Why it matters: The Ipswich Unitarian Meeting House on Friars Street – one of the oldest continuously used places of worship in Suffolk – has appointed Dr Elizabeth Kingston Harrison, known as Lizzie, to support the congregation on a part-time basis until the end of December 2026.
The details: Dr Kingston Harrison was welcomed by the congregation on International Women's Day, leading a service focused on the theme of "being enough" – a message encouraging people to resist the pressure to constantly strive for more.
For context: Unitarians are a liberal religious movement that encourages members to follow their own spiritual path, guided by reason, conscience and personal experience rather than fixed doctrine or creed. The Ipswich congregation has met at its Grade I listed Friars Street home since 1699.
What's next: As well as Sunday services, the Meeting House has been expanding its community events programme. The next event is a jazz concert on Saturday, 21 March, featuring the Riverside Jazz Trio — comprising John Parker on guitar, Johnny Herbert on saxophone and Ben Watson on bass — running from 19:00–21:00.
Tickets are £12 on the door or £10 for members and concessions.
The bottom line: After more than three centuries of worship, the Ipswich Unitarian Meeting House is welcoming new leadership and new audiences through its growing events programme.
