Newsletter Summer 2014

NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2014

2 PHOTO GALLERY

Pocklington, Advent 2013. Left to right: Geraldine Baker, Linda Tremayne, Mavis Smith and Dot Townley

Guess who? ...... No prizes!

Hint: Beverley Minster

Escrick MU at York Minster April 2014. Left to right: Pamela Yates, Margaret Royle and Margaret Curran

3 CONTENTS

Front cover photo. Serving lunch at Kirkella. Left to right: Mary Peach, Kate Durkin, Margaret Brookes, Connie Sleight and Jennifer Todd

Photo Gallery 3

Contents 4

President’s Corner 5

Congratulations to Prison Volunteers 7

National Marriage Week in February 8

Wheels Appeal in Action 9

Judy Cooke 12

Memories of Wydale—Autumn 2013 13

110th Birthday, Beverley Minster MU Branch 14

Sowing or Sewing? A Cross in Your Pocket 15

Sowing the Seeds! 16

Seaside Singing at Scarborough 17

The AFIA Caravan 2014 18

Update on the Sheep Trail 19

Membership News 20

MU Member is 100 Years Old 21

Diary Dates 22

4 President’s Corner

Dear Friends

I am writing this during the week leading up to Palm Sunday, with my thoughts steadily moving forward to the events of Holy Week as I prepare for the services in our Church.

Several of our members from the Middlesbrough/Redcar area at- tended an ecumenical service last week held in the Roman Catholic Cathedral, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough (this is where some of you have travelled on two occasions for Lady Day Services). It was entitled ‘The Beatitude Stations of the Cross’ and was led by the Bishop of Middlesbrough, the Archdeacon of Cleveland and the Dean of the Cathedral. It was a moving service with those who were reading moving around the Stations and the congregation watching their progress; it was also thought provoking, not least because of the denominations worshiping together, in the wake of the Archbishops of Canterbury and Westminster’s example. I feel that the seeds are being sown towards Christian Unity.

5 In a similar way, as Mothers’ Union members, we are striving to sow seeds, and of course nurturing the growth, from them in order to bring more people to know about the aims and objects; and the work here and across the world of our organisation and hopefully through that in- crease the membership.

Unfortunately we are still without co-ordinators for the Action and Out- reach and the Faith and Policy Units, the work is continuing, overseen by the Vice-presidents of Cleveland and East Riding and helped by members of trustees and general membership.

COULD YOU DO THESE IMPORTANT AND WORTHWHILE JOBS OR DO YOU KNOW OF SOMEONE WHO WOULD DO A SPLENDID JOB?

I have received the statistics, collated from the branch figures, sadly the numbers have dropped again. I wonder if you can advise us as to why members are lapsing. I know that some are finding the rising cost difficult to meet; but if branches collect subscriptions in instalments (some already do) then that might help the situation.

There are some branches actively recruiting younger members and this is wonderful; it is just what we need—young, fit and enthusiastic members to be able to take the organisation into the future. There is a new branch opening in Bridlington in May, so thank you to all who are working hard to achieve progress in our Diocese.

Congratulations to all those who have enrolled new members this past year and also to the branches celebrating milestones of 90,100 and 110 year anniversaries this year.

I continue to enjoy travelling around the diocese, often accompanied by my very supportive and patient husband, Ian; and hope to be able to see many more of you in the near future.

With love and prayers to you all

Olwyn

CONGRATULATIONS!

What an exciting day the M.U. members who make up the Pris- on volunteers for Hull Prison have recently had. Stella Vernon, Jean Clark, Emma Clark, Dianne Bell, Faith Spink, and Jean Sergeant make up the Pison Volunteers Team at Hull Prison and the team was nominated by the Hull P.L.A. For the North Division Volunteer Award. Two members were interviewed the other week and they all went to Leeds for the Awards Ceremony. All of them were delighted to win the award for the OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER TEAM PRISON PLAY PROJECT H.M.P. HULL The award was presented by Ed Ball MP and the team now go forward to the National finals. The interviews will take place in London and presentations will be made at the AGM in Birming- ham in June.

UPDATE. Mrs Cooke received a phone call from Canon Vernon on Monday 28th April saying that they had been award- ed joint winners at National Level and will receive the award at a ceremony on June 6th 2014..More details of award ceremony in the next newsletter.

Congratulations to the 'Super Six'!

7 Mothers’ Union Members of the Church of Ascension with St Thomas’s Branch and their special day during National Marriage Week in February

One of our members, Judy, who is an expert at card making, set us with the task of making marriage anniversary cards. We had a wonderful 2 hours putting our own designs and creation together which made an attractive display for the Church for everyone to enjoy. Is this an idea for other branches to follow to celebrate marriage? At lunch time Stephen, our vicar, took us out and we had lunch together in a garden centre where we had a happy time chat- ting about our marriages and the beautiful cards we had made. We had enjoyed a truly extra special day. Isobel Gooder, Branch Leader

8 Wheels Appeal in Action ......

The figures below give an indication of how far Mothers’ Union Community Development Coordinators travelled on their wheels to support families in their neighbourhoods in 2013.

Morogoro, the Provincial CDC in Tanzania, travelled 3531 km in one year using buses, motorbike, lorry and by walking.

Jocelyne is CDC for the Diocese of Antananarivo, Madagasgar. She travelled about 600 km to the Diocese of Toliara, which doesn’t have a CDC, to provide training and support. It took her 12 hours on poor roads and she took a mini bus, as a car is too expen- sive.

Vanessa (name changed to protect her identity), the Provincial CDC in Myanmar, travelled 593 km by plane from Yangon to Rakhine state to de- liver training on microcredit to vul- nerable communities.

9 Betty Oruru is CDC for the Diocese of Lango in Uganda and travelled over 3500 km by bicycles, motor vehicles and motor cycles. She visited 36 parishes across her own Diocese. One of the main reasons for this was to raise awareness of, and bring about a reduction in Gender Based Vio- lence. She also travelled to the Provincial office in Kampala twice and to other Dio- ceses such as Northern Uganda, Mbale and Luwero in order to share training and learning.

Aimee Masika is CDC for the Diocese of North Kivu, DR Con- go. She travelled 282 km from Butembo to Goma and had to take a Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) aircraft as it is too unsafe to travel across her Diocese by road due to the ongoing conflict in the region.

10 Alice is CDC for the Diocese of Marsabit, Kenya. She oversees an area the size of England and travelled 15,000 km last year. But reaching some areas is made difficult by harsh climate, long distances, poor roads and tribal conflicts. Nonetheless, she is determined to help these communities establish change and empower women within a traditionally male dominated culture.

www.mothersunion.org

MU registered charity number 240531

Le Church, Le Tour 2014, Le Welcome to Yorkshire Saturday 5 July—Leeds to Harrogate—191 Km Sunday 6 July—York to Sheffield—198 Km

11 Judy Cooke The Mothers’ Union in Hull Deanery lost a very com- mitted, loyal and inspirational member with the death of Judy Cooke. She had been a faithful member of the Ferriby and Swanland branch for many years and for over 20 years Judy was the correspondent for the Indoor Members across Hull Deanery. Judy kept in touch with the members with Birthday and Christmas cards and, with the help of her branch members and her husband Alan, she held an annual afternoon tea party in her home for as many members who could attend. For the Mothers’ Union 125th anniversary branches were challenged to raising an extra £125. Judy rose to this challenge and with Alan as quizmaster ran a quiz night. Up to this day that quiz has been held each year raising over £5,000 for Mothers’ Union Projects worldwide. We give thanks to God for Judy’s life, her faith, her example of perseverance and courage in extreme dif- ficulty and we keep Alan, all her family and many friends in our prayers.

Editor's note: Obituaries are not normally included although an exception was made in this case - for obvious reasons.

12 Memories of Wydale Autumn 2013 For me, the 'Miracle of Silence' as over 30 members explored the various 'Prayer Stations' around Wydale both inside and out. Yes, over half-an- hour of silent prayer. Wow! As always the Retreat was special, and I par- ticularly appreciated the prayer cards with the colourful butterfly design. Olwyn Cooke, Rev. Sam Foster and Hilary Bolton

Definitely need to thank Muriel for all her efforts.. Retreat very enjoyable in general.. Free expressions Church is a bit of a mystery for many members but Sam is a real star and her work needs broadcasting as widely as possible. I thoroughly enjoyed "Autumn at Wydale" with its theme "It's a Miracle", especially when we met Rev Sam Foster who spoke to us about "Good Relaxation", "What is Fresh Expressions?" followed by "What does Fresh Expressions look like in reality?" As usual, the friendship from fellow members and hospitality from Wydale staff was wonderful. My grateful thanks to Muriel especially for a lovely few days.

13 110th Birthday!

Left to right: Mary Hutchinson, Rev. Jim Hyslop, Olwyn Cooke and Freda Watson

Beverley Minster MU Branch Celebrating this great event on Saturday 15th March 2014 at 11am with a special service in Beverley Minster were the current 33 members of the branch, their leader Freda Watson, past branch members, MU members from around the diocese and friends from far and near. The Revd. Jim Hyslop, Chaplain to the Carlisle Diocese, was invited to preach. The beautifully embroidered Branch banner, first dedicated on March 29th 1950 was carried in by Mary Hutchinson. Gertie was invited to cut the cake – the branch was only in its second decade when she was born, and she was the most sur- prised of anyone when she was asked to do the honours.

Gertie and Freda

And a wonderful time was had by all!

14 Sowing or Sewing? A Cross In Your Pocket

When a new venture is discussed at a Marketing meeting one is occasionally unsure as to whether the idea will be accepted by the members or not. So when the 'Crosses' article first appeared in a recent Families First magazine, Margaret Royle felt it was worth 'giving it a go' and to say it has been a success is an understate- ment. It has been like a conveyor belt in our house getting all the packs ready for distribu- tion out to the branches. The wool, canvas and needles were even taken to the Quiet Re- treat at Wydale so that the human 'conveyor belt' could continue to make up the packs in the small chapel - quietly of course! The 2014 theme of 'Sowing the Future Together' can, without question, be identified with this project. The members have been so enthusiastic about it and have been talking about how it can be expanded and given out to other groups/people - but with different coloured wool of course! One lady has even got her god-daughter (aged 9) into sewing them - a possible future member of the MU? My sincere thanks to all concerned with this scheme ..too many to mention in this article but you know who you are and that my thanks are heartfelt. I look forward to seeing this venture grow and again it shows that MU can identify a need within the community and act upon it! 'Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success' by Henry Ford .....but surely the mantra of Dio- cese of York Mothers' Union? Hilary Castle, Marketing Unit

15 Sowing the Seeds!

I bought 100 cotton shopping bags for about £184 and sell them at £2.50 each to raise money for the Diocesan AFIA Fund. I have also been handing out leaflets about our AFIA caravan at Filey. So this raises awareness of both the Caravan holidays and the MU! The bags have a printed picture on one side that shows the two church buildings in the Parish.

I have only about 25 to sell. People have been very generous and we have already recouped more than the cost of buying the bags. Every bag sold from now in is all profit. It is good for the Church in Acomb too when people see us using the bags for our shopping. I didn’t put a date on the bags, so I can go on selling forever!

Anna Lewis - St Stephen’s and St Aidan’s Branch, Acomb

16 Seaside Singing at Scarborough!

Once again the weather was kind to us as we held the third 'Songs of Praise' at Scarborough Spa. The Diocesan Chaplain David Purdy introduced the hymns and songs and gave a little background information about each one. Some members also spoke about why a particular hymn was special for them. There were some old favourites like 'Will Your An- chor Hold in the Storms of Life' - very appropriate as we looked out to sea whilst singing it - and some more modern ones 'In Christ Alone My Hope is Found' and the modern version of 'The Lord's My Shepherd'. The choir of more than 20 people (men and women) was directed by Monica Daniels who had also written and arranged music to accompany Mary Sumner's Prayer. People joined us from various parts of the diocese and we also welcomed holidaymakers and day trippers joined us for a fantastic afternoon. Though we didn't set out to make profit, a bucket col- lection raised £250 for Mothers' Union projects.

17 The A.F.I.A. Caravan 2014 The present caravan began its 5th season with an Open Day on 1st April. It was a lovely sunny day with a number of visitors, although not quite as many as in 2013. The newly upholstered settee units have greatly enhanced the liv- ing space, and will hopefully extend the life-span of the caravan. Overall, the caravan was very smart and fresh, thanks to the hard work of the caravan supervisor, Mrs Sue Kennedy and her team. A really welcoming place to spend a holiday. During 2013 the caravan was used for 26 weeks during which 110 people had holidays (59 adults, 31 children under 11 years and 20 over 11 years). The 19 families were a mixture of mother and children, grandmothers, mothers and children, and grandparents and children, also some couples.

Remember: Branch members are encouraged to find ‘families/ couples’ who would benefit from a holiday during 2014. Contact Ian Cooke (01642 472911) for further details regarding bookings. Jennifer Finel, Vice President Cleveland.

Update on the Sheep Trail'..

The congregation at Escrick Church was intrigued to find 'knitted' sheep, accompanied by an appropriate line of a carol, strategically placed around the church. Searching for the sheep gave people an opportunity to wander around the church instead of walking straight to a pew and also to work out which carol each verse came from. Although it was aimed at something for the children it was inter- esting to see teenagers and 'cool' university students on the trail. It is hoped there will be a bigger flock next year with another 'adventure' for Bo Peeps friends and followers! A simple idea that can be used in so many ways and always showing that MU members are more than just making the tea at church...!

Hilary Castle, Escrick

19 Membership News

Long Service Congratulations to the following who have recently celebrated 50 years or more membership of the Mothers' Union:  Mavis Hallows of Pickering branch  Margaret Webster and Eunice Sykes of Brayton branch  Jean Rivett, Margaret Donald, Barbara Elliott, Margaret Royle, Muriel Allan and Jean Burdett all of St Stephen & St Aidan, Acomb Birthday Greetings.... 90th + birthday  Deborah Ormiston of St Stephen & St Aidan, Acomb  Mary Parry - Brayton, Selby  Millie Thompson - St Cuthbert's, Marton  Joyce Elliott - Northallterton & Romanby  Mary Carmichael (93) of St Stephen & St Aidan, Acomb 100th birthday  Margaret Trenwith - Holy Redeemer, York Diamond Wedding Anniversaries...  Margaret & Bob Sutherland of Pocklington  Jacqui & Richard Walker of Filey Golden Wedding Anniversary  Grace and Ivor Whitehead from St Margaret Branch Brookfeild  Joyce & David Robson from Northallerton and Romanby Branch  Marjorie & Donald Thompson of Brayton

20 Mothers’ Union Member is 100 Years Old Margaret Trenwith, who has been a member of the Mothers’ Union at Holy Redeemer Church, York for sixty-three years, celebrated her 100th birthday on February 17th 2014. Margaret was the Branch Leader at Holy Redeemer Church for many years and is still a faithful and passionate member of the group attending monthly meetings and fund raising events.

Margaret celebrated her birthday over several days, enjoying a celebration lunch with her family at Monk Fryston Hall. She received 156 cards including one from HRH Queen Elizabeth and shared many birthday cakes with her friends and family. On the Sunday following Margaret’s birthday Holy Redeemer Church held a Celebration Eucharistic service followed by a party in the Church Hall.

Margaret chose the hymns for the service and we all enjoyed a fantastic spread as well as a beautifully decorated hall and of course another delicious birthday cake.

What joy it was to be able to join Margaret for this special day and what an honour to know someone who has been such a strong and loving member of the Mothers Union for so long.

21 Diary Dates of some events for 2014

 June 21st: General meeting at Belfast Waterfront Centre. Tick- ets available from Mary Sumner House  July 2nd: York Archdeaconry Festival Service at Poppleton Church, 7:30pm Archdeacon of York, Ven Sarah Bullock to preach  July 5th- 6th: Le Tour sets off from York city centre !  July 11th - 15th: General Synod meeting in York  July 19th: Fun, Fellowship and Craft Day at Scarborough. Fur- ther details form Hilary Bolton  Aug 9th: Mary Sumner Day  Sept 16th- 18th: Unit Conference at Swanwick  Sept 18th: York Deanery Fellowship Afternoon, Heslington Church, 2pm. Come and join in the Songs of Praise service  Sept 23rd - 25th: Autumn meeting at Wydale  Nov 1st: Diocesan Council So get those dates into your diary ...contact your Deanery Presi- dent for further information.

22 23 Diocesan President Diocesan Secretary Diocesan Treasurer Mrs Olwyn Cooke Mrs Linda Borrows Mrs Christine Sawyer 25 Birkdale Road 85 Woodlands Av 12 Sir John J Hunt Cottages New Marske, Redcar Tadcaster St Oswald’s Rd Cleveland TS11 8DP Leeds LS24 9HP Fulford Tel: 01642 472911 Tel: 01937 339181 York [email protected] Email: lindaborrowsmu YO10 4PG @gmail.com Tel: Email: christinesawyermu @gmail.com

Archdeaconry Vice Presidents

York Cleveland Mrs Dot Townley Mrs Jennifer Finel Granary Cottage 83 Riverslea South End Stokesley Seaton Ross North Yorkshire York YO42 4LZ TS9 5DE Tel: 01759 318182 Tel: 01642 711041 [email protected] [email protected] East Riding Sandra Gavan-Duffy Westwood House Westwood Scarborough YO11 2JD Tel: 01723 363226 sandraga- [email protected]

Newsletter Editor Newsletter Communications Officer Christine Mason Hilary Castle 19 Hall Farm Close 2 SouthlandsClose Riccall Escrick York York YO19 6NT YO Tel: 01757 248039 Tel: 01904

The deadine for the next issue of the Newsletter is: Friday 3 October, 2014.

Please send items to: [email protected], or [email protected]