AUTUMN NEWSLETTER Presidents Letter Dear Friends, You will all have your programmes prepared for the coming season of Branch Meetings, some will have already had meetings by the time you read this letter. I hope your batteries are recharged after such a glorious summer and we are still enjoying some lovely days. This year we think about all the men and women who were involved in the 1st World War one hundred years ago and what sacrifice they gave for our freedom today. There are still many conflicts around the world today and we pray that God will give the leaders of these countries wisdom to realise there are no winners in war only innocent people suffering through no fault of their own. We see just dreadful pictures on our television screens which seem unbelievable that one human being can inflict on another. Please remember all these people in your prayers particular the women and children. We were delighted to celebrate our Founders Day Service at St Matthew`s and Commission our new Chaplain Nigel Cretney. The tent at the Agricultural Show was well used by young Mums and Dads. Our work continues in the Prison with the Crèche and Craft Afternoons and I was privileged to be at the Family Day at the Prison in August wonderful to see children having fun with their parents. I have just returned from a visit to Cashel Ferns and Ossory read a lesson at their Festival Service on the Sunday, now there’s a thought members…. Festival on a Sunday!. I will be going to the Provincial Presidents conference in early October. Looking forward to seeing lots of you at the Quiet Day in October and the Advent Service in December. With the help of Caroline Salmon who was our Development Worker we are taking part in the One World Charity Challenge in October, the project we are promoting is a Literacy & Financial Educational Programme in Burundi. We are going to raise awareness on the Island of The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence from 25th November until 10th December look out for more details. Enjoy your meetings and hope it is a time of making new friends, fellowship and prayer. I leave you with these words The Lord is with you in your working and your resting, in your laughing and crying, in your travelling and our staying, he abides with us each and every day and night. God bless you all and much love. Pat. P.S. I know it’s a little late but thank you all for all your cards and prayers when my brother David passed away it meant so much to all the family. GENERAL MEETING JUNE 2014 The Isle of Man was well represented at worldwide president and each of the the General Meeting in Belfast by a strong provincial presidents telling us about the MU contingent of over 20 persons. Most activities in each province. people travelled to Belfast on the Mannanin on Wednesday 18th June and The morning finished with the most inspiring returned by Seacat on Sunday 22nd June. interview with Rev Chris Bennett. This Some ladies were accompanied by their young man told us of his work on the husbands. The rest of us travelled by air waterfront in Belfast. He had started with a arriving at various times. Belfast made us few deck chairs and an empty building, which very welcome and we were blessed with has become a voluntary run café where good weather. payment for goods is by donation. His enthusiasm left you with a good feeling and Many of the party at some stage visited the hope for the future. Titanic exhibition and on the Thursday a After lunch we were told about the change to coach trip to the north of Ireland was the Wave of Prayer. By the time you read organised, along the coast to the Giant’s this we will know whom our new link dioceses Causeway, which was enjoyed by all. will be as this should be out in September. Some of the party did not arrive until Andy Kind, a comedian, who writes regularly Friday myself being one of them. When I for Families First, then treated us to hilarious arrived at the airport I passed over a mat performance. He told us of his journey with on the floor welcoming the delegates to the his Christian faith. It was the way he Mothers’ Union General Meeting. A delivered the stories that were so comical. It lovely touch I thought. was a delight to have such a good laugh. Our hotel was well sited. It was in easy On entering the auditorium after lunch we walking distance of St. Anne’s Cathedral had each been given a red and green card. where the Service of Celebration was held At the end of the meeting we had to use these on Friday evening. The cathedral was to vote on issues about the Bye Buy packed for the service. It was lovely to see Campaign. the welcome in the service sheet from Phyllis Grothier, the All-Ireland President After renewing friendships with members of the Mothers’ Union, as Helen Parry and from distant places we enjoyed a leisurely I had stayed with her when we visited walk back to our hotel. That evening we met Cashel and Ossory a few years ago. up with members from Cashel and Ossory for a meal. A pleasant way to end the day with The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most good company and good food. Revd Dr. Richard Clarke, gave the address. How good it was to hear so many The next day we all went our various ways. voices singing the hymns. After the Most people headed back to the Isle of Man. service some people were able to make I and another member, whose husband was contact with friends and acquaintances joining her for a few days holiday, were able from other dioceses. Not easy with the to attend a service at St. Anne's Cathedral. large number of members there. After the service we had an added bonus of a concert by members of the cathedral choir. It It was a pleasure to see the dean of the was a delightful way to finish my visit to cathedral, John Mann, the son of Dr Belfast. Edgar Mann participating in the service. Next year’s General Meeting will be in The General Meeting on the Saturday was Nottingham on June 26th. It will have to be held at the Belfast Waterfront. A very special to follow Belfast. wonderful imposing building. After the welcome and opening worship we were Margaret Cleator treated to a presentation from the Page 2 NIGEL CRETNEY OUR NEW DIOCESAN CHAPLAIN You're probably thinking who? Who’s our new Chaplain? Believe me, no one was more shocked than me when I was asked to be your Chaplain—my first reaction was who, me! That said, I was delighted to accept and my commissioning by Bishop Robert during the Founders Day Service in August at St. Matthews, Douglas was a truly lovely occasion. No one can fail to be inspired at the sight of your banners being so proudly paraded and it gave me the opportunity to meet so many of you. But you’re probably still thinking who? Well, proud to be Manx I was a ‘Coronation Baby’ and grew up in Onchan. My earliest memories of church was attending the local Methodist Sunday School. Their superintendent was a neighbour of ours and in those days when she knocked on our door each Sunday morning and then again in the afternoon I soon learnt you didn’t say no to a lady in a broad brimmed hat, gloves and clutching a handbag—a lesson I’ve never forgotten. Actually I soon learnt she was great fun and I couldn’t wait for that knock on the door! On leaving school I trained as a manager with one of the then UK’s largest retailers— Woolworths—before returning to the island to join the Civil Service, a career brought prematurely to an end following a stroke—not that you would know it now. Married to Jane (your Diocesan Secretary) on Tynwald Day in 1980—I can’t forget our anniversary can I—we have lived in Union Mills all our blissful married life. The secret of a perfect marriage is simple, its just two words—’Yes Dear’! something I learnt very early on. A keen walker with an enduring passion for horses, I love to take in the breath-taking scenery of our beautiful Island. An avid reader, I would be lost without my Kindle today, I also love music especially the violin, piano and the harp and of course organ music—but, I must warn you I love singing hymns but I’m no singer. You have been warned! My ministry as a Licensed Reader began in Onchan where Canon Dennis Baggaley had been a huge influence in nurturing my eventual vocation, and in Canon Malcolm Convery I could have had no better role model. For nearly three years I have as the Bishop’s Missioner been based at Christ Church Dhoon which as a parish church is now part of the parish of Maughold and South Ramsey. I’ve come to love both the people and the church, and which together with its quaint ‘arts & crafts’ style hall has much to offer the community. What do I bring to the Mothers’ Union. No, I’m nothing special just ordinary, although Bishop Noel Jones always said that was my biggest attribute, but what I do have is a profound respect for the work of the Mothers’ Union, so often the unsung heroes of the Church and I will do all I can to help promote this marvellous institution.