Mothers' Union Peterborough
On Sunday March 5th during the choral evensong at Peterborough cathedral, Bishop John Holbrook commissioned the new Mothers’ Union chaplain for Peterborough diocese, Canon Anne Davis. This was a very happy occasion. A number of Mothers’ Union members attended the service to support Rev. Anne.
On a cold and bright December morning 16 members of MU from Branches throughout the Diocese met for our Vigil. At 11.00 we commenced with Mary’s Story. Candles were lit, prayers said and readings but most of the time was taken up with silent prayers and thoughts. I thought during the Vigil that we were a part of the whole which would be echoed Nation and World wide. At 12.00 each one of us lit a candle and said a prayer as they were shining in our Lady Chapel. Afterwards 13 sat down to share a fellowship lunch of home made soups and bread.
The MU display boards were fully used to give information and provide a focus for others.
I sent the 16 Days poster and the Tri-fold information leaflet to my niece’s husband who is Lead Chaplain at Durham University hospital; and received the following reply
Just a quickie from work to let you know this has proved very useful to staff including the Director of Nursing, Associate Director who looks after Safeguarding and the chaplaincy team. We’ve also put the tri-fold leaflet in the chaplaincy information boxes kept in the chapels.
Thanks again for letting us have it,
Cheers,
Kevin
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Chaplaincy
Revd. Kevin S Tromans
Lead Chaplain
Begins on 25th November and ends on 10th December 2016
Join us for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, to call for an end to all forms of violence against women and girls – One in three women across the world will be affected by domestic violence at some point in their life.
Some of you may recall that last year Mothers’ Union had a designated area, in Church, to pray for those who have been abused, neglected or overlooked. Useful resources were also available to take away…
This year there will also be an opportunity to write your prayer to God and attach it to a prayer tree. Please spend a few moments remembering those who need our prayers…
On December 2nd from 11 a.m. –noon there will be a diocesan vigil at St. Peter and Paul Kettering, as part of the 16 days. The vigil will be followed by a faith lunch.
Everybody is welcome to attend.
This is a very important ‘campaign’ and our support is essential.
If members are unable to come perhaps they could spend some time quietly in prayer either in groups or individually. After all prayer underpins all that we do .
Thank you.
Join the MU heritage
Do you recognise the people in the photo below?
Audrey Day MU member (far right) hosted a gathering of MU branch leaders. In order of service we have Brenda Mason, Edna Quinlan, Ione Roseveare. Elizabeth Megahey. Sonja Lennon and Chris. Chris Maskell was followed by Robin Robson and I followed her in 2013. We remain a large branch, but need new members to carry on the work in our community, and support to the work of MU worldwide. Each year we send over £2000 to support the work of MU overseas.
Are you passionate about supporting Christian family life? Members are actively and prayerfully involved in supporting our Sunday school/ the foodbank/ the choir/ the prayer group/ the Daylight centre/ Messy church/ Open the Book/ children’s activities for Christmas at Uppingham/ baptismal follow up/ house groups/ church fundraising and the roving players who have entertained us at Harvest!
Next year we have a full programme of meetings, speakers, quiet days and outings. Come and join us to continue the heritage. Full details available from Jill Cannings.
Click here to read Grapevine Winter 2016 – you will need software capable of reading PDFs
On a beautiful summer evening last week, when it wasn’t too hot or raining, Helen walked with Ann the branch leader, Audrey and Jenny branch members, Barbara the diocesan president and Chris a great supporter, as part of her 140 miles as for the 140th anniversary of Mothers’ Union. Helen has almost completed her target. She plans to finish on Mary Sumner Day, August 9th, with a service at Helmdon parish church.
Helen raised £941.50 in total. The lovely walks that we all had with her were a real bonus.
As you will see from the pictures there was time for all to stand and communicate with some of the local residents. Great fun.
The members of All Saints Wellingborough Mothers’ Union have been collecting small toiletries for the use of children who find themselves in Kettering Hospital in an emergency.
This resulted in a very interesting visit to the Skylark Ward. We were given a tour of the many facilities that this new children’s ward has to offer. It included a sensory room, a playroom, a room for teenagers, besides all medical facilities in bright child friendly surroundings.
We gave them ten toilet bags containing essentials such as toothbrush, toothpaste, a flannel, shower gel, a comb, hairbrush etc. enough for an overnight stay. These will be replaced when necessary. In fact a message was received in the evening of our visit that one had already helped a child.
A few teddies may also find their way there for brave children to take home.
Eileen Jewell
Jill completed her challenge to play 140 holes of golf in a week. She was very well supported by family, golf club members, church members and Mothers’ Union members and she wishes to thank them all. On the Thursday she was accompanied by Bishop John Holbrook, the bishop of Brixworth, the sun continued to shine and they played 9 holes. On Friday she was accompanied by Barbara the diocesan president, we only managed 4 holes as there was a torrential downpour, but it was fun. (Is there a moral to this story?) On Saturday she played the final 23 holes and as you will see from the photo she celebrated with a glass of wine and a smile on her face.
Well done Jill for raising a grand total of over £2,000 for M.U. worldwide work.
“Inspired” is a folder that is constantly reviewed and adjusted. We are pleased to share this update.
We hope you will adopt one or more of the ideas from the folder in your branch or deanery. Each page can be downloaded separately from the website.
Take a look at what is needed in your parish or community and see how Mothers’ Union could reach out.
Discuss with your members before you start on a project. Answer some simple questions. Are you able to meet the need? (time, members, funds). How will people know it is a Mothers’ Union project?
If the project is running in another branch, get in touch about the project.
Lastly, let the Action and Outreach Unit committee members know what you are doing, so that we can add it to the folder and share it with others through our website, not just in our own diocese, but with other dioceses and with Mary Sumner House.
To begin the new triennial the trustees met together for a quiet day in West Haddon. The conductor was Rev Mandy Cuthbertson, our diocesan chaplain.
Mandy chose the theme ‘For all that has been… thank you. For all that shall be. Yes please,’ a quote from Doug Hammerskjold.
We spent the morning quietly thinking what had gone before. The highlights of the last three years and how we could use this information to look forward to the future.
We came back together for lunch and then spent time, again quietly, thinking what we wanted from the next three years.
The next challenge was to produce a banner/collage of all our thoughts. At this stage the interaction was great as we all discussed how we could best represent all of our ideas. The results can be seen in the included pictures.
The day was brought to a close with a Eucharist with readings and prayers on the theme.
An interesting, inspiring and mostly restful day. We thank Mandy for all her thoughts and preparations.
Barbara Haynes, Diocesan President
