St Bartholomew's Long Benton Branch Annual Soup and Sandwich lunch raised funds this year to provide 50 short stay bags for the Emergency Admissions Suite at the Freeman Hospital.

Sylvia Hickey, on behalf of the  First Internet Branch delivered a large consignment of bed linen and towels to the Northumberland Refuge donated by Tesco Kingston Park.  This is the result of a working relationship developed from our Christmas food project for the Refuges when Lesley, the Community Champion, puts our large order together for our collection.

Two weeks ago she delivered a similar load to North Tyneside.  This had been generously donated by a non MU lady from Amble who had heard about First Internet work from a member of Amble branch.

I opened up this Diocesan Members day to anyone across the Diocese who was interested in joining us.  This was because our speaker that day was a representative from Age U.K.  With our aging membership I felt it could be of value to many of our members.  More than 30 people took advantage of this opportunity. Age U.K explained the many services they could provide, e.g help for anyone just discharged from hospital, help with on-line skills etc. each attendee received an information pack to take away.  As always there was time to socialise over a scone slice of cake and a cup of tea.

This proved to be very useful and enjoyable afternoon and I think I shall repeat the idea of an extended meeting

First Internet branch have bought an outdoor storage unit for Northumberland Refuge, to house the children`s larger toys and small bicycles.  The cost of this came from fundraising

A large bag of beautifully hand-knitted baby items has been passed to RVI Maternity, lovingly made by members and friends of Mothers' Union Newcastle. These knits are a practical gift of warmth and comfort, offering care and kindness to new parents and their babies at a special and often vulnerable time.

Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, skills and prayers. Another wonderful example of Mothers’ Union’s commitment to supporting families in simple, meaningful ways. #GoodNewsTuesday

The council meeting covered the business matters quickly and efficiently. One item which caught everyone’s interest was what we are doing for the 150th anniversary celebrations. A highlight will be at Newcastle Cathedral on July 25th. It will start with refreshments at 10.30 followed by the service at noon. There will also be displays. Rev Anne Marr described this other activities and competitions. Information can be found on the website. Also, on the website will be details of what is to happen on Mary Sumner Day. Each branch was given a symbolic candle inscribed with the new logo to use on the day.

 Information was given about the prayer capsule which will be handed over from Carlisle to Newcastle on May 10th at Hexham Abbey before being handed over to Durham on May 17th.

The main highlight of the evening was a talk given by Rev Richard (Ric) Whaite, the director of Mission and Ministry in Newcastle Diocese. Ric talked with interest and faith about how we share prioritising things in a way which the world doesn’t, caring for the “least, leftover little and lost” and helping those whose voices have been forgotten. Members help and benefit non-members and in return members are blessed by those we save. Ric amusingly said that the Special blue and white MU socks which he was given at the end of his talk would be appreciated by members and non-members alike when he wore them on Easter Day

Ponteland White Ribbon service 2025

Our Hexham MP Joe Morris, who I invited to support our White Ribbon service at Ponteland in November, wrote an article for the February ‘Pontnews’.  The following is a quote from that article. Sylvia Hickey  

“I attended the White Ribbon Service at St Mary`s Parish to remember those who have lost their lives to gender-based violence.  I was honoured to give a reading and would like to thank Reverend Rosemary New for leading such a moving service, as well as everyone who attended.  Tackling violence against women and girls has been a priority for me since my election in July 2024, and I am proud to serve as a patron of Northumberland Domestic Abuse Services”.

Joe Morris MP

This year we held two services, one at the Methodist Church in Hexham and one in St Mary`s Ponteland.  Both services were supported by some M.U. members working with C.A.D.A.

In Hexham we put a small exhibition in the library and also a very poignant display along the park railings close to the Abbey.  We were helped with this by the mother of Holly Newton, the teenager stabbed to death in Hexham in January 2023.

In Ponteland at my invitation, we were joined by our M.P. Joe Morris who showed his support by reading one of the lessons.  In both services an orange rose was laid in tribute to each victim who had died in the previous twelve months as a result of gender based violence.  This year there were 105 adults and 2 children to remember 

On the following Monday we took all the petals from the orange roses and floated them in the river by the Three Mile Inn in Gosforth.  This symbolised the victim’s freedom through death.  As the petals floated away we prayed that God would grant them the peace they so deserved.

A big “thank you” to those M.U. members who supported us by attending a service or reading out the victims’ names or taking part in the prayers and readings.                                                                                                                    Sylvia Hickey

67 complete Christmas Day meals were provided by First Internet Branch for 2 D.A. Refuges.  29 women and 38 children were supported on Christmas Day by this initiative. Thhe image below shows the items ready for collection from Tesco

Upper Coquetdale Branch received the Bronze Rise Up award that they completed  in October when  Melanie from NDAS came to the meetng to share their work . 

At the Christmas meeting  they shared Mince pies and took part in a lighthearted Christmas quiz on the events around Jesus' birth and learnt more about the symbolism of some of the events. 

Advent Preparations at Holy Nativity included time to hear some inside stories from a survivor of domestic abuse.

With the visual help of some of the art and poetry from her book ‘Breaking Though to Freedom’, Talia helped us to see the difficulties of breaking free and the ways in which Jesus Christ can be the shepherd who holds, supports and accompanies a survivor on the journey to freedom. Claire from Changing Lives explained how they offer refuge and support. Fr Wal asserted that churches should be places of sanctuary and understanding where abuse is never tolerated.