Mothers' Union Matters
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From the Diocesan President Mothers’ Union Matters in the Diocese of Chester Were you there? We had a wonderful Summer 2015 Diocesan Festival on 12th May graced by Bp Libby and with an interesting and humorous Charity Number 221214 address by Lynne Tembey, our Worldwide President. Congratulations to Canon Chris Humphries who was commissioned as our Chaplain at the service. Were you there when the three Queens turned 180 degrees in the Mer- sey on Bank Holiday Monday? What an amazing sight to see three ocean going liners in synchronised movements. I enjoyed both events for their celebration of considerable achievements. My heartfelt congratulations go to Viv Ley, who has been duly elected as your Diocesan President for the next triennium. Congratulations also to Diana Bancroft elected as Chester Archdeaconry President and Wendy Sykes who is continuing as Macclesfield Archdeaconry President. I am sure they will make an excellent team and pray that St Paul’s Church, Strines, near Marple God will be with them in all they do for Mothers’ Union. Our wonderful Secretary Brenda Bailey will be retiring at the end of June after 6 years as Diocesan Secretary and 3 years previous to that as Assistant Secretary. Brenda's commitment to Mothers' Union has been second to none. She has always been the helpful voice on the Members enjoying summer telephone and has cheerfully and efficiently carried out her duties. I weather in the beautiful have particularly enjoyed working with her and know we shall miss her. countryside near Marple and But I am very pleased to say that Dawn Colwell who has been Assis- in Chester on our annual tant in the office since last September will be taking over as our Dioce- Prayer Walks. san Secretary as from 1stJuly. I know she will fill Brenda's shoes very Read the article on page 12 well and will continue to serve our charity in the same efficient and for more about the events cheerful way. We congratulate her on her appointment and look forward to working with her. I was delighted once again to present the Moira Garnet Award for Pub- lic Speaking on 22nd April to a young lady from Sale Grammar School 1 2 Chester MU Diocesan Festival Service , compiled from notes for her excellent presentation on the work of Mothers’ Union. We kindly supplied by Alison Neale and others. (Ed) are also very grateful for the funds raised by the pupils for our Litera- cy Fund. Hopefully they will become members when they are a little older! This proved to be a truly wonderful occasion, with the service I look forward to joining those of you who are going on the Pilgrim- conducted by Bishop Libby, (proudly wearing her MU badge,) a age to Rydal Hall in the Lake District and I hope you all have a most packed Cathedral , Canon Christopher Humphries being enjoyable summer – when the good weather arrives! commissioned as our new Diocesan Chaplain, plus no less a person than the Worldwide With my love and prayers, Angela President of MU, as our T: 0151 336 6312 E: [email protected] speaker. From L to R. Below. Our retiring secretary, Brenda (L) and Dawn, (R) who will be taking over the role, so efficiently and cheerfully filled :Lynne Tembey, Bishop Libby, Canon by Brenda. Chris Humphries and Angela Klabou During the service, our Diocesan President, Angela and Canon Chris gave a presentation entitled “Our Father for everyday”, based on the Lord’s Prayer, which was very thought provoking. Canon Chris had also written one of the hymns that were sung that afternoon. Our Worldwide President, Lynne Tembey, in an interesting and amusing talk, started by saying that the last time she had come to Chester Diocese was when she was the York Provincial President. She had been in London the previous day meeting with our Chief Look out for the Summer 2015 Quiz.! Executive, Reg Bailey, will soon be retiring, . The next day she to fly Your Deanery Leader will have a copy. Answers to be returned to to New Zealand to meet members there. A hectic schedule! the Office by the end of September. Please print and sell as many She reminded us of this year’s theme “United in Prayer”, saying that copies as you can. Remember that, of the monies raised, half is for we were meeting to celebrate and reflect on our unity and diversity in ‘Mothers’ Union charities and the other half can be retained by Christ. She told us that prayer is vital to us – it is at the heart of all we branches to fund running expenses . do. She felt that God had chosen her to be one of his disciples. 3 4 She felt like Mary Sumner, who seeing a need, stepped out in faith We know we never need to be afraid to seek – God will always an- Sandiway Vicar is marooned on a swer. Desert Island…….! Lynne gave examples of various people and groups she had met – young offenders, abused wives, those on AFIA holidays…. A great variety of people ,reflecting the varied work of our organisation. She St. John’s Mothers’ Union quoted her granddaughter, who, on hearing that she was to be Sandiway held their own version World Wide President said ‘ Wow, my Nana's going to have the of ‘Desert Island Discs’ recently, whole world in her hands!’ She thanked us for reaching out in love with the Vicar, the Revd Dr John with various projects, but said that some things do reach their end of Hughes, as the celebrity. their course and we must not be afraid to hand them over to others, He gave a very interesting or move on to different challenges. insight into his life as a General .Trustees and Deanery Leaders were invited by Elizabeth Forster to Practitioner and his ordination have tea at Bishop’s House afterwards and to chat briefly with Lynne into the church. He displayed his and Bp.Libby. One thing that Lynne had mentioned was that some- very eclectic taste in music from where s he had gone the members danced for her – so a group , Duke Ellington to Mozart and was very ably interviewed by their including Elizabeth, surrounded Lynne and sang and danced for her. Secretary Wendy Wren., standing in for Sue Lawley. Editor, with thanks to Alison Neale for her information. Welcome to our new members: Left Ballet Rambert or maybe River Dance……? .St Peter, Little Budworth Trustees dance for our Edna Ingham Worldwide President. Ann Hankinson St Matthew, Stretton Val Martell Joan Thomason Sue Roberts Sally Peterken St Saviour, Oxton Christ Church Wharton Anna Picariello Right . Also at the service was MU mem- Brenda Beesley ber , Joanne Whynder, who spoke to us a Carol Eccleston, Council in November. She is pictured here Tracey Williams with Bishop Libby. 5 6 Action and Outreach Report Teddy Bears go off to the Ambulance Service There were many favourable comments about the presentation at Committee Day this year for the Action and Outreach Unit. My You may recall in 2014 the Mothers’ Union sent a magnificent 86 thanks to Joan Colwell who led it in my absence. Trauma Teddies to the Cheshire Fire Service. These teddies had AFIA Several families are to enjoy an AFIA holiday this summer. been knitted by Mothers’ Union members of the Knutsford Deanery Deaneries continue to kindly donate food parcels or Tesco vouch- and their fantastic supporters. ers. This year we are also including ‘Ouch Pouches’ – small first After the success of getting teddies into Fire Appliances, including aid packs made by Joan. stations at Wilmslow and Knutsford, we approached the Ambulance Wedding Fairs There have been a few wedding fairs this year in Service if they would be interested to have them in Ambulances as the diocese. The Church of England / Mothers’ Union stand being well. manned by members and clergy. If you haven’t helped at one then I We had some issues to overcome as regards “infection control” of suggest you consider going on the rota. They are great fun and a the teddies but where there is a will there is always a way! Each wonderful opportunity meet people. Teddy was individually wrapped in their own plastic bag so they could Worldwide We have had news from Grahamstown , one of our be safely transported, and we handed over 50 plus teddies to new links. There is no news yet from the other links. members of the Cheshire Ambulance Service. The teddies will be Virtual Babies These continue to be taken into schools in the used by ambulance staff when attending emergencies and given to Wirral and Congleton districts with great success. children at time when a comforting teddy bear may just make things a Parenting We have one or two active parenting facilitators but bit more bearable (no pun intended!). unfortunately the requests for parenting groups are not forthcoming. A huge thank you to all our knitters and supporters, we couldn’t do it Much discussion has taken place as to the reason for this. Please without you! From Knutsford Deanery remind your clergy that Parenting Courses are available. Cheshire Show The following wonderful letter of appreciation Diana Bancroft A&O Co-ordinator has been received at Mary Sumner House and passed on to the Chester Diocesan office. It reads - Wedding Fairs I would like to comment on my day out yesterday at The Cheshire There was a Wedding Fair at Cheadle Hulme School on April 12th, the Show. We had my 7 month old granddaughter with us and my set-up and Mothers' Union rota being organised by Jill Fairhurst and daughter was looking for somewhere to feed her, .We 'stumbled' with Revd James Ambrose in attendance.