Minutes of Yorkshire Unitarian Union General Meeting 14th October 2017 at Pepper Hill

1. Attendance: as for AGM in the morning with additional apology for absence from David Craven 2. Minutes from 17.06.17: These were accepted3. Matters arising from minutes not on the agenda: none4. Nominations for honorary members of General Assembly: The YUU has been invited to join

other district associations in nominating Alan Ruston and Ann Peart as honorary members of the General Assembly. We agreed to add our support to both nominations.

5. District Support Officer: The YUU executive committee are working on a job description for the post and invite congregations to read the draft circulated by Sheena and add any other tasks they would like included. It is assumed that the post holder would work from home. It was agreed that Jim should be asked to join the working group and Ralph offered some help working out the costs of employing someone.

6. Heritage Lottery meeting in Leeds: This was attended by Jen and Gillian to hear advice on how to apply for grants to help maintain church buildings. Jen has prepared a paper with useful links for sources of funding; Gillian recorded the presentation and has made a disc that can be played on a CD player. These will be distributed to church secretaries.

7. Requests for grants from YUU: Ralph had written to ask whether the YU would support Unitarians from Yorkshire with grants of £100 to cover transport costs to attend the Findhorn Experience week in January 2018. Currently 3 have booked. Adrienne proposed and Jim seconded that we give grants of £100 for 3 and up to 5 people. This was agreed. Jen reminded the meeting that there are two grants every year of £250 available towards quinquennial surveys. The Gregson trust can help with finding a suitable surveyor

8. YUU Programme for 2018: March 10th a General Meeting at Bradford and probably a visit to the Hockney exhibition

at the Cartwright Hall in Manningham Park. April 14th or 21st, also at Bradford, a day with speakers and workshops of interest to

those who lead worship. June 3oth a celebration for summer, at the Hayloft at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. This

will be an event for all ages, a chance to gather indoors then move out to enjoy the park. The AGM at Leeds on 27th October will clash with a new venture at Hucklow bring small

Unitarian interest groups together at one residential weekend. A new date and or venue to be negotiated.

Ralph proposed that the YUU should invite Louise Reeve from Newcastle to run a day workshop on publicity. Her workshop lasts about 4 hours. It was agreed that the YUU executive would organise this.

9. News from Whitby: Margaret reported that an architect has been employed to prepare a feasibility study for the building. Rev.Hayden Williams who was minister there 1888-1910 supported townspeople with opening up footpaths and other civic amenities important to the heritage of the town. This will be part of the focus for an application for heritage lottery funding. The Friends of Flowergate chapel will hold their opening meeting on 30th October.

10. Any future events or initiatives congregations would like to share: Churches reported on upcoming events and services.

11. Any other business: YUU Delegate to the GA Meetings. Gillian.Lydgate has not held a worship service since January. It was suggested that a meeting between Joyce Whitworth, from the trustees and Simon Bland the GA support officer might be arranged. It was felt that as they are no longer holding worship services we need to express our concern.Hull has printed leaflets on behalf of the YUU ‘Unitarians will marry you’. Please contact Ralph for copies.

12. Date of next meeting March 10th at Bradford

Note Summer Gathering 30th June at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Comments on this discussion paper are invited. Please send to dcdawson3@hotmail.com