Mothers’ Union Matters Views of the Diocesan Festival Left Wendy Sykes in the Diocese of Chester presented six new MU Summer 2016 Speakers at the Diocesan Festival. Here they are Charity Number 221214 being commissioned by Rt Rev’d Libby Lane.

Above The Diocesan banner is proudly At the Leadership Conference in Swanwick, some of processed. Chester’s representatives met with visitors from Left Bishop Libby congratulates one Speaker Grahamstown, S. Africa, (one of our new Worldwide on her appointment.. Links -see Page 9), Malaita in the Solomon Islands and Sri Lanka. The Mayor and Mayoress of Stockport with Angela Klabou, our past President, were guests at the service.

Read a full report on pages 4 &5.

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From the Diocesan President Diocesan Festival Service Summer is upon us and the gardens are bathed in The beautiful church of St George, Stockport was chosen as the venue this

bright sunlight once again. The irises are particularly year, partly to give the Archdeaconry members a shorter resplendent at the moment, not only in glorious journey than they have had in previous years. sunshine yellow but also in green, blue and white, The Diocesan President, Viv Ley, welcomed about 600 members to what proved to be an uplifting which remind me so much of our Mothers’ Union logo! service, with Bishop Libby Lane giving the address Some of you have chosen to hold Deanery Festivals and Afternoon Teas and stirring hymns played on the wonderful over the summer months and I look forward to joining you for these Compton organ there. Viv Ley reminded those special occasions where I can, marking as they will, our 140th Anniversary present of this year’s theme of “A Celebration of Year and affording us the opportunity to celebrate all we are doing and Faith” which, with the celebration of 140 years of have done over the years in the name of Mothers’ Union. MU, would provide the theme for the service. Thank you to all of you who made a special effort to attend our Diocesan Diana Bancroft (Chester Archdeaconry Diocesan President Viv Ley Festival, held at St George’s, Stockport in May this year. It was wonderful President) had written “A call from welcomed everyone to see so many of you there and to share together in our ‘Celebration of heaven”, in which Mary Sumner contacts a Faith’. I am so grateful to our Bishops and clergy for all the support they modern MU member to enquire about the health of the organisation, 140 give us on such occasions and I should like to invite all clergy in our years on from its foundation. She is relieved to find it is still in existence, diocese to come along to any of our celebrations this year to see what but amazed to discover its modern worldwide spread and huge diversity of Mothers’ Union is doing. Indeed, this year I should like to invite all our projects. Whilst modern technology has meant that the spread of her members to look carefully at the work we are doing in our parishes, Ideals worldwide, she was glad to hear that it still works deaneries and diocese, to take note of the work you are particularly proud hard in the UK as well and that the huge sums of money of and to see if you can spot an area of need which you feel we should be raised by members is all used “at the sharp end”. addressing. I should be delighted if you would contact me with your During the service, 6 new MU speakers were thoughts. It is so important for us to flourish where we are planted and, presented by Wendy Sykes and commissioned by just like the irises, to show our colours so that Mothers’ Union can be seen Bishop Libby. to be bringing light to the lives of those most in need in our communities. Bishop Libby’s address was based on the themes of the two Bible readings, the first from Hebrews Ch 12, where With my love and prayers, Viv Paul exhorts us to run the race focussed on Christ, the second from John, Ch 15 which is the passage where If you would like to see what Mothers’ Union is doing in the Province of Jesus likens himself to the vine, with ourselves as the York, have a look at the York_140 group on Facebook or follow York_140 branches and on the love of Jesus for us which transforms our lives. She on Twitter. Don’t forget to let others know if you like what you see! said that she is now something of an armchair sportsman, but in her

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earlier days, she had trained hard to be fit for her two sports of running Lindsay runs for MU and rowing. We must, she said, do as St. Paul says and train to be fit for Lindsay Graham, daughter of General this race – but why? Jesus is our example, he did not race for glory, he Trustee Diana Waller, volunteered to run already had this in the love of his Father, but for the success of his prize the Chester half marathon recently to which is our joy at being in his love. We only run the race because we are raise funds for MU. She completed the already loved; keeping our spiritual muscles fit so that we can receive the run in 1hour 58mins &30secs. The joy of God’s love in our lives and be ready to response from members has been pass this love on to others. God’s faith in us is wonderful. Branches in Di’s our firm foundation, she said, but foundations Macclesfield Deanery sponsored Lindsay need to be built on. As the branches of Jesus’ and she raised over £240 on her “Just vine of love, our love must be pruned and Giving” page, so that the total raised changed so that we can grow. True love is should exceed £600. One of the runners constant when confronted by change; the sap she knows in Carlisle, (where she now which rises in us transforms us and keeps us lives), donated because he used to live faithful. Bishop Libby has been very impressed in Frodsham and his mother was a by MU members she has met during her and her member of the MU branch there! And more funds husband’s 23 years of membership, Congratulations and thanks to Lindsay Diocesan Chaplain, Rev’d Canon Chris are raised by Knutsford especially recently during her visit to for her effort. Humphries, Rev’d Canon Elaine Chegwin– DR Congo; the example of these Deanery. Hall, Vicar of St George and Rt Revd Libby members should encourage us to Lane lead the procession at the start . persevere in our own work. We are Quartet On Friday 6th May 2016, Knutsford Deanery hosted a the means by which communities can be altered – active vine branches, successful theatre evening at the Green Room, Wilmslow. This was a fund raiser for the Literacy Fund. It was a full house, with all 80 tickets sold. We AN IMPORTANT DATE FOR YOUR DIARIES! were treated to a marvellous performance full of humour, which took place in a nursing home for retired musicians. The actors portrayed a A VERY special celebration for collection of 4 artists brought together by a love of opera, conspiring, the 140th birthday of MU will mutually supportive of each other, as they contemplated the fading of take place on the evening of their gift. It was a very enjoyable evening and, including matched funding October 11th. More from Barclays in the Community, the total raised will be £1246. information and tickets will be Thank you very much to all those who supported the event. available soon. Jackie Gibson

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Archbishop Justin Welby praises the work of MU

The Archbishop of Canterbury said he MU Enterprises Report “praises God" for Mothers’ Union A conference was held recently at Swanwick, Derbyshire Coleen Starkey, during a service at Lambeth Palace to Joanna Porosinska and David Ewaku had come from London for the event. recommission Lynne Tembey as worldwide president of the global Introductions were made, each person saying where he or she was from Anglican women’s organisation. and roughly how their system worked. There were many different ways. During the service Archbishop Justin Some Dioceses have a lot of Reps, some have none. The new Diocese of Welby said: “The Mothers’ Union in West Yorkshire and the Dales has a Team Leader and a Rep in each of the so many places is an organisation original Dioceses. All ordering in Southern Ireland is now done in bulk via that listens to the voices of weeping. Whether it’s in Burundi, the Congo or Dublin, because of the varying exchange rates of the Euro. Ireland’s South Sudan; whether it’s in homes in cities where, when the local football members have produced a booklet of the popular knitting and sewing team loses, there is a 50 percent increase in domestic violence; whether it patterns and are selling it to raise money. It was suggested that we swap is in the loneliness of weeping by people who are not suffering physically email addresses with our nearest Dioceses so that, if we have surplus but are spiritually empty and lost; it is the Mothers’ Union that exists in the stock which the others could sell , we could get in touch. vision of Mary Sumner to speak of those things that God has provided that We saw the mock-ups of the new Christmas cards and heard about the bring hope, help and a future. Central to this vision, he said, is “an Pop-up Shops. They are organised by “Cards for Good Causes”. This extraordinary movement to support the family. There has never been a organisation invites Charities to participate, after examining the stock and time when the family was not a place that needed the light of Christ vetting the demeanour of the staff. MU has participated at two shining within it to become what God has called it to be. And you hold that Christmases so far, with a larger number of shops the second time, mostly treasure in your hands, and as we go to the reaffirmation that is part of the in the South East of England, and are hoping for even more venues this vision.” He added: “But there is also such a need for global women’s year. In 2015, 945 packs of cards, value £3601, were sold that way. In groups. And you are among the most embedded, the most effective, the small groups we went through the latest Catalogue, marking our most widespread. There are few that can rival you – if any.” Mothers’ preferences. We suggested things we would like to see included. For Union holds in its hands two aspects of “the most extraordinary treasure publicity, we were encouraged to attend Synod Meetings, Clergy that God has brought together.” From a press release by Mary Sumner Conferences, Fairs and Festivals outside Churches as well as Church House events. Breakdown of sales for 2015 showed that cards are by far the best sellers. Whilst locally….. Joan Colwell was reaffirmed as Cordelia Moyse’s book “A History of The Mothers’ Union” will be out in Middlewich Deanery Leader at St. Luke, paperback soon. Audrey Sharrman MUE representative Winnington. Jean Wilson was commissioned as Branch Leader there. The Rural Dean, Rev. A new course for prospective MU Speakerswill start on October 5th at Simon Drew reaffirmed Joan and Rev. Carol Church House, Daresbury . Contact Wendy Sykes if you would like to Seddon commissioned Jean . Also attending become a speaker. were Viv Ley, Diana Bancroft and Rev’d Canon Information mornings for Branch and Deanery officers will take place on Chris Humphries. Oct. 18th for Chester Archdeaconry and on 20th Oct. for Macclesfield.

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News from two of our new Worldwide Links Representatives from our Link Diocese in Grahamstown attended the Finance & Central Services Report Leadership conference at Swanwick and met with members from Once again our members and friends continue to generously support us, Chester Diocese. (See photo on front page) raising income for funds in 2015, which we were able to forward on to Mary Sumner House: A letter was received from them, part of which follows:-

“Dear Sisters in Christ, Britain & Ireland £ 2,500 I greet you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. As from today Relief Fund £ 9,072 up to Friday we’re bound by a wave, a chain of Love to collectively and Overseas Fund £ 12,184 unanimously thank God for His everlasting grace that He pours upon us and Literacy Fund £ 4,552 Wheels Appeal £ 4,249 also pray for our different needs as Mothers. Lord in your mercy….. hear Total £ 32,557 our prayers. Wishing you all the best in our different praying sessions!!!” Thank you as always for all your hard work and contributions. This is only Mandisa Mhlwatika. slightly down on 2014, when £34,258 was raised. And one was also received from N. Argentina :- In addition, donations for our Holiday Fund (AFIA) were £6,345 and our “Dear sisters n Christ, Our very warm greetings from Argentina! It is just MU Enterprise Grant (10% of sales) was £973. wonderful to be in touch with you all and grateful to Chester as well for the Jackie Gibson F & C S Coordinator helpful service sheet. We shared with some of the local Toba women and prayed for you all by name. We Action and Outreach report remembering you all and Mandisa’s AFIA 14 applications have been processed. 25 adults and 35 children will selected reading was a wonderful benefit from holidays this year. 8 caravans were originally booked, but 4 encouragement and reminder to be more have had to be added as a result of families referred from joyful and pray!! Thank you so Birkenhead after a promotion event there. Although costing a bit more, much, Mandisa. It is wonderful to Haven have still given MU a discounted price. 140 years project 2 think how we are being held up in projects were agreed at Committee day. 1 . to knit 140 rainbow jumpers. prayer by sisters from all over the A special pattern was produced and some wool obtained at a discounted price (some is still available from the office , Ed) two charities will wold, but I would ask you to eventually receive them and distribute them to refugees. 2. Every Branch Toba women pray for the new links remember Isabel Vilte, our is asked to give out 2 “gift cards” offering a “free gift” from MU. A flyer Diocesan President whose husband and cards will be available at Council. This is not a recruiting exercise, but died recently. She continues to work and is attending a Wichi AMAMRE one educating people about the work of MU. Virtual Babies Primary (MU) conference. We would value your ongoing prayers for our first Schools project. Worksheets and programmes have been produced and a pilot project will take place in Christ Church Primary School, Moreton. General Assembly which will take place at the beginning of July. Every A Parenting Course is being rum by Ruth Basden and Ann Peach in blessing, dear sisters in Christ, Catherine Le Tissier Weaverham. (Catherine is the wife of Bishop Nick Grayson, and is responsible for the rapidly growing AMARE - MU - in N. Argentina) Ann Peach and Joan Colwell

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Welcome to our new High Legh St John members: Ann Hirons Davenham St Wilfrid Faith and Policy Report Little Budworth. St. Peter Barbara Platts Jenny Marshall , Dorne Quipp. There will be a Pilgrimage to “The Land of Song” - South Wales from Edgeley St Matthew Nantwich St Mary 10th-13th July 2017 . Visits will take place to popular and selected sites in Indra Ghalley John Kirkby, the Cardiff area such as : sites in Cardiff itself, Neath, Caerphilly , and Mer- Ellesmere Port Avril Pratt, & Clare White. thyr Tydfil– the precise itinerary to be finalised nearer the time. Revd. St Thomas & All Saints, Holy Trinity Canon Chris Humphries will be our Chaplain. Barbara Martin , Prim Taylor Mary Meecham In the accommodation, most rooms are Hazel Collins, & Gladys Taylor en-suite with tea making facilities. A 49 seat Gatley St James Sandiway and Cuddington Margaret Howden Christine Cartwright, coach has been booked from Walkers Coaches, Gawsworth St James Valerie Martin & Jill Tappin as last time. This will take and bring us back Stockport St George Glenice Mellor from all venues. All accommodation, breakfasts Joan Armstrong & Olwen Smith Helsby St Paul , Helen Thornton, Ella Wharton Winsford Christ Church , evening meals and entrance fees will be included in Holmes, Joyce Lawrenson , & Marian June Baker Gill Woolley. the cost, which are expected to be similar to last time. Allen. Woodchurch Holy Cross Pick-up points are likely to be at St Thomas , Ellesmere Port and Poplar Jayne Large 2000 at Lymm M6 junction 20. A deposit of £50 needed to secure a place. (Costs expected to be similar to last Pilgrimage + inflation)

Left Bishop Libby Lane and the Rural Dean for Revd. Canon Michael Burgess will lead the annual Great Budworth Deanery, Rev Alec Brown, were Quiet Day , entitled ‘Called to be Saints’. It will take warmly welcomed by Mothers' Union members of place at Foxhill on Friday 14th October from 10.am Frodsham Deanery and others in the congregation at 400-year old St Peter's church at Aston-by- to 3.30pm and the cost includes lunch and tea/coffee. A Deposit of £10 needed to secure a place - please Sutton. This happy occasion was held to forward this to the Office. The total cost is expected celebrate Mothers' Union Lady Day and 140 years to be around £30. of fellowship and family support around the globe St Paul in 1 Corinthians reminds us that we are all The Rural Dean welcomed everyone, and Bishop Libby led the service. Bishop called to be saints. In this Quiet Day we echo this Libby's sermon was profound and thought-provoking in exploring how, after year’s theme ‘A Celebration of Faith’ as we Gabriel's visit, Mary's strength in confidence of mind and spirit flourished, and

Bishop Libby encouraged all of us present to ask questions of God to help us explore the lives of St Brigid and St Hildegard of see the path He wants us to follow. She also commissioned three new Officers; Bingen, and see how their faith can illuminate our

Pat Brian BEM (Frodsham Deanery Leader), Gillian Gilbert (Assistant Leader), own lives. and Ann Goacher (Branch Leader, St Peter's Mothers' Union). After the service DerekDerek Buckthorpe Buckthorpe Faith & Policy Co-ordinator Bishop Libby enjoyed afternoon tea and she spoke with many of those present. It was an historic occasion and all left for home with an overwhelming sense that we can and will do more to fulfil what God asks. .

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Happy and Glorious “As I embark on my 91st year, I invite you to join me in reflecting on the th Any 90 birthday is a real milestone and something to be words of a poem quoted by my father, King George VI, in his Christmas Day celebrated. When the person concerned is also the longest broadcast in 1939, the year that this country went to war for the reigning monarch in our history, it adds an extra dimension to second time in a quarter of a century. the sense of gladness and delight, and to the festivities I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year throughout the United Kingdom. “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” As Head of the Church of England, Queen Elizabeth continues to give us all an And he replied, “Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the hand inspiring example of dedicated love and service, and our nation has been of God. greatly blessed to have had her at the helm during the fast-changing, exciting That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way.” and sometimes turbulent times since she came to the throne in 1952. Chris “The Servant Queen” Many of you will have received or seen copies of the excellent booklet

Mary Berry inspired St Anne’s Sale ……... produced by the Bible Society to mark the Queen’s birthday. It is full of beautiful pictures, and explains very clearly the role that the Queen’s own Christian faith plays in her life and work. When asked about her faith in 2002, St. Anne's, Sale in Bowdon Dean- she said this: ery, held a Great Bake Off “I know just how much I rely on my faith to guide me through the good times competition in May in aid of Traidcraft. Out of six church and the bad. Each day is a new beginning. I know that the only way to live my organisations competing, their life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all MU team was judged the that the day brings, and to put my trust in God... I draw strength from the winner, the prize—a hamper of message of hope in the Christian Gospel.” Traidcraft items and a wooden spoon each. The three members So this Servant Queen is determined to live a life of service to others, in MU t- shirts comprised their team - with their Branch Leader “just following the pattern of Jesus, the Servant King. Of course, she is also a tagging along” on the end. mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and has known the full range of joys and sorrows that family life can bring. In this way she has won the You may also have noticed in a recent Chester Diocesan News that our Diocesan President featured in a Bake Off, too. Viv represented MU in a affection of her people, and we in the Mothers’ Union can feel that she has Bake Off, also to support Traidcraft, at Bishop’s High School Chester, worked hard to uphold Christian family values in the context of all the recently. You can see a film clip of this at chester.anglican.org. The pressures and challenges of our society today. competition was judged by the pupils at the school, who were impressed A message from the Palace by the variety of muffins produced and delighted to be able to help The Queen can speak to us directly in her broadcasts each Christmas, and I consume them! was also struck by the message from her at the beginning of the booklet, underneath the Buckingham Palace crest: 13 14

Out and About in the Diocese Calendar 2016 Theme: Celebration of Faith Tues Jun 21 10am-1pm AGM and Diocesan Council at St John’s Church Left Two members of St. George, Stockport are Centre, Hartford celebrating their 90th birthdays this year. Jun 27th – 30th Clergy Conference at Swanwck Edna Tootell also celebrated 60 years of MU Thurs 22 Sept Celebration Service in Winchester Cathedral membership. She was admitted at St John’s Church, Fri 23 Sept General meeting at Hampshire Court Hotel, Basingstoke to celebrate 140 years of MU. Cheetham Hill, . Margaret Sharrard is look- Wed Oct 5th Speakers’ Course, Church House, Daresbury ing forward to her birthday in December, th having been a member for 50yrs. Margaret was ad- Tues Oct 11th 140 Celebration Evening Fri 14 Oct 10am – 4pm Quiet Day at Foxhill led by Father Michael mitted at Cuddington in the Guildford Diocese . They Burgess both cherish their original membership cards and are still Tues 8 Nov 10am Trustees Meeting at Church House, Daresbury active in the Branch. Edna & Margaret both submitted their signed photos for inclusion in the 90th birthday For all Deanery and Branch Officers: card for the Queen. Tues Oct 18 Chester AD Information Morning, St Lawrence’s Church, Frodsham Right Hats were much in Thurs Oct 20 Macclesfield AD Information Morning, St. evidence at Birkenhead Michael’s Church, Bramhall. Deanery’s Tea Party. They Mothers’ Union Diocesan Office celebrated three birthdays - Pentecost, the Queen, and the 9 Abbey Square, Chester CH1 2HU 140th MU Anniversary. Rev’d E-mail [email protected] Tel; 01244 400491 Canon Chris Humphries gave a Diocesan website [email protected] musical tour of his life. Text Giving dial MUCH22 to 70070

From the Editor Copy for the next edition should be with the Editor, Judith Dewdney, Right Bollington by Branch with a world 20th October 2016 map, taking part in 30 Henbury Rise, Henbury, Macclesfield SK11 9NW the Wave of Prayer Tel. 01625 439753 E-mail [email protected]

Above St Mary Magdalene, Ashton on Mersey A motto for MU members? Branch congratulated MU members Edna and Derek Lane on their Diamond Wedding in May. Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others B.T. Washington 15 16