October 2021

Reflection
Autumn has well and truly arrived. Whether you take the view of weather forecasters that it starts  on 1 September, or the view of astronomers that it does not begin until the Autumn Equinox, by  October the debate has become academic. Autumn is here. For some this heralds the arrival of dark   days and long nights; for some the beauty of golden leaves and misty mornings; and maybe some  reflect on nature’s way of letting go, so that new growth can flourish in the spring. Autumn is all that.

It is a time of mystery, nostalgia for the lost summer, and slowing down.

If our spiritual lives are attuned to the passing of the seasons, Autumn is surely the time for  them to come to maturity, even if this is only transitory. I have long felt that Unitarianism is a faith for the spiritually mature. I’m not being ageist here – I know young people who are remarkably wise.

I also know elderly people who have not essentially changed their religious ideas since Sunday School, and sometimes – when the questioning gets tough – I envy them that innocent faith.

Being attuned to the seasons is an important basic step on the path of awareness –
awareness of our connectedness to all life and the way our world revolves. When we feel sadness  for the dying of the leaves, along with a joyful appreciation of their beauty, we are demonstrating a deeper understanding that we share in the universal mystery of life. We are an integral part of  creation, beings, not non-beings, which is a fundamental starting point for the spiritual quest.

Perhaps Autumn is, after all, a beginning.

Kay Millard

A Seasonal Poem
 I was watching a recording of a service at Plymouth, led by Sheila Evans, on the Autumn Equinox. One of her readings was by Norman Nicholson, and reminded me of his poetry. As an expatriate Yorkshirewoman I am well aware of Nobbut God, which you can find by going to https://radicalrumblings.wordpress.com/tag/norman-nicholson and scrolling down, if you wish.
(For non-Yorkshire-speakers, “Nobbut” is a contraction of “nowt/nothing but”.) But there is also this:

St Luke’s Summer

The low sun leans across the slanting field,
And every blade of grass is striped with shine
And casts its shadow on the blade behind,
And dandelion clocks are held
Like small balloons of light above the ground.

Beside the trellis of the bowling green
The poppy shakes its pepper-box of seed;
Groundsel feathers flutter down;
Roses exhausted by the thrust of summer
Lose grip and fall; the wire is twined with weed.

The soul, too, has its brown October days –
The fancy run to seed and dry as stone,
Rags and wisps of words blown through the mind;
And yet, while dead leaves clog the eyes,
Never-predicted poetry is sown.

(St Luke’s Summer is the name given to a period of ne weather around 18 October)

​News from Tim
So we've reached autumn 2021 and COVID is still here. George reports new cases at Beechen Cliff school and at work people are still reluctant to plan face to face meetings in case of another winter wave.   I travelled into London earlier this week and was perturbed by how many people on a crowded train had dispensed with masks. A minority, certainly, but a sizeable one. 

Some more positive news: Toby is now 11, a highly significant birthday when I was growing up, though perhaps less so now.  We were to have taken him to the Eden Project this weekend but he's caught another bug at school (second in three weeks, he's coughing so we shall take him for a PCR test!)

George, meanwhile, has started on his GCSEs. I find this quite momentous and actually a little alarming.  He seems too young, even though he's growing much more independent (in a normal teenager manner).

A highlight for me has been the resumption of the Tuesday lunchtime organ recitals in Bath Abbey.  The refurbishment of the interior is pretty well complete - Victorian nave stalls removed etc - and the place is gloriously lighter and airier. Also, the chairs are so much better than the bottom-achingly uncomfortable stalls.

The Abbey also has a thought-provoking exhibition on the deep connexions between some of those worthies commemorated within the Abbey and the Slave Trade and the profits from slave labour. It's very well done.  Of course, the effects of slavery permeated the economy and society and many prospered from it, including some Unitarians.
Tim Powell


Zooming into the Future of Bath Unitarians
It was inevitable after such a long period of restrictions that September would become full of postponed meetings, gatherings, and holidays. So instead of meeting in person for worship we held a zoom debate about the future of the Fellowship.

What purpose does the Bath Fellowship serve? There was no single answer to that, but some suggestions indicated that Unitarianism being present in the city is important. Although the geographical nature of Unitarian congregations nationwide is fading – half our own members are not resident in Bath – points of contact are still needed. It is also good for our young people to have the kind of open spiritual approach that Unitarianism offers. But we need to be serious about delivering it, doing it well, regularly, and attractively.

We will continue to meet in person at Barrow Castle. From January 2022 all meetings will be held on the fourth Sunday of the month. After our December meeting we will schedule the year ahead, with leaders and themes. We will get the website revised and kept up-to-date, and the newsletter will continue between meetings. A larger group than the members of the committee (Tim, Judy, and me) will be involved in planning and supporting all activities.

Meanwhile we will work through to the end of 2021 on a more ad hoc basis, setting meeting dates according to members’ availability. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this useful debate.
Kay Millard


Next Worship Meeting
24 October, 10.45 for 11.15
Led by Kay Millard
Theme Pathways



Bath Hindu Temple
When the school next door to Barrow Castle closed down, it did not occur to us for one minute that some of the building would become a Hindu temple! We heard that this was on the cards from a neighbour so were glad to read that members of the temple had invited the Bath Interfaith Group to join them recently. Peter and I attended to represent Bath Unitarians.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannatha, one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu, and is the only temple in Europe dedicated to him. This Hindu community is determined to find a piece of land to build a temple in Bath and is presently fund raising. In the meantime we are lucky enough to have them as our neighbours.
The ceremony we attended was full of chanting and the giving of gifts to the gods, some of which was explained in English. We were welcomed and included in the service. Many of the congregation who attended were families. Children were very naturally included in the colourful celebrations and singing.

When the ceremony was over, delicious food was served, with a great spirit of generosity and hospitality. We were told that the temple is open at any time. All are invited to find peace there in their busy lives. No connection to Hinduism is needed. We would be happy to arrange a second visit for Unitarians from Bath and Bristol and Trowbridge. We were impressed by their warmth and open-heartedness. Lovely neighbours to have, indeed.
Judy Ryde

For Younger Members (of any age)
In the Jewish faith, the New Year is celebrated according to the Hebrew calendar and begins in the Autumn. The celebration is called Rosh Hashanah (which means “head of the year”). It marks making a fresh start, and is based on the creation of the world.

Questions Jewish people might ask themselves at this time are:

• What have I achieved over the past year?
• What is the most important thing in my life?

​ Rosh Hashanah celebrations reflect the fact that this is harvest-time, so the fruits of creation are enjoyed at special feasts featuring honey, nuts, and fruit.
​ 

Fund-raising Concert in Aid of Trauma Foundation South West Therapeutic Support for Refugees
Je Veux Vivre
 St Peter’s Church, Englishcombe Village,   Saturday 23 October  2021, 3pm — 4.30pm (doors open at 2.30pm)
​
Songs in celebration of life and love with Evelyn Strasburger, Soprano and Charles Wiffen at the piano.

More information   here!

A Harvest Prayer

Spirit of Life, as we celebrate this season of thanksgiving we give thanks for the blessings of food, provision and nourishment.
Please grow in us a harvest for the world.
Come sow a seed of hope within our souls, that we might yield goodness, patience and kindness in abundance.
Sow a seed of peace in our lives, that we might bear the fruits of forgiveness and compassion.
Come sow a seed of love in our hearts, that others would reap the blessings of family, friendship and community.
​May each seed of hope, peace and love grow within us into a harvest that can be feasted on by all.
​

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is published by the Bath Unitarian Fellowship, c/o 26 Fountain Court, Westbury BA13 3JY. 
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