREEDOM, REASON & TOLERANCE was explained to him - but was rejected by him as being a fault in true religion! 

Colin

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From our Chairman: Dr Steven Pearce....

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rev Dr Colin Wicker on behalf of all S.U.F. members for his vision, enthusiasm, patience and hard work in setting up and running the S.U.F. virtually single-handed since its conception.

 Colin is soon to have help with a major part of the S.U.F. workload by handing over the reins of the ministry to his daughter, Anne, who as well as having the usual Wicker family traits (enthusiasm, energy, and a great way with people) is herself a fully qualified and experienced Unitarian Minister.

It is truly marvellous news for all of us who care about the S.U.F. that Anne is willing to give her time and effort. I would like to extend a very hearty welcome both from myself personally and on behalf of all S.U.F. members worlwide.

Steve Pearce 
(Seaford, East Sussex)

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 A hearty welcome to our newest member who lives in Aberdeen and is the husband of a Congregational Minister in that city. For obvious reasons he attends the church ministered to by his wife, but he acknowledges an attachment to the Unitarian belief. Keith we are pleased to have you 'aboard' and trust that we can be of service to you as to other members of our Fellowship.

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The hazel shells - ah, what memories such words bring to mind. Days spent wandering along the country lanes, gathering hazel nuts from the loaded road-side bushes. Luscious, large sweet nuts there for the picking. BUT now? No, the bushes are kept trimmed so that they no longer bear the nuts we once enjoyed. All we can get are the dried nuts which fill the shelves of Supermarkets and which are as like the natural nuts as today's milk is like that which was brought round the estate by the milkman with his horse and cart with large milk urns into which he dipped his can to fill our jug with that rich, creamy milk! Ah, but, I hear some say, from that untreated milk some caught Brucellosis, TB., etc. Was it really worth the risk'? I think so and I wish I could just get a jug of real milk once again (warts and all!)

Colin

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