A Sunday trip to St. Mark's, home of the Edinburgh Unitarians. A small group, maybe 35-40, in a little church (actually named a chapel when constructed, according to the stone sign) off the main tourist drag in Edinburgh. It's one of four Unitarian churches in Scotland, although there may be fellowships that don't get listed. The minister is English, has been in place for 31 years, and will probably be awarded a plaque on retirement--several others hang in the sanctuary memorializing ministers past with tenures of 35 years, 51 years, etc. I suspect once they find someone who is willing to come, they keep him, no matter his nationality.
The church was designed by David Bryce, a local boy. This puts it on an architecture tour, but the inside is prettier than the outside. Check it out.
The sermon was about Elizabeth Blackwell, pioneering woman physician, and apparently a closet Unitarian. A welcoming group at coffee hour. No children in sight, and a pretty old congregation. Is this last is true in any Socttish church, regardless of denomination?
3 comments:
J.B. spent last weekend at Mt. Vernon on a Unitarian retreat. He told Tom not to get Mary's hopes up..."it's just a good way to meet people"...i.e., girls.
You should go again! A nice new minister now, much younger and female, must have been a holiday Sunday when you were there, usually a much larger congregation averaging 50 -70, and thriving, enthusiastic and forward looking. As I said, try again!
Sadly,that posting is now three years old. Wish I were there to check out the Unitarians in Edinburgh.
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