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.

Branch events July

Chapel House Holy Nativity Mothers’ Union held a fund raising afternoon tea for MU Projects It was a wonderful success thanks to the support of members from Chadca & the community, local councillors, church members & of course Mothers’ Union members from across the Deanery. An enormous thanks to those who supported us so generously.

St Bede's Newsham helad a srvice of thanksgiving for 105 years of MU in their branch.

Ponteland MU held a very successful plant and second hand book sale on the morning of Saturday 22nd July 2023 and raised over £400.

St. Oswin's, Wylam Mothers' Union held a very enjoyable Afternoon Tea on Saturday 8 July and thanks to the support of our church family and Wylam residents raised £255 for MU Projects at Home and Overseas.

41 MU members and friends from Backworth and Earsdon came to see the tree, have a kneeler talk, lunch in the tea rooms and a guided tour round the gardens. A super day and the sun shone...most of the time!!

Amble Mothers Union members and guests at their share lunch in July. Indoors as the weather this year was not kind enough for a picnic in the garden.

Blyth MU members with Sheep they have knitted for the Shaun the Sheep Trail at the Cathedral

Helen Cooper gave an interesting talk about the Howick kneelers to Holy Saviours MU

Amble MU members and others from our congregation at St Cuthberts visited Hauxley Nature Reserve as part of our focus on environmental matters.  A talk from a member of Northumberland Wildlife Trust was very helpful, Good weather gave us the opportunity to explore the reserve.   A very good afternoon.

Visit to Howick Hall 18 July 2023

Look how big our Indian Chestnut sapling has grown!!	We all gathered round the tree- see you next year!

Rev Anne Marr led Midday Prayers around the tree
After a lovely lunch in the tea room Deanery Leader Helen Cooper gave an interesting talk about the Howick Kneelers

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Shaun the Sheep

Shaun the Sheep on the Tyne Art Trail (in support of St Oswald’s Hospice)

Shaun the Sheep on the Tyne Art Trail (in support of St Oswald’s Hospice) will be in the Cathedral from 19th July to 27th September.

Hard to find M-Ewes plus a few more little Shauns

Find out more on the Cathedral Website

Congratulations to Helen & her husband Rev Barrie Cooper

Congratulations to Helen & her husband Rev Barrie Cooper who renewed their wedding vows at the Parish church of Howick on their 10th wedding anniversary, Helen is Deanery leader of Alnwick, Bamburgh,Glendale & Norham Deanery

Benwell MU held a Coffee & Chat

Benwell MU meets on 4th Wednesday of the month 9.15-10.30am at the Venerable Bede Church, NE4 8AP

Benwell MU branch have been trying out a new group.  In addition to the evening group (curry, wine, discussion topic), there is now a daytime group. This runs once a month to coincide with a monthly communion/morning prayer service at the Venerable Bede Church.   It is deliberately very simple (and low cost) to run, with little preparation needed.  It runs 9.15-10.30 so people can come after dropping off children at school if necessary.  It is a women only group and is called coffee, cake and craft.  It is pretty much what it says on the tin.  There is coffee and cake, a short bible reading and prayer and then a simple craft, linked to the bible reading.  The branch are happy to share the "how to..." sheets for each session and for these to be used as a resource in other branches.

Download resources below

Fisher of men ( beaded fish)

Summer of Hope ( tassel keyrings)

Love ( Painted pebbles)

Praying with Crosses

Ash Wednesday Origami

Venerable Bede (colouring)

Venerable Bede ( Creative nible verses)

Internet branch 2023 Events

Internet Branch - contact Sylvia Hickey 

Some members of First Internet branch, with friends, at their Quiet Day held at the Northumbria Community on July 8^th.  They were led by Rev Phil Carruthers assisted by Rev Paul both from St Mary`s Belford.  Also in the picture Rev Catherine Askew and Chris Knowles from the Community.

The First Internet Branch held a Quiz to raise money for the  Refuge Children`s Sensory Room .

Congratulations to the Winners!	And Commiserations to the losers!!

Some more photos from the quiz!

Members of First Internet Branch were joined by members of Ponteland and Wideopen branches for a fun meal out together in January.

The generosity of members from these three branches funded the Christmas Day food for the Refuge.

Retreat at Shepherds Dene- June 2023

2023 Retreat Theme: 'Shades of Green- Aspects of Godly Gardening' 

(The seven Gardens can bw found in the Prayer & Resources Section here)

 More Photos

In the peaceful green-ness of Shepherd’s Dene we shared in two Eucharists, Evening Prayer, Morning Prayer, excellent meals and space to ‘do our own thing’.  And in our study sessions Revd  Anne Marr led us through a series of  Gardens, beginning in the Garden of Eden, our ‘Garden of Intention’, into our Garden of Life, then from a Wilderness Garden to  Gardens of Hope and of Renewal, from a Garden of Tears to a Garden of New Life and ending in the Garden of Joy.  In each garden we had a reflection, a prayer and a photograph to give a focus to our thoughts during our quiet times. The final prayer began “Lord, whatever our story, wherever we find ourselves today, help us remember your story …” and ended “Eden restored, the earth redeemed, and we are truly at home with you.”  It was a fitting conclusion.

Branch Events in June

The Amble gang at the Archdeaconry Festival day at Rothbury. Wonderful weather, great service and memorable fellowship.

Morpeth Branch enjoyed a tour of the Mayor’s Parlour in Morpeth Town Hall by the Mayor, Alison Byard.

The Deanery Quiet Afternoon was led by Morpeth member/secretary , Vivienne Sommerville. Vivienne guided our reflections using music, bible passages and prayer - with the theme of Jesus as a “builder”. 

Diocesan Eucharist Rothbury