Mothers' Union Peterborough
The Mothers’ Union were very pleased to be offered a stand at Starburst to inform both the clergy and lay members about Mothers’ Union and especially the Away From It All holiday scheme. We found this opportunity very valuable and were pleased to be included in this Diocesan event.
When a person has dementia they may become very bewildered about their environment and often become agitated and begin plucking at their clothing. These quilts enable them to be distracted and provide a constructive activity.
The aim is to maintain finger skills with buttons, zips, ribbons and Velcro and provide stimulation and conversation topics.
The quilt must be firmly sewn to enable frequent washing.
Finished size approx 22″ x 22″ (56cm x 56cm)
Requirements:
Method:
These quilts can be donated to hospitals and care homes where they can be used to help those suffering from dementia and also people recovering from a stroke.
Those living with and caring for those with dementia would need to check that this resource and any items sewn on/attached to it were safe to offer to someone living with dementia.
I was very pleased to be asked to attend the service at St. Peter and St. James, Brackley for the commissioning of Judith Perkins as the new branch leader. It was also a good opportunity to thank Jill Knight for all her work in the past 6 years… enjoy a break now Jill.
At the same service I presented Marian Thompson with her long service certificate. Marian has been an active member for fifty years and has served in many capacities; currently she is a vice president.
To be invited to the parish lunch was certainly a bonus. Chris and I not only enjoyed the food but also the good company.
Barbara Haynes, Diocesan President
The trustees enjoyed an opportunity to spend time together to relax, be inspired, and to concentrate on being at one with our Lord away from the hustle and bustle of the world. We are grateful to Graham, the vicar of West Haddon, who led us with readings and worship.
During our quiet times activities to help our concentration were laid on by Sue Tringham whose home we met in. The artistic amongst us painted stones, coloured Celtic knots, or did drawings of the spring flowers in the garden. Some, myself included, sat quietly in the sunny garden intending to read but really managing to sit still for much longer than normal, with our thoughts. A really beneficial day for us all.
I do recommend that you all try one of our future quiet days.
The pictures show the less quiet time when we all got together for lunch, provided by Sandy and enjoyed by all.
Barbara Haynes, Diocese President
The Right Reverend Onesimus Park, bishop of Busan diocese in Korea came recently to England to attend a conference in Canterbury for recently appointed bishops or baby bishops as he described them. He spent a few days in Peterborough diocese and we took him to Oxford. Here he is at the foot of the Martyrs’ memorial. We think of Bishops Cranmer, Ridley and Latimer as martyrs for our faith but it was in the reign of Queen Mary, in the 1550s. The Anglican church in Korea remembers men and women who died within living memory and in North Korea men and women are still being persecuted for their faith. Bishop Onesimus brought with him his wife, Veronica, and her sister, Deborah. It was a great privilege to spend time with them. Can we pray earnestly for the work of the bishop and for the diocese of Busan in what is a predominantly Buddhist part of the world.
Sue Tringham
Mrs Doreen Littlewood has celebrated 50 years as a Mothers’ Union member. Barbara Haynes, Diocesan president, visited her at home to present her with her long service certificate. It was lovely that a few of the members from Brackley branch were able to come along for the celebration. Well done Doreen. Thank you for your commitment.
Barbara Haynes, President
I met Mary on my previous visit to Kenya when she showed me the Solar Stove, which she was introducing to Mothers’ Union members. When I went this time I gave her the money which you had donated so that she could provide families in need with a solar stove.
She showed me the beads and the wires which she had bought in Nairobi. These will be used by the members to make jewellery which will then be sold to fund a variety of projects to support widows and orphans in Bungoma diocese.
Sue Tringham
Six new members enrolled.
New members were enrolled at the morning service which included a baptism. The new members were supported by their children and grand children. Altogether a very happy occasion.
MU Kettering – Mothers’ Union game
Meet the new member.
A different type of Beetle Drive for MU members.
We decided to have some fun at our November meeting. The game differs from a conventional Beetle Drive because “we are all heart” so to get started we need to throw a six for a heart and off we go.
If any branch is interested I still have the poster and the game is available in a PDF file. You can contact me by phone on 01536 522269.
Against a declining membership roll in this country it is exciting to report that on Sunday 24th November 2013 at All Saints’ Church, West Haddon, The Right Reverend John Holbrook, Bishop of Brixworth, enrolled twenty-four new members into Mothers’ Union. Together with one member already enrolled and two members transferring from another branch they will form the Ridgeway Branch, named for our closeness to the Northamptonshire ridgeway.
The Branch will serve the united parishes of St Lawrence, Long Buckby with St Peter and St Paul, Watford, and All Saints’, West Haddon with St Michael & All Angels, Winwick. Their aim, as with all Branches of Mothers’ Union, is to serve the benefice as directed by the Vicar in matters concerning family life, which is apt because the Vicar, The Revd Graham Collingridge, was enrolled at the service! The service was attended by Mothers’ Union officers from around the Diocese of Peterborough.
