Membership

Manchester College Oxford Chapel Society (MCOCS, also known as Oxford Unitarians) is a religious community that seeks commonality of spiritual purpose while holding to no conformity of belief. We shy away from the idea that there is a single authentic religious path, and believe every individual should be free to find and follow their own.

Liberal principles are the basis of our fellowship, and we welcome any who wish to join us in our search for truth. We encourage an openness to insights from all the world’s religious traditions, and we promote co-operation among those who reject the imposition of creeds as a condition of religious fellowship. Our religion is about deeds not creeds.

We embrace all free-thinking Christians but equally those from other faiths and those who have none but are seeking a spiritual compass. Although we are affiliated to the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, we see ourselves as inclusive rather than exclusive, and a variety of religious standpoints will be found within our congregation.

Members of the Chapel Society contribute a minimum of £80 p.a., from which a quota payment (currently £35) is forwarded to the General Assembly (GA) in support of the national Unitarian movement. Members are entitled to vote on local matters, serve on the chapel committee, and represent the congregation at the GA’s annual meeting and national issues.

Friends of the Chapel Society (typically members of other congregations who wish to be affiliated to ours) contribute a minimum of £15 p.a., which confers no voting rights but supports the work of the Chapel Society.

If you find yourself in sympathy with the ethos of the Society, have been attending services for at least six months, and would like to become a Member or Friend, please e-mail the Acting Membership Secretary, Christopher Whitehouse at treasurer@oxfordunitarians.org, who will be happy to let you have an application form. If you are transferring from another Unitarian or UU congregation, the time requirement can be waived. Once you have completed and returned the form your application will be forwarded to the committee for approval.

A copy of our Constitution is available on request.