From 1995 when I was privileged to join the network’s steering committee, a body which then spent more of its time planning the next annual conference than anything else, I valued learning how to work effectively with a great bunch of colleagues. Over the last two years I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the folk who currently comprise our highly individual array of local groups.
Our developing network consists of many people who are not naturally inclined to clubs or who are simply too busy to do more than try to keep up to speed with new must-read books and issues that Softies are currently debating (or that our magazine and Portholes editors feel that they should be!). Such people may or may not make it to our annual conferences but they are almost certain not to belong to one of our local — or wider regional — groups. For many others however, who value face-to-face contact, these groups are very important.
Caring and conscientious, the voluntary convenorscum-facilitators of these groups make it possible for their members to meet and discuss a wide range of issues, exploring books and ideas together in a place where views can be expressed frankly and without fear of opprobrium.
Members up and down the country have told me how much they value such a resource.
Groups have come and gone. To date we have 27 in various states of activity: one has folded; one wants to continue under its own banner and two others need a revival shot. I hope that they all regard themselves as SoF ‘family members’ — autonomous in terms of administration, funding and programme-fixing but able to access centrallyheld resources and notification of events which might be of interest. It is possible for an ordinary member of a local group not to be a member of Sea of Faith (UK) but we would generally urge people to join the national network.
We need every penny from their subscriptions to ensure that we can continue to provide our local groups with help and practical resources when they need them.
Portholes provides space bi-monthly for groups to inform individual network members (and more importantly, other groups) of their programmes and an increasing number of groups contribute to this column.
Here lies a rich source of ideas for other groups to plunder. (The occasional paragraph from the groups who report less often would be much appreciated in this regard. It doesn’t have to be the convenor of the group who actually writes in.) The ambiance in each of the groups is unique. The personality of the convenor (and the personalities of the membership) as well as the style of meeting employed combine to make one group quite different from another - and the type of venue gives a particular ‘flavour’ to a group and its meetings. On my visits to the various groups over the past two years the special character of each one has made the experience of such interest to me. Some groups delight in meeting ‘on neutral ground’, in settings which hold no negative religious association for their members; others are quite happy to meet in a church hall or Friends’ Meeting House; some feel liberated and secure to flourish in a domestic setting; others feel inhibited (and physically limited in terms of group development) in a member’s home.
There are (predominantly) metropolitan and urban groups, whose members attend lectures, plays and films and visit galleries; rural groups who passionately support traditional country pursuits; extrovert groups who want to expand and do things; and more introspective groups who, having more warily bonded as a group and grown to trust one-another, are happy as they are. There are groups who are very organised and groups which are not! The important thing is that in their different ways they continue to meet the needs of their members; that they are prepared to accommodate changing requirements as new people join (which could mean setting up a SoF ‘plant’ — an alternative meeting at another time or place in their area) and that they give thought to planning a lively programme which will keep their members’ interest.
I have tried where I could to economise and combine my visits to groups around the UK with other SoF activities, looking up old school-friends and relations and by cadging a bed under a hospitable steering committee roof when I’ve needed one. All I know is that I have found my travels most enjoyable and I think that I have now developed a valuable — unique perhaps — ‘feel’ for our network. I can now put a face and a personality to so many names. I hope that my invasion did not seem too much like an OFSTED inspection or an Archdeacon’s visitation. At least all future visits will be shared among the lovely people of Steering Committee’s Membership Support Group. I can vouch that they are far from ogre-like!
If as a network member you would like to join a local group but there isn’t one as yet in the area do take steps to form one! Our Membership Secretary (currently Peter Stribblehill, 149 Hagley Road, Halesowen, B63 4JN - email: peter.stribblehill@which.net) will gladly supply you with the names of other members in the wider area to contact and our new Local Groups’ Co-ordinator (Christine Dyer, 10 Albert Street, Loughborough, LE11 2DW — email: [subject: For Christine] Ronald.Pearse@btinternet.com) will be delighted to help you further.
Penny Mawdsley, retiring Local Groups’ Co-ordinator.