Mothers` Union newsletter - The Diocese of Canterbury

Issue 4/15
United in Prayer
Newsletter
October - December 2015
New Members
Ashford Archdeaconry
All Souls, Cheriton:
Sheila Cinelli, Jenni Clifton,
Diane Miller and Jenny Todd
Canterbury Archdeaconry
St Stephen’s, Canterbury:
Holy Trinity, Broadstairs:
Shirley Hagger
Dorothy Manning
Maidstone Archdeaconry
St Nicholas, Allington:
St Michael and All Angels, Marden:
Shirley Rose
Clare Hughes
Congratulations
Canterbury Archdeaconry
St Martin & St Paul, Canterbury:
St Stephen’s, Canterbury:
Maidstone Archdeaconry
Minster Abbey in Sheppey:
St Mildred’s, Tenterden:
Golden Wedding, Rt Revd Richard
and Jennifer Llewellin
90th Birthday, Kathleen Vinten
80th Birthday, Pauline Tuckwell
75th Wedding Anniversary,
Joan and Jim Cooper
St Nicholas Church, Allington
The photo shows The Mothers’ Union flower display
at the recent church Flower Festival, celebrating
its 40th anniversary.
FROM THE EDITOR…
General Meeting in Nottingham
A group of us went from the Canterbury Diocese
and had a wonderful time, with good speeches,
good food and good entertainment. For a full
report see elsewhere in this issue. Why not make
a date to go to Winchester next year, keep the
middle of September free, and hope we can
encourage more members and friends to join us.
David Horwood.
Front Cover photos: Mothers’ Union members at an outside meeting and young
Mothers’ Union staff.
My dear friends, as I write to you Leslie and I are on
retreat in Norfolk. The weather has been really
unseasonal but this hasn’t marred our time away. It has
been a time for us to strengthen our faith and spend
time with God as well as our church family.
I hope this finds you all well. As you receive this
newsletter we will shortly be holding our annual Market
on 17th October in St. Paul’s Church in Canterbury. For
the first time we are opening it up to the public as well
as MU members and I do hope you will encourage as many as possible from
your churches to come along.
In November we are looking forward to welcoming Jane Groves who will be
visiting from Mary Sumner House for our Diocesan Council. (3rd November at
10.00 am. also at St. Paul’s Church in Canterbury) I urge you all to come and
be there and to meet Jane.
Our Diocesan Chaplain, Lesley Valiant, is holding a Diocesan Quiet Day in
Milton Regis on Saturday 21st November, and we sincerely hope that many of
you will attend and support that. Milton Regis is right on the edge of our
Diocese and I know that Jean Chamberlain and her loyal members will
welcome you warmly. Lesley will be sending out further information on that I
know.
I am delighted also to remind you that Mrs Caroline Welby will be our guest at
the forthcoming Advent Service. (Friday 4th December at 11.00 am in the
Cathedral Quire.) I feel that the service in our lovely Cathedral begins our
journey towards that exciting time of Christmas.
This will be my last letter to you. I have to say that it has been a real privilege
to work for, and with you all, over the years. I have met so many amazing
people and travelled so far and will take so many wonderful memories away
with me. It will be doubly hard for me as not only will I be finishing as
Diocesan President but Leslie and I will be moving away from Canterbury. A
difficult decision for us to make and the harder to bear as we have been here
all our married life. I have so loved working for the Mothers’ Union and getting
to know you all. You will be constantly in my prayers. I have to say though that
I couldn’t have achieved anything without the support I have received from
you all. The Trustee Board and Diocesan President work as a team and as part
of that team for so many years has been a joy. So, thank you so much for all
your love and, that wonderful support, and for your prayers. I know you will be
well looked after by Marianna and your new Trustee Board, but please
remember that it is a two way partnership. You have just as an important part
to play as well, to take Canterbury forward for the next three years. God bless
you. My love for, and to you all.
Di Sabel, Mothers’ Union President in the Diocese of Canterbury
From Mothers’ Union Marketing
You may have seen in the news
recently that GoGen, an agency
used by many large charities to
phone supporters and ask for
donations, has come under
scrutiny for its practices.
As a result I wanted to take the
opportunity to reassure you of just
how seriously we take data
protection here at Mary Sumner
House. Over the past year we have
worked hard to register ourselves
as a professionally regulated
fundraising body and as such are
accountable to the Fundraising
Standards Board (FRSB) among
others. We make sure to stay up to
date with fundraising guidelines to
ensure that we are always working
to best practice when it comes to
contacting our members and
supporters, we run checks to
ensure the contact details we hold
are as up to date as possible and
carefully consider risks and
security before working with the
data we do hold.
Since we do not currently hold a
central database of all members in
the UK, we would not contact
anyone who has not given their
details directly to us at Mary
Sumner House. We have never
worked with GoGen, or Listen
Fundraising who also came under
scrutiny last month, and have only
ever thanked people over the
phone for their support.
Additionally we have never sold
or shared any of the data we hold
to other charities or companies. We
consider what we know about our
supporters to be private, sensitive
and precious.
I hope this message to be clear
and informative, should you have
any questions please do contact
our Fundraising team at
Fundraising@MothersUnion.org
Daniel McAllister
Head of Fundraising &
Communications
The Annual Meeting in June at St Paul’s Church Canterbury
This was well attended with various reports from Officers and an inspiring few
words from Rita Pengelly, a co-opted Trustee. Rita said we should be proud of
what MU has achieved, overseas and in our Diocese with AFIA, and had been
privileged to have the wonderful job of phoning a family to let them know
they had been accepted to go on holiday, and to hear the joy in the mother’s
voice. She encouraged members to come forward to come onto the Trustee
Board, and said that they will get support and help from the Units, and that
God is awesome and will be there to guide them in all they do.
David Horwood
Note: Don’t forget to read your Faith and Policy Watch leaflet to keep
up to date with what the Mothers’ Union are doing.
Canterbury Archdeaconry
Yet again, members of the Canterbury Archdeaconry branches have been
busy and you will find some of the details elsewhere in this publication.
As an Archdeaconry we have had a successful BBQ in the garden of
Priscilla and David Cox in Herne Bay in July. The weather was just about
kind to us and it was good to have some 30 members together for this
occasion. Members of the Archdeaconry together with our Diocesan
President, attended the “Saying Goodbye“ Service in the Crypt of the
Cathedral and served refreshments to those attending afterwards. This is
a very moving occasion and the MU presence was welcomed again. We
have our Family Beetle Drive on 3rd October in the afternoon at St Paul’s
Church Centre, Canterbury so children can come and join in the fun and
laughter that accompanies such occasions.
Margaret Horwood, Archdeaconry President
Maidstone Archdeaconry
Our smallest branch in the Archdeaconry, St Michael’s and All Angels,
Maidstone, invited us all to a garden party at Wrotham. They had
prepared a really lovely afternoon tea for us all, with a Literature stall and
a bring and buy table too. They even managed to organise the weather to
be warm sun with only one tiny shower. We were able to look out towards
the Weald of Kent which was a simply delightful view. Unfortunately we
were only a few branches, as so many decided they couldn’t get to
Wrotham, but more than thirty of us had a really enjoyable time.
Jean Sweetman, Archdeaconry President
Mothers’ Union’s new Chief Executive
Mrs Beverley Jullien has been appointed as the
new Chief Executive of the Mothers’ Union.
During her successful career in both the
corporate and education sectors Beverley
Jullien has been at the vanguard of women’s
representation at senior board level.
Beverley Jullien said “I’m delighted to be
joining Mothers' Union. This offers a
wonderful opportunity to apply the skills and
experience I’ve gained in my career to a new
role in the not for profit sector. I’m excited to
be joining a worldwide organisation of over
four million members, men and women working together to support
families through fighting poverty and injustice and tackling family
issues.”
St Michael & all Angels, Marden
Claire Hughes was enrolled on 8th
July, and the photo shows from L - R
Sarah Davies, Janet Codling, Di Sabel
(Diocesan President), Claire Hughes,
Carol Walker and Ann Woodgate,
(Marden Branch Committee).
Holy Trinity,
Broadstairs
Dorothy Manning was
enrolled on 7th July by Di
Sabel (Diocesan
President), and is third
from the left in the back
row of the photo and is
with branch members.
All Souls’, Cheriton
Four new members
were enrolled by Di
Sabel (Diocesan
President) Sheila
Cinelli, Jenni Clifton,
Diane Miller and
Jenny Todd, and they
are shown with other
members of the branch.
Note: To all branches having new members, please try to take a photo and
send it to me with names and a few lines, and I will include it in the
newsletter. We are also thinking of a special feature on all the glorious
banners that you have in your branches, next issue 1/16, so please over
the next few months take a photo of your banner. The banner photo
needs to be reasonably close with either the banner alone or someone
holding it.
Minster Abbey in
Sheppey
The branch’s 88th birthday
party was held in the Abbey
Hall and Pam Edworthy
welcomed 80 guests from MU
branches at Denham and
Milton and from the local
Bethel Church, the Salvation
Army and Chatham MU
friends. Also attending were
Di Sabel, Diocesan President
and Jean Sweetman,
Maidstone Archdeaconry
President. We were
entertained by a local group
of musicians playing old war
songs and of course
everyone sang along
Five members took part in
the Minster Village Fayre held
in the grounds of Minster
Abbey and raffled jam jars
containing various items,
filled by MU members, at £1
a time, so everyone was a
winner. we made £70.
Pam Edworthy
St Stephen’s,
Canterbury
A new member,
Shirley Hagger, was
enrolled by Di
Sabel, Diocesan
President and
welcomed by Rosie
Barford, Branch
Leader at their
‘Summer Supper
and Compline’.
Rosie Barford
Holy Trinity Church, Margate
At the annual Garden Party held at MU member Mary Weitzel’s house, on
a hot summer’s day, a good number of people arrived to make it a very
successful event once again with over £350 raised.
It is no doubt that most of you are very aware of Gift
Aid, where The Mothers’ Union (or any other charity)
can reclaim tax on financial gifts made to that charity
once the donor has signed a declaration.
However, I realise that as the Annual Tax Allowances
have risen, therefore, some people are unable to
continue to Gift Aid because they don’t pay tax. So, if
your income in the current financial year (6th April 2015 – 5th April
2016) will be below £10,600, then you are unlikely to pay tax and
should let Janet McIntosh know. It is important to do this as otherwise
you are liable to pay the reclaimed tax passed to the charity. For those
born before 6th April 1938 the allowance is £10,660. If you are a higher
rate tax payer then you will no doubt be well aware of what you need to
do.
Although, as individuals, it is helpful that more people are not
paying tax this of course has a detrimental effect on our charity income.
However, in the last budget the government increased the amount
under the GASDS (Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme) from £5000 to
£8000, and although this is unlikely to make a difference to us as a
small charity, it does mean we can reclaim tax on donations made on
collections in community buildings. The amount we claimed back from
collections during Services last year did make a significant difference.
It is possible that we could make more use of this scheme, so if you
have a group of 10 or more people meeting, who make cash
contributions to MU, and meet in a ‘community building’ then please
get in contact – before the meeting. It will then be possible to make sure
all the requirements are fulfilled for the donations to be valid.
Nikki Sweatman
Together in Prayer
Sue Spillett – Faith and Policy Co-ordinator.
October – November
As we come to the last three months of the year, let us pray for
our outgoing Diocesan President Di Sabel, Deputy President
Nikki Sweatman and Trustee Board, along with our thoughts
and prayers for the Diocesan President elect – Marianna
Poliszczuk.
When writing this, the nominations are still in progress for the
other positions on the Trustee Board. There are many spaces to
fill, and we pray that members will have come forward to sit on
the Trustee Board and be part of the team that will work
together to move our Diocese and the work of the Mothers’
Union forward in this place.
We give thanks for all that has been achieved, and ask God’s
blessing on all that is to come.
So with that in our minds for the whole of the coming three
months we pray:
O Lord, as the years change, may we find rest in your eternal
changelessness. Help us to meet this coming new year bravely,
in the faith that, while life changes all around us, you are
always the same, guiding us with your wisdom and protecting
us with your love; through our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
William Temple.
God bless us, giving us
Time for the task,
Peace for the pathway,
Wisdom for the work,
Friends for the fireside,
Love to the last. Amen.
MU Anthology of Public Prayers.
Together in Prayer
October – Autumn
Psalm 24 1 “The earth is the Lord’s and all the good things in it; the whole
world and those who live in it”.
Gather me to you, O Lord, like ripened apples.
Reap me and bind me like sheaves of corn,
Shape me and tidy me like garden hedges,
And all the useless trimmings burn.
Open my eyes to autumn’s painful story;
The gold to grey, the stripping and the death.
The heart of Easter’s radiant story,
When Christ will breathe in us his Spirit breath.
Farewell then to Summer’s brilliant garden.
For the hey-day of my life accept my thanks,
Welcome to winter now, frost gleam and darkness.
To all that is in store for me, may I say yes.
MU member Rochester Diocese.
May God who clothes the lilies and feeds the birds of the sky, who leads
the lambs to pasture and the deer to water, who multiplied loaves and
fishes and changed water into wine, lead us, feed us, multiply us, and
change us to reflect the glory of our Creator through eternity.
Please remember in your prayers:
Trevor Lloyd
Thursday 1st October
Finance and Diocesan Services 3.00 pm 5.00 pm at Tunstall
Weds 7th - Fri 9th October
World Wide Council Meeting
Thursday 15th October
Trustee Board Meeting with Archdeaconry
Presidents & Unit Coordinators, 10.00 am
-12.30 pm Diocesan House Boardroom
Saturday 17th October
Annual Market, 10.30 am St Paul’s Church
Canterbury
Mon 19th - Sun 25th October UK Family Friendly Week
Tuesday 20th October
Newsletter meeting at 27 Abbey Gardens
Thursday 29th October
Cathedral Prayer Time, 12 Noon
St Gabriel’s Chapel
Friday 30th October
Copy deadline for Newsletter
Together in Prayer
November – Saints
Revelation 4 10-11; 5 8.
And the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, and with golden
bowls of incense, which are prayers of the saints, they sang. Worthy are
you, our Lord and God, to receive glory, honour and blessing.
Lord, we thank you for your saints, and ask for grace to follow them:
Make us open like Mary your mother, and bold like Paul; joyful like
Francis, and faithful like Clare.
Help us to reflect Mary Magdalene’s great love for you, John the
Evangelist’s understanding of you, and Peter’s steadfast devotion to you;
And, when we feel we have failed you, remind us that all your saints
knew they were sinners in need of your mercy; for your love’s sake.
Amen.
Angela Ashwin.
We remember and praise you for the saints of this and every age, whose
lives, like seeds, dropped to the ground, yet whose witness has inspired
us and borne fruit.
God keep us in the fellowship of his saints.
Christ protect us by the ministry of the angels.
The Spirit make us holy in God almighty,
and the Trinity remain with us always. Amen.
John L. Bell
Michael Pelham.
Please remember in your prayers:
Tuesday 3rd November
Diocesan Council, 10.15 am - 12 noon at
St Paul’s Church Canterbury, followed by
lunch in St Paul’s Centre,
1.00 pm - 2.00 pm
Thursday 12th November
Trustee Board Meeting 2.00 pm - 4.45 pm
Diocesan House Boardroom
Saturday 21st November
Diocesan Quiet Day, Milton Regis
Thursday 26th November
Cathedral Prayer Time, 12 noon St
Gabriel’s
Together in Prayer
December – Waiting
Psalm 27 – 14
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
Wait for the Spirit.
Wait…. Without expectation which must focus attention too
narrowly, so we miss the coming.
Wait with expectancy, alert, hearts, minds, hands, ears open to
receive the gift.
Ann Lewin.
A morning in Advent.
As the new day dawns, we rejoice in the first glimmers of light
which remind us of your coming, O Christ.
We give thanks that your light has overcome all our darkness;
may we share in the mystery of your presence in the world, and
be always ready to live each day for you.
Angela Ashwin.
May the warmth of Christ heal us, the eyes of Christ gaze on
us,
And the peace of Christ shine through us, today and evermore.
Angela Ashwin.
Please remember in your prayers:
Friday 4th December
Advent Service in Cathedral Quire,
11.00 am
December
No Cathedral Prayer Time
Together in Prayer
Annual Report 2014
We have had a very successful year with small and large projects and other
work being undertaken by members across the Diocese. Much more detail is
shown in the full set of accounts (available from the Administrator or your
Branch Leader who should also have a received them by email).
The following show pie charts of the accounts for the year ended 31st
December 2014.
MSH Funds 2014 – shows the money paid into Canterbury Diocese
and then forwarded to Mary Sumner House.
Payments 2014 - shows where our money went during the year,
which includes payments made from Branches.
Receipts 2014 – shows what we received during the year and
includes money received in branches.
As you know money is only useful when it’s used and I encourage Branches
and Archdeaconries to use any ‘balances’ they hold for the benefit of the MU
as a whole. You are expected to only keep a maximum of 6 months
expenditure in your accounts, unless you are ‘saving up’ for a project. If this
is the case then this fact will be reported in your committee minutes and will
state the details of the projects for which you are holding back the funds.
I should be grateful to know if you find this type of layout more useful than a
report which shows the detailed figures (or not). Please do get in touch with
myself, Susan (the administrator) or Paul (treasurer) if you have any
questions.
Nikki Sweatman
Funds
MU Pilgrimage Takes Off Again
Canterbury to Rochester continuing in the footsteps of St
Augustine.
Earlier in the year a group of ten
Mothers’ Union members from all
parts of the Diocese met at Canterbury
East Station to set out on our
pilgrimage, led by our Diocesan
Chaplain, the Revd. Lesley Valiant. We
took a short trip by train to Selling
where this year’s pilgrimage began,
setting off at about 10.15 am, our
route took us first past Selling Church
and then through the hamlet of
Hogbens Hill. We then followed an
uphill route through woods and across
fields of growing wheat to Sheldwich
Church where we paused to view the
Church and to use their facilities.
We were accompanied by Lesley’s
husband, Terry, in their camper van
who carried our lunches and changing
gear and appeared at various stages
on the journey to make sure we were
not going astray. Apart from one slight
shower we were blessed with fine
weather, rather breezy but not too hot.
We then continued through fields
and woods to Eastling where we were
greeted by their rector, Donald Lawton
and his wife and by local architect,
Roger, who described how Eastling
Church had been built in stages
through many centuries. Outside
there is an ancient yew tree believed to
be 2000 years old. We very much
enjoyed our picnic lunch in the
Church and before moving on used an
Eco-green toilet which needs the
Churchwardens’ approval, which was
freely given.
Our afternoon route took us
through fields of rape and woodland
passing through the small hamlet of
Seed which I certainly had never
heard of. By 5.30 pm we reached
Frinsted and from there it was only a
short hop to Wormshill, our overnight
stop. On arrival, we were greeted with
a sumptuous supper organised by MU
Leader there, Pat Hobday and her
husband Bill and some other MU
members. Some of our group were
accommodated there for the night.
Unfortunately the Maidstone
contingent had to depart for home in
view of Church duties back at base on
Sunday morning. The remaining
pilgrims had an enjoyable second day
as they carried on to Rochester. Our
sincere thanks to Lesley for organising
this and giving us a day closer to
nature and to God.
John Sweetman
Saying Goodbye Service
Once again the Mothers’ Union
in Canterbury were invited to
support the Saying Goodbye
Service held in the Cathedral
on Saturday 18th July. The
Saying Goodbye Service is for
those who have experienced
the death of a child in
pregnancy, at birth, or in early
years of life. The picture shows
over 600 candles lit in memory
of those who have died. Eight
members from the Canterbury
Archdeaconry attended and
assisted during the service and
afterwards with tea and cake,
and by providing a pastoral
team.
Margaret Horwood
Women’s
Refuge
Women's
Refuge are given
support throughout
the Diocese with
collections of
toiletries. Inspired
to give even more
practical help to
those women who
will arrive with
nothing, St
Nicholas Church,
Allington MU
surprised their contact in the Maidstone area when they came to
speak to members at a recent branch meeting with a gift of 107
knickers!
Marianna Poliszczuk
Those Who Have Died
Ashford Archdeaconry
All Souls, Cheriton
Mary Cline
Canterbury Archdeaconry
St Martin & St Paul, Canterbury Vera Knowles
Maidstone Archdeanconry
St Mildred’s, Tenterden
Joan Diana Cooper
Dates for your Diary
Thursday 1st October
Finance and Diocesan Services 3.00 5.00 pm at Tunstall
Weds 7th - Fri 9th October
World Wide Council Meeting
Thursday 15th October
Trustee Board Meeting with Archdeaconry
Presidents & Unit Coordinators, 10.00 am 12.30 pm Diocesan House Boardroom
Saturday 17th October
Annual Market, 10.30 am - 12 noon
St Paul’s Church Canterbury
Mon 19th - Sun 25th October
UK Family Friendly Week
Tuesday 20th October
Newsletter meeting at 27 Abbey Gardens
Thursday 29th October
Cathedral Prayer Time, 12 Noon St Gabriel’s
Chapel
Friday 30th October
Copy deadline for Newsletter
Tuesday 3rd November
Diocesan Council, 10.15 am - 12 noon at St
Paul’s Church Canterbury, followed by lunch
in St Paul’s Centre, 1.00 pm - 2.00 pm
Thursday 12th November
Trustee Board Meeting 2.00 pm - 4.45 pm
Diocesan House Boardroom
Saturday 21st November
Diocesan Quiet Day, Milton Regis
Thursday 26th November
Cathedral Prayer Time, 12 Noon St Gabriel’s
Chapel
Friday 4th December
Advent Service in Cathedral Quire, 11.00 am
with address by Caroline Welby
December
No Cathedral Prayer Time
Copy for the next Newsletter to be with the Editor, David Horwood, by Friday
30th October 2015. Please let me know what is happening in your area. Send
to:
27
Abbey
Gardens
Canterbury
CT2
7EU
or
email:
boycieboycie@icloud.com.
Diocesan Contact List
Diocesan President
Deputy President
Diocesan Administrator
General Trustee & Godmother
General Trustee & Godmother
General Trustee & Godmother
General Trustee
Finance & Diocesan Services
Coordinator
Membership
Diocesan Treasurer
Faith and Policy Coordinator
Social Policy Officer
Diocesan Chaplain & Godmother
Indoor Members
Emergency Prayer Chain
F & C Marketing Coordinator
Diocesan Literature Representative
Maidstone Archdeaconry
Literature Representative
Families First & Diocesan
Newsletter Distribution
Diocesan Newsletter Editor
Action and Outreach - Home
Overseas
Ashford Archdeaconry President
Canterbury Archdeaconry President
Maidstone Archdeaconry President
Diocesan Website:
Mothers’ Union Website:
Registered Charity No. 250124
Di Sabel
01303 863239
E-mail: dpcanterbury@gmail.com
Nikki Sweatman
01227 713111
E-mail: nikki.sweatman@btinternet.com
Susan Bradley
01303 864289
Wingmore, Brady Road,
Lyminge CT18 8EU
E-mail: susan-bradley@tiscali.co.uk
Margaret Horwood
01227 455080
E-mail: apcanterburymu@gmail.com
Jayne Spicer
01304 812825
E-mail: jayne.spicer13@talk21.com
Daniele Ligneau-Wilton
01227 454230
E-mail: ligneauwilton@gmail.com
Paul Williams
07855 514805
E-mail: paulw6166@hotmail.co.uk
Nikki Sweatman
01227 713111
E-mail: nikki.sweatman@btinternet.com
Revd John Sweatman
01227 713111
E-mail: johnsrev@btinternet.com
Paul Williams
07855 514805
1 Dene Court,
189 Ufton Lane,
Sittingbourne, ME10 1EU
E-mail: paulw6166@hotmail.co.uk
Sue Spillett
01227 456100
E-mail: suespill@tinyworld.co.uk
Liz Deane
01622 204569
E-mail: lizdeane123@btinternet.com
Revd Lesley Valiant
01843 293964
E-mail: ljvaliant@gmail.com
Marjorie Wyatt
01227 456532
Beth Walton
01580 765701
Marianna Poliszczuk
01622 751243
E-mail: marianna2@compuserve.com
Betty Heppenstall
01303 255523
Rosemary McArragher
01622 831007
Marylyn Collins
01227 367651
David Horwood
01227 455080
E-mail: boycieboycie@icloud.com
Vacant
Erika Catchpole
01622 761378
E-mail: erikacat41@gmail.com
Vacant
Margaret Horwood
01227 455080
E-mail: apcanterburymu@gmail.com
Jean Sweetman
01622 728233
E-mail: jeansweetman@blueyonder.co.uk
www.muenterprises.org/canterburymu
www.mothersunion.org
GENERAL MEETING NOTTINGHAM
PRAYING, ENABLING, CAMPAIGNING
These three words were left with us to digest as representing the purposes of the
Mothers’ Union as we left the General Meeting held in Nottingham on 26 June.
The Meeting showed the Mothers’ Union to be a vibrant, active and living
organisation which operates throughout the world. This message came over
during the address of our Worldwide President, Lynne Tembey as she shared with
us the many visits she had made during the last year, most recently to New
Zealand.
Before the usual midday prayers, we were addressed by the Mothers’ Union
Central Chaplain, Bishop Andrew Proud, who emphasised very strongly the
importance of Prayer to seek God’s blessing in all we aim to do. We received a
presentation by Bill Crooks and Jackie Mouradian “Touching the Cloak” who told
us about using mosaic creativity in children’s work. After lunch we heard from
Jane Groves and Nicola Lawrence from Mary Sumner House about the work they
do beyond the branches. We then bade our fond farewells to Chief Executive, Reg
Bailey who told us of some of the amazing co-incidences which he had
experienced during his 16 years’ of devoted service he has given to MU.
Two Services of Celebration were held on the evening prior to the General
Meeting, one at Southwell Minster and the other at St Mary’s Church in
Nottingham. We did have the benefit of an interesting tour of the Minster on the
previous day but our group of 28 members and friends attended the latter but,
unfortunately our view of the dance in part of the service was somewhat limited.
We had a very enjoyable experience on the following evening when we returned to
St Mary’s for a revue, “Mum’s the Word” by five professional actors and musicians.
This took the form of a wide range of songs, writings and poems tracing the
history of the Mothers’ Union as far back as the end of the 19 th Century being
funny and tuneful.
Those of us who went to the General Meeting by coach would like to record our
thanks to Liz Deane, for finding a splendid
hotel in Nottingham and for arranging a brief
stop at Stamford on the way up as well as a
tour of Southwell. We were blessed with fine
weather throughout except for a brief shower
as we were entering St Mary’s Church in the
evening.
Next year’s General Meeting, celebrating the
140th anniversary of Mothers’ Union, will take
place where it all began - in Winchester, in
September 2016 under the theme for the year
‘A Celebration
of Faith'.
John Sweetman
Some members at our stop in
Stamford, en route.
This magazine is produced by Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Canterbury. We welcome items
from members and other organisations related to the ethos of Mothers’ Union. All items must
come with a note of the contributor’s name and contact details. The editor reserves the right to
edit or not publish anything received. Items are not intended to represent the official position of
the Church of England, nor the official position of the Mothers’ Union.
Willowbrook Place
Willowbrook Place is a purpose
built Teenage Parent Unit offering
accommodation and housing
related support to young people
between 16-21 years old who are
pregnant and/or have young
dependent children.
Located in Maidstone, Willowbrook Place comprises six self-contained
apartments, communal facilities including a kitchen/dining area, two
sitting rooms and an office.
Funded by Kent County Council,
the service is designed to help
young parents to manage their
tenancy, develop their life and
parenting skills, encourage
independent living and reduce
homelessness. Young parents are
also given support to move on
and settle back into the
Photo shows: Eddie Vincent, who will lead an MU
community if required.
parenting team, the Willowbrook Management
Team, and Di Sabel, Diocesan President.
The Trustee Board are pleased to
announce our support for the
young mothers with children being housed in Willowbrook Place, and will
provide Welcome Boxes which will contain household basics. The first
two boxes are delivered along with an amount of newborn baby clothing.
Trinity Foyer, Maidstone
Edna Tupper, coordinator, with one of the
Welcome Boxes given by MU members to
homeless teenagers at the Trinity Foyer,
Maidstone