Today’s Thought for the Day is being given by Sue Tombs and Aysha, Madha.
The GA 2026
Held at the Hayes Conference Centre,
Derbyshire
Sue Tombs writes:
2 hours boring drive on the A14 and M1 and then a half hour satnav/human malfunction which took us through the picturesque town of Ripley and the more modern village of Swanick. A sudden last minute right turn took us into the grounds of the Hayes Conference Centre.
An impressive Victorian Country House with glimpses of modern additions. Google research showed it was built by the same person who built St Pancreas Railway Station. During World War 2 it was a Prisoner of War Camp, and someone actually did escape – not for long though.
On entering Reception I felt a calmness (despite the hordes of Unitarians trying to get their room keys and information packs), a quietness – something I had not felt at the NEC Hilton last year.
NOW A CHANGE OF PLAN
From here I was going to talk about Plenary Sessions, Workshops – Keynote Speech – Anniversary Service.
But before I talk about what stuck in my mind, I will mention the Keynote Speech, as I do think it might hold some relevance to us.
This year the Keynote Speech was given by Sarah P Corbett and was about CRAFTIVISM. This is her definition of Craftivism.
“Craftivism is a different form of activism. My Gentle Protest approach to craftivism is that it’s for everyone, whether you love craft or you’ve never picked up a needle and thread before. It’s about making sure you prioritise the cause. Craft is the TOOL, not the taskmaster.”
Some more words from her seemed to me to echo what Aysha is trying to show in her Compassion Events. Sarah says:
“Gentle Protest is about being gentle with yourself, so you don’t burn out and being gentle with the people you’re trying to change”.
Listening to her speech my rather cynical mind thought her approach a little naive but on reflection, I was thinking too broadly and needed to narrow down the idea of Craftivism. The idea of bringing a group of people to talk and exchange views whilst also doing a craft seems like something we could do and could help the Community. Something we might want to think about for the Future?????
For more information see Sarah’s article in last month’s Inquirer.
So, what struck me? Well it was the origin and reason for the Unitarian Chalice Lighting.
We light a candle in a candlestick, but many Unitarian Churches/Chapels/Meeting Houses light a candle in a Chalice. (Unfortunately, in this day of “elf and safety” many of those Candles are battery operated as they were at the GA – mores the pity)
But where did this idea of Chalice Lighting come from – some of you may know and probably older Unitarians know but when it was brought up, I thought that’s interesting and worth remembering.
So, for those who do not know – here is the story:
The Unitarian flaming chalice originated during World War II as a symbol of hope and rescue, designed by an Austrian refugee Hans Deutsch in 1941 for the Unitarian Service Committee who helped those escaping Nazi persecution. It combined a chalice (representing service/sacrifice) and a flame (representing light/hope).
It was inspired by old Czech symbols of strength and freedom, as well as ancient Greek and Roman altars that used oil lamps. It represents “helpfulness and sacrifice”. The symbol was adopted by the American Unitarian Association and subsequently by other Unitarian bodies worldwide during the 1950s and 60s.
So the Flaming Chalice and the lighting of a Candle in a Chalice are quite a modern adoption – along with all the Chalice Lighting Words that abound within Unitarian Places of Worship.
The Flaming Chalice symbolizes a broad range of themes, including the light of reason, the warmth of community, and the fire of commitment.
Lastly – thanks to Marianna for organising the Choir for the Anniversary Service and also to the two Unitarian Sopranos who managed to mend the pedals on the piano, which had become detached.
Aysha Madha writes:
My focus at the GA was on the social action and spiritual connection.
I wanted to start my part by reading a poem which was read out during the Anniversary Service:
All that you Need Lies Within You by Angela Herrera, Unitarian Minister
Consider this an invitation
to you.
Yes—you
with all your happiness
and your burdens,
your hopes and regrets.
An invitation if you feel good today,
and an invitation if you do not,
if you are aching—
and there are so many ways to ache. . . .
Maybe your heart is heavy
or hardened.
Maybe it’s troubled
and peace can take up residence
only in a small corner,
only on the edge,
with all that is going on in the world,
and in your life.
Ni modo. It doesn’t matter.
All that you need
for a deep and comforting peace to grow
lies within you.
Once it is in your heart
let it spread into your life,
let it pour from your life into the world—
and once it is in the world,
let it shine upon all beings.
Throughout the weekend there were meetings, spiritual connections, motions, discussions and workshops. One of these motions was:
That this General Assembly of Unitarians and Free Christians recognises and strongly affirms that protest is a fundamental Unitarian Spiritual practice. The motion: Calls on Unitarians to demand a repeal of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and the Public Order Act 2023 and urges Unitarians to join campaigns to effect the above and that the Chief Officer and President continue to join other civil rights, climate change and faith groups to pressure the government to repeal, reverse and/or amend this draconian legislation.
That’s you and me being called upon to take action.
The motion was discussed with passion and shaking voices by members of the audience, for and against, and it passed 40 something votes for, 2 against and some abstained.
What would you have wanted – for or against?
I went to a workshop on “How to be a good ally.” and learned about fantastic work being done to address racism by other individuals and congregations. Ideas we could use here. During lunch I learned about a climate justice “roadshow” that has been created by the Unitarians 4 Climate Justice. A fantastic file of workshops and services we can run in our communities. And for my and Elden’s workshop on self-compassion. The room was bursting with curious people.
These all fed my heart.
And to strengthen my soul, there were meditations, Christian services, a Hindu ceremony or a celebration of Spring by the Unitarian Earth Spirit Network: full of music and nature and connection.
And I made new friends.
Unitarians UK is what we make it. And it felt to me that a lot, not all, but a lot, of the making of it goes on at the GA.