Each year at summer school a team of Unitarian thinkers is invited to offer an hour-long talk connected with the over-arching theme of the week. This extended format allows our speakers to delve deeper into their topic than they might typically be able to in a sermon or journal article. In 2015 we published ‘A Circle of Seekers’, a collection of theme talks from four summer schools (2011-2014), on ‘Walking the Talk’, ‘Sacred Living’, ‘Living at the Edge’ and ‘The Authentic Self’.
RSS Feed for Theme Talk Podcast: http://www.hucklowsummerschool.co.uk/HucklowSummerSchoolUnitarianPodcast.xml
2023: ‘Real Life: Telling the Truth of our Lived Experience’
Talks by Louise Baumberg with Stephanie Bisby, Shana Begum, Laura Dobson, Kate Dean and Danny Crosby
“Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?” asked Freddie Mercury. This year’s Summer School is about sharing the truth of what life is really like for us, and being curious and compassionate about what life is really like for others, especially those whose lives are invisible to us and whose voices are unheard. Additionally, over the last few years, the distinction between ‘real’ and ‘virtual’ has been blurred, as the new communities and relationships we have created and sustained online have shown themselves to be equally vital and valuable, particularly for those who were excluded or isolated by their personal circumstances from many ‘real world’ opportunities for connection, engagement, and participation in community life. In 2023 we will be exploring what it means for us to truly ‘be real’ – with ourselves, in our relationships, in our communities, with God – and how we can make space for others to do likewise.
Click on the names below to listen (or right-click to download mp3s – each ~60MB).
All talks are copyrighted by the respective authors.
Opening Service: Audio Recording – Louise Baumberg and Summer School Panel
Monday Service and Theme Talk #1: Audio Recording – Stephanie Bisby and Louise Baumberg
Tuesday Service and Theme Talk #2: Audio Recording – Shana Parvin Begum and Louise Baumberg
Wednesday Service and Theme Talk #3: Audio Recording – Laura Dobson and Louise Baumberg
Thursday Service and Theme Talk #4: Audio Recording – Kate Dean and Louise Baumberg
Friday Service and Theme Talk #5: Audio Recording – Danny Crosby and Louise Baumberg
2022: ‘Right Relationship: Practising Love, Peace, and Justice in Everyday Life’
In 2022 we will be reflecting on the idea of ‘right relationship’ with self, others, and God. How might we cultivate practices of ‘right relationship’ in our everyday lives? Over the course of the week our speakers will consider what living in ‘right relationship’ might require of each of us in our closest connections with friends and family; in our congregations and wider communities (local and online); with people near and far who we don’t come into direct contact with, and whose life experiences are very different from our own, but with whom our existence is interdependent; and with the Earth itself.
Click on the names below to listen (or right-click to download mp3s – each ~60MB).
All talks are copyrighted by the respective authors.
Theme Talk #1: Audio Recording – Sarah Tinker and Jane Blackall
Theme Talk #2: Audio Recording – Nicola Temple and Lizzie Kingston-Harrison
Theme Talk #3: Audio Recording – Arek Malecki and Laura Dobson
Theme Talk #4: Audio Recording – Torry Glinwell and Alex Brianson
Theme Talk #5: Audio Recording – Winnie Gordon and Cody Coyne
2021: ‘Why Are We Here? Discerning our Unitarian Mission in an Upturned World’
with Jo James, Shana Parvin Begum, Rory Castle Jones, Stephen Lingwood and Kate Brady McKenna
In 2021 we will be considering the question ‘What is our Unitarian church for, anyway?’, examining how the landscape of ‘doing church’ has changed (especially during the last eighteen months), pondering how we can flex and adapt in turbulent times while remaining true to our religious roots, and offering some constructive visions for Unitarianism in the challenging landscape of the twenty-first century.
Click on the names below to listen (or right-click to download mp3s – each ~60MB).
All talks are copyrighted by the respective authors.
Opening Service: Audio Recording – Jane Blackall
Theme Talk #1: Audio Recording – Jo James
Theme Talk #2: Audio Recording – Shana Parvin Begum
Theme Talk #3: Audio Recording – Rory Castle Jones
Theme Talk #4: Audio Recording – Stephen Lingwood
Theme Talk #5: Audio Recording – Kate Brady McKenna
2020 Theme Talks: ‘Speaking the Truth in Love’
with Louise Baumberg, Ann Peart, Stephanie Bisby, Bob Janis-Dillon and Linda Hart
How can we discern the difference between truth and lies, in a world which increasingly seems beset with malicious forces intent on sowing confusion by spreading disinformation, propaganda, and ‘fake news’? How can we ensure that our openness to multiple truths does not leave us vulnerable to manipulation by people of ill intent or unwilling to ‘take sides’ in matters where justice is at stake? How can we be sure enough of what’s right and wrong to stand up and speak out boldly about our moral convictions? How can we cultivate the qualities of honesty, integrity, truth-telling, and good judgement in our own everyday lives? And how might we best articulate our shared Unitarian values, and focus our collective action, in order to help bring about a better world? We’ll consider how we can summon the confidence and courage to ‘speak the truth in love’ as individuals, communities, and as a denomination.
Click on the names below to listen (or right-click to download mp3s – each ~60MB).
All talks are copyrighted by the respective authors.
Opening Service: Audio Recording – Michael Allured and Kate Brady McKenna
Theme Talk #1: Audio Recording – Louise Baumberg
Theme Talk #2: Audio Recording – Ann Peart
Theme Talk #3: Audio Recording – Stephanie Bisby
Theme Talk #4: Audio Recording – Bob Janis-Dillon
Theme Talk #5: Audio Recording – Linda Hart
2019 Theme Talks: ‘Theology in the Flesh’
with Winnie Gordon, Eleanor Chiari, Robin Hanford, Jen Hazel and Bob Janis-Dillon
‘Embodied theology is rooted in personal experiences in our individual bodies. At the same time, we all live in a relational world, shaped by social and historical events and forces that are shared.’ ~ Carol P. Christ
How might our experience of life, our world-view, and our theological outlook be shaped by factors related to our bodies: our gender, sexuality, race, dis/ability, appearance, age, state of physical and mental health, neurological architecture, etc.? In this year’s summer school we will explore the ways in which our bodily experience interacts with our spiritual understanding. How do we connect with God – or with meaning, depth, and purpose – through our bodies and our physical senses? How do material realities – social, historical and environmental events in the world around us – shape our faith journeys? And how might our theological understanding shift through exposure to a wider range of embodied perspectives?
Click on the names below to listen (or right-click to download mp3s – each ~60MB).
All talks are copyrighted by the respective authors.
Sunday Service: Kate McKenna
Theme Talk #1: Winnie Gordon
Theme Talk #2: Eleanor Chiari
Theme Talk #3: Robin Hanford
Theme Talk #4: Jen Hazel
Theme Talk #5: Bob Janis-Dillon
2018 Theme Talks: ‘How, Then, Shall We Live?’
with Jane Blackall, Michael Allured, Helen Simpson, Bill Darlison and Rob Gregson
In a series of daily theme talks our team of speakers will offer their perspectives on the question of how we should live in light of the knowledge that we, just like all those who have ever lived, will ultimately die. What does a ‘good life’ look like? And how can we live a good and faithful life in practice, especially when we find ourselves in challenging personal circumstances, and as troubling world events unfold around us? What constitutes a ‘good death’ – and how can we best prepare ourselves for dying? And how might it prove fruitful to reflect on our own legacy – individually and collectively – while we are still in the midst of life, or even as we begin to sense that our lives are drawing to a close?
Click on the names below to listen (or right-click to download mp3s – each ~60MB).
All talks are copyrighted by the respective authors.
Sunday Service: Sheena Gabriel
Theme Talk #1: Jane Blackall
Theme Talk #2: Michael Allured
Theme Talk #3: Helen Simpson
Theme Talk #4: Rob Gregson
Bonus Theme Talk: Bill Darlison
2017 Theme Talks: ‘Walk Your Path with Joy’
with Margaret Kirk, Catherine Coyne, Claire MacDonald, Nancy Crumbine, Kate McKenna
‘Help us fulfil what lies within the circle of our lives – each day we ask no more, no less.
Untangle the knots within, so we can mend our hearts’ simple ties to others…
Free us to walk your path with joy!’ Neil Douglas-Klotz – ‘Prayers of the Cosmos’
As we march, mosey, and muddle our way through life, each of us will encounter all sorts of personal challenges on our travels. In addition, we may feel increasingly overwhelmed and powerless in the face of current world events, political currents, and environmental crises. How can we keep our heads up in hard times, without turning away from the world’s woes, and stay engaged to do our bit for the common good? This week at summer school, through daily talks and engagement groups, we will explore the ways in which we can find fulfilment, connection, hope and joy along life’s meandering path.
Click on the names below to listen (or right-click to download mp3s – each ~60MB).
All talks are copyrighted by the respective authors.
Session 1: Margaret Kirk
Session 2: Catherine Coyne
Session 3: Claire MacDonald
Session 4: Nancy Crumbine
Session 5: Kate McKenna
2016 Theme Talks: ‘This Changes Everything’
with Danny Crosby, Colleen Burns, Jef Jones, Maria Pap and John Harley
In a series of daily theme talks our team of speakers will offer their perspectives on the subject of change. Amongst the aspects we may examine are: ways in which we may bring about positive change in our own lives, our relationships, our community, and the world at large; strategies for responding to and coping with the inevitable changes that all life entails; the impact of significant moments which prove to be life-changing; and those social, political and environmental changes taking place on a global scale which have an impact on all life.
Click on the names below to listen (or right-click to download mp3s – each ~60MB).
All talks are copyrighted by the respective authors.
Session 1: Danny Crosby
Session 2: Colleen Burns
Session 3: Jef Jones
Session 4: Maria Pap
Session 5: John Harley
2015 Theme Talks: ‘Between the Dreaming and the Coming True’
with Sheena Gabriel, Daniel Costley, John Clifford, Cody Coyne and Sarah Tinker
In a series of daily theme talks we will be exploring the process of having big dreams and visions – for ourselves and our development as individuals; for our relationships with others; in the creative process; for our communities and churches; for changing the world! – and the ways in which we can make these dreams a reality. How do we dream bigger, craft a larger vision, reach beyond the limits to possibility that we currently perceive? How do we balance both poles of this process and avoid getting stuck in idle dreaming (which never translates into action) or compulsive action (which isn’t grounded in clear vision)? How do we equip ourselves and others to bring about change and create a new reality?
Click on the names below to listen (or right-click to download mp3s – each ~60MB).
All talks are copyrighted by the respective authors.
Session 1: Sheena Gabriel
Session 2: Daniel Costley
Session 3: John Clifford
Session 4: Cody Coyne
Session 5: Sarah Tinker
2014 Theme Talks: ‘The Authentic Self’
with Jane Blackall, Maria Curtis, Michael Dadson, Ralph Catts and Celia Cartwright
In a series of daily theme talks we will be exploring ‘The Authentic Self’. Both audio and text are available.
Click on the links below to listen or read (or right-click on ‘audio’ to download mp3s – each ~60MB).
All talks are copyrighted by the respective authors.
Session 1: Jane Blackall – audio / text (PDF)
Session 2: Maria Curtis – audio / text (PDF)
Session 3: Michael Dadson – audio / text (PDF)
Session 4: Ralph Catts – audio / text (PDF)
Session 5: Celia Cartwright – audio / text (PDF)
2013 Theme Talks: ‘Living at the Edge’
with Rob Gregson, John Naish, Kate Buchanan, Jim Corrigall and Winnie Gordon
In a series of talks we will explore ‘Living at the Edge’. How do we find meaning in the margins where we find ourselves?
Click on the names below to listen (or right-click to download mp3s – each ~60MB).
All talks are copyrighted by the respective authors.
Session 1: Rob Gregson
Session 2: John Naish
Session 3: Kate Buchanan
Session 4: Jim Corrigall
Session 5: Winnie Gordon
2012 Theme Talks: ‘Sacred Living: Encountering the Holy in the Everyday’
with Bill Darlison, Sue Woolley, Danny Crosby, Kate McKenna and Margaret Kirk
In a series of daily theme talks we will be exploring this topic from a number of different perspectives, moving from a personal, introspective approach to the sacred, outwards to the sense of the holy that may be found in relationship and deepening connection with others, and in the natural world around us. We will consider the ways in which we can bring a sense of reverence to our daily existence, pay attention to the significant moments of our lives, and uncover the sacred in the seemingly ordinary.
Click on the names below to listen (or right-click to download mp3s – each ~60MB).
All talks are copyrighted by the respective authors.
Sunday Service: Margaret Kirk & Elizabeth Birtles
Session 1: Bill Darlison
Session 2: Sue Woolley
Session 3: Danny Crosby
Session 4: Kate McKenna
Session 5: Margaret Kirk
2011 Theme Talks: ‘Walking the Talk: Living a Life of Greater Integrity’
with Gillian Peel, Jef Jones, Sarah Tinker, Jim Corrigall and Linda Hart
To ‘Walk the Talk’ means to conduct ourselves in such a way that our actions match our words; to put our professed values into practice; to live a life of integrity. Over the course of five theme sessions we will look at our shared values, the ways in which we do (and don’t) manage to live up to our high ideals, some forms of practical support which might help us to live in closer alignment with our deepest values, and the commitments (large and small) we can realistically take on to ‘do our bit’ for the common good.
Click on the names below to listen (or right-click to download mp3s – each ~60MB).
All talks are copyrighted by the respective authors.
Sunday Service: Linda Hart
Session 1: Gillian Peel
Session 2: Jef Jones
Session 3: Sarah Tinker
Session 4: Jim Corrigall
Session 5: Linda Hart
2010 Theme Talks: ‘Speaking of God: Adventures in Unitarian Theology’
with Mel Prideaux and Friends (David Darling, Yvonne Aburrow, Michael Dadson, Nancy Crumbine, Maud Robinson)
Learning how to speak of God is one of the hardest tasks for modern Unitarians. In this series of theme talks we will have the opportunity to hear five perspectives on what it means to ‘speak of God’. Using their own experience and theological training our speakers will take us on a guided tour of some features of contemporary Unitarian theology. Challenging us to engage with heart and soul in the adventure of theology, the theme talks will give us the opportunity to explore our own ‘speaking of God’ in loving community.
Click on the names below to listen (or right-click to download mp3s – each ~60MB).
All talks are copyrighted by the respective authors.
Session 1: Mel Prideaux and David Darling
Session 2: Mel Prideaux and Yvonne Aburrow
Session 3: Mel Prideaux and Michael Dadson
Session 4: Mel Prideaux and Nancy Crumbine
Session 5: Mel Prideaux and Maud Robinson
2009 Theme Talks: ‘The Journey – To Be a Pilgrim’
with Sarah Tinker and Friends (Jim Corrigall, Rob Oulton, Vernon Marshall, David Darling, Caroline Blair)
“And the world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles, no matter how long, but only by a spiritual journey, a journey of one inch, very arduous and humbling and joyful, by which we arrive at the ground at our feet, and learn to be at home.” Wendell Berry
How deep the impulse is to set off on pilgrimage – to take the sacred path toward one’s authentic self, to the core of our being. Such journeys may be solitary, yet more often are taken in the good company of others. Our theme sessions this week will trace the ancient pattern of sacred journeys, as each morning a fellow traveller will converse with us, sharing their passions, insights and life experiences. Pilgrimage allows the traveller time to turn inwards and reflect, the chance to ask questions of the self. Where does our spiritual compass point to? How do we recognise our true path? To be a pilgrim is to let go of accustomed ways and instead seek new vistas and visions; what better place than Hucklow Summer School to embark on such a journey.
Click on the names below to listen (or right-click to download mp3s – each ~60MB).
All talks are copyrighted by the respective authors.
Session 1: Sarah Tinker and Jim Corrigall
Session 2: Sarah Tinker and Rob Oulton
Session 3: Sarah Tinker and Vernon Marshall
Session 4: Sarah Tinker and David Darling
Session 5: Sarah Tinker and Caroline Blair
2008 Theme Talks: ‘Reclaiming the Language of Faith’
Only one recording is available for 2008 – the final theme talk by Simon John Barlow.
“There’s a blaze of light in every word
It doesn’t matter which you heard
The holy or the broken hallelujah” – Leonard Cohen, ‘Hallelujah’
Language – particularly the language of faith – can be a source of both joy and frustration for religious liberals. In many ways, our tradition affords us great scope for freedom and creativity in our use of language, yet the use of certain ‘loaded’ words can sometimes provoke ferocious reactions within our ranks. In the hope of guarding against such misunderstanding and conflict, we sometimes limit ourselves to using ‘safe’ language, avoiding altogether those words which seem to create distance, revulsion or fear. Each one of us has our own set of associations and thus will bring a different interpretation and understanding to everything we hear. How can we find a shared language which authentically reflects the richness of our inner worlds and our deepest values? Over the course of the five theme talks, our speakers will explore how we respond to religious language as individuals, as a liberal church community, and in relation to people of all faiths (and none) in the wider world. Join us for a week of re-discovering shared meaning as we re-claim religious words and re-engage with the language of faith.
Click on the names below to listen (or right-click to download mp3s – each ~60MB).
All talks are copyrighted by the respective authors.
Session 5: Simon John Barlow