Activities
Belper Unitarians have a variety of interesting activities in addition to our regular services.There are social activities and open days (see below), and we have two established ongoing groups. In both cases the groups are open and newcomers are welcome to join at any time:
Discussion Group
Discussion and sharing for spiritual living.
This group meets at 8pm on the second Monday of each month (eg. 8 March 2010 etc.)
[Current Discussion Group Program]
For more details contact Andy Phillips on 01773 823160 or email
Exploring Meditation Group
For anyone who would like to explore different types of meditation, both individual and led, and discuss experiences and technique with others doing the same. Beginners very welcome. A co-exploration, not a class!This group meets from 8 pm - 9:30 pm, on the fourth Monday of each month (so 22 March 2010 etc.)
For more details contact Andy Phillips on 01773 823160 or email
Chapel Open Days and Coffee Morning
Come and look around our historic chapel. INCLUDING: visit catacomb where members of the famous Strutt family were interred. PLUS: Refreshments AND (sometimes) Bookstall (in aid of charity - in 2010 this will be the Air Ambulance Service). Next date:Saturday 3rd April, 1030-1200, and then on subsequent first Saturdays of the month
Social Activities
We hold various social activities for the congregation e.g. Christmas party. Occasional poetry readings and speakers on literature and local history have occurred in the past.
We also host live musical events from time to time at the chapel.
In particular Belper Musical Theatre recently performed "Songs from the Shows" in the chapel (on Friday 16th October 2009).
The work of the Derbyshire writer Leslie Crichton Porteous is of interest to some members and we hosted a lecture about his life and writings.
Poetry Trail
Belper Unitarian Chapel is now, after much struggle and work on behalf of many people, an official part of Beth's Poetry Trail. The trail was established as a permanent memorial to Beth Fender who both loved poetry and was a founder of the two Poetry groups in Belper. The Plaque, affixed to the boundary railings, displays a poem 'To Nature' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge who had many Unitarian links:To Nature
It may indeed be phantasy, when I
Essay to draw from all created things
Deep, heartfelt, inward joy that closely clings;
And trace in leaves and flowers that round me lie
Lessons of love and earnest piety.
So let it be ; and if the wide world rings
In mock of this belief, it brings
Nor fear, nor grief, nor vain perplexity.
So will I build my altar in the fields,
And the blue sky my fretted dome shall be,
And the sweet fragrance that the wild flower yields
Shall be the incense I will yield to Thee,
Thee only God ! and thou shalt not despise
Even me, the priest of this poor sacrifice.
Deep, heartfelt, inward joy that closely clings;
And trace in leaves and flowers that round me lie
Lessons of love and earnest piety.
So let it be ; and if the wide world rings
In mock of this belief, it brings
Nor fear, nor grief, nor vain perplexity.
So will I build my altar in the fields,
And the blue sky my fretted dome shall be,
And the sweet fragrance that the wild flower yields
Shall be the incense I will yield to Thee,
Thee only God ! and thou shalt not despise
Even me, the priest of this poor sacrifice.
The Plaque was dedicated following the service on Nov 16th 2008.