Unitarianism
Jessica Currie
Unitarian Beliefs
Origins
Practices
Special ceremonies are given for child dedication, coming of age, marriage, and death. People usually give out their own belief statement in the coming of age ceremony. Communion in practiced in the form of Flower and Water Communion which are practiced once a year.
- In Flower Communion, each member brings a flower to the service, place it in a vase, then the minister consecrates the flowers and each member takes a new flower upon leaving. This resembles that no two flowers are alike as no two humans. By exchanging flowers, we show that we are willing to search for the truth together, disregarding that all might divide us. This is held in the spring time.
- In Water Communion, everyone brings in the waters they have collected all from different places, close or far away in the world, and add their amounts into a bowl and the person describes where the water came from. This represents the comingled lives of the congregation. The water is saved for the next year, showing the connection of lives over the years. Water Communion is held in the fall.
Leaders of Unitarianism
Theophilus Lindsey (1723-1808) founded the first Unitarian church in England in 1774. The non-Anglican churches in England were persecuted for awhile. Men have been executed for not believing the Trinity, which Theophilus Lindsey also rejects. Later on Unitarians in Britain would advocate for social reform including anti-slavery in Britain. Without Theophilus Lindsey's efforts to create the first Unitarian Church in England, advocating for anti-slavery could have been different.
Robert Spears (1825-1899) was an Unitarian minister in Britain. He drew in large numbers of people into the Unitarian faith. He had republished works of many Unitarians like William Channing's and created many cheap editions that gave people easier access to Unitarianism. Unitarianism needed a strong voice and Robert Spears was the person who could provide that. In 1876 he founded Christian Life, supported many congregations in Britain, founded pioneering organizations and in 1886, he founded Channing House School in Highgate for people of the religion. He was also a supporter of women's rights and held the first public meeting in Britain that focused on the women's right to vote in 1868.