Programme Leaders
Each year we draw upon talented individuals within our community and beyond. They bring their thoughts, methods and spiritual insights to enrich our community.
Theme Speaker
James Frey Croft
In February 2023 James was appointed University Chaplain and Lead Faith Advisor to the University of Sussex, making him the first Humanist Lead Chaplain at any UK University ever. In his work as University Chaplain James helps the university foster belonging, promote becoming, and enables students and staff to connect with visions bigger than themselves.
Prior to his appointment to Sussex University, James served as the Senior Leader of the Ethical Society of St. Louis, one of the largest Humanist congregations in the world. As clergy for one of the few thriving congregations for people without a traditional faith, James told stories and designed aesthetic experiences to invite people into the work of social change.
Before becoming clergy, James was an interdisciplinary researcher with a focus on the philosophy of Human Development and the role of the arts in learning. He completed his Master’s and Doctoral degrees at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and his undergraduate degree at Homerton College, Cambridge. He is the winner of many awards for his academic work, including Homerton College’s Foundation Award for exceptional academic performance, and the prestigious Frank Knox Fellowship, awarded to those who demonstrate “leadership, strength of character, keen mind, balanced judgement and a devotion to the democratic ideal."
James is a gay rights and Humanist activist. His first speech as an activist, “6.12 seconds,” has been used around the world to train leaders in the art of Public Narrative (the use of personal stories to move people to action), and is literally a textbook example of the effective use of narrative to make change. James provides coaching for leaders who wish to communicate more persuasively. A native of London, James now lives in Brighton with his husband Kolten and their darling chihuahua Ella.
For Workshops
Michael Allured
Michael Allured is minister with Golders Green Unitarians in North West London. Before training for ministry at Harris Manchester College, Oxford, he had a full-time career in the Civil Service, which he now combines for part of the week with Unitarian ministry. Michael is a keen meditator and since the pandemic has offered daily online meditation to his Civil Service colleagues. He is currently the chair of the governing Council of Unitarians in London and the South East and serves on the committee of the Unitarian Peace Fellowship and the Summer School panel. His most recent contribution to Unitarian thought is his Lindsey Press book Soul Deep - Exploring Spirituality Together, in collaboration with Rev. Kate Dean.
John Carter
John is a Unitarian Minister having served congregations in the US and UK and is president of of the Unitarian Peace Fellowship. He has a keen interest in interfaith conversations, especially in finding and doing ways of worship together. In working for ways of peace, justice, environmental concerns. In the use of Theopoetics/Theological Imagination, with art, drama, storytelling/narrative and hospitality at its core of one’s spiritual and faith explorations.
Eleanor Chiari
Eleanor Chiari is the lay pastor at Sevenoaks Unitarians. She has been leading Unitarian services in London and the South East since 2016. She has also led engagement groups, workshops, and a theme talk at Hucklow Summer School. She is a regular workshop leader at FUSE. She also teaches in the school of European Cultures and Society at University College London, where she is the Programme director for the BA Language and Culture.
Jen Hazel
Long-time Unitarian, professional flautist, singer, composer and conductor, singing lecturer as well as stage and cabaret performer. Jen is open to collaborative musical and creative projects of all sorts, including contemporary dance, physical theatre, folk, jazz, classical and musical theatre. Jen is the Music Director of our New Unity Congregation.
Richard Keelan
Richard is a Mental Health Community Care Navigator of the Central and Northwest NHS Trust. He’s also worked in social work and mental health at Gasilano Children’s Hospital in Southwest Florida; directed a youth advocacy programme in New York; a systems advocate and clinician for Pediatric Behavioral Health; systems advocate and psychological consultant for North Worcester Psychological Consultants; social worker at St.Vincents Hospital for Psychiatry; clinician for assessment of those experiencing homelessness and living in shelters, systems, children and families advocate and pediatric primary care at the University of Massachusetts Medical School; advocate and clinician in schools, court, probation, outpatient therapy and psychiatry, and residential treatment programmes. All in New York, Massachusetts, and Florida.
Richard is a seasoned speaker and teacher. He specializes in family systems and youth with autism spectrum disorders and Asperger’s Syndrome. He has developed and implemented award winning anti-stigma mental health campaigns in the United States. Richard found Unitarianism nearly 30 years ago and is a member of our Golders Green Congregation.
CJ McGregor
Our District Minister is CJ McGregor who works in support of ministers and leaders of the 25 congregations that make up the London and South East District of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches. This District stretches on the west from Oxford to Brighton, and on the east from Colchester to Dover.
Rev’d CJ’s work includes providing guidance and financial support to congregations, supporting publicity and publications, and organising District-wide events of a spiritual, religious and cultural nature. The largest of these is the annual Festival of Unitarians in the South East (FUSE).
Heather-Jane Ozanne
Heather-Jane is a member of Sevenoaks Unitarians and her professional background is in social work. For over 20 years she’s worked in peace and community building, founding the charity Spirit of Peace and developing training for Pathways for Human Flourishing (see www.spiritofpeace.co.uk and www.flourishing.global). She has co-authored: Awakening to a New Awareness: Stories of Contemporary Christians and Voices of Contemporary Christians: Towards the Universal.
Sarah Tinker
Sarah Tinker retired from congregational ministry a few years ago and remains passionate about our Unitarian movement and what it can offer. With a bit more free time she appreciates ever more the value of getting outdoors. Living now on the edge of Epping Forest, she’s getting to know lots more trees and is noticing the ways their life cycles mirror our own.
Jacqueline Woodman
Jacqueline Woodman is a member of Manchester College Oxford Chapel Society and is President of the London District Council (LDPA). She is a former Council member of the LDPA and served previously on the Unitarian General Assembly Executive Committee. She is an NHS Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and Professor at the Warwick medical school. She is of South African heritage, is an active member of Cape Town Unitarians and is involved in interfaith initiatives in the UK, South Africa and the Republic of Georgia.
Sue Woolley
Sue is a fifth generation Unitarian. Former president of the General Assembly, she is District Minister and Secretary of the Midland Unitarian Association Inc., and has pastoral oversight of the Banbury Unitarian Fellowship and has authored and published several books. National roles include Secretary of the Unitarian Peace Fellowship, Journal Editor for the Ministerial Fellowship and Worship Studies Course Tutor.
For Prayers and Meditation
Richard Bober
Richard Bober is leader of the Meditation Fellowship, and is a trained teacher of meditation and mindfulness. He currently teaches at the Buddhist Society, Middlesex University and in the Unitarian movement. He is a member of Golders Green and Hampstead Unitarian chapels.
Please note the programme may be subject to change.