Recent Events


Mothers’ Union welcomes local experts to speak about ‘The Gift of Life’.

Many Mothers’ Union members have personal stories about organ donations, including our MU Secretary, Sandra, whose son recently received a life-giving kidney. So we invited Dr Frankie Dowen, consultant nephrologist at the Freeman Hospital Transplant unit, and Ross Hutchinson, Tyne Tees Weather man (and a live kidney donor) to speak to Council about ‘The Gift of Life’

They presented interesting statistics, addressed FAQs including religious and legal issues around organ donation, and told heart-warming personal stories, including that of local children, Max and Keira. Max and Keira’s Law came into effect in 2020 and is encouraging many more ‘gifts of life’.

Max is now a healthy teenager, having received a life-giving heart aged nine, from Keira, also aged nine, who died in a tragic accident. Keira’s parents take comfort from knowing their daughter’s heart is alive in Max; Max and his new ‘adopted family’ are regularly in touch.

The message to MU was one of hope and the life that can be found through the most difficult of circumstances. Dr Frankie and Ross encourage everyone to have family conversations about organ donation.

MU is happy to present their message to any church groups interested.

Dr Frankie Dowen and Ross Hutchinson (centre) together with MU President Margy Tasker-Brown (Left) and MU Secretary, Sandra (right)

Dr Frankie and Ross speak to MU Council at Kingston Park. 22.03.2024

Watch the Video here


March Events 2024

 

 
 Benwell branch members participated in the Mothering Sunday Service and admitted 3 new members.

 

St Cuthbert's Haydon Bridge with Beltingham and Henshaw Mothers' Union
Any one for a Raffle ticket? New member, Terry manning the Tombola Table
What a well stocked cake stall! Our Branch Chaplain and his wife selling the candles they make.

St Cuthbert's Haydon Bridge with Bellingham and Henshaw Mothers' Union held their Annual "Make a Mother's Day '' Coffee Morning in Bardon Mill Village Hall.  A very enjoyable and successful time for everyone there. The proceeds  will be used to buy MU Gifts of Dignity to empower women around the world and also to help disadvantaged mothers in Newcastle Diocese.

 All those who were in anyway involved with the Refuge Christmas food project were invited for a get together lunch.  Those who could make it enjoyed meeting in a room with a cosy real fire, choice of menu and much chat and laughter.  As a result of that project the First Internet Branch gained two new members (both from St Nicholas Church South Gosforth) who came on board after helping with the packing and transportation of the food, so impressed were they with our work with Harbour Refuge.

 


A Card from the KIng

On hearing the news that our King had been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and was undergoing treatment our Diocesan Secretary, Sandra Davison very kindly sent him a 'Thinking of You' card on behalf of Newcastle Mothers' Union.

Sandra was surprised to receive this card addressed to you all from King Charles 111.

 

 


February around the Diocese

 

Events in February at St Bart's Long Benton  
 
St Barts Long Benton were pleased to welcome new members, Pat, Frances and Joan who were enrolled by Fr Ben Jarvis, Vicar of St Bartholemews on Sunday 11th They got involved straight away with the Annual Soup and Sandwich Fundraising Lunch on Sunday 25th Feb,  

 
There were seven flavours of soup and a variety of sandwiches on offer, There was a lovely atmosphere These ladies were in charge of the soup!  
   

Helen Cooper, Alnwick Deanery Leader led a Craft Afternoon at Earsdon MU.

There were 2 ladies over 90 who also took part. It was a lovely afternoon and everyone enjoyed it, either colouring in or Cross stitch on a key ring

 


January 2024 Events

St John's Whorlton enjoying their annual lunch at their local hostelry.

St John's Whorlton branch hosted our Deanery Epiphany Service yesterday with the tree and flowers but not the candles. Our Chaplain Rev Anne Marr stepped in when our vicar was unable to. We enjoyed the service with Anne Lloyd on our organ.
The cuppa and scones were very welcome whilst friends caught up
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MU Members making a start on 10 kneelers for Newcastle Cathedral.

The stitched kneelers will be used in  the MU Chapel in the east corner of the Cathedral.


Concert & Afternoon Tea - February 2024

The internet branch and St Francis’ MU led a concert and afternoon tea on Saturday 24th February at St Nicholas’ Church in South Gosforth. The Eclectic -Lite Trio with singer Jonathan Worthy entertained us with light classical music and songs from the musicals. Afternoon tea was delicious and shared by all with much chatter and time to catch up for many friends. It was a delightful afternoon with good music, food and friendship. 
 £691 was raised and after expenses the remainder was shared between St Francis and First Internet branches for the Sensory Room at the Refuge and M.U. projects in the Diocese.

 


December Events across the Diocese

 

St Bartholomew's Branch, Long Benton

As part of our preparations for Christmas, St Bart’s Branch made some lovely floral table decorations, along with homemade Christmas cards and Christmas trees. We love a bit of crafting. So therapeutic and relaxing. We are blessed to have Branch members with the skills (and patience) to share.

St Bart’s Branch hosted the Central and East Deanery Advent Service on Tuesday, 5th December. The very wintry weather made it difficult to travel, but we were delighted to welcome some members from other branches to join us for a lovely service, with input from Father Ben Jarvis. The service was followed by a welcome and warming cup of tea, sweet mince pies and shortbread.

RISE UP Against Domestic Abuse

On Saturday, 25th November some members of St Bart’s Mothers’ Union, along with family, friends and local dignitaries, took a walk of witness from St Bart’s Church to Forest Hall Shopping Centre. We congregated outside Greggs, where a three-minute silence was held. This encouraged curious passers-by to chat with us and helped us to spread the word.

 

Upper Coquetdale MU

We have just celebrated the long service of two members of All Saints Rothbury MU

Doreen Myer, a member for 50 years was presented with her certificate in All Saints Church, Rothbury. Her family were able to be there to celebrate this event. 

Cathie Smith has been a member for 60 years. We hoped she would join us at our December meeting but had family commitments, so she was presented with her certificate in the comfort of her own home

Alnwick Deanery Advent Service

At the Advent Deanery Service.two new members were admitted to Alnwick branch by VP Anne Cairns and DL Helen Cooper. Kay Downley and Anne Montgomery (with Dora, the dog) were welcomed by members. Action & Outreach Coordinator, Diana Macnaughton talked about the valuable work of Mothers' Union in Newcastle Diocese to help people whose lives had met with adversity.. She thanked Alnwick Deanery for their support.
Holy Nativity Chapter House
We had a lovely meeting today starting with prayers from our member, Rev Anne Marr (Chaplain) It was a pleasure to have guests including two members who brought their daughters along, one of the ladies is a Diocesan member. We enjoyed a Festive Tea, thanks to the committee for their hard work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Events around the Diocese in October

Diocesan Members Day 21st October 2023

Vicky, our speaker, spent ten years working as an Optometrist in a christian hospital in Madagascar.  She spoke of her life and work, giving a fascinating insight into her time there.  The hospital dealt not only with the medical problems of its patients but also with their mental and spiritual needs.  Picture here is one of the lovely embroidered hangings produced during patient rehabilitation and Diocesan Secretary with Vicky in tribal costume. 
 



100th Anniversary of Monkseaton St Mary Branch

A lovely reminder as we entered St Mary's Church Monkseaton to celebrate their 100th birthday

 

St Paul’s Seaton Sluice, MU

Guest speaker Helen Cooper gave a presentation on the artistic works by local artists, which were captured in needle work on the lovely kneelers made by Helen and her team and are displayed in the church in Howick Gardens. Our youngest member Charlotte Wonders presented Helen with a thank you bouquet of flowers. At our Harvest Lunch on Saturday 7th October, Mothers’ Union members Joan, Edith and Val served a delicious plowman style lunch to 40 guests from our community in Seaton Sluice.

Ponteland MU

Vicky, our Treasurer spoke about her life and work during a 10 year period in Madagascar. Her employment revolved around  missionary and optometrist activities within the Good Hope Hospital. It proved to be a very interesting talk generating lots of questions from our members of Ponteland branch

Holy Saviours MU

Joan Hoult from “Walking With “ in Wallsend gave a very interesting and informative talk to Holy Saviour’s branch of Mother’s Union.  Joan is the chief officer of the charity which supports people seeking asylum and refugees living in North Tyneside. They help people settle into their local community grow in confidence and live happy and healthy lives.  Their services include befriending, providing Fit and well service including Yoga classes and activities, Thay  provide monthly free communal lunches to all registered service users,  and provide training opportunities, English language classes and English communication sessions. 

 


Events across the Diocese- September 2023

We are providing kneelers for the MU Chapel, it is  A group of members are making 6 kneelers for the MU chapel which is in the far East corner of the Cathedral.. Designs have been approved and The team are having their first meeting. 5 kneelers have been sponsored and the 6th will be for the MU diocese. Rev'd Derek Marr celebrated his 90th birthday with an early cake! Derek was a founder member of Chapel House Mothers' Union over 30 years ago. Happy Birthday Derek!  

One of our MU sheep on a window sill with St Nicholas and another resting on a mini Shaun in the Chapel of the Resurrection.

A great-grand-daughter of a MU member was happily playing with a knitted sheep grasped in each hand.

Members of Lesbury/Alnmouth MU presenting Rev.Gail Uttley with a leaving gift at an Iona Service in Lesbury.

Gail is a very long standing member of MU being both a Branch Leader and Secretary who is moving to Tadcaster to be nearer family and to devote even more time to looking after grandchildren! We will all miss her and wish her every happiness in her new home.

 

Carole Roland became a member of Mothers' Union at the September meeting of Amble MU Branch. 

This was followed by a workshop lead by one of their members, Rev. Carollyn MacDonald: "Making the sign of the Cross". There was a talk and discussion about different styles of crosses, prayers relating to crosses and even some crosses to colour in! All members and friends agreed that it was a very successful morning.

Tynemouth Deanery had a lovely afternoon led by Bishop John Packer. We heard about three ladies who wrote hymns that we sing today. Each quite different but leaving us today, grateful that they allowed God to bring this talent out. We sang three hymns, and the singing was lovely. We enjoyed an afternoon tea and a big thank you goes to Angela and her team.

 


Branch Events in August 2023

Members and Friends of St Columba's Mothers Union enjoying a lovely meal at The Melton Constable, Seaton Sluice.

MU members and friends from Lesbury/Alnmouth and Amble branches enjoyed a sunny afternoon of tea and cake at Helen and Barrie Cooper's. The event raised £100 for backpacks for those leaving Prision.

Many thanks to those who have continued to support, what has now become, an annual gathering and to those who came for the first time. Watch out for next year's date in August!

Amble MU held a Mary Sumner Coffee Morning bring and buy fundraising for overseas projects.

MU Ponteland prepared 50 bags, sufficient for the Reception two class intake at Richard Coates Primary School.

The first day at school can be very traumatic both for the children and the parents so the Comfort bag is given to the children when they arrive.The attractive bag consists of a packet of tissues, a packet of biscuits, a teabag and a sachet of coffee (for the parents), a small wooden holding cross and a little laminated prayer sheet.

 

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