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Documentation for the Spring Council Meeting on 16th April can be found in the 'documents online' folder ~ Sheran Harper, Worldwide President, has written her Easter letter to Indoor members, which may be of interest to all. Read it here. ~
~ The 2021 Newcastle Diocese Spring Newsletter can be accessed here. ~ You can find the latest monthly Indoor members newsletter from Mary Sumner House here. ~ Branch leaders will have received from Jennie Jones a list of speakers from within our Diocese who would be happy to speak to groups on Zoom, whether these were Branches, Deaneries, or any other grouping. I hope you will use this! One of the benefits of Zoom is that it enables us to hear speakers whom it would be impracticable to invite, because of distance. Our Diocese is a pilot for a Mothers' Union national scheme to invite speakers on Zoom. It will be very helpful if at least a few branches or groups try this (which involves issuing the invitation to the speaker before the end of March - although the talk may be later). Attached is a list of these speakers, along with a very helpful document on how to hold a Branch meeting on Zoom. There is also a guide to how to join by phone, so that no-one need be excluded. Sylvia Hickey has a Zoom licence, as do several others - please just ask! I hope you will take this step, which may even provide a useful way forward for some meetings, even after the pandemic. Thanks for all the ways in which you are keeping in touch! With love, Barbara ~ A message from President Barbara - February 2021 The Make a Mother's Day appeal, for Mothering Sunday, will reach you around 5th February, and can also be found on the central Mothers' Union website. The date for copy for our Newsletter is 20th February: if you have any news or pictures, please do email them to Lesley Wright (lesleywright43@talktalk.net): your news is what makes the publication interesting! At our last Trustee meeting, it was decided to include an alternative form of our Aims and Objectives in our Constitution: this rather more modern form already appears on the central Mothers' Union website, and we can now use it in enrolment services, for instance, if we prefer. It should fit under the original form, in your (cream coloured) Constitution booklet, and I would be grateful if you would cut it out and stick it there! Thank you for all you continue to do to care for your members, and to share news and information with them. Attached is the monthly letter addressed to Indoor members, but which may be of interest to all at this time of restricted movement, and also an alternative form of our Aims and Objectives in our Constitution. Read the letter here and the Aims and Objectives here ~ Messages from Vice President Sylvia Hickey A new and “different” branch for Newcastle On November 27th 2020 M.U. in Newcastle Diocese opened a new branch. I think it is safe to say that this new internet branch is the first to open on Zoom after 6 months of preparation also meeting on Zoom. This branch will always meet on-line and is discussion / project based. We have 11 members including myself as branch leader. Our first project is “Adopt a Refuge” and we will be supplying the basic necessities for mothers and children who arrive at a Refuge with little or nothing. We meet the last Friday of the month at 7.30.pm. on Zoom. If you are interested in finding out more, contact me by, e-mail. ( Please add to Diocesan branch list: Central Deanery. First Internet Branch Last Friday of month 7.30.pm. on Zoom) ~
Saturday 5th December 2020 was a Mothers` Union global day of protest against gender based violence. The Diocese provided two events. One was a service for the 16 days of Activism which was accessed on you-tube. The second event con be found on the C.A.D.A. website: www.cadanortheast.org C.A.D.A. is a small group, (Christians Against Domestic Abuse) three of whom are M.U. members. The website shows a combined protest, C.A.D.A. and M.U. together. The slogan for 5th December was “No more 1 in 3”, the shameful statistic reflecting global gender based violence.
~ Friday 4th December was 'Shoebox Day' - see a report here. And thanks from the People's Kitchen here.
2 opportunities to support action against gender based violence click here for information
Find the Almost The Journal Winter 2020 here
A message and invitation from the Provincial Presidents click here
The Wave of Prayer sheet for 2020 can be found under documents online.
Follow this link to view the latest enews from Mary Sumner House.
Please click here to read a letter from President Barbara Packer following the Diocesan Council meeting on 9th October.
The work of Mothers' Union in the Newcastle Diocese goes on during this pandemic. Click here to see a letter of thanks to Edna Maddison from the NHS. And go to the Action and Outreach page to see an item from Linda Benneworth on Modern Slavery.
Click Here for a message from VP Sheila Walker on how to access Midday Prayers broadcast by Mary Sumner House.
******Newcastle Mothers' Union Newsletter September 2020 can be accessed here
Reports submitted for the Spring Council Meeting 2020 are still relevant and are accessible under the heading 'Documents Online', as can the Agenda and updated documents.
Mary Sumner House are running a selection of Webinars over the next few months to help us to learn new skills, where we need them. They are available to all members, but are particularly intended for those who run projects, or lead groups. I realise that this will not be for everyone, but if you feel it may help you in your work, please apply directly to Mary Sumner House, using the link below. There is no cost involved.
A message from President Barbara; Dear Branch Leaders and others Attached is the August reflection, written particularly for Indoor Members, but also suitable for others. I think this month's is particularly appropriate, as there are many of us (not only IMs) who are moving rather fearfully out of their home environment, after shielding for many months. Just now there are a number of resources which can be accessed by those who are not on the internet, so I hope you will be able to make members aware of the possibilities. You will have received the news of our Mary Sumner Day Compline service next Sunday, which can be listened to on the phone as well as by Zoom on the computer, or can be followed on the service sheet. You may also have Mary Sumner events within the Branch. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Zoom service on Sunday! Very appropriately, the theme for 2021 is 'Rebuilding Hope and Confidence'. It fits well with our situation at present, and also means that, if we had ideas and resources for meetings to fit in with the 2020 theme, which we were not able to use, they may be appropriate next year. I realise that at present most Branches will not be able to meet, although some have found innovative ways of doing so . Do be guided by advice in your own parish as to when and how you can meet. This email is about resources for all members. I will also shortly send an email about 'webinars' (seminars on the web) available from Mary Sumner House, but these will be of more limited interest, and can only be accessed by those with internet access. With love and best wishes, and thanks for all the ways you are keeping in touch with members Barbara To read the reflection click here
* For a report from Vice President Sheila Walker on the Diocesan Celebration Service released on 11th July click here ~
For detailed information on how to join the Mary Sumner Day service on 9th August at 7.30pm - click here for a service booklet in Word - click here for a service booklet in PDF - click here Mary Sumner Day Zoom Service 9th August - for a message about this service from Vice President Sylvia Hickey please click here ~ A message from our President Dear all Last week all the B&I Diocesan Presidents enjoyed hearing (on Zoom) an inspirational talk from our Worldwide President, Sheran Harper, who then also answered questions about Mothers' Union's response to the pandemic. The video and transcript of the talk, and the transcript of the Q&A session which followed, are attached. If Branch Leaders want to send transcripts to those who can't receive them electronically, but are not able to print, please get in touch with me. We are also receiving lovely emails from many (including Lynne Tembey, and our Provincial President June Houghton) who have very much appreciated our Celebration Diocesan Service last week. If you have not yet seen it on YouTube, it is still available!With thanks and best wishes for all you do Barbara
Q and A Session click hereSheran's talk click here ~ To watch the Diocesan Celebration Service click here If you are not able to join at 2pm don't worry, the service will still be there afterwards for you to watch.
You are invited to join us For A Diocesan Celebration Service On 11th July at 2.00pm You can follow this on our MU page on Facebook and it will be available to view on YouTube. Rev. Dr. Sarah Moon , our MU Chaplain will publish a link to this. Faith For the Future Loving Father, our faith is in you: Holy Spirit, our faith is in you: We trust in your plans for a future we trust in your plans for the future Where we will thrive in showing love where we will be filled with power To those we seek to serve. And guided in every truth.
Saviour Christ, our faith is in you: We place our future in your hands We trust in your plans for a future may we continue to enrich family life Where we will bear eternal fruit for future generations. As we follow your commands Amen Prayer taken from Mothers’ Union Pocket Prayers (Visionand Mission)
Please join us in prayer on that day, even if you cannot access the Service you can use this prayer. Newcastle Diocese MU Celebration July 11th 2020 click here ~
Indoor members Reflection from Mary Sumner House click here ~ Spring Update Message from our Diocesan President Click here ~ April Newsletter from Mothers' Union headquarters Click here
~ Mothers` Union Lock down ~ Read the Spring 2020 newsletter here ~ Shoebox Day - Friday 6th December 2019 We donated just under 500 boxes and bags and we took some of the addition socks and hats to the fishermen too. The photo (below right) with Margaret and Peter the superintendent is from the mission. There were 14 gift bags for the Newcastle refuge with some toys donated for the children there.
The Peoples Kitchen have bought a new much smaller van and we had a real job getting everything in. That's a good problem to have though. Several sleeping bags were also donated and the Kitchen were happy to take them too along with additional trays of deodorants and shampoos. The generosity of MU members is amazing isn't it? The photo below left shows some of the things for the gift bags which are for the refuge. The one in the centre is for the hostels for vulnerable women. 29 have been requested for 3 hostels in Newcastle.
P.S. from Sylvia Hickey Christmas Gifts 2019 The final total of all the Christmas gifts from across the Diocese is 531. ~ This article was written by someone who was only enrolled into M.U. in October 2019. The Service in Leeds Minster was her first experience of a M.U. event and I felt that her input would be especially valuable. Sylvia Hickey V.P Click here to open it ~ White Ribbon Service November 24th 2019 On a dank Sunday afternoon in November we gathered at St Nicholas Cathedral for the White Ribbon Service. This Sunday was the nearest one to the actual White Ribbon Day which is 25th November, the U.N. International Day for the elimination of Violence against Women and the start of our M.U. 16 Days of Activism. I had appealed for as many volunteers as possible to carry a named card to remember a woman who had died as a result of gender based violence during 2018. The actual number required was 144 and M.U. provided 50 members, each carrying a card with the name and age of a victim. Canon Clare McLaren conducted the service, the Dean the Very Rev Geoff Miller introduced and concluded the worship. The Cathedral choir sang, seated in front of the west door and our own M.U. choir sang three beautiful pieces, adding an extra special dimension to an emotional and moving service. As the Cathedral clock struck four o`clock the lights were dimmed and the Cathedral choir sang while a long procession of card carriers moved slowly forward in pairs from the rear of the Cathedral to the Nave Sanctuary where large tea light candles had been arranged in the shape of a white ribbon. Every candle was lit by a card holder, it took over fifteen minutes to complete the task. I did a bible reading with interspersed commentary by Canon Clare. Ruth Rogan our Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser read a very poignant poem written by a domestic abuse survivor and Chris Greene founder of the White Ribbon gave the Address. I do not think that anyone present that afternoon could fail to be moved by the service and the issues it addressed. This was the culmination of a weekend dedicated to raising awareness of Domestic Abuse among Christians and bringing it to the attention of our respectiv It is now up to us as christian women and M.U. members to be at the forefront of a campaign to stop this happening. . I hope and pray that this special Service has inspired us to carry the work forward and, with God`s help, bring about change. . Sylvia Hickey V.P ~ In a recent letter from The Special Care baby unit NSEC Cramlington, members of Mothers Union were thanked for, their "kind donation of knitted items for the babies. The letter continued, "Unfortunately we are no longer able to accept mittens and booties, however we are always in need of blankets 24 inches by 20 inches and larger premature size cardigans and hats". ~
At St Nicholas Cathedral A special Evensong at 4.pm. We need 144 volunteers to wear a card with the name of one of the 144 women who lost their lives through Domestic Abuse in 2018. They will form a candlelit procession into the Cathedral. Please do come and, if you can carry a card, please contact V.P. Sylvia Hickey.
~ Mothers’ Union Diocesan Eucharist St Mary the Virgin Ovingham, Saturday 20th July 2019 This year the Diocesan Eucharist was held in Ovingham in the beautiful church St. Mary the Virgin. The Vicar, Rev’d Tom Birch welcomed everyone and reminded us that the service had to be changed to his church because of the illness of Revd Lesley Chapman Vicar of St. James, Riding Mill, the original planned venue. He prayed for Lesley and her family, we all hope and pray that she will soon be returned to full health. We were made very welcome in St. Mary’s, by the Vicar and the Mothers’ Union members who also laid on refreshments in the nearby Reading Room. Over 130 MU members came by coach and by car, many making it part of a summer outing for their branch. The MU choir led the praise and the congregation were all in full voice for the opening hymn, “At the Name of Jesus”. We have come to expect great things from our MU choir and they did not disappoint, during the Intercessions they led us in singing “O Lord hear my prayer, O Lord hear my prayer, when I call answer me”, and during the serving of Communion they sang two anthems, “My Prayer for You” by J. Fowler and “He Leadeth Me” by James Curnow. The Intercessions were led by the Faith and Policy Unit Co-ordinator, Mrs Jackie Moore and Corbridge Deaney Leader, Mrs Anne Cairns. Our own MU Diocesan Chaplain Revd Dr Sarah Moon, preached the sermon: She talked of it being a time of transition for the Church and for the Mothers’ Union. We must look forward, rather than reminisce how good life was in the early days, we can celebrate all we are good at but “it is time for us to act decisively, listen to God and head towards the future”. The words of Isaiah quoted by Matthew in the Gospel reading remind us that in Jesus name we can all hope; and go on to say “He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth”. The Mothers’ Union Vessels and Vestments were used for the communion, the MU choir led our praise and with that wonderful sermon of our Chaplain this was truly a Mothers’ Union Service. As we stood to sing the final hymn, “Shine Jesus Shine”, we felt we could boldly step out because God is behind us. We can now say that the Diocesan Eucharist is a fixture in our annual calendar. The venue will be different each year but the joy of worshipping together as the Mothers’ Union community in Newcastle Diocese will never change. Sheila Walker V.P. ~
On Tuesday 7th May 2019, our new York Provincial President June Houghton was commissioned by Archbishop Sentamu in York Minster. Bishop John Packer from our own Diocese was also commissioned as Provincial Chaplain, and our Diocesan Secretary, Sandra Davison, was privileged to carry the new Provincial banner. A number of our members attended, and Brenda Mennear, our Indoor Members' rep, carried the Indoor Members' book in procession. The photograph, on the steps of York Minster, shows (from left to right) Archbishop Sentamu, June Houghton, Sandra Davison (with banner) and Bishop John Packer. ~ Read the March 2019 Newsletter here! ~ Volunteers from Mothers Union are currently running jewellery classes for groups of women in the Newcastle Diocese. Such groups include asylum seekers, women in refuges and women who are at risk of sexual exploitation. In these sessions the women make bead bracelets and earrings . Could you help these sessions to continue by donating beads from broken necklaces ? If you can please contact me, Linda Benneworth email actionandoutreach@munewcastle.org.uk ~ Planning for holidays and away days this summer? As the weather gets Spring like many MU branches are planning holidays and away days for vulnerable people whom they know. Mothers’ Union have now added Whitley Bay Holiday Park to the caravan sites they use .There are a variety of locations which can be chosen for away days. If your branch would like to organise a holiday or away day please contact Margaret Crawforth to get your booking in as soon as possible. Margaret can be contacted by email - afia@munewcastle.org.uk.
~ Mothers’ Union Diocesan Eucharist 2019 NOW to be held at St Mary the Virgin, Ovingham NE42 6BW Saturday 20th July at 11am. We look forward to seeing many of our Mothers’ Union members at this Special Service. There will be light refreshments after the service. Why not make this an outing for your Branch and spend the day in this lovely area. Further details from Sheila Walker Email: lindisfarnevp@munewcastle.org.uk ~ Mothers' Union gifts do help! This email was received by Newcastle MU member Edna Maddison; Hi, I just wanted to say a big thank you for the bag full of toiletries that you donated to Cramlington Hospital. I was fairly ill (with borderline sepsis caused by mastitis) when I walked into my local casualty - and hadn't even thought about packing anything for an overnight stay. Thankfully your kindness meant that I was able to shower and feel human again after a difficult few days. Thanks again - Laura xx Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android ~ Further clarification about wool!! Knitted Toy Guidance for complying with CE marking requirements Every toy needs to carry a CE mark to show that it meets the essential safety requirements for the Toy Safety Directive. This includes toys made by Mothers’ Union members and either given to children or sold for that purpose. The vast majority of teddies knitted by Mothers’ Union members in Newcastle Diocese will meet these requirements. However to comply with the conditions to attach the CE mark it is essential that any MU member or Branch wishing to make toys contact Sheila Walker, to get the approved pattern and details of approved materials. They will need to send all toys to Sheila to be checked for safety and to receive the CE mark. Patterns and details for yarn and materials to be used can also be obtained from the website: www.mothersunion.org/resources/groups and branches/craft If other toys are made by members in the Diocese for distribution through Mothers’ Union, advice must be sought on meeting the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive. Sheila Walker email; lindisfarnevp@munewcastle.org.uk This directive only applies to Toys, so please continue to make blankets, knit twiddle muffs and hats, all items which are so much appreciated. ~ Clarification about wool! Many thanks to all the clever Mothers Union members who kindly made twiddle muffs for dementia patients. They will be given out to those in local care homes just before Christmas. In response to queries from members, any type of wool can be used for these as the photograph shows. However Trauma teddies and other soft toys should be made “Hobbycraft“wool only. Everything else can be made using wool of your choice, Linda Benneworth ~ The Revd. Simon White, Rector of Morpeth, presents Barbara Packer with a cheque for £500 from the Lady Grey Fund, at the Morpeth Deanery Advent service. This is to help provide AFIA holidays for families under stress in mid-Northumberland, and is the first of three annual grants promised by the fund's trustees, which will make a huge difference.
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The Worldwide Trustee Board were invited to Evening Prayer at Lambeth Palace on Wednesday of last week. Much to Lynne Tembey's shock and great surprise she was awarded the Cross of St Augustine by the Archbishop of Canterbury for her services to the Anglican Communion. She was deeply moved and felt incredibly humbled by this. Truly a great honour. Our Love and Congratulations to Lynne.
The picture shows the Citation, Order of Service and the Cross of St Augustine.
Christmas shoebox collection. December 7th 2018 Today at Church House we collected 509 shoe boxes for the People's Kitchen and the West End Refugee service plus thirty beauty gift bags for women in the refuges and hostels in Newcastle. This year we have sent 12 boxes for the fisherman who will be berthed in North Shields over Christmas. The extra toiletries and goodies will be taken to "Streetwise" for the young homeless in the city . We managed to fill two packpacks with some of the extras for two young men who will be released from Acklington Prison on December 20th. Holy Saviour's Mothers Union made up a food hamper to be given as a raffle prize at the People' Kitchen party under the arches in Newcastle. I would like to thank all Mother's Union members and friends for their wonderful donations which will help bring some Christmas cheer to the most vulnerable and lonely people this Christmas in our diocese. Thank you and Merry Christmas. Linda Benneworth
Welcomed by Sandra and Sheila Barbara leading prayers for victims of abuse The People’s Kitchen open air Christmas Party December 10th 2018. Just a few days after we had packed over 500 shoes boxes at Church House for the homeless who use the People’s Kitchen, some of us were lucky enough to see what happened to them. Ann Blight, Margaret Crawforth and I went to the open air Christmas Party under the arches near Manors Metro Station. This annual event is organised and run largely by the Kitchen’s volunteers and on a particularly cold evening the hot food and hot drinks they provided were especially welcome. We joined in the Christmas songs, listened to the band and saw who won the food hamper donated by Holy Saviour’s branch. We saw the arrival of Santa Claus and watched him give out the shoes boxes to all those there. One very kind lady even advised us how to queue up and get a “present from Santa”. Afterwards, we had a long wait to get a metro home and while we were on the platform at Manors several of the party goers arrived. One lady was so excited with her gift that she sat down on the platform, opened the box and gave a series of delighted squeaks as she tried on the hat, lifted up the leggings and examined the makeup bag. We went to have a look as we had not seen what was in the box. She was pleased to show us and when we said that our members had donated the box she thanked us very warmly. She was so pleased with the Christmas card and we suspected that it was the only one she had received. When her other friends arrived, they also thanked us although they were not going to open their boxes until Christmas Day. Most members don’t meet the people who get a “present from Santa”, but please know that the gifts which you donate are really appreciated by those who receive them. Thank you from me and them, Linda Benneworth.
~ Mothers` Union Annual General Meeting Tuesday, a rather wild and windy but bright day saw the opening of the final General Meeting of this Triennium. It began with the banners of Wales and the host diocese of Swansea and Brecon leading the procession of dignitaries to the stage. Finally Lynne was presented with flowers followed by a standing ovation, witnessing the affection in which Lynne is held by M.U. members Thank you and well done Wales!
A new initiative From January 2019 this Diocese will have a Mothers` Union Children and Young Families Coordinator. Her name is Karoline Wellbourne, she is a mum with an adopted son and she is also a Foster Mother. Karoline and her Mother are both members at All Saints Gosforth so she is M.U. “aware”.
Newcastle Diocese President Barbara Packer with MU Chief Executive Bev Jullien at Tynemouth for the Northumberland Archdeaconry Festival
Action and Outreach have been busy over the summer! Visit their page to see what they have been doing.
Prisoner Release backpacks for Acklington Norma Willmott,the volunteer at Acklington prison for over 19 years, today took all the remaining prisoner release backpacks, which MU members have so generously donated, to the prison. As ever, the packs are most gratefully received by the prisoners on their release. Without them some of the young men would leave with nothing as they begin their life outside of prison. So if your branch still has any packs which you have not yet handed over or if you could put together another pack or indeed things which we could put in it, please contact me - Linda Benneworth -email actionandoutreach@munewcastle.org.uk It would be good to ensure that the prison has more packs in time for the winter.
The Speaker at the Diocesan Council meeting on Friday 13th April was Cath Hilton, MU Diocesan President from Manchester Diocese. Cath and her team have a project called “Just Up Your Street”, which was started after Greater Manchester poverty Commission revealed just how deprived some Parishes are in Manchester. The Mothers’ Union were approached by a Curate asking for help and the project began. The Mothers’ Union, in Manchester as in Newcastle Diocese, responds to the needs of people in their area; many of the initiatives in Manchester are similar to our own but it was interesting to hear how they approached them. The Mothers’ Union, Christian Care for families at work, in Manchester, Newcastle and worldwide!! View the 'Just up your street' poster here Congratulations to the Action and Outreach team! The Cedarwood Trust Community Centre, Meadowell, presented the Newcastle Diocese Mothers’ Union Action and Outreach unit with a “Golden Fleece” award On March 21st 2018. Linda Benneworth and Margaret Crawforth were at the centre to distribute Easter eggs to the children there when they were presented with the commemorative plate. It is in recognition of the help given to the centre in the form of “away days”, donations, a trip for the children on the No rth Pole Express to meet Santa Claus and Easter eggs.The centre is grateful for the support given to needy parents and deprived children by Mothers’ Union. It was a lucky coincidence that Margaret was dressed up as an Easter bunny on that day.
Mothers' Union emergency toilet bags were handed out to staff at the R.V.I. who, due to the severe weather, found themselves having to stay overnight at the hospital!
The Mothers' Union choir who sang at the Diocesan Festival on 12th May.
Newcastle Diocese a pilot for a new MU initiative - MULOA!
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e Churches which is where help and support for victims should start. Sadly all too often this is not the case and can be conveniently “brushed firmly under the carpet”.
It is good to know that these are still needed.
Sunday November 24th
attended.
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