Diocesan Council March 31st 2023
Members att
ending Diocesan Council at Kingston Park were greeted as they arrived by the cheery sight of three teddy bears sitting in front of the lectern. These, we were told later by chaplain Anne Marr, were connected to the “Build a bear “ project developed by the Leeds Diocese to help and support families who were affected by transplants. Members were encouraged to support a similar initiative in our diocese.
Our President Margy welcomed everyone, especially those attending council for the first time. She suggested that we all read the Easter letter from our world-wide president, Sheran Harper, which contains a prayer written by a member for our diocese, Margaret Devlin from Holy Saviour’s Tynemouth. She was delighted that it would be read by MU members all around the word.
Julian Brown took us through a look at our finances stressing the need to increase our membership and our funds. (Photo 2)
Anne Marr has developed some new booklets, which she hopes will encourage new and existing vicars and others in our diocese to learn more about the work of Mothers Union. This will stress all the good things which MU does in our area and beyond. A letter of encouragement and support from our incoming bishop will be included in this booklet.
In response to the need to increase fund raising members were asked to come up with ideas . These ranged from a raffle, a 100 club, concerts, and a simpler more effective way of collecting gift aid. Margy hoped that someone would take on the role of “Fund raising lead “to help this.
Members were reminded of the retreat. They were asked to write accounts of some of the successful projects undertaken in the branches and send them to the Journal, the web and Facebook. To help with projects, Mary Sumner house staff have agreed to send out information about important events and projects in good time so that the information can be disseminated to the branches. (Photo 3)
At the end of the meeting there was time to chat to members from other branches face to face instead of on Zoom, before travelling home in almost daylight.
Linda Benneworth.