Autumn A publication about Mothers Union in the Diocese of Sheffield

Transcription

1 Autumn 2018 A publication about Mothers Union in the Diocese of Sheffield

2 President Pauline s musings My Dear Friends The times they are a changing is a well-known song by Bob Dylan and as I write this, they certainly are. Autumn seems to have arrived very quickly after our lovely summer and here I am writing what is my last Newsline letter as your President. Over the last three years I have been blessed and what a privilege it has been, to represent Mothers Union in this Diocese. A time I will never forget, visiting branches, attending special services and getting to know so many members and indeed admitting new members, which is always a joy. I do love visiting branches, some small, some large but all are equally important, following the We must continue to promote MU by any means we can, wearing your badge is such a basic thing, be proud to wear it and continue to talk to family and friends about all we are doing. same aims and objectives and furthering the work of Mothers Union. I thank them all for their hospitality over the years. Since being a member many years ago, one of the days I particularly love is Mary Sumner Day, where all the Diocese gets together making us all realise that we are all but a small part of wonderful global organisation. Another memorable occasion was my commissioning by Bishop Steven whose sermon will always be close to my heart. As the new Triennium approaches, my thanks must go to our Trustee board who have been very supportive particularly as we have had so many changes from Mary Sumner House during the past three years. A very good team where everyone has different strengths when put together worked perfectly. Our President elect, Gill Fellows, I know will continue to get full support from Trustees. Gill will make a super President. She has worked hard for MU for many years, and the Diocese will be in very capable hands. I feel sure that she will have your love and prayers and support which will be as invaluable to her as they have been to me. What is there to learn over the last three years I ask myself? Whilst we all beaver along working hard for MU we must be aware of the bigger global picture, which is exciting. Social media used properly is a brilliant medium for this. I have friends in Barbados, Eastern Cape, Nigeria, Australia and the Solomon Islands. It is truly amazing seeing their pictures and hearing what they are doing and of course they are interested and comment on our posts. We have so much to learn from one another. We must continue to promote MU by any means we can, wearing your badge is such a basic thing, be proud to wear it and continue to talk to family and friends about all we are doing. Many of you who are observant will notice the picture above is one that has been used before. So why use it again you may ask? To me Hope is such a powerful word. So, what are we hoping for? As the days are growing closer to Christmas, many are hoping for presents, many looking forward to times with the family but sadly not for all. It is a time when many are lonely, many hungry, which we should be aware of, but it is easily forgotten in this busy time of year. Try to find time to pop in to see a neighbour and maybe on each day of Advent put an item of food in a box and on Christmas Eve deliver it to a food bank. It is in giving that we receive. As Christians, our hope must be that the significance of the baby s birth relates to our belief that Christ will come again in all His fullness. My love and every blessing for Christmas and for a happy, healthy Pauline Editor s Note: PHOTO The photo on the front cover was posted by me on Facebook after the Autumn council when Norma Priest brought the jumper saying it was knitted, a long while ago, for a member who has since died and the family wondered if someone would like it! There was a lot of comment at Council about the logo and the pattern so I posted it on Facebook little did I know that it would reach over 1100 people and there were posts and comments from all over the world! Obviously that particular MU Logo is very dear to people s hearts. There is now a copy of the original knitting/cross stich pattern on our website for you to download- should you wish to knit your own jumper! As Pauline says- the power of Social Media!

3 A Christmas message from Canon Gordon Taylor I always enjoy the coming of Christmas and the story of the birth of Jesus. Every year I discover something in the story that I had not noticed in quite the same way the year before. Christmas is always full of surprises. Amongst many other things, it is a story of journeys. Mary and Joseph arrive in Bethlehem from somewhere else. The Magi, the Wise Men and the Kings come from distant lands. The shepherds come from a shorter distance, just over the hills where they have been looking after their sheep. The angels have come from heaven itself. And before long the child himself and Joseph and Mary are journeying to Egypt to escape the clutches of wicked Herod. What a contrast there is between all the people who journeyed to the manger to visit the newborn child -the wise and those wealthy enough to make a long journey, and full of eastern promise, and the poor shepherds with a job that was perhaps the least desirable of all jobs and looked down upon by many. But, have you noticed, it was to the shepherds, the ones who were the outcasts to most people in those days, that the angels first announced the news of the birth of the King of the World. Perhaps it was a sign of how things were to be in the life of Jesus himself in his adult years how he chose to be with the marginalised and the downtrodden and those disregarded by society. Not that the Magi were in any sense excluded or ignored, for they form a significant part of the story, and the offering of their gifts adds great mystery to its unfolding. It is not a coincidence that this significant birth happens in a most unlikely place in a simple, unassuming stable or cave not in a bed, but in a manger where the animals were fed. Saint Francis of Assisi in one of his Christmas sermons said, He was born not in a palace, but in a stable. Look and always remember. He was poor and he was humble. That is how God seems to work, and although God is very inclusive, he often begins with those you would least expect. The excitement and wonder of children when they hear and begin to understand for the first time the story of Christmas is something that should be an inspiration to all of us and a reminder that for us, as each year goes by, there is always something new to discover. It is all summed up in the thought that God himself is to be found in that birth, in that distant country. But people journeyed to see him, the rich and the poor, and offered him their gifts. From wherever we journey, we too are called to offer him our gifts, our whole selves, If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb, if I were a wise man, I would do my part, - yet what I can I give him, give my heart. Nothing less will do for the King of the World. A very joyful and happy and peaceful Christmas, full of excitement and wonder, to you all. A letter from Our Provincial President, Barbara Taylor My dear friends and fellow members I ve shared worship (at commissioning s, Lady Day and Mary Sumner Day services), I ve spoken at Council (twice), I ve attended two Fun Days chatting to members, telling non-members about Mothers Union, playing with children. At every foray across the Pennines and into Sheffield Diocese I have been made most welcome. Never have I doubted the commitment, the energy, the enthusiasm of you all as, walking in Mary Sumner s footsteps ; you strive to touch the lives of those in your community. Newsline is a fantastic publication, which I enjoy each time it pops through my letterbox, and it is a mine of information about your work and witness. My thanks, for all you have shared with me, pale into insignificance when compared with those whose lives you touch through your ministry in the diocese. Photos showing contributions for CART tell the story of many members industry, whilst projects such as the prison play area demand a significant commitment from a smaller group. The beneficiaries of the breaks, days out, and camps you arrange under AFIA often cannot truly express the difference you have made in their lives. Many projects, such as joy bags, touch individuals and you do make such a difference with all the initiatives in your local communities. When you consider how all this is replicated by over 4 million members you realise how proud we should be of our membership of this global movement. As I write we are drawing towards the end of this triennium and my six-year term as Provincial President. It has been a huge privilege to serve Mothers Union in this way - hard work, some very early mornings (and I am no lark) but also a great deal of fun. My sincere thanks for your fellowship and especially for your prayerful support throughout this time. We can look to the future with confidence. MULOA is giving us a revitalised and re-energised membership, open to new ideas, and aware of the effect they have on others. Under the new constitution we shall have a Provincial President with a greater role, and a Zonal Trustee shall represent us on the worldwide board- two people working together, giving us twice the capacity, and an increased range of skills. I know that you will pray for them both as you have for me. May God, in whose steps we follow, be with you all in the coming years. Mothers Union President Province of York

4 News from Mary Sumner House Elections For 2019 Mothers Union has elected Sheran Harper as its new Worldwide President the first person from outside the British Isles to hold the position. Mrs Harper, from Guyana, part of the Anglican Church in the Province of the West Indies, will represent and lead the 142 year old movement s four million members in 84 countries from January next year when she takes over from Lynne Tembey, who steps down in December. I am delighted to accept the role of Worldwide President for the new triennium, Sheran said. I feel very excited and privileged and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our members who voted to make this dream a reality. Mothers Union is as relevant today as it was 142 years ago as the call to support families globally is now even greater. We are working alongside governments and other organisations in tackling issues, which affect families wherever they are. In remote areas, where there is no access to social services, it is often Mothers Union that is leading the way. Sheran Harper, New Worldwide President Friend of Mothers Union June Houghton, Liverpool Diocese will be York Provincial President and Catherine Hilton, Manchester Diocese will be our Zonal Trustee. It is now possible for individuals to become a Friend of the central charity for the same price as becoming a central member. The primary difference of the new category is that a Friend does not have to have been baptised in name of the Holy Trinity, nor are they able to vote or eligible to stand for office. This new relationship category was created in response to member feedback that there exists a sizeable pool of individuals who would like to support our work but are ineligible for membership. If you would like to explore introducing a category of this type in our Diocese, please do contact us. Families First Families First was established some years ago to compete in the commercial magazine market. Unfortunately, this market is reducing in size and highly competitive, and FF will make a loss this year. For this reason, and following feedback on what members really value reading, the decision has been taken to transform Families First into an overtly member-focused publication, which will contain information, which can also be valuable in telling non-members about MU. This is consistent with the approach of most modern membership organisations. So next year you will see an increase in articles which can be used for discussion in meetings, and stories of the work of members here in the UK and worldwide, coming to you 4 times per year. Membership renewal will also be direct with the centre, to reduce the administrative burden on the Dioceses. I understand that the team has received a number of queries around renewal, the most common being is it as simple as sending off the form with 10? The answer is, yes! Families Worldwide will continue, and you may have noticed that there is a focus now on more in-depth features from selected countries, rather than information on all, as this can now be found on the website. In 2019, Families Worldwide will be delivered by post direct to the doorstep for all members whose addresses are on the directory, reducing the administration burden on Dioceses, and speeding up delivery to you. Editors Note: In the July/August edition of the magazine there was a letter explaining how to renew your subscription, a form to complete and a freepost envelope for you to return your subscription direct to Mary Sumner House. Reminders will be enclosed in future issues should you have missed the letter in the July/August edition. For further information or to subscribe to Families First if you do not already do so please contact the publications team at or you can download a form from the Resources page on our Sheffield MU website.

5 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence: Global Mothers Union campaigns around the world, through our 4 million members in 84 countries, for an end to gender-based violence violence carried out most often against women and girls because of their gender. It takes place each year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) until 10 December (International Human Rights Day). Throughout the campaign, Mothers Union joins with many others, globally, to raise awareness of, and call for an end to, gender-based violence in all forms and in all societies. Mothers Union has produced a set of resources specifically for its members and friends, which you are welcome to use and to encourage others to use. We hope this helps to support our members and friends to engage with this important campaign. The information provided can be used to share knowledge and increase awareness of this important issue. It can be distributed (for example, during meetings) or reproduced (for example, in church leaflets or as content for your own resources). Additional resources will be added as the 16 days draw closer so keep checking back on the Mothers Union website. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence Campaign is an extension of the day-to-day grassroots work of Mothers Union. We work alongside communities to help end gender-based violence and to support those affected by it, every day of the year. Editors Note: Check out these excellent free resources on the Mothers Union Website Sheffield Diocese are holding a Silent Vigil outside Sheffield Cathedral on Friday November 30th at 12 noon following our monthly Coffee Morning please join us to make everyone aware of Gender based Violence. Literacy and Financial Education The programme is one of the most cost-effective literacy programmes in the world. We train community volunteers as literacy facilitators, who are then equipped to run literacy circles in their own community Janet Stapleton, Dore branch writes. In December my daughter accompanied her husband on a visit to Muyinga, in Burundi, to visit the school/technical college that he is helping Bishop Eraste Bigirimana to build and equip. My son in law, Tim met the Bishop in 2010 when he sat next to him on a train travelling from Edinburgh to London. The Bishop told Tim that he wanted to build a school for teenage boys, who are not academic, so that they could learn a trade. Tim said that he would help him so he got a group of friends together and they started fund raising and collecting surplus equipment from building contractors. The Burundi government gave them the site and the boys are doing the construction work as part of their course. They aim to build a classroom a year. The school now has 3 classrooms and this year s project is to build a science lab. The first intake of boys have left and found employment and now the school can also take girls who want to learn a trade. If you would like to see more of the school project visit their web site. The Mothers Union is very strong in Burundi and when my daughter visits she is always taken to meet them. Every time she meets them they tell her how much they value the Mothers Union Literacy Programme. More than 14,000 people in Burundi have benefited from literacy and financial education since 2013, run by the Mothers Union. Where possible they use local people as educators, they believe that if you educate a mother she will then teach her children. Being literate and financially educated empowers people and they are then able to start a business and earn a living. Mothers Union and the Anglican Church are now seen as major drivers of positive change in the community.

6 News from around the Diocese Desiderata Desiderata is one of our Literacy Trainers in Burundi and has been with the programme since it began. Desiderata s work for Mothers Union includes training and supporting the literacy facilitators, monitoring and evaluating the impact of the programme and developing and supporting post-literacy initiatives. An Update on the Lent Project organised by St John s Wadworth for MU Literacy Fund... On Sunday 24th June President Pauline visited Wadworth church service and she was presented with a cheque for an amazing 2,465, which was raised for MU Literacy Project. This was a brilliant event in the memory of Miriam Taylor. Miriam s husband, Chris, presented the cheque to Pauline and they are seen in the photo with Brenda Sharpe who organised the Lent Project. Over the last 10 years, over 100,000 people have joined a Mothers Union literacy circle in Burundi with most going on to achieve a recognised literacy level. In Desiderata s diocese alone, over 10,000 men and women have been part of the Literacy Programme and many have gone on to become accredited literate and numerate. In 2010 Desiderata was among a group of Literacy Trainers and Community Development Coordinators who benefited from savings and business skills training which she is now passing on to facilitators in her diocese and through them to accredited learners in the community. Dore Mothers Union held a Flash Garden Party in aid of the Literacy Programme at three day s notice in August (when we had a firm forecast of good weather) and raised 138 for MU Literacy Programmes. News from around the Diocese The LGBT+ Pinknic event at the Sheffield Peace Gardens On a hot and sunny July Saturday Sheila Wood, Sally Wood, Heather Johnson, Tim and Moira Leach attended the above event. We had hoped to have enough MU members to man a stall for the whole day but as we couldn t do that with just five of us, decided to go as a group for the first two hours. We received a very warm welcome and were given a table as a base to work from and somewhere to display the MU leaflets and magazines. We took it in turns to go in pairs to visit every stall there and met and talked to so many people who were delighted that the Mothers Union had come to support the event. We also made our own form of rainbow coloured loom band bracelets to give to the many children who were there. At one stage some teenagers came up to the stall and were so lovely and friendly to us oldies trying to make the bracelets they didn t laugh much!! And they didn t ignore our plea for help but showed us how to make them properly using our fingers they had obviously gone through the loom band craze a few years earlier! So we were then able to make proper bracelets and rings for everyone! We also received several offers from LGBT Sheffield members who would be willing to come and talk to branches or a Council meeting about the work of LGBT Sheffield, a volunteer led charity formed in 2012 to give the city a unique and centralised LGBT identity and bringing together various groups and services under one umbrella.

7 News from around the Diocese News from around the Diocese Mary Sumner Day Service Open Garden Event at Bishopscroft, Sheffield Sheffield MU members also supported this by having various stalls and children s activities, though not all the participants were children! Photos Bishop Pete writes Please pass on my heartfelt thanks to the many members of the MU who gave up their Saturday afternoon to support the Open Garden Event here. It is much appreciated! When we spoke on the phone, you were clearly anxious that the MU offering would be thinner than historically usual but on the day there was a substantial cohort, thank you! With every blessing, +Pete A service was held, as usual on August 9th, celebrating Mothers Union in the Diocese of Sheffield. It was well attended and Jim Reynolds carried the Diocesan banner. The IMPC Correspondent, Lesley Harpham carried the IMPC book. New members were admitted and long service certificates were given. If you have never been before then do come along next year, as it really is good to share the fellowship and see that we are part of something much bigger.

8 News from around the Diocese Sponsored Walk Event News from around the Diocese Sponsored Walk Event Attercliffe Deanery walked around Rother Valley Country Park, they were joined by some members from St James Woodhouse Ramblers and a 5 year old, who is now an Honorary MU Member! Members of DSH Deaneries walked around the Lake on Sunday afternoon after members celebrated MU Sunday in their own churches in the morning. Mary Bates is our very new member; being enrolled at St Jude s, Hexthorpe this morning. Welcome Mary! After the walk drinks and fellowship were on hand at Cafe Theo, St Francis church, kindly provided by St Francis MU. Well done everyone and in excess of 300 was raised for MU projects. 3 members of Tankersley Deanery walked around Elsecar Park Wath Deanery were joined by some members from Rotherham & Laughton Deanery and met at Wentworth Church in glorious sunshine ready to walk to Harley church. We were very grateful for the wonderful refreshments at Harley. The return walk was warm but everyone was still smiling. Flyers and information about Mothers Union were given out to people that we met. There was also some money collected by sponsorship. A good afternoon enjoyed by all. Coffee Morning at Doncaster Minster Quiet Day at Winthrop Park Ecclesfield Deanery had a lovely hot stroll around Ecclesfield Park promoting our wonderful MU, followed by tea and cake in St Mary s church. 6 members of Ecclesall Deanery met for an enjoyable afternoon walk around Millhouses Park. Some of us had a picnic lunch and tried not to share it with the wasps! As we walked we stopped a few folk to ask if they had ever heard of the Mothers Union? Most said, no and were happy to have a flyer, some were even happy to listen to some chat about it too. We wore posters on our fronts and backs, which kept blowing over in the wind so couldn t be seen, but at least that was a talking point too. We trialled a coffee morning in Doncaster Minster in August hosted by DSH Deaneries. It was so that members from the west side of the Diocese could meet up rather than travelling all the way to Sheffield. 30 members met at Winthrop on a rainy day. The afternoon began with a delicious afternoon tea. Margaret Vivian then talked to us about the variety of plants around God s wonderful world and us. We considered the possible interpretation and meaning of the parts of the Passionflower. The rain eased off and we spent time exploring the gardens.

9 News from around the Diocese Autumn Council News from around the Diocese MU General Meeting, Swansea Sept 17th/18th This was held as usual in the evening at St Francis Church Bramley. There were only about 55 members there and Barbara Taylor was the speaker, who gave an interesting review of her time as President for York Province. The Vice Presidents thanked her and presented her with a gift from the Diocese. Pauline thanked all those who have held posts during the past three years particularly Joan Ridgeway who after, 12 years has stepped down from the most important role of AFIA Co-coordinator. Joan was presented with a small gift as a token of our appreciation. Pauline also thanked those who have put their names forward for This year 11 members of Sheffield MU joined over 1000 MU members from around the world, at the General meeting for The Celebration service was held at the Collegiate & Parish Church of St Mary, Swansea where 600 people attended each service, we attended the 6pm service. We were welcomed into an already packed church and given a service sheet plus a beautiful bookmark to commemorate the event. We found seats where we had a good view of the proceedings. There were wonderful flower arrangements everywhere in Mothers Union colours, and we soon found familiar faces amongst the congregation. St Mary s is a beautiful church and apparently the current building is probably the 5th or 6th to stand on the present site and is the building that was eventually rebuilt after the bombing of The Rev. Canon Ian Rees, Rector of Central Swansea led the service and the Bishop of St David s, The Rt Revd Joanna Penberthy preached at our service, she spoke of the powerful impact that Mothers Union has around the world. She stressed how important and relevant the name Mothers Union is in this day and age, particularly when speaking out against injustice. Continues overleaf

10 News from around the Diocese MU General Meeting, Swansea Sept 17th/18th (Continued) News from around the Diocese MU General Meeting, Swansea Sept 17th/18th (Continued) The theme was Celebrating Mothers Union and was a wonderful service with a Welsh flavour with that uplifting Welsh hymn, Cwm Rhondda, (Guide me O thou great redeemer) and the choir of St Mary s singing Reverend Eli Jenkins Prayer from Under Milk Wood, by Dylan Thomas, which is also sometimes known as The Sunset Poem. The Sunset Poem Every morning when I wake, Dear Lord, a little prayer I make, O please do keep Thy lovely eye On all poor creatures born to die And every evening at sundown I ask a blessing on the town, For whether we last the night or no I m sure is always touch-and-go. We are not wholly bad or good Who live our lives under Milk Wood, And Thou, I know, wilt be the first To see our best side, not our worst. O let us see another day! Bless us all this night, I pray, And to the sun we all will bow And say, good-bye but just for now! The packed church and the mood of celebration offered a magnificent witness to the city of the work of Mothers Union. There was a beautiful banner made to celebrate the 140th Anniversary of MU depicting all the branches in the Swansea and Brecon Diocese, which stretches from rural mid-wales to the south wales coast and as you would expect in Wales, the music and the choir were a joy to listen to. On the Tuesday a few of us had a quick walk to the beach and in true Mothers Union spirit, (it was quiet windy) we left our Mothers Union mark in the sand, before returning to Brangwyn Hall for the General Meeting. We had our Sheffield Diocese Banner, and took photographs before the Archbishop of Wales opened the meeting followed by a presentation by Lynne Tembey, our Worldwide President who reflected on her time as Worldwide President and left us with these final words. So dear friends, I offer you my final words of encouragement. Please enjoy your membership and every opportunity if affords you, just as I have done. Embrace all that it enables. Importantly, grow firm and strong in your faith, in love, union and unity with one another, growing always closer to God. And never be surprised at what He enables and achieves through you. I know with all my heart that you and I have each been called by name and the Lord has made you and me his own. I encourage you to simply trust and obey. Rejoice, be thankful and follow his calling. You will never know where the Lord will lead you or what pathway he might open up and take you down, importantly keep your hand in his on every step of your journey, each and every day. God bless you. Then our chief executive, Bev Jullien, gave her presentation in which she thanked everyone for their hard work, especially for fundraising, we know you reach over 100,000 people each year, but we suspect it is much more and thanks for your amazing fundraising which you do for your own local projects, as well as supporting work across the Diocese and Internationally! I know the Summer of Hope Appeal has raised so far this year more than it had at the same time last year, which is wonderful! Fundraising should always be FUN as this face painting certainly seemed to be (as she showed a photo of our very own Training Officer, Jo-Anne dressed up and face painting at our Family Fun Day in Clifton Park in 2016) and all contributions make a real difference whether it is a local cake sale or major personal challenges such as running the London marathon! It matters, because the funds you raise are used to enable whole communities to take charge of their lives and lift themselves from dependency. Bev then told us it was a time to modernise, so into 2019 with MULOA, already active in many countries, due to Lynne s initiative. In the afternoon Revd Rachel Carnegie, Deputy Director of the Anglican Alliance, gave the keynote address: How does Mothers Union make a difference? where she talked about the importance of Faith Hope and Love. She called on members to write down their hopes and dreams for the future of the movement on paper leaves which were collected in baskets and prayed over by herself and Bishop Andrew Proud, Mothers Union s Central Chaplain. We were encouraged to keep praying and acting in faith. She said, God is gathering us like loaves and fishes to go out to do his work Following this, a humorous This is your Life was given by Head of Fundraising and Communications, Daniel McAllister, taking on the role of host with Lynne our Worldwide President as the celebrity. It was a lighthearted look at everything that Lynne had achieved over the past 6 years with the support of her husband David. Editors Note: Next year the General Meeting will be in Portsmouth on 16/17th September 2019 and the MU theme for 2019 is to be LISTEN, OBSERVE, ACT - IN STEP WITH GOD.

11 News from around the Diocese Subscriptions for 2019 News from the Deaneries Adwick Deanery Dear Friends, As ever, in the early autumn, I am writing to ask you to renew your membership to Mothers Union. The movement of which we are members is over 4 million strong, and together we can show that we have touched the lives of over three-quarters of a million people worldwide, including some 100,000 within Britain and Ireland. I cannot thank you enough for all that you do, walking in the footsteps of Mary Sumner. For 2019, the total subscription requested is which covers support for branch activities, including the necessary insurance, publication of Newsline, travel and attendance to conferences, hire of meeting rooms etc. We support AFIA, providing much needed breaks for families who are experiencing stress, we support 4 Women s Refuges across the Diocese as well as providing a safe play area in a local prison for visiting children as well as supporting and running many Toddler groups and Knit & Natter groups supporting all ages within the Diocese. It also includes a contribution of towards the vital work of our Central organisation. This central contribution, which works out as less than 27p per week, per member, provides the bedrock which enables our movement MULOA May God enable us to become the people he has called us to be and, in everything we do, may our lives honour the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. May he inspire us and move us to action so that we fulfil his will in response to his amazing grace, so freely given to the world. Amen to thrive nationally and globally, as well as supporting your fellowship in branches and groups. It represents 22% of the total income of Mothers Union centrally. The remainder comes from fundraising, grants and legacies as well as income from MUe sales and the conference facilities of Mary Sumner House. I would like to thank you very much indeed for all that you do in loving service through Mothers Union. The difference you make, to each and every person you touch, is beyond measure! With love, Pauline Reynolds Sheffield Diocesan President Sprotbrough St. Mary s branch held an afternoon tea in August to raise money for the Summer of Hope appeal. The sun shone, of course, and we made over 140. In preparation for MU Sunday, we updated our noticeboard in church, writing each project we were involved in on a footprint, to show how our members walk in Mary Sumner s footsteps. We surprised ourselves with how many projects we are involved in within our church. Attercliffe Deanery Pat Roper Branch Co-coordinator St James Church Woodhouse welcomed two new members, Janet Gough and Evelyn Burton. Attercliffe Deanery Leader, Beryl Wright enrolled them on August 7th. St Peter s Askern members took part in the Sunday service on MU Sunday and 4 new members were enrolled Glenys Taylor, He Jeong Cam, Belinda Platts and Imelda McLean. Congratulations to St Catherine s MU member Lelia Musselwhite who received her 50 years service certificate from President Pauline at the Mary Sumner Service at Sheffield Cathedral.

12 News from the Deaneries Doncaster & Snaith & Hatfield Deanery News from the Deaneries Ecclesall Deanery Quiet Day in Doncaster Deanery 15 of us enjoyed a very special time at our Quiet day at Barnby Dun on 11th July. The theme was the MU theme for 2018, Following in Mary Sumner s Footsteps. We talked about listening to each other, listening to what God wants us to do in the Mothers Union and finding time to listen to God. We live in a society that worships busyness, a society addicted to distraction and polluted by constant noise. It can be hard to break away from it, yet break away we must. If we are constantly moving and never listening, how will we hear the still, small voice of calm? After a lovely lunch together we commenced our afternoon session with a presentation about Domestic Violence, a reflection of how we in the Mothers Union can help those whose lives have been affected. We can give practical help by supporting Women s Aid and Women s Refuge. Victims of abuse can recover and move on with their lives if they are enabled and supported. We all had a very moving and thought provoking day. Susan Cammack Dore branch held their annual Strawberry Fayre, as part of Dore Gala programme on 2nd July and raised over 500 for AFIA holidays for struggling families. The lovely weather helped a record attendance. Members also found a new use for a phone box whilst visiting Eyam on their annual outing in July. Members of All Saints, Ecclesall MU held a Strawberry Tea on a beautiful day in August; over 100 was raised for the summer of hope appeal. Members of Barnby Dun attended the Wave of Prayer in St Peter & St Paul Church. Elizabeth Paver led the Wave of Prayer at St Wilfrid, Cantley. St Francis MU held a Summer of Hope Garden Party at the home of Branch Coordinator, Margaret Jackson. There were lots of people, lots of food and lots of money was raised, 335, all in 2 hours!! It was a great event. Margaret also led the Wave of Prayer in August. Canon Gordon Taylor visited the Mothers Union members in Goole along with other members of St John s Church at their Worship and Social Group Meeting and gave an interesting talk on the Christmas Crib figures. He showed figures from many different countries and how their interpretation reflected on where they lived. Sally Wood, St Peter & St. Oswald s writes. On Sunday the 9th of September when we had our MU Sunday, we enrolled a dear friend of mine, Renee Anthony who had been wondering about joining since I invited her to the 2016 Mary Sumner Day Service at the Cathedral. She has also been to the Quiet Day in the Cathedral in May and to Winthrop Gardens in September. It was a lovely to finally give her a badge and a card as a fully-fledged member. At the service Joan Wragg brought some of her jewellery to sell, to raise money for the Sheffield Women s Refuge and Bob and I have pears from our tree to sell at Toddler group, this money will also go to the Women s Refuge.

13 News from the Deaneries Ecclesfield Deanery News from the Deaneries Rotherham & Laughton Deanery St Marks Grenoside hosted the Deanery Festival in July St Mary s Ecclesfield Branch were given a very interesting talk by Sheila Beatson, a MU member of the recently closed St Pauls, Wordsworth Avenue Branch. Sheila and her husband have for many years entertained both young and old as clowns, Beato and Uncle Fred. They have raised money for charities and along the way have met and worked with many celebrities, and have even met the Queen! St Nicolas, Ryecroft held a successful Soup and Roll Lunch in September, although numbers were lower than previous years we sent 100 to each of our MU charities- AFIA, IMPC and the Overseas Fund. The branch members and willing supporters worked hard ensuring everyone Margaret Tupling writes from St Mary Magdalene Branch, Whiston. Earlier this year Elizabeth informed the Trustees that having collated the information from the members questionnaire, she had found that the majority of our members were born in the 1920s & 30s; I came away from that meeting feeling quite depressed. Our branch is typical, most of us having reached an age where we are reluctant to start new ventures & unlikely to attract younger people. However, we do have a church led Parent & Toddler Group ( Little Fishes ) and understand from several of the mums how much they value each others company and miss it when their children move on to Big school. Before the summer holiday the parents received a letter from our branch inviting them to start a new young parents group. Although the response was limited the Little Fishes leader & I decided to go ahead and held our initial was looked after and it was much appreciated by those present. The Literature stall was well stocked and Beryl and Sheila were kept quite busy, Canon Gordon was, as always very supportive. Many thanks to the hard work of all. meeting on Monday 8th October in an attempt to find out what members might want. We prepared the ground by sharing a Ploughman s supper, chatting informally and agreeing that the new group should be a church based social gathering. We have obtained a donation from the MU Diocesan Family Project Fund, some of which will be used to buy materials for a Christmas craft evening (possibly wreath making) at the November meeting. We are hopeful that more mums will be available to join us, because unfortunately one or two could not make the initial meeting. Please pray for the success of our new venture. Congratulations to Whiston member Wendy O Gram who along with Margaret Cook joined the Mothers Union 50 years ago. They both tell the story of how they took their babies with them, pushing their big prams up the steep hill to Whiston Church! St Saviour s Mortomley High Green Mothers Union went out for a summer lunch at Wentworth Bistro in July before our August break. It was a beautiful day and with good food and someone else to serve us! A great time was had by all. Editors note: What a great idea- there is still money in the MU Diocesan Family Project Fund for other branches wishing to set up new projects. St Catherine of Sienna MU in Attercliffe Deanery are starting a Messy Nativity project with money too. Watch this space!

14 News from the Deaneries Tankersley Deanery News from the Deaneries Wath Deanery (cont) St Saviour s Church in Thurlstone hosted the Deanery Festival in July. Canon Gordon Taylor led the service and spoke about Hope. It was a lovely evening when 65 ladies and gentlemen joined together in worship followed by a delicious supper. Wath Deanery Wath Deanery welcomed Pauline, our Diocesan President, to their Festival held at All Saints Church, Wath. Canon Gordon Taylor, our Chaplain, spoke about angels and Michaelmas. Barbara Hilary was enrolled as a new member and Irene Ryder was given a certificate to celebrate 30 years as a member at All Saints. Tea, coffee and cakes were enjoyed after the wonderful service. Thanks go to Beryl Taylor for bringing MUe items for members to purchase. Diane Kelly was admitted as a member of the Brampton Bierlow branch at the Mary Sumner Day service at Sheffield Cathedral. Barnburgh MU enjoyed the gardens at Winthrop, Wickersley on Tuesday 4th September. The sun didn t shine but it didn t dampen our spirits. We had a beautiful afternoon tea, the staff and volunteers looked after us very well indeed. It was a lovely afternoon. Barnburgh members also held a coffee morning for MU funds and raised over 250 Wath MU Members held a lunch after church on 12th August and raised for the Summer of Hope Appeal; they took advantage of the lovely summer and held their Wave of Prayer in a member s garden. At the Mary Sumner Day Service several Wath members attended and Gill Fellows was presented with a 30 years long service certificate. Members from the Wentworth and Harley Branch gave a presentation for Mothers Union Sunday at both Harley Mission Church and Holy Trinity Wentworth - entitled What do the Mothers Union do today? Joanne dressed as an elderly lady with teapot and cakes, and then went on to say how things had changed. Different members talked about AFIA, Women s Refuge, IMPC, Prison Play area (Steve read out a short piece from the letters we received from the prison), Overseas Links and then Joanne summed up all the other things that we do. The articles on the table are the worldwide map, items for the refuge and AFIA. After the summer branch numbers became so low that it was thought the branch would have to close. Following a members discussion it was decided to concentrate on the things they do well, Fellowship, Friendship and Fundraising and change the format of the meetings so now they are the MUF Group. The first meeting took place at Ruth s house, where after a time of prayer and thoughts for the year ahead, they started to make items, for a stall on December 1st at Harley Christmas Fair, to raise funds for Also some of the times together will be visiting other Branches at their meetings. Introducing the MUF Group Editors note: What a super idea instead of closing!

15 Congratulations to... Birthday Congratulations to... Diamond Wedding Congratulations to Ann Clarke of St John s Abbeydale MU who celebrated her Diamond wedding with her husband Peter on 4th August Also to Janet Stapleton of Dore branch and her husband Ken (pictured right) who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on 4th October. Then and now they were young once It is over fifty years ago since a youngish student met a young teacher. They were both on a school journey to Holland and it was there that their friendship began to grow. On their return home, the journey between King s College, London and Sheffield became a frequent one for both of them. She was a teacher of Home Economics in nearby Derbyshire and he was a theological student heading towards the end of his training for the priesthood. They were married at Woodhouse in Sheffield in August 1968 before going to Canterbury for Gordon to complete his training. You might recognise the youthful pair on their wedding day. If you don t, you can see from this year s photograph on their 50th Wedding Anniversary, that it is Gordon and Beryl Taylor. Gordon is the Chaplain to the MU in this Diocese, and Beryl, until the end of this year when a second triennium comes to an end, is always seen on the MU Enterprise Stall with Sarah Rogerson. Even though they met in Holland where everyone seems to ride a bicycle, they did not take up cycling in the parishes in which they have served here in this diocese, although Gordon did always say that they should have a bicycle for two. And although they never did buy a bicycle for two, it didn t stop them working in tandem over these last fifty years. Golden Wedding Congratulations to Brian and Heather Stennett of St Saviours Mortomley, celebrate their Golden wedding in September with a trip to Canada. Heather is a long-standing member of our branch; Brian has been a valued helper for many years and has now agreed to join our branch as treasurer. Congratulations to you both on reaching this milestone. St Mary s Sprotborough members both of who have reached the grand old age of 90, Marjorie Clark on 6th July and Margaret Bellamy on 5th September. Marjorie Pearce celebrated her 90th birthday at the Branch meeting of St John s Abbeydale Pat Levitt of Thurgoland Branch who celebrated her 80th birthday on 7 September. Pat has been a member since September 1988, when 5 of us were enrolled together by Rev David Warner, our then vicar. His late wife Catherine was our enrolling member. Pat has worked tirelessly for MU; she became our Branch leader, then our Deanery Leader and has worked on many committees too. Thank you Pat. Wath All Saints members celebrated special birthdays in August - Jean Young was 80, Pauline Oldfield and Joan Bebb were 85, and in September Mildred Venables was 95 years old. IMPC Birthdays of 90 years and over Attercliffe Deanery Sept 25th Ena Lister Aged 93 Doncaster, Snaith & Hatfield Deaneries Sept 8th Margaret Fleetwood Aged 90 Sept 9th Eileen Littlewood Aged 93 Sept 12th Joyce Fotheringham Aged 96 Sept 18th Dorothy Custons Aged 92 Ecclesall Deanery July 12th Daphne Arter Aged 95 July 20th Ronald Vickers Aged 92 Aug 3rd Dorothy Pilling Aged 93 Ecclesfield Deanery Sept 10th Eileen Stennett Aged 92 Wath Deanery Sept 18th Mary Kathleen Dixon Aged 90

16 Regrets and blessings Dates for your diaries November Wednesday 14th Wath All Saints Fashion Show (Complete Clothing) 6.30 pm Thursday 29th Attercliffe Deanery Advent Service St James Woodhouse 11am followed by a shared lunch. Note: Change of date January Friday 4th Friday 4th Tuesday 15th Cathedral Coffee Morning noon Hosts: Ecclesall Deanery F&C Meeting Hilton Room Sheffield Cathedral 1pm Trustees Lunch Brooklands, Holiday Inn Barnsley 12 noon Adwick Deanery St Laurence Church Adwick branch are sad to have lost one of their dear members, Dorothy Heath suddenly in hospital. Dorothy, who was 74, had been a loyal member always with a smile for everyone. God s Blessing on her devoted family. Attercliffe Deanery St Cyprian s Branch are sad to announce the death of two dedicated and long serving members, Jean Wilks died in September 2018 (she was born in 1925) and Joan Hay died in December 2017 (she was born in 1919). Jean was also Branch Leader from 1986 to 1992 and both members were extremely active in the branch for many, many years. Ecclesall Deanery Dore branch member Betty Brown passed away peacefully on 28th September 2018, two days after her 95th birthday. She had been deeply involved in church activities- played the piano at our meetings, started the Dore Well Dressings etc., but for the past few years severe arthritis confined her to her own home. Despite this, she spoke of her many blessings and kept a lively interest in people and events. We thank God for her life and example. Ecclesfield Deanery St Nicholas High Bradfield are sad to announce the passing of Nellie Latham. Sadly she has been unable to attend meetings for some years due to mobility issues. She will be remembered by all who knew her. RIP dear friend. Friday 30th December Monday 3rd Cathedral Coffee Morning noon Hosts: Trustees Silent Vigil For Activism against Gender Violence Sheffield Cathedral 12 noon Wath Deanery Advent Service All Saints Darfield 2pm Wednesday 5th Ecclesfield Deanery Advent Service Ascension Church Oughtibridge 2.30pm Thursday 6th Ecclesall Deanery Advent Service at St Oswald s Church 10am Friday 7th Rotherham & Laughton Deanery Advent Service St Francis Bramley 11am followed by Soup and roll lunch Friday 7th DSH Advent Service at St Francis, Bessacarr 2.30pm Tuesday 11th Tankersley Deanery Advent Service St Peter s Church, Tankersley 2pm February Friday 1st March Friday 1st Friday 8th Monday 18th Saturday 30th April Friday 5th Cathedral Coffee Morning noon Hosts: Adwick Deanery Women s World Day of Prayer 11am Sheffield Cathedral Cathedral Coffee Morning noon Hosts: DSH Deaneries Adwick Deanery Festival at St Lawrence s Adwick Commissioning Service 2pm Sheffield Cathedral Cathedral Coffee Morning noon Hosts: Rotherham & Laughton Deanery

17 Sheffield Diocese Mothers Union President: Pauline Reynolds, 106, Acorn Drive, Stannington, Sheffield, S6 6ES. Secretary: Anne Eastwood, 26, Colewell Close, Wombwell, Barnsley S73 8JL. Treasurer: Tom Cutts, 4, Mallard Avenue, Barnby Dun, Doncaster DN3 1LH. Chaplain: Canon Gordon Taylor, 96, Whitton Close, Bessacarr, Doncaster DN4 7RD. Provincial President: Barbara Taylor. Our new link Dioceses in the Wave of Prayer: Diocese of Central Zimbabwe, Lango in Uganda, Kebbi in Nigeria, Tamale in Ghana, and Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Newsline Editorial Team: Elizabeth Dean, Gill Fellows, Moira Leach, and Pat Simpson. Editor s Note: Please can all photos be in jpg and would you send them as attachments. Scanned hard copies do not reproduce as well as jpg copies. Please submit contributions for Spring 2019 by Friday March 1st, newsline@sheffieldmu.co.uk Please also send dates, items and photos for website to Pat Simpson, webmaster@sheffieldmu.co.uk Useful Websites Sheffield Mothers Union - Our own website Mothers Union - Everything about Mothers Union MUeShop - Fundraising for MU via Sheffield Diocese - Find out what is happening locally union.org