Please note that this week there are a number of road closures for the Cambridge Half Marathon:
https://cambridgehalfmarathon.com/event-weekend/traffic-information
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86882949446?pwd=kliXbdABEfbU8FjDMtNRNJ4Lr2lb5z.1
Meeting ID: 868 8294 9446
Passcode: 612407
Music Group: We will practise El Condor Pasa after the service this coming Sunday, for the following Sunday. Please print the score if possible but Marianna will bring a few copies
The link for this coming Thursday’s Zoom “Kiitsu Kyōkai” Seiza Meditation & Conversation Meeting, this week, 12th March 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:
Notes from the Life of the Church Meeting following the service on Sunday 15th February presenting further thoughts on how we might promote good communication skills when leading our Sunday morning service or giving the “thought for the day”
At the Life of the Church gathering on Sunday 15th February, Marianna was invited to offer further thoughts on how we might promote good communication skills when speaking in public. This includes both speaking ‘from the front’, and between each other as we respond individually after the Thought for the Day.
Marianna spoke about three areas for consideration.
Firstly, our service includes repeated elements in the areas of liturgy, and during the mindful meditation. Marianna had observed that Andrew’s speaking of these elements, week by week, was delivered with spontaneous modulation of tone and cadence. So the first element which is to be supported is of connection as we read familiar texts. Readers need to remain linked mentally and emotionally because the voice easily betrays any disconnect with the text, and listeners instinctively pick up on this. We aim to connect deeply with a text, however familiar, as opposed to merely repeating.
Building upon that, when delivering a previously prepared talk or report, we retain the interest of our listeners by maintaining connection with what we have written. We need to remain involved in whatever prompted the text: the excitement and personal discovery we felt as we prepared it. This means becoming an actor as we deliver our text.
Thirdly, a point already noted by several members present: during ‘mic’ time, the spontaneity of our response to the talk draws us inwards and into authentic and personal reflection. We converse with ourselves to a degree greater than we would do in prepared speech, resulting in quieter and less ‘organised’ utterances! We accept that this is so, but aspire to remain aware that our purpose is to communicate. We wish to reach out to our listeners as far as possible.
During the conversation, Andrew led us through the liturgy, page by page, allowing us to become more conscious of the reasoning for the order: how the chosen content decided the ordering.
Prompted by an inquiry from Aisha, Marianna agreed she will respond individually if approached by a member. If an opportunity should arise to share an event which has the same focus, we can organise that.
In a conversation after the close of the gathering, we observed how this supposedly practical matter (which in some circles might prompt an irritated call to ‘SPEAK UP!’) in reality touches on areas of individual ability and self-awareness. So, by bringing a sensitive issue to better conscious mind, we are building trust and developing good relationship.
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
Slides 1 & 2 Background (CJ) https://www.cambridgeunitarian.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Life-of-the-Church-18-01-26-v2.pdf
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
A link to “Our Principles of Living” and “Ten Advices”
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-meditation.html