Introduction
Associated with a free and responsible search for truth and meaning Unitarian Churches are creedless and non-dogmatic. This liberal and tolerant approach to religious ideas have enabled us to adapt and remain remarkably relevant in a changing world.
Unitarians trace their history back to the courageous heretics who dared to apply reason to religion, such men as Michael Servetus, Giorgio Biandrata, Faustus Socinus and Francis David. Outstanding Unitarians in the past century and a half include Joseph Priestly, Theodore Parker, William Ellery Channing, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Albert Schweitzer and Florence Nightingale.
The motto of the Melbourne Unitarian church is "Seek the Truth and Serve Humanity". The Church was established in 1852 at a meeting at what is now the Athaneum Theatre and was chaired by the first Chief Justice of Victoria, Sir William a'Beckett. The Melbourne Unitarian Church also has the honour of having the first ordained woman Minister in what was the British Empire, Martha Turner, who was elected by the congregation on 26 October 1873,
Unitarian churches are democratic and congregationalist, which means that each church is autonomous and governs its own affairs. This is distinguished from less democratic systems of church governance, such as presbyterian governance (by elders) or episcopalian (by a hierarchy of bishops). Ultimate authority for the governance of the church lies with its members.
The Melbourne church is also affiliated to the Australian and New Zealand Unitarian Association. The Unitarian Universalist Association in the U.S.A. and Canada has a membership of 1,000 congregations serving over 200,000 adults and church school children.
The church has produced a leaflet to provide a basic introduction to the tenets of our organisation: Are You A Unitarian Without Knowing It?
Church December Concert
December 14th at 11 am sharp -12.30 pm we will be holding our end of year fundraiser in aid of Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors’ without Borders) to raise funds for them to carry out their brilliant work. A group of dedicated people who do not let race, creed or dogma stand in their way. To them ‘we are one’. Please come along for a morning of great musical entertainment. A morning not to be missed. December 14th - Everyone welcome!
Church Committee Elections for 2008/2009
Chairperson: Peter Abrehart, Vice Chairperson: Gary Harper, Secretary: Marion Harper, Treasurer: Florence Wathen
Committee Members: Anne Kay, Ralph Knight, Richard Tate, Claude Antolli and Toula Nikolaou.
We are sure they will deal with church actions in a most constructive way. It is important to remember that a committee is elected to serve members and is answerable on all accounts. It is important that membership be active to make our church work. Looking forward to a year of church building and growth. Thanks to our 2007/8 committee for a job well done!
Upcoming Services
December 14 Church Concert – monies raised will go to Medecins Sans Frontieres
January 11 Poetry & Music service
January 18 LEV LAFAYETTE, Church member – ‘Unitarian Universalist view of the economic crisis’
January 25 PETER ABREHART, Chairperson of the Church–‘Rejoice in our differences’
February 1 REV DR DAVID SAMMONS, Visiting Professor of Unitarian Universalist Heritage & Ministry, Starr King School for the Ministry, California USA - ‘That confusing word called love’
February 8 GRETCHEN THOMAS, Church Member – ‘Making sense of the senseless’ (Gretchen will be talking about the horrific shooting at a Unitarian Church in Knoxville Tennessee USA)
February 15 ANNE O’ROURKE, Vice President Liberty Victoria – ‘Federal Bill of Rights’
February 22 JEFF FIEDLER, Tenancy Advice Worker, Housing for the Aged (HAAG) - ‘Public Housing’
