https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86882949446?pwd=kliXbdABEfbU8FjDMtNRNJ4Lr2lb5z.1
Meeting ID: 868 8294 9446
Passcode: 612407
A further note about the fourth Sunday thought for the day offered by members of the congregation.
This is also the fourth Sunday of the month upon which members of the congregation will be offering the thought for the day based on one of Norbert Fabián Čapek’s “Ten Advices”. This Sunday, Jerry Carr-Brion. Just as a reminder, here is the note you will have read in the Weekly Update of the 12th December – 19th December, which recorded the “Life of the Church” meeting following the service on 23rd November 2025:
We have decided to explore Čapek’s “Ten Advices” as Thoughts for the Day in the new year, being very mindful of our strong links with the Czech Unitarian heritage. We have decided that the Thought for the Day on every fourth Sunday will, ideally, be taken to a member of the congregation. It will not matter if various Advices are repeated because we feel that it’s the individual contribution which it is important for us to share. Our earnest hope is that individuals will commit to engaging with this move and embrace it as part of the Unitarian Tradition in our own Life of the Church.
We spoke about how it is open to us to be creative about this: for instance, to work together on writing and offering a piece: to present an existing poem which also engages with the chosen theme of an Advice. We hope that people will volunteer and that this will become a regular part of our Sundays: like the Jazz and our Shared Lunches. JC-B volunteered to give the first of these Čapek related Thoughts for the Day.
A link to “Our Principles of Living” and “Ten Advices”
A note about the “Write & Read circle.”
Marianna writes: “An invitation to attend next Wednesday 25th, at 2 pm for 2.15 pm, at Marianna‘s house off Auckland Road.”
The link for this coming Thursday’s Zoom “Kiitsu Kyōkai” Seiza Meditation & Conversation Meeting, this week, 26th February at 10:30-12:00
For more information, please visit:
https://andrewjbrown.blogspot.com/p/kiitsu-kyokai.html
https://www.cambridgeunitarian.org/evening-service/
Join Thursday Zooms at the same link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85775868333?pwd=LEuyKnfbRJORbqsuzkhsonHui4ttwA.1
Meeting ID: 857 7586 8333
Passcode: 970614
Links to the minister’s address/podcast:
In written form at:
https://andrewjbrown.blogspot.com
Or as podcast episodes at:
Here are the notes taken at the two important Life of the Church Meetings following the services on Sunday 18th and 25th January 2026 along with a link to the slide presentation
CAMBRIDGE UNITARIAN CHURCH CIO TRUSTEE PRESENTATIONS TO THE CONGREGATION 18 AND 25 JANUARY 2026
On both occasions the presentation was held during the Morning Service time, instead of a Thought for the Day. The presentations and discussions were held within the atmosphere of the Service for Mindful Meditation. A printed copy of the full array of slides are attached to the printed minutes, filed at the church.
Introduction by Minister: Andrew Brown
Self compassion meditation by Aysha Madra
Trustees’ presentation: Elden Horner, Sue Tombs, Celia James, Jacqui Carnall
https://www.cambridgeunitarian.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Life-of-the-Church-18-01-26-v2.pdf
Slides 1 & 2 Background (CJ)
Main presentation (JC)
Open Discussion points
Maintenance requirements: volunteers and money: how have we kept these going till now: can we make things easier to maintain?
The demographic change in the area and our ageing buildings
The Northampton Unitarians sold their church and moved to a Scout Hut, which feels a less spiritual environment: there is a loss of the sense of the history of the community, as well as of a spiritual building.
The needs of the community here has changed completely over time: two large halls are no longer needed: small spaces are needed.
The beauty of and the spiritual sense in the church is completely lacking in the Hall.
There are many other community spaces available locally, but no one else is doing what we do: there are high risks associated with doing nothing, rather than pursuing one of the options for change.
The quality of the atmosphere of the church might help attract groups with a compatible ethos to use the space: keeping the church feels vital.
We are incredibly fortunate to have the funds we do, so let’s use them: there is great value in paying experts rather than purely relying on volunteers.
Music groups renting the church value it and will benefit from it being better heated.
It would be disappointing if we left the site completely, because of the beauty of the church and its situation in the centre of town with the benefit such easy access to buses.
Several congregations are known who have lost their churches/chapels: whilst they are surviving, they are not thriving.
With refurbishment of the church, there is potential for new church hirers.
There is potential to sell the Hall to a community organisation, not just as commercial offices or housing: offices are not they way they used to be: the refurbished Hall could be a community enterprise or a flexible workspace.
Specific contribution about finance from David Burns, Chartered Accountant by original training, working in the domain of corporate governance and financial structures, acting as director and part owner of projects covering land assembly and planning uplifts. He has been more than happy to volunteer his support and guidance to the Trustees and his conclusions have been that the financial planning and change of use process (he calls this the regulatory procedures) have been conducted by the Trustees in a very cautions and professional manner. David believes that this is very much the mechanism via which Cambridge Unitarians can secure a sustainable future, which is the stated objective. This mechanism offers a continued concrete presence in the community almost irrespective of the decisions which the Trustees make hereafter, guided by the wishes of the Congregation. He also understands that there may be an understandable emotional attachment to the way things used to be. We need to strike balances between that sentiment and the stated objective for the sustainable future. It is his observation that the change of use procedure should be completed as the next 3-6 months proceed. The planning and filing costs involved so far (less than £20,000 in the last year), represent money very well spent . This has increased the valuation or latent valuation of the already significant assets which Cambridge Unitarians CIO are fortunate enough to hold in their balance sheet. Regardless of whether a planning consultant is used for this final step of the way, he recommends completing the planning submission (or re-submission). He notes there is progress in this regard as every week goes by. Once the Changes of Use are achieved, it is clear from the financial and letting projections that there will not only be more community space in, for instance, the scenario of relinquishing the Hall, but that all net cashflow and profit projections will improve as a result.
David is happy for any within the Congregation to ask him questions. The Trustees have his contact details and they can route an email or request a call from David when his time permits.
Celia James
For additional national Unitarian news, please click on the following link:
Uni-news
https://us20.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=1590ea5f53cdc6fb8a17c311c&id=7bce4a21b7
Andrew James Brown
(Days off are generally Monday and Tuesday)
Minister
Cambridge Unitarian Church
Emmanuel Road
Cambridge
CB1 1JW
07477 462 110 (Mobile)
http://www.cambridgeunitarian.org/
Blog: Caute
https://andrewjbrown.blogspot.com/
Podcast: Kiitsu—Returning-to-One
https://kiitsu.buzzsprout.com
Jiyū Shūkyō / Free-Religion
https://andrewjbrown.blogspot.com/p/free-religion.html
Kiitsu Kyōkai (Returning-to-One Gathering)
https://andrewjbrown.blogspot.com/p/kiitsu-kyokai.html
Seiza Meditation (Quiet Sitting)
https://andrewjbrown.blogspot.com/p/seiza-medi