St John's Whorlton
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.
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Members from across the Diocese met at Holy Nativity Church to make up bags for the Homeless.
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Holy Nativity Chapel House MU
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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. |  |
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
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
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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. |
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St James Shilbotttle
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On September 14th and 15th a Memorial Flower Festival was held in St. James's Church Shilbottle. Lillian's badges are pictured below. |
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Following on from 'Something Wonderful' -and our New Project- See More
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| 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. | |
Our MU gathering in Morpeth on Friday was a really enjoyable time. We sang, prayed and even danced together; we shared personal stories and appreciated all the aspects of the journey of life in the display of shoes and footprints.
Huge thanks are due to all who helped to shape the day:
…the VPs and Morpeth MU Branch members for their exemplary welcome, hospitality and tea & coffee;
…P&P and Marketing trustees for ship activities, prayers, saints quiz and prizes, card sales;
…those members and friends who managed the raffle and helped to set out and replace the chairs;
…the many who wrote prayers on footprints and everyone who brought shoes and stories of their own ‘Footsteps in Faith’.
Thanks also to those who were not able to make it to Morpeth but who found their own creative ways to make Footsteps in Faith and who joined us in spirit.
Not least thanks to St Georges URC who allowed us to use their premises for ‘mates rates’ as brothers and sisters in Christ.
May our footsteps go on in faith as we unfold the coming months.
Every blessing,
Anne M
'One More Step Along the Word I go'-
Reflections by VP Anne Blight on her Footsteps in Faith
In 2021 after a sombre time during Covid I decided to do a fund raising event and I passed the idea to Pam Alderson and Dorothy Walker who were both up for it, I couldn’t have done it without them. We asked West Deanery MU if they would support us and they did. We planned our walk starting each time at our St John’s Church Whorlton and the first walk with members from our Branch’s including our Chaplain Anne and Derek, walked to Holy Nativity in Chapel House, not far but a good start. We were met by lovely members who gave us a warm welcome with Coffee etc. Together we then had our Mothers Union Midday Prayers and finished by singing “One more step along the world …”
We always had a rest day/days in between helping us to recover. Our next stop was at Holy Cross where no workers joined but they were there coming forward to welcome us with welcoming smiles and refreshments. Again prayer time followed by Midday prayer time and then singing “One more step”
Venerable Bede Church on the West Rd a very busy thoroughfare. The ladies were out in force with refreshments in their small frontal area on the West Road fully exposed to all and so glad to see us and yes you guessed it we worshipped and sang. We then walked to St Matthews a very old Church on the West Road and the ladies, only a handful of members, had our refreshments ready and again we finished with our normal pattern.
Ponteland was our last one the longest. It was amazing on the walks the support of Trustees walking with us or joining us en route to the resting place, it empowered and supported us. Captain Paul with the members were waiting for us and we had refreshments and worship in their beautiful church. The last time to sing “One more step” but then the walk home which is what we did if folks felt able to. Poor Dorothy sprained her ankle on the way home on the one before so had to be careful and didn’t do it but Pam and I soldiered on.
We were so supported by you all and a had wonderful time in achieving this, thank you friends.
This year we had an idea springing from a few of us and the plan was worked out slowly with others in tow when needed and it grew from a small seed…Footsteps in Faith….which our Chaplain Anne embraced and used her many talents helping us on our small committee to make plans.
I was absolutely delighted that so many of you took part in one way or another. Our Cathedral display was amazing – it was warmly received in our Cathedral and many visitors were seen looking/reading leaving comments on the “fishes”. Our Mary Sumner Day celebrated on 1st August with Midday Prayers and followed by the Cathedral daily Eucharist which was a joy.
Then culminating in Morpeth wow what a day. You came from North, South, East and West you embraced it thank you members. Rev Anne again surpassed herself and the worship that Jackie Moore, our F&P Leader, and Anne with your help was beautiful. And what did we sing “One more step”
I opened my hymn book today, two days later, for our Sunday service and what did I see the first Hymn “One more Step”
I want to thank God for leading me on my “Footsteps in Faith” and for others led by God to bring us together and enjoy the riches we received.
Our first Venture was a money raiser and the last one only if that was the way anyone wanted to do it, we had a wide variety of ideas. Looking back for me now the money raised was a bonus we experienced so much love and joy and hopefully our Diocese will continue their journey in this way, all inclusive ….continuing the work of our founder Mary Sumner.
Anne Blight (soon to be retiring VP Northumberland Archdeaconry)
Hexham with Corbridge Deaneries celebrated Mary Sumner Day
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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.
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Summer of Hope
| 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. |  |
Responses were extremely encouraging. Many people wrote prayers and messages on the footprints and laid them on the display. These will be brought to our Morpeth gathering on Friday 30th August. The Cathedral staff and volunteers reported that a lot of visitors had seen the display and commented on how inspiring it was. I passed by as a couple of tourists were taking photos of themselves next to it. Two members cried as they read the ‘Free to Be’ card next to the dance shoes: it was just after the tragic Southport event. A heart-felt message read: ‘Don’t let other people stop you from being yourself’. Another said – ‘Carry us when we are weary’. One said ‘Walk on’; another ‘God, do not let me unhold your hands’. Thanks to all who inspired and helped create the display, which clearly touched the hearts of many who saw it.
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Popular Afternoon Tea's across the Diocese
St Bart's, Longbenton Afternoon Tea
| St Bart's Branch held theirs on a sunny Saturday afternoon in July. Fantastic atmosphere, great selection of sandwiches, quiche, scones and cakes and, of course, the obligatory raffle. We raised over £300 for funds. A great afternoon enjoyed by all. | |
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| Holy Nativity Chapel House Afternoon Tea | |
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| Sixty folks sat down for Afternoon Tea at Holy Saviours with a pianist playing in background. They made £600 plus a big raffle which raised over £200 for MU |  |
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| A service of reflection was led by Rev Dorothy Robinson, Life Vice President on her retirement as team vicar of Christ Church North Shields. The photo show members from Christ Church and Holy Saviour branches. |
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| Afternoon Tea at St Gabriel's was enjoyed by all. |
Monday 24th – Tuesday 25th June 2024
Our retreat gave us the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful surroundings at Shepherds Dene, with time for fellowship andfun as well as well as times of silence and reflection.
Our leader was the Revd. Robert Lawrance, Vicar of St Francis, Heaton. His theme was ‘Hope in a hot climate.’ In a time of global uncertainty, Robert drew on the spiritual teaching of St Francis of Assisi to offer a positive vision for the future.
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| 28 Mothers’ Union members from around the diocese spent 2days together in the retreat at Shepherds Dene led by Rev. Robert Lawrence. We shared time and fellowship together as we considered and prayed about issues relating to the environment and our faith’. | Members met outside on a beautiful morning to listen to bird song before morning prayers’. |
| Members enjoying free time during a sunny afternoon at the Mothers’ Union retreat at Shepherds Dene. | ||
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| Food and fun together at the end of the day. | ||
The retreat next year will be led by Rev. Claire MacLaren on 23rd and 24th June.Please book early as places are taken up very quickly.
During June members of St. George’s Cullercoats branch took some Footsteps in Faith:
Two members attended Something Wonderful in Benwell, and were overwhelmed by the welcome and hospitality we received. The Eucharist was moving and uplifting. Well done to all who helped to make this such a special event.
One member went on to take footsteps in faith at the diocesan retreat.
Six of us caught the Metro to Sunderland. We walked along to the Minster where we were made very welcome. The stained-glass windows are glorious. We then walked to view the Knife Angel and found it very moving and thought-provoking.
The Knife Angel is a powerful sculpture displayed in Sunderland until 28 June, This awe-inspiring, 27-foot-tall statue, created from over 100,000 surrendered blades, serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of knife crime. there were also Workshops run by the Connor Brown Trust warning young people of the dangers as well as making sure they know what to do and where to go if they need help or advice if they or someone they know is carrying a knife.
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| Front view of the Knife Angel | Sunderland MU banner in the Minster | Back view of the Knife Angel |