2025 events

Amble MU Branch celebrate World Day of Prayer at St Cuthberts Church The focus was the Cook islandsand the theme was 'I Made You Wonderful'from Psalm 139:14, serves a beautiful reminder of God's creative work in each of usand His love for diversity


On Saturday 8th March chaplain Anne and Derek represented MU at an Iftar at Newcastle Cathedral. They were invited by Ismail, a Muslim who attends their church as a representative of the Dialogue Society. Their table included representatives from the Turkish and Bangladeshi societies, also the Quakers, Northumbria Police, and Helen - the Reader at the Cathedral who helped to organise the event. The Iftar is the sundown meal which breaks the fast during Ramadan and is usually shared with friends. Delicious Turkish food accompanied many interesting conversations and presentations, including Turkish dance by two young boys.’


Surprise MU Connections
	Dorothy Walker from Chapel House branch has been collecting items for hospital emergency bags. In ASDA she asked to meet the store ‘champion’, Donna Robinson, to enquire about a reduction for the purchases. Donna turns out to be a member of MU in Gateshead and was delighted to offer help. The store has given Dorothy £40 worth of goods for the hospital bags. Donna is to be ordained deacon at Durham Cathedral in summer – so our prayers are with her. She is keen to come and talk to branches about her work and ministry.
Holy Nativity MU
This is Sheila Robson one of our Indoor Members. We were able to bring her to our meeting to celebrate her 90th birthday. Rev Anne Marr took our meeting and talked to us about the Book of Ruth. Everyone enjoyed the afternoon.
Hospital Bags
	Some MU branches in Newcastle have begun to supply emergency hospital bags directly to the emergency departments at the RVI as well as to the chaplaincy. Here is their response. “Many thanks for the ‘brilliant’ emergency toiletries bags – this is such a great service to our patients.” Please Note: MU branches across the diocese have for many years been supplying hospital emergency bags to various hospitals throughout the region. This service continues and is very much appreciated by all the hospitals concerned, including the Newcastle Hospitals Trust (Freeman and RVI). A branch in East Deanery continues a long tradition to supply bags to the Chaplaincy at the Freeman Hospital. For many years branches in West Newcastle deanery also supplied bags to Newcastle General and the RVI; they have recently renewed this commitment and are supplying bags to the RVI. The photograph and caption in the newsletter simply reports the renewal of this service. It also records the chaplaincy appreciation of everyone in MU involved in supplying bags.

Mothering Sunday

Mothering Sunday is a day to celebrate Something Wonderful – the motherly love of God in our lives. Mother church is called to be the hands and feet and voice of Christ in the world – be it by tending the sick, feeding the hungry, welcoming the weary or befriending the stranger. Mary Sumner prayed to touch as many lives as possible with God’s love. So in Benwell and Scotswood we celebrated with a symbolic gift of 40 lunch plates – to support the spirit of mothering in making ‘Something Wonderful’ in the community.

Here is Leahan Garratt of Benwell and Scotswood MU, Shirley Irving, an Anna Chaplain and catering volunteer, and Revd Chris Minchin – with one of 4 boxes of plates ready for service. Looking on were 70 very smiling hungry faces!

Commissioning

Happy New Triennial – as we journey on together with Mothers’ Union members world-wide into our current 3-year commitment, during which we shall be celebrating 150 years since Mary Sumner founded Mothers Union.
Our Commissioning Service for this triennium was held in Newcastle Cathedral on 25th January, by invitation of the Dean, the Very Reverend Lee Batson, and attended by our newly appointed Provincial President, Christine Sharp.
And what a wonderful commissioning service it was. Our choir were in tuneful accord; Margy re-told a story from Acts; our banner was lifted high by Malcom Cairns; images of all the other MU banners were projected onto two screens; Dean Lee Batson preached and he commissioned all the officers and trustees; and Catherine Groves, archdeacon of Lindisfarne, presided. (Catherine had become a grandmother the day before so the event was extra special for her; she promised to become a member in celebration of the event.)
A number of visitors to the Cathedral joined in the worship and engaged in conversation; the café was full of Mothers’ Union members; and by no means least – we remembered all those who never made it despite their good intentions, many of them prevented by bad weather and unexpected, restricted rail and bus transport. Our new Provincial President, Christine Sharpe, was delighted with everything.
A big thank you from MU goes to all involved in the planning and events of the day – including the amazing team of vergers who set all the chairs and managed the magic technology. All that remains is for us to go forward in faith into whatever circumstances life leads us, rejoicing in 150 years of Mothers’ Union world-wide, and to spread the good news of God’s love in the words we speak, the prayers we breathe and the lives we live.

Internet Branch

Christmas foodFirst Internet Branch

For the fourth year running the First Internet Branch provided a complete Christmas Day Menu of food for the families at Harbour Refuge. We were supported financially by member from Ponteland and St Columba`s branches plus donations from many who are not MU members but wanted to help with the project which they felt was so worthwhile.

This year for the first time we supplied both Harbour Refuges, North Tyneside as usual, but also, by request, the Northumberland Refuge too. This meant that we actually provided food for 26 family units in total.


Friends and members ready to fill the bags	Bags ready to be delivered to the Refuges	Each bag contained a complete Christmas Day menu

Events in December across the Diocese

Alnwick Deanery Advent Service

Branch Coordinator Val with Alnwick MU Banner	President Margy and Deanery Leader Helen enrolled Rev Mitch into MU

Rev Mitch, the vicar of St Michael's Church Alnwick joined MU	Rev Mitch was welcomed by President Margy, Members of Alnwick MU, DL Helen and VP Ann

St Bartholomew's Long Benton MU

As part of our support for the RISE UP campaign, with the help of our congregation, we also collected another set of children's clothes for delivery to the Refuge before Christmas	Sally's Jams and Preserves stall

We also had two stalls at the Church Christmas Fair. As well as Sally's Jams and Preserves stall, this year we had another stall for MU funds selling floral arrangements, cross stitch tree decorations and handmade Christmas cards, all made by our members.

November across the Diocese

Gift Bag Day for People's Kitchen 2024

Some of the members who brought the Gift Bags- Thank you to all who donated.

Secretary, Sandra ready to greet members as they arrived.	Andy helps sort the Gift Bags and transports them to the People's Kitchen	The Gift Bags were blessed and Midday prayers were said.

Display at the entrance to Holy Nativity Chapel House for our 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence

St Bartholomew's Longbenton

Members and friends braved the snowy icy conditions for their annual Walk of Witness from Church to the shops half mile away. Unfortunately because of Storm Bert, snow hit some areas really badly and others couldn't get there. Well done and thank you.

St John's Whorlton

Display for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence

Helen Cooper came and taught our branch how to make Cross Stitch Crosses. They all had a wonderful day, with guests from our church there and Joan and Lily, the older members, thoroughly enjoyed it too.

Members from across the Diocese met at Holy Nativity Church to make up bags for the Homeless.

October around the Diocese

Holy Nativity Chapel House MU

Lindisfarne VP, Anne accompanied by her husband gave a talk at Holy Nativity Chapel House MU entitled "My Journey in Faith"

St.Cuthbert's Haydon Bridge with Beltingham and Henshaw

Branch members brought gifts to be given to the clients of 608030, NDAS, a Domestic Abuse Charity The branch also gave shopping vouchers to be distributed to clients in need at Christmastime. The branch has supported 608030 in this way for many years.

Diocesan Council 11 Oct 2024

The Diocesan Council on October 11th was fairly well attended. The Speaker was Deb Lee, President of Carlisle MU and Zonal Trustee Elect for the next Triennium. Deb spoke about Carlisle Diocese and ways to meet the falling membership.

You can download the Reports for Council here


Our President, Margy Tasker Brown introduced the meeting.	Andrew Davison came to thank us for our support and prayers following his kidney transpalnt a year ago.

Deb Lee, Zonal Trustee Elect spoke about the next Triennium and the hopes of the new Worldwide President Elect, Kathleen Snow.	This is a vital message and we need to embrace this if we are to increase our membership

September around the Diocese

St Bede's Newsham

St Bede's Newsham enjoyed a talk by Past President, Canon Helen Brunton who spoke about her time in MU.	Myra Turner, Branch Leader (R) presented Canon Helen with flowers.

St James Shilbotttle

On September 14th and 15th a Memorial Flower Festival was held in St. James's Church Shilbottle.
in memory of Lillian Hume, who died in Febuary aged 96. Lilian was a longstanding MU member and Branch Leader and had been the organist at the church for over 70 years!
The theme for the flower arrangements was Lilian's love of music. She was also an amazing stitcher and overall crafter. The altar cloth has been put together using panels (of a tiny fraction) of some of her embroidery work.
The MU banner came from Austrailia because when she first joined there wasn't one. Lillian had connection and sent for it. Unfortunately her sisters can't remember the full details. £2,800 was raised.

Lillian's badges are pictured below.

Following on from 'Something Wonderful' -and our New Project- See More


In a response to the ‘Something Wonderful’ project, some MU members from Holy Nativity and West Deanery delivered some donated art materials to the Art Club in Benwell. They were welcomed with enthusiasm. The group, together with Petra, the artist in residence, were amazing and they were all very appreciative of the gifts.

August 2024

Hexham with Corbridge Deaneries celebrated Mary Sumner Day

Hexham with Corbridge Deaneries celebrated our founder Mary Sumner with a gathering at All Hallows Henshaw, church.

After refreshments we gathered in the Church for Midday prayers.

Following this we had a very interesting talk about the church given by a former Churchwarden and current MU member Nigel Collingwood.

This was followed by a delicious lunch and much chat among the members from the combined Deaneries.

A very enjoyable day of fellowship and fun, I'm sure our founder would have approved.

Summer of Hope

As part of the MU fundraising for the Summer of Hope, Roz Glenn is doing a 10 mile walk on 22nd Sept in the Lake District. All the money raised will be used to educate women using the Literacy Circle programme, which has already made a difference in four dioceses in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This will be extended to another four dioceses in DRC. More info and donations can be found/made Click Here

Together we give the gift of hope for a brighter future.

Following a talk to a Methodist Ladies Club at Stakeford on the History of the Mothers' Union a raffle was held, and with the generosity of the group, £200 was raised. This is to be sent to the Worldwide Literacy Fund. The prize Food Hampers were provided by members of St. Paul's, Choppington Mother's Union.

Council & AGM April 2024
Over 50 members attended our Spring Council meeting. We had our AGM and then we had a talk with a Presentation from John and Lena Stephenson from the Charity ReNew North East. This is the charity we will work with inorder to enable our AFIA to go ahead in a different way. It was good to watch the film seeing those on holiday enjoying lots of supervised outdoor activities. It gave us a picture of the holiday breaks that will be offered.

You can find out more abouut ReNew North East here

Council April 4th 2025