Church Members

The members of the church are the ones who are responsible for looking after Union Chapel. They make decisions about all aspects of the chapel's life through their church meeting. The church members elect the deacons and also the minister. The church members are also the members of Union Chapel Project, the charity which runs the hires, events and Margins project within the building. The church members are therefore the ones who elect the directors of the Union Chapel Project.

Union Chapel Congregational Church has a growing number of members. Below are some of those you will see most often.

The minister is appointed by the church meeting and is responsible for ensuring that the spiritual life within Union Chapel continues. Karen helps the church to maintain the values of what it means to be a congregational church, and the unique values of Union Chapel itself. Union Chapel currently has one minister who works 4 days a week.

The church has a part time assistant who looks after weddings and other tasks. Andy works on average 5 hours a week, normally on a Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. He is also a church member, and participates in and contributes to Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday services and study groups. He is a trained historian, offering archaeological and historical tours of the chapel buildings and environs, when not assisting the Minister and Deacons. His theological interests include Second Temple Judaism, texts and traditions in the inter-Testamental period.

Andy writes, "Outside church, I chair Islington Archaeology and History Society, where we produce a quarterly journal and host ten guest lectures a year. I've met people with an extraordinary depth and width of knowledge. Within church, I have the freedom to explore faith and question texts and tenets. I've an especial interest in the work of George Orwell, who was a local resident during his most productive time. He'd have liked my ability to question authority."