Summer across the Diocese

West Deanery Walk

A beautiful day for us as we walked from St John's Church Whorlton to Holy Nativity Chapel House through the estates. We had walkers from 4 branches plus our President Margy and Rev Anne (&Derek) members in our Deanery. Anne started a walk with a prayer. Half-hour later we arrived and our Volunteer kitchen ladies plus those not able to walk very easily were waiting for us. We were led in prayer with a short service by our VP Rev Diane Macnaughton before starting our picnic (indoors). Members joined us from all the branches and we had a lovely afternoon

Hexham Deanery Members

Hexham Deanery Members and some husbands celebrated Mary Sumner with a visit to the Sill, an exhibition space and geological and historical museum situated just outside Bardon Mill. We visited the Sycamore Gap tree exhibition, where a large branch was situated, with comments from all ages, The tree was cut down by vandals some years ago. We also visited a newly discovered collection of the Flower Fairies, in the exhibition Hall. We ended with a short prayer on the accessible roof followed by afternoon tea.
St. George’s Cullercoats
St. George’s Cullercoats Branch in Tynemouth deanery held an MU Big Picnic in the vicarage back garden at the end of June (and just before the end of the heatwave up here! 😊) We invited branch Members, members of our congregation and families who had children baptised during the last year or so.


St Bart's Aftermoon Tea
Saturday 11th July and the sun was shining on St Bart's Long Benton for our annual afternoon tea. A delicious selection of food washed down with a drop of fizz, great raffle prizes and a wonderful atmosphere in the room made this year's fundraiser a total success. £410 was raised on the day and will be used to support local projects. It was also lovely to have MU members from other branches join us for tea.



Amble Branch- talk by by Sylvia Hickey about her work for the Mothers’ Union in raising awareness about Domestic Abuse
We decided to support this both in prayer and in fund raising. One of our members, Penny and her husband Colin, offered to host our annual summer lunch and we decided to make it a fund-raising event to buy one of the Mother and Baby Boxes that are provided for a woman giving birth as soon as she arrives at the refuge. Each box costs £270. The first box was used at Eastertide and Sylvia delivered a second one recently. Our lunch started with a time of prayer, including the MU wave of prayer and one for those suffering from domestic abuse. We enjoyed a bring and share feast before being entertained by a local choir, The Warkworth Singers. We are delighted to say that not only did we have a wonderful time but exceed the cost of a box by collecting a total of £283.

We have also been issued a bronze RISE UP award which was presented to a few of the members at a recent Sunday service.

Haltwhistle MU service celebrating135 years for Haltwhistle branch and 150 years of MU


Some members of Newcastle MU attended the 150th Celebrations in London

St Bartholomew's Long Benton Branch Annual Soup and Sandwich lunch raised funds this year to provide 50 short stay bags for the Emergency Admissions Suite at the Freeman Hospital.

Sylvia Hickey, on behalf of the First Internet Branch delivered a large consignment of bed linen and towels to the Northumberland Refuge donated by Tesco Kingston Park. This is the result of a working relationship developed from our Christmas food project for the Refuges when Lesley, the Community Champion, puts our large order together for our collection. Two weeks ago she delivered a similar load to North Tyneside. This had been generously donated by a non MU lady from Amble who had heard about First Internet work from a member of Amble branch.

The First Internet branch's Mother and Baby Box fundraising Quiz raised a total of £355. It was, as ever, supported by many non MU members. Knowing that this would be the case I asked to host the Provincial Prayer Capsule that night. This enabled people outside our organisation to witness one of the ways in which we are celebrating our 150^th anniversary.

Summer Events 2025

Our President Margy with Christine Sharp our Provintial President and 2 others at the Leadership Conference in Liverpool where they considered 3 main Themes: 1 Working Together, 2 Membership growth and Managenent, 3 150th opportunities to celebrate and grow, along with Fun and Fellowship.

Branches had an invitation from Holy Nativity branch to be at their meeting today. Our Chaplain Rev Anne Marr would be teaching us to "Sign" Mary Sumner’s Personal Prayer. The few of us who went enjoyed our afternoon and hopefully we can put it to good use next week. Branch Leader Debbie, Dorothy - Treasurer (cake maker!) and Rev Anne with Linda in the kitchen doing teas.

St Cuthberts Haydon Bridge with Beltingham and Henshaw MU Branch held their annual Garden Party at Anne Brunton's home yesterday. Our Diocesan President Margy joined us for a very enjoyable afternoon of food and chat. We were blessed with dry weather!!


We were really happy to have booked a spot in Newcastle Cathedral for their first Volunteers Fair.


It was a wonderful Marketing occasion where we gave out our Q cards and informed as many as possible about our great MU so we were able to feel that we had a successful day.

Spring Events 2025

The First Internet Branch ran a Quiz Night and raised £252, additional funds for our work with Harbour Refuge.
		They have bought a bike shed to accommodate childrens` bicycles given to Harbour Refuge but for which they had no storage facilities.
The £200 was made up mainly from the sale of items made from fabric given to the branch by Lynne Tembey, gathered from her travels when Worldwide President. Huge thanks from the branch and Harbour Refuge to Lynne for her generosiity and also to the helpers who made scarves, cushion covers and tote style bags etc.
Sylvia Hickey presented our Worldwide President, Kathleen with a bag made from the same material


Margy and Anne B deliver more toilet rolls and kitchen goods to Reza and Shirley in Benwell for the ‘Something Wonderful’ project.

The daughter of a friend, (Heather) got into a conversation with a lady on the train, as she travelled to work one day. The day was the 24th March and the lady was Kathleen Snow, who was on her way to be commissioned as our Worldwide President. Kathleen asked Heather to take a photograph of her and to pass on greetings to St Cuthbert’s branch! During my time as Diocesan President we were encouraged to explain the work of the Mothers’ Union whilst travelling in a moving lift, perhaps the train led to a more leisurely explanation of who we are and what we do. Jennifer Snowdon
Holy Nativity members were delighted by the talk given to us by Helen Cooper today. We were shown many examples of her work and delighted to see the first of ten completed kneelers for Newcastle Cathedral.
The Marketing Team met with Peter Cumiskey in Cafe 22 at Newcastle Cathedral. Peter was happy to give advice on the way forward to promote Newcastle Mothers' Union

Our Tree at Howick

Our MU Indian Chestnut tree in Howick Hall keeps growing

Margy planting it in 2022	Margy with the tree in 2023	Anne M with the tree in 2025.

Diocesan Members Day April 2025

Diocesan Members Day 26 April 2025

'999'

Our Speaker at Diocesan Members Day was Craig from the Northeast Ambulance service. He talked about the service in general, it was formed into the present structure in 2006 and covers an area from Berwick in the north to Guisborough in the south and Haltwhistle in the west. This is a diverse area covering cities such as Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesborough but also large rural areas in west and North Northumberland.

Craig came with a team of props, for example “Charlie” a very handsome guy from the British Heart Foundation. There were also dolls in various sizes. These props were used to demonstrate how to deal with someone who is choking.

He also showed us how to perform C.P.R, again using a “model” patient, then moving on the use of a defibrillator. He stressed that these machines were actually not frightening to use as they give positive verbal instructions and could save a life. In both situations speed is of the essence and minutes can make the difference between life and death.

When a call is made to the Ambulance Call Centre the operator must assess the patient`s need and put them in a category ranging from 1 (danger to life) to 4 which records need but with a lower priority. In the case of category 1 the operator will talk the caller through what they need to do while the ambulance is diverted to arrive within minutes. Craig stressed that we should never be afraid to seek help either by ringing 111 or 999.

He encouraged questions and members really engaged with him as he spoke. Craig was thanked for his fascinating and informative talk, he received a small l gift of thanks.

It was Lesley Bolton`s Birthday so we all sang “Happy Birthday” and Sylvia presented her with a bouquet of pink roses and carnations.

The picture also shows Ann Mitchell who has recently taken over as our Prayer Chain co-ordinator.

Easter 2025 across the Diocese

Easter Across the Diocese

I visited the Northumberland Woman’s Refuge in Holy week to deliver a large selection of Easter eggs donated by our members and congregation of St Cuthbert’s Blyth for the families. I also delivered the fantastic toiletry bags donated from St Bede’s branch, and outdoor toys, books and craft items. The staff were, as ever, very grateful for these donations as the photograph shows. Jennifer Snowdon

Members of Bedlington Deanery enjoying tea and cake after our Lenten Reflection service at St Cuthbert’s Blyth shortly before Easter.

During the last week of term, we had a wonderful day at St Cuthbert’s, where we welcomed nearly 100 children from our local school, Croftway Academy, who came along and learnt about the Easter egg and that an empty chocolate egg is symbolic of the empty tomb. Members of the congregation, including Mothers’ Union members, Knitted or crochet over 100 chicks for the children to take home with a chocolate egg hidden inside their chick.

The First Internet Branch provided 24 Real Easter Eggs, one for every child at Harbour Refuge. The 18 women each received an Easter card containing a Greggs £10 food voucher, generously donated by Greggs themselves.

Council April 4th 2025

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

2025 January- March 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.

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

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!

Internet Branch

Christmas food First 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