Jargon Buster / Glossary
Many people experience difficulty with all the jargon and acronyms we use. Below is a list of some of the more common ones in use.
The Annual Unitarian UK conference (AGM) commonly called 'the GA' in Unitarian circles. |
|
A Trust sympathetic to the Unitarian cause and provides funding for Unitarian activities. Currently donations (up to a specific limit) given to the UK Unitarian movement (GAUFCC) for general funds is doubled by the Bowland Trust. |
|
British and Foreign Unitarian Association (B & FUA) |
British and Foreign Unitarian Association, Inc (founded 1825) - its main function is to act as Custodian Trustee for the GAUFCC and various Unitarian Trusts and churches. It manages a pooled investment portfolio for the Trusts for which it is a sole Trustee. |
British and Irish Unitarian Young Adult Network (BUYAN) |
A Unitarian young adult group for those aged 18-35 years old. |
Buildings Advisory Panel |
A panel under the DSC who help congregations with their churches, chapels and meeting houses. |
Chalice |
|
Chalice Award Scheme |
A dynamic scheme for young people set up in 2001 as a resource for leaders and parents in Unitarian
congregations.
|
Chief Officer |
The Chief Officer is the most senior post at Headquarters and has day to day responsiblility for the running of the GAUFCC. The job is currently held by Derek McAuley. |
Responsiblilty for running the UK Unitarian movement (GAUFCC) is handled by five groups called commissions who report directly to the directors called the Executive Committee (EC). The commissions may have panels reporting to them. |
|
Communications Commission - (Comm Comm) |
This commission is responsible for the generation of publicity material like leaflets and posters. They encourage the growth and development of the Unitarian community by promoting a clear, contemporary Unitarian message via traditional and innovative means, in accordance with liberal values. All five commissions report directly to the Executive Committee (EC). |
Director of Ministry |
A part-time post at headquarters with responsibility for ensuring the movement has good ministry. The post is currently held by Rev Linda Phillips. |
Denominational Support Commission (DSC) |
This commission is responsible for providing pro-active and responsive practical support services for the congregations to enable them to flourish in the 21st Century. |
Dr Williams' Library |
The pre-eminent research library of English Protestant non-conformity located in London.
The Library serves a very wide readership, not only ministers and lay people of all denominations and faiths,
but academics, independent scholars, family historians and research students.
|
A commission that provides a framework for education and training within the UK Unitarian movement which will enhance the development of people of all ages as both individuals and Unitarians. |
|
Earth-Spirit Network |
A society whose members spirituality is centered on a spiritual connection to nature rather than particular revelation. This group is affiliated to the UK Unitarian movement (GAUFCC) |
|
The members of the EC are the elected trustees of the UK Unitarian movement (GAUFCC), they are the directors of the charity. This group succeded the 'GA Council'. |
|
Eastern Union (EU) |
This is one of the Unitarian district organisations and is affiliated to the GAUFCC. |
This is one of the Unitarian district organisations and is an affiliated society of the
GAUFCC.
|
|
East Midlands Unitarians (EMU) |
This is one of the Unitarian district organisations and is an affiliated society of the
GAUFCC.
|
Essex Hall |
The Building in London owned by the Essex Hall Trust and built on the site of the first church called Unitarian in Britain (1774). It houses the administrative offices of the the national Unitarian movement the GAUFCC. |
This commission seeks to offer the distinctive Unitarian perspective on matters relating to the arenas of ecumenical, interfaith and social action engagement, and in turn, inform and stimulate thought and action on these same subjects within the movement. |
|
Foy Society (FOY) |
The Foy Society was founded in 1924 as FOY ('Fellowship of Youth').
It is a fellowship of men and women who, in a spirit of free enquiry, seek to understand the
nature of present day issues and problems,
political, social and religious. People of all ages are welcome to join - currently the youngest member is a
teenager and the eldest is in their nineties!
|
GA, The |
Confusingly the expression 'the GA' can have one of two meanings. It is either referring to
the organisation or the AGM of the organisation. |
GA Zette |
The daily news sheet produced at the Annual Meetings (the AGM of the GAUFCC). It is produced by the younger attendees overnight and generally takes a light hearted look at the proceedings. |
|
General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches (GAUFCC) |
The umbrella organisation for Unitarians in the UK.
With Headquarters in Essex Hall, London, this organisation provides services and support for
Unitarian congregation, societies and district organisations.
Unlike many Church organisations, the GAUFCC
does not have any governance over these local groups.
|
Great Hucklow |
The Derbyshire village where the UK Unitarian conference centre called the Nightingale Centre is located. The Centre is often affectionately reffered to as "Hucklow". The village also contains a Unitarian Chapel. |
Harman Room |
A Meeting room in the Headquarters (Essex Hall) in London used by many of the panels and commissions. |
Hibbert Trust |
A Trust sympathetic to the Unitarian cause and provides
funding for Unitarian activities. |
Hucklow Summer School |
A week's residental religious and spiritual training
course in August at the Nightingale Centre.
|
International Association for Religious Freedom, an interfaith organisation started in 1900 primarily by Unitarians; membership includes Unitarian national organisations as well as "liberal" movements from almost every world faith. A 'Congress' is held every three years. |
|
International Council of Unitarians and Universalists (ICUU) |
This is
the international organisation for national Unitarian and Universalist bodies.
|
Interview Panel |
This is a panel under the Ministry Commission, who select students for ministry training. |
Inquirer, The |
An independent denominational fortnightly newspaper.
|
International Religious Fellowship (IRF) |
International Religious Fellowship, an international (primarily European) young adult group with links to the IARF. |
John Relly Beard Lecture |
John Relly Beard Lecture - A memorial lecture given each year at the Annual Meetings (the AGM of the GAUFCC). |
This is one of the Unitarian district organisations and is an affiliated society of the
GAUFCC.
|
|
Lindsey Press Panel |
A panel under the Communication Commsion,
who create Unitarian publications.
|
Lindsey Room |
A Meeting room in the Headquarters (Essex Hall) in London used by many of the panels and commissions. |
Manchester College Oxford (MCO) |
Now officially called Harris Manchester College --
one of the main training centres for Unitarian Ministers in Britain.
|
This is one of the Unitarian district organisations and is an affiliated society of the
GAUFCC.
|
|
This is one of the Unitarian district organisations and is an affiliated society of the
GAUFCC. |
|
Midland Unitarian Association (MUA) |
This is one of the Unitarian district organisations and is an affiliated society of the
GAUFCC.
|
The commission ensures the GAUFCC has good ministerial leadership and works with congregations for the good of all concerned, developing growth and Unitarian witness. |
|
Ministers Pension Fund (MPF) |
The charity responsible for receiving the pension contribution from active ministers and paying the retired ones. |
National Unitarian Fellowship (NUF) |
A Unitarian organisation that attempts to provide contact,
church services and fellowship for those isolated, geographically or otherwise, from a local
Unitarian congregation.
|
NELECUMDA |
The group which runs the 'Family Fun Day' at the Nightingale Centre. The districts involved are NELUM, ECU & MDA. |
This is one of the Unitarian district organisations and is an affiliated society of the GAUFCC. |
|
The name for the Unitarian Holiday & Conference Centre at
Great Hucklow, Derbyshire where many Unitarian activities are held.
Also referred to as 'Hucklow'.
|
|
Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church in Ireland (NSPCI) |
This is a separate Irish church in its own right with historic close links with the UK Unitarian movement (GAFUCC). |
Northern Unitarian Association (NUA) |
This is one of the Unitarian district organisations and is an affiliated society of the GAUFCC. |
North West Provincial Assembly |
An organisation to help Merseyside & District Missionary Association, North & East Lancs Unitarian Mission, East Cheshire Union and the Manchester District Association. |
Orkney Retreat Centre |
Haughland House Retreat Centre Shapinsay, Orkney Isles offer a number of activities during the year including meditations, yoga arts, crafts, walking and dance. www.orkneyretreat.org.uk |
Penal Affairs Panel |
A panel under the Faith & Public Issues Commission,
campaigning for penal reform.
|
Provincial Assembly |
The Provincial Assembly of Presbyterian and Unitarian Ministers and Congregations of Lancashire and Cheshire. This is an affiliated Society, not a district organisation. |
Religious Education Co-ordinators Panel |
A panel under the Education and Training Commission, providing resources for religious education for all ages. |
REvolution |
A project of the RE Co-ordinators Panel, creating a religious education programme for schools. |
Promoting Unitarianism in London & the South Eastern (PULSE) |
A name used by the London & South East District as alternative to the LDPA.
GAUFCC.
|
Send A Child to Hucklow (SACH) |
A Trust to arrange and administer holidays at the Nightingale Centre,
for groups of disadvantaged children, having
no regard to religious, political, racial and other considerations.
|
Support for Organisational Leadership Panel (SOL) |
A panel supporting congregation and district leadership and very involved with the 'Help is at Hand' publication. |
Scottish Unitarian Association (SUA or ScUA) |
This is both a Unitarian district of the GAUFCC and an independent national organisation. Confusingly it sometimes uses the same initials as the Southern Unitarian Association. |
Southern Unitarian Association (SUA) |
This is one of the Unitarian district organisations and is an affiliated society of the GAUFCC. Confusingly it uses the same initials as the Scottish Unitarian Association. |
Speed Trust |
A trust which gives grants to Scottish Unitarian congregations. |
Sustentation Fund |
A fund for helping Unitarian Ministers. |
UK Spirituality |
UK Spirituality is the most diverse and inclusive listing of high quality spirituality
programmes and events currently happening across the entire United Kingdom.
|
Unitarian Association for Lay Ministry (UALM) |
The organisation bringing together those who exercise "spiritual" leadership
with our churches who do not qualify as ministers or lay pastors. This organisation was
formerly known as the Unitarian Association of Lay Leaders (UALL).
|
Unitarian Christian Association (UCA) |
A Unitarian group with specific interest in the
Christian side of the Unitarian movement.
|
Unitarian Communication Coordinators' Network (UCCN) |
A self-help group focusing on Unitarian publicity.
|
Unitarian College Manchester (UCM) |
One of the main training centres for
British Unitarian ministers.
|
Unitarian Historical Society (UHS) |
A society of the GAUFCC with a specific interest
in Unitarian History.
|
Unitarian Millennium Fund (UMF) |
A denominational fundraising project which closed in the year 2001. A small fund remains, administered by the Administration commission. Formerly these initials were used by many for the Unitarian Ministerial Fellowship. |
Unitarian Music Society (UMS) |
A Unitarian Group with specific interest in music.
|
Unitarian, The |
Monthly Unitarian news booklet published by the Manchester District Association. |
Unitarian Renewal Group (URG) |
A group encouraging congregations to adopt multi-faith approaches to Unitarian activities and worship. |
Unitarian Society for Psychical Studies (USPS) |
A Unitarian Society for Psychical Studies, it is often referred to as 'The Psychical Society'.
|
Unitarian and Free Christian Peace Fellowship (UPF) |
www.ukunitarians.org.uk/peace |
Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) |
The national organisation for American Unitarians,
with close links to the Canadian Unitarian Council (though now separate).
|
Unitarian Women's Group (UWG) |
A national Unitarian group with specific focus on women's issues.
|
Welsh Department |
The department of the GAUFCC (under the DSC) with specific interest in the the Unitarian congregations in Wales. |
Western Union |
This is one of the Unitarian district organisations and is affiliated to the
GAUFCC.
|
Women's League (WL) |
A national Unitarian group with specific focus on women's issues.
|
Worship Panel |
A panel under the DSC, that generates Unitarian worship resources. |
Young Unitarian People (YUP) |
The youth wing of the national Unitarian movement.
|
Yorkshire Union of Unitarians (YUU) |
Yorkshire Union of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches - a Unitarian District. |
The symbol of the 
