Welcome to Heartspaces at Essex Hall
Welcome to Heartspaces at Essex Hall
Heartspaces is a vibrant and welcoming Unitarian community hub in central London, open to spiritual seekers, existing Unitarians and curious newcomers. Heartspaces at Essex Hall is a programme of weekly spiritual gatherings led by Unitarian ministers and volunteers across London.
Taking place primarily on Thursday evenings at Essex Hall – the historic headquarters of the General Assembly and the site of one of the first Unitarian churches in the country – Heartspaces is both rooted in Unitarian values and offers something refreshingly new.
Click here to see Essex Hall on Google Maps (opens in new tab).
Click here to see the entrance using what3words — ///hints.before.union
Heartspaces offers a welcoming spiritual community in a constantly changing world. Join us for a programme of regular events from the monthly Wednesday Lunch Break sessions to weekly Thursday evening spiritual gatherings.
Regular Gatherings
Mindful Lunch Break
Mindful eating and connection.
First Wednesday of the month: 1 – 2pm
Spiritual Jukebox
Sharing songs that move and inspire.
First Thursday of the month at 6.30pm
Lucky Dip
Gatherings to explore aspects of spirituality, different each month.
Second Thursday of the month at 6.30pm
Heart & Soul gathering
Informal Unitarian service of ritual, poetry and music.
Third Thursday of the month at 6.30pm
Mystic of the Month
Discover the spiritual practices of mystics from East and West.
Fourth Thursday of the month at 6.30pm
Upcoming dates
From the monthly Wednesday lunchtime session to the events every Thursday evening, Heartspaces encourages people to gather, share and discover together. Whether you’re a seasoned Unitarian, a spiritual searcher or simply curious, find your space to grow.
Please register in advance.
3 DEC @ 1pm
Mindful Lunch Break
Bring your own lunch and enjoy mindful eating then time for discussion and connection, led by Kate Dean and Derek McAuley
4 dec @ 6.30pm
Spiritual Jukebox
An hour of eclectic music and stories. Bring a song or music track which inspires you to share with the group, led by Kate Dean and Adam Slate.
11 DEC @ 6.30pm
Lucky Dip: Taizé Chants for the Festive Season
A meditative gathering with words and music featuring Taizé chants for the festive season. Led by Julio and Chandni.
21 DEC @ 6.30pm
Winter Solstice Pagan Ceremony
Join us to turn the Wheel of the Year with ritual, poetry and meditation. This is an Earth-centred spirituality event for those who find the divine in the natural world. We will turn the Wheel of the Year and mark the Winter Solstice with ritual, poetry, meditation and music. Led by Kate Dean.
7 jan @ 6.30pm
Mindful Lunch Break
Bring your own lunch and enjoy mindful eating then time for discussion and connection, led by Kate Dean and Derek McAuley
8 jan @ 6.30pm
Spiritual Jukebox
An hour of eclectic music and stories. Bring a song or music track which inspires you to share with the group, led by Kate Dean and Adam Slate.
15 jan @ 6.30pm
Lucky Dip: Spirituality for the New Year
A meditative gathering with words and music exploring spirituality for the new year. Led by Julio and Chandni.
22 jan @ 6.30pm
Heart and Soul spiritual gathering
An informal Unitarian meditation service, led by Kate Dean and Michael Allured.
29 jan @ 6.30pm
Mystic of the Month
An experiential session exploring a different mystic from East and Western spirituality and spiritual practices inspired by their life, led by Kate Dean and Simon Ramsey.
About our contributors
Kate is a Unitarian minister serving Rosslyn Hill Chapel, Hampstead in north London for ten years. She trained for ministry at Harris Manchester College, Oxford and also has an MA in Abrahamic Religions. She has a creative background, having studied design at University, and has organised a number of creativity groups. Kate is inspired by earth centred spirituality and mystics from the East and West as well as the creative arts. She co-wrote the 8 week course/book Soul Deep: Exploring Spirituality Together with Rev Michael Allured, published by the Lindsey Press. She will be co-leading most of the sessions each week along with experienced collaborators.
Tatiana is a member of the Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, and a classically trained research scientist specialising in molecular immunology. Her passion for mind, body and medicine led to her further training in hypnotherapy, health coaching, meditation and group facilitation. She is excited to be co-leading the Heartspaces monthly meetup, Mindful Lunch Break, to bring awareness to nurturing the mind, body and spirit all at the same time.
Adam is minister-elect of New Unity in north London. He has led services in three countries and online, across multiple faith traditions, and on both spiritual and secular themes drawing on his Unitarian and Jewish background. Adam is committed to building connections within and between congregations, to social equity and justice work, and to sharing Unitarian values with a world that desperately needs them. He will be co-leading the Spiritual Jukebox and some Lucky Dip sessions at Heartspaces.
Julio is the minister at Lewisham Unity. A current resident of London, he moved from New York City in 2018. Music is his primary spiritual practice along with protesting. He will be co-leading the Spiritual Jukebox and some Lucky Dip sessions at Heartspaces.
Michael is proud to be the half-time minister with Golders Green Unitarians, a pioneer in supporting LGBTQ equality since the 1970s whose first woman minister was appointed in 1926. Michael qualified as a Unitarian minister in 2020 and still pursues his first career in the Civil Service. Michael is the co-author with Rev. Kate Dean of Soul Deep, an 8-week course of spiritual exploration for small groups, and over several years has facilitated courses, including on self-care and the spirituality of aging. At Golders Green he co-leads circle dancing and runs a poetry and prose online sharing circle. He will be co-leading the Heart & Soul gatherings at Heartspaces.
Simon is an experienced Unitarian minister serving Richmond & Putney Unitarians. He follows a Sufi path and is interested in breathwork and other meditation practices. He will be co-leading the Mystic of the Month and some Lucky Dip sessions at Heartspaces.