UNITARIANS in Bridport have launched an initiative to inspire and unite the town’s spiritual community.

Several members of the Unitarian Free Church are behind the move to bring the new community spirit to the Chapel in the Garden in East Street.

They launched a fringe film festival celebrating personal empowerment in mid-April.

From May 1 they will be introducing a new-style family-friendly Sunday service to complement their traditional Sunday service.

There are also plans for a Soul Choir, a holistic market, inspirational speakers and the conversion of a back room into a sanctuary of calm.

The first new-style service takes place on May 1 at 11am and is a family-friendly Celebration of Inspiration and Creativity with music, topics and fun.

There will also be a pot luck lunch in the garden afterwards.

Lizzie Hornby, one of the new members who is helping to create the new services, said: “The chapel is open to everyone in our community and we welcome people of all beliefs.

“So bring your family along and nourish your soul with music and food.

“It will be a really uplifting event, with inspiring speakers for the adults and also lots to entertain the kids.”

The Unitarians stress that traditional weekly services are still held at the chapel.

They are also at the forefront of an emerging multi-faith community in the area.

Readings from world faiths are a normal part of Sunday services.

Unitarian member Philip Colfox said: “We loved the Spirit of Bridport campaign to develop a legacy for Bridport.

“We feel there is a considerable opportunity in Bridport to develop the spiritual bedrock upon which people can build their lives and move enthusiastically forward. We want to make the chapel into a spiritual resource for the whole community.”

The chapel is already used by such groups as the Peer Support Group.

Members hope that more community groups will get involved.

One initiative is the creation of a nurturing meditative space for the use of the community.

Buddhist Caroline Lever has undertaken a project at the chapel to transform one of the spaces into a sanctuary of calm that can be used by individuals and groups.

Kit Glaisyer, co-chairman of the Spirit of Bridport group, said: “I think it’s great how the chapel is reaching out to the community and providing an environment that is open to both tradition and contemporary spiritual practise.

“It’s inspiring to see how it’s also engaging with a younger generation by tapping into their natural spiritual intuition and enthusiasm.”

Contact Lizzie at Lizzie@busymisslizzie.com and on 01308 424 084 and 07917 704305 or Philip Colfox at secretary@bridportunitarians.co.uk for more information.