Newcastle Unitarians

Our latest blog post, from a guest writer, George Callender from Newcastle Quakers: https://newcastleunitarians.org.uk/2026/08/10/a-quaker-visit-to-newcastle-unitarians/

Here's what our fellow Unitarians at Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel are creating - 'Heartspaces', a new weekly spiritual community in London. Sound familiar? We're doing much the same in Newcastle, join us for our regular midweek 'Something to Think About' reflective gatherings!

The Unitarian Christian Association are meeting online tonight at 6pm - details here, all are welcome!
Modern Unitarians draw inspiration from a wide range of spiritual paths and traditions. Our roots lie in Christianity; the name 'Unitarian' originally meant someone who rejected the idea of the Holy Trinity - God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, meaning that Jesus was divine, and not human. Unitarians traditionally believed (and many still do!) that Jesus was a human being.
In the modern world, 'Unitarian' tends to refer more to our search for unity between different religions & spiritual paths, and between human beings. However, many of us still seek to learn from the Christian tradition and Christian theology, and the Unitarian Christian Association exists to keep that tradition alive.

This Sunday - 9th August at 6pm - our online worship will be led by Rev Ant Howe, exploring the question: “Whose directions should we trust?”

“There are times in life that we seek guidance about the way we should go, but who is best to advise us? People can be quick to offer advice. Some religions claim to have found the true and only way. Politicians, leaders, and self-appointed experts are constantly telling us what they believe to be the best way forward. Social media is always feeding us messages about what should happen. But whose directions should we trust? And what are the dangers in accepting the words of any person or institution claiming to have found the only way or the complete truth? Ant will be thinking about these things and considering how the Unitarian approach to life and spirituality might help us discern whose directions we should trust. He will also reflect on how we might know we are heading in the right direction.”

We’ll have an opportunity to sing together, pray for each other and the world, listen to music, hear a talk from Ant - with an optional time of conversation after the service, for those able to stay on

All welcome - 5.45 for 6pm (BST/ London)
Zoom link: https://unitarianchristian.org.uk/live-worship/
Meeting ID: 853 0987 4584
Passcode: 204828

Our next Sunday gathering will be at 11am on Sunday 9th August, it will be led by Diana Bebby on 'Stuff'. We will be in the Library Skills Room 2 (note the different room) at Northumbria University for worshipping in person and online. Please use the main entrance if attending in person, as the side door is closed at present. Here's the joining information:
Meeting ID: 899 8132 4654
Direct link - join Zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89981324654
Travel: Today, Sunday 9th, sees the NOVUM Festival happening in Newcastle, with a big event - the Giant Domino Topple! - happening at 2.30pm. Please be aware that the city centre may be busier than usual. Also, as ever at the moment, in addition to roadworks in the city centre, the roundabout beneath the Gateshead Flyover is closed until the end of August and it is effectively impossible to travel to Newcastle from Gateshead over the Tyne Bridge at present - use the Redheugh Bridge or Tyne Tunnel. This is causing some delays in travelling around the area and extra demand for public transport, please bear this in mind!
All are welcome on Sunday morning, join us in the LIbrary Skills Room 2, opposite the helpdesk at Northumbria Student Central (please use the main entrance). Student Central is the large brick building which houses the University's Library, opposite Newcastle Civic Centre. You can park in the car parks nearby (Blue Badge parking is available), bikes can be locked up just outside the building, and it is near the Haymarket Metro station, also the bus stops outside the Civic Centre. Please come to the side door with the banner, and we will have someone there to let you in! Alternatively, if you find yourself at another door, press the intercom button and the library staff will let you in. If you have problems finding us on the day, please call: 07506 255 731. You can also use what3words as follows: ///wires.frame.deep. See less

ROOM CHANGE: On 9th, 16th and 23rd August, Newcastle Unitarians will have our Sunday Gatherings at 11am in Library Skills Room 2 at Northumbria Student Central (NOT in Spiritual Commons). The room is opposite the Library helpdesk. Please enter via the main entrance, not the usual door (as this won't be working due to maintenance works going on in that area of the building!). Call 07506 255 731 if you get lost. See you soon!

If you're joining us in person this Sunday (9th), please be aware that this event is happening in the city centre, and town may be busier than usual - we'll see you there though!

Timings and full route for giant Domino Run in Newcastle as big crowds expected The huge Domino Run will be the attention-grabbing highlight of this year's NOVUM festival in Newcastle

Fiona Tait was a much-loved member of our fellowship who died in 2020. We gather in July at her memorial tree and bench in Belsay Woodlands to remember her - a lovely sunny day this year!

Her entry in the Robinson Book of Memorials reads:

"Fiona Tait (b. 18 DECEMBER 1968) Died 17th JULY 2020. Fiona joined Newcastle upon Tyne Unitarians in February 2014. She was elected to the committee at the 19 April 2015 AGM, and brought a fresh perspective and energy to our congregation until resigning due to ill-health in February 2016. She was also the Calendar Editor from May 2014 until February 2016. Her interest in the Unitarian Earth Spirit Network and nature-centred spirituality led to the first Flower Communion Service at Newcastle upon Tyne Unitarians."

Our next Sunday gathering will be at 11am on Sunday 2nd August, it will be led by Chris Carr on 'Memories of a Swing'. We will be in the Large Spiritual Commons Room at Northumbria University for worshipping in person and online. Here's the joining information:
Meeting ID: 899 8132 4654
Direct link - join Zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89981324654
All are welcome on Sunday morning, join us at the Large Spiritual Commons Room at Northumbria Student Central. This is the large brick building which houses the University's Library, opposite Newcastle Civic Centre. You can park in the car parks nearby (Blue Badge parking is available), bikes can be locked up just outside the building, and it is near the Haymarket Metro station, also the bus stops outside the Civic Centre. Please come to the side door with the banner, and we will have someone there to let you in! Alternatively, if you find yourself at another door, press the intercom button and the library staff will let you in. If you have problems finding us on the day, please call: 07506 255 731. You can also use what3words as follows: ///wires.frame.deep.

If you're curious about Unitarianism, join Unitarians from across the UK tomorrow morning online at 10.30am. All are welcome! Joining information below.

NUBI SESSION: THIS SATURDAY

Whether you're curious about Unitarianism, exploring your spirituality, or simply looking for connection, NUBI Sessions bring together people who are exploring life's big questions in a welcoming and supportive space 🤗

Monthly online sessions 💻
Completely free to attend 🆓
No belief required 🤔

Join us using the email linked below. Please share this post with any newcomers or curious friends so they can discover a community where questions are encouraged, and everyone belongs 🤝