Keynote speaker
Our keynote speaker for the Annual Meetings 2026 will be Sarah Corbett.
Sarah is an award-winning activist and author, Ashoka Fellow and founder of the global Craftivist Collective. Born in Everton, the fourth most deprived ward in the UK into an activist family. She squatted in social housing when she was 3 years old (the community won and the houses are still there!), led successful quiet campaigns at school and became Activism Manager at Oxfam GB before running the global Craftivist Collective full time. Her unique ‘Gentle Protest’ methodology to craftivism (craft + activism) has directly helped change hearts, minds, policies and laws around the world. She prioritises engaging non-activists and people nervous of activism and is passionate about mitigating risk of polarisation in protest where possible. Collaborations include Save the Children, The Climate Coalition, Helsinki Design Week, Fashion Revolution, Tate, Design Museum Danmark, V&A, BBC, SkyArts, Secret Cinema amongst others. Her TEDx speech ‘Activism Needs Introverts’ was chosen as a TED Talk Of The Day. Corbett is an Honorary Fellow at Goldsmiths University of London, a Member of the Art Workers’ Guild, Hard Art Collective and a Service Designer trained at the Royal College of Art. The Craftivist Collective Handbook was awarded best multimedia book of 2025 by the Creative Book Awards. (203 words)
Anniversary preacher
We’re very pleased to announce that Rev Daniel Costley will be this year’s anniversary preacher. The Anniversary Service is our main collective worship of the Unitarian calendar, and will be held on the Saturday evening.Daniel is currently Minister to the Unitarian congregation in Dover, Kent. He completed his training at Harris Manchester College in 2010, and has previously served congregations in Sevenoaks, Chatham, Maidstone and Tenterden.Currently Vice-President of the Ministerial Fellowship, Daniel will take on the Presidency at the Annual Meeting this Spring. He has worked with a number of Unitarian projects and Committees, including the Ministry Strategy Group, the Unitarian Historical Society and the Manchester Academy Trust. He is author of ‘Life’s Journey – Creating Unitarian Rites of Passage’, published by the Lindsey Press in 2020, and is currently Secretary to the General Baptist Assembly. You can hear Rev Daniel speak about his journey to Unitarianism here.
Full list of sessions
During the Opening Worship on the first Day AND the Closing Worship on the final day there will be a parade of banners. Congregations, Districts, and affiliated societies with banners are requested to bring them and to take part. Each banner should have a designated carrier, and it is asked that these people assemble at the room 15 minutes beforehand, for instructions. Please do not pack banners away early.
Friday 27 March
| Time | What | Who | Where |
| 8am | Breakfast | Haddon and Chatsworth | |
| 11am | Arrivals | Foyer | |
| 1pm | Lunch | Haddon and Chatsworth | |
| 2pm | Opening Worship | Derbyshire Hall | |
| 2.30pm | Break | Lounges | |
| 2.45pm | Plenary I | Derbyshire Hall | |
| 3.45pm | Afternoon Tea | Lounges | |
| 4.30pm | TBC | Unitarian Historical Society | Chapel |
| Derbyshire’s Unitarian Heritage | Belper Chapel | Derbyshire Hall | |
| Nourishing the Unitarian Soul | Unitarian Renewal Group | Butterley 1 | |
| What the Union can do for You | Faith Workers Unite | Butterley 2 | |
| 5.30pm | Break | Lounges | |
| 5.45pm | JRB Keynote Lecture | Derbyshire Hall | |
| 6.30pm | Dinner | Haddon and Chatsworth | |
| Social Time |
Unitarians, the Brahmo Samaj and the ‘Woman Question’ : Cross-Cultural Collaboration in the Age of Empire – Sadly the planned speaker is now unavailable and alternative arrangements for the workshop are being determined. Apologies
Derbyshire’s Unitarian Heritage – Derbyshire is the birthplace of the modern factory, and the Derwent Valley is a key site in the onset of the Industrial Age. One man, Jedidiah Strutt, was a significant player in shaping that history, and creating the world’s first cotton mill town, Belper. His Unitarian beliefs shaped countless lives and continue to influence the town, now recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. If you want to find out more about the rich heritage of the local area or be inspired to discover more about heritage – please come and join our workshop!
Nourishing the Unitarian Soul – As the Unitarian movement continues to evolve in rapidly changing times, questions arise about what truly sustains us – as individuals, as communities, and as a national body. What does it mean to nourish the Unitarian soul today? How do we deepen our spiritual foundations, strengthen our shared values, and respond with integrity to the challenges around us? After a short introduction to the theme, invited speakers will offer brief reflections, followed by space for shared conversation. Together we will consider where nourishment is most needed and how the Renew Group might best support this work in the years ahead.
What the Union can do for You – The Unitarian section of the Faith Worker’s Branch of Unite the Union will be present at the whole of the Annual Meetings this year. We will have a presentation/workshop where we will promote the benefits of union membership. We will also have a stall where we will display materials, including information on campaigning issues. We are a small denomination, but we are well represented and respected within the larger branch, and we would like to build on that. We hope to double our membership and to increase the number of Unitarian reps over the next few years. Come and say hello if you would like to find out more, especially about the training and educational opportunities the union offers.
Saturday 28 March
| Time | What | Who | Where |
| 8am | Breakfast | Haddon and Chatsworth | |
| Morning worship A | Butterley 1 | ||
| Morning worship B | Chapel | ||
| Free time | Lounges | ||
| 9am | Plenary II | Derbyshire Hall | |
| 10am | Morning Break | Lounges | |
| 10.30am | Plenary III | Derbyshire Hall | |
| Break | Lounges | ||
| 12pm | Satsang 2026 with Unitarian Hindu Connections | Hindu Connections | Butterley 1 |
| Social Action | Social Justice Network | Derbyshire Hall | |
| John Gregson Trust – How we support Unitarian and Free Christian Buildings | Gregson Trust | Butterley 2 | |
| Strengthening Our Ministry | GA team – Rory Castle Jones and Simon Bland | Chapel | |
| 1pm | Lunch | Haddon and Chatsworth | |
| 2pm | Plenary IV | Derbyshire Hall | |
| Break | Lounges | ||
| 3pm | Unitarian Women’s League AGM | Womens’ League | Butterley 1 |
| Mixed Blessings: Being a Person of Colour/ Ethnic Minority in the current political climate | Unitarians of Colour | Butterley 2 | |
| No, You Don’t Need To Be on TikTok – Comms workshop | GA Team – Pamela Welsh | Chapel | |
| Patterns of Change | GA Team – Nick Butler Watts and Lizzie Kingston Harrison | Derbyshire Hall | |
| 4pm | Afternoon Tea | Lounges | |
| 5pm | Unitarian College: Growing our faith from the inside | Unitarian College | Butterley 2 |
| Facilitators Network | Jane Blackall and Lizzie Kingston Harrison | Butterley 1 | |
| Innovation Fund | GA team – Nick Butler Watts | Chapel | |
| How did we get here? Oral History | Stephen Lingwood | Derbyshire Hall |
Satsang 2026 with Unitarian Hindu Connections – Satsang is a Sanskrit term that refers to a gathering for spiritual discourse, meditation, chanting, or other devotional activities. These gatherings aim to seek truth, gain spiritual insight, and support each other on their spiritual journeys. Join Unitarian Hindu Connections, Unitarian Ministers, supporters, and friends for an hour of experimental devotions. Engage in chanting Sanskrit prayers and melodious Kirtan (devotional singing). Feel the energy and let it uplift your mind and soul, connecting with your heart. No prior experience is needed—just come as you are! All are welcome, regardless of faith or background. Participate as you feel comfortable.
Social Action – ‘How to be a good ally’ led by Rachel McKenzie – This session, suggested and endorsed by the Unitarians of Colour group, and supported by the Unitarian Social Justice Network, offers a calm and supportive environment to explore what allyship can look like in everyday life — in our congregations, our communities, and the wider world. Together, we will in a supportive way consider the difference between intention and impact, reflect on how we can stay open when receiving feedback, and explore small but meaningful steps we can take in solidarity with people who experience marginalisation. Everyone who is seeking to deepen their understanding and contribute to communities rooted in compassion, fairness, and shared humanity is warmly welcome. Rachel Mackenzie is a Black woman of mixed parentage with over thirty years’ experience in the criminal justice system, where she now leads regional work on fairness, inclusion and anti‑racism. She delivers cultural awareness and allyship learning in professional settings and draws on her wider lived and professional experience to support open, respectful dialogue.
How we support Unitarian and Free Christian Buildings – The John Gregson Trust, which is linked to the Hibbert Trust, is a charity which gives small grants to support Unitarian and Free Christian building projects. We fund quinquennial surveys which are essential tools of effective building management. We also give grants to bigger projects. Come along and find out more about our work and how it also links to that of the Hibbert Trust more generally.
Strengthening Our Ministry – GA staff members Simon Bland and Rev. Rory Castle Jones share their insights into the health of our ministry across the movement. Rory reflects on his two years as Ministry and Leadership Development Officer, the changes that are taking place, and how everyone can play a part in strengthening our ministry – as we build spiritually healthy communities around the country.
Unitarian Women’s League AGM – AGM and presentation of cheque to The GA Ministerial Student’s Fund.
Mixed Blessings: Being a Person of Colour/ Ethnic Minority in the current political climate – What does it mean to live with a moral compass that’s constantly shaken by racism, rising nationalism, and fear-driven politics? Many People of Ethnic Minority Heritage carry deep moral and spiritual fatigue — from being expected to prove our humanity, forgive harm, or remain “reasonable” in the face of exclusion and hate. In this session, members of Unitarians of Colour/ Ethnic Minority will reflect on the pressures of navigating far-right and fascist currents in the UK and beyond, including the influence of white Christian nationalism on democracy, public life, and our communities. We’ll explore the idea of moral injury — the pain that arises when justice and love are repeatedly denied — and consider how faith, solidarity, and community care can help us endure and resist the next decade without our spirituality being rooted only in pain. This is a space for us to speak honestly about our mixed blessings: the gifts of resilience, joy, and resistance we carry, alongside the very real wounds of living in this political moment.
No, You Don’t Have to Be on TikTok – Feeling overwhelmed by all the places you’re “supposed” to be communicating? Wondering if your church really needs to jump on every new platform that comes along. This session won’t teach you ten tips for better Instagram posts or how to grow your email list overnight. Instead, we’re going to step back and ask a better question: What are we actually trying to say, and who are we trying to reach? When you get clear on those two things first, everything else gets easier. You’ll know which tools actually make sense for your community and you’ll forget about copying what the big churches are doing and start creating messages that really connect. Come ready to think differently about how your church communicates, and leave with a clearer sense of purpose. It won’t all be blue sky thinking though – there will be real examples of how this approach works in practice so you can make every announcement, email and social media post more effective.
Patterns of Change – Nothing is constant except change, and sometimes the wisest and most valuable thing we can do is to recognise and understand the inevitable patterns of change around us. Sometimes change involves loss and letting go; sometimes it brings new energy and joy back into our lives. In whatever way change is showing up in your congregational life, you are not alone. Lizzie and Nick have worked extensively, across the movement with many congregations, and found significant areas of overlap and shared experience. This workshop is a chance to see the big picture and the patterns that are emerging and to find solidarity, inspiration and shared resources to help you understand and embrace the changes you are seeing.
Unitarian College, Growing our faith from the inside – College staff and students will offer an update on the exciting progress we are making to grow our faith from the inside. Come along to hear about the latest developments in Ministry Training, Lay Leadership training and residential work with children and families. Hear testimonies from students and meet the staff.
Facilitators Network – Nurturing small groups as spaces for connection, sharing, self-reflection and solidarity is an increasingly essential part of the work we do as a movement. Meeting together well, in right relationship, with awareness and compassion does not happen by accident. The Facilitators’ Network has met regularly this year open to anyone involved in the serious, joyful and transformative work of creating strong engagement groups. This workshop is a chance for us to meet in person and equally to welcome newcomers too. With input from seasoned group leaders with years of experience and those who are new to holding space for others, this workshop will be full of valuable help for anyone who does small group work.
Funding bold ideas for the future – This session offers an update on the Unitarian Innovation Fund after its first ten months, sharing insights from the first projects that have been awarded funding. Nick will highlight emerging themes, unmet needs, and the kinds of projects we most want to see next, alongside practical advice on developing and applying for funding. A space to get inspired, ask “what if?”, and consider how your community’s ideas might take their next step.
Charting stories of spiritual change in British Unitarianism – Stephen Lingwood presents “How Did We Get Here?”, a project to record, understand, and celebrate the living memories of British Unitarianism in the twentieth century. It is a time-limited project led by Stephen for the General Assembly, and funded by the Hibbert Trust. The project consists of collecting stories through oral history interviews and written responses. A talk and discussion will ask the question – what has been our collective spiritual journey and what can we learn from it?
Sunday 29 March
| Time | What | Who | Where |
| 8am | Breakfast | Haddon and Chatsworth | |
| Morning worship A | Butterley 1 | ||
| Morning worship B | Chapel | ||
| 9am | Combatting challenges to Religious Freedom | IARF | Butterley 1 |
| Executive Committee | Executive Committee | Derbyshire Hall | |
| Sacred Simplicity: Crafting Worship with Intention | Erika Hewitt | Chapel | |
| The Inquirer: What’s the point? | The Inquirer | Butterley 2 | |
| 10am | Morning Break | Lounges | |
| 10.30am | Governance and Safeguarding | GA Team – Gavin Howell and Simon Bland | Butterley 1 |
| Earth Spirit Network: Celebrating Ostara mini ceremony | Earth Spirit Network | Derbyshire Hall | |
| Reimagining Essex Hall | Essex Hall Trust and Haque Tan | Chapel | |
| Witnessing for Peace in 2026 | Unitarian Peace Fellowship | Butterley 2 | |
| 11.30am | Break | Lounges | |
| 12pm | Closing Session | Derbyshire Hall | |
| 1pm | Lunch | Haddon and Chatsworth | |
| 2pm | Departures | Foyer | |
| Close down | All rooms | ||
| 4pm | All leave |
Combatting challenges to Religious Freedom – Religious Freedom is under increasing threat in many parts of the world. The progress that was being made, and which we took for granted, has now stalled. In some countries religious freedom has gone backwards. The International Association for Religious Freedom – a global interfaith organization supported by Unitarians around the world – is working to encourage freedom of religion but also freedom in religion. Come along and explore these growing challenges and find out more about what you can do to counter them by contributing to the work of IARF. Contributors Robert Ince and Derek McAuley.
Executive Committee – join the GA’s executive committee in dialogue to explore the key issues facing our movement at this time. A chance to hear updates from the EC and for the EC to learn from your experiences across the country.
Sacred Simplicity: Crafting Worship with Intention. Creating meaningful worship services doesn’t need to break your brain! Sometimes shifting our approach—choosing an image or metaphor to anchor the service—can provide sensory engagement, beauty, and deeper meaning. (It’s not just about the words we choose.) Join Rev. Erika Hewitt, serving the UUA in the United States, as we explore this way of framing our worship planning. Note: Arrive 15 minutes early to the workshop (8:45) to sing some new songs from the UUA’s online hymnal, Sing Out Love. We’ll also sing a couple of new songs during the workshop.
The Inquirer: What’s the point? – Join the chair of The Inquirer’s board in a panel discussion with the editor and writers. We’ll discuss pointed topics – including how to write in troubled times, and if words really are worth it.
Governance and Safeguarding – join GA staff members Simon Bland and Gavin Howell to learn more about the need to strengthen our congregations’ governance to create strong foundations for the future, and some simple steps you can take locally.
Earth Spirit Network: Celebrating Ostara mini ceremony – Come and celebrate the Spring Equinox, which occurred a few days ago with the Celtic festival of Ostara. We will offer a ‘mini ceremony’ and show how these enjoyable and inclusive events can enliven your Unitarian spiritual calendar! Members of the Earth Spirit Network can receive scripts for all eight Wheel of the Year ceremonies as well as an annual publication The File with inspiring stories, readings and ceremonial resources. We welcome anyone who sees the divine in nature and encourage you to offer Wheel of the Year ceremonies to your congregation.
Reimagining Essex Hall – We are joined by the design partners selected by the Essex Hall Trust to reimagine how our central London building can better use its space to represent our values, serve our movement, and raise awareness of our free and inquiring faith. Haque Tan “work globally, combining the scale of architecture with the ingenuity of art and the eccentricities of technology, to make spaces more democratic, inclusive and culturally-driven” – and the team join us today to hear your input to help shape the project.
Witnessing for Peace in 2026 – There will be a short AGM, followed by an open discussion about what it might look like to witness for peace in these turbulent times.
Food and refreshments
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner will be held at The Chatsworth and The Haddon rooms. The times and details of these are on the weekend schedule above. The Chatsworth dining room will be our quiet dining area; if you know you will want to chat over mealtimes, please go to the Haddon room. We won’t insist on total silence in the Chatsworth room, but want to create a space that is welcoming to introverts, those whose social batteries are flagging, and others who are looking for a moment of peace.
Teas and coffees will be provided throughout the day in social areas within the venue.
Unitarian Meetings 