Jean Thurman. Jean Thurman.

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1 DIOCESE OF LEEDS MOTHERS UNION, incorpora ng Episcopal Areas of Bradford, Huddersfield, Leeds, Ripon and Wakefield, linked in prayer with Lesotho (S.Africa), Kibungo (Rwanda), Etche, Ogbomoso (Nigeria), Hanuato o (Solomon Islands), Newsle er February /March 2017 Charity No MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT JEAN. New Theme new ac ons - new members With a new year comes a new Mothers Union theme and for 2017, it is FAITH IN ACTION. Why not spend some me in your branch considering how the branch or as individuals, you can show Faith in Ac on. I spoke at the November Diocesan Council about the General Mee ng in September and the challenge given by our Chief Execu ve, Beverley Jullien, to pledge to make a difference in She asked us to grow and expand as we look forward to our 150 th Anniversary. All members are asked to think about what they can do to put faith into ac on and make a pledge. I put these simple pledges to you and ask you to let me know what NEW thing you plan to do during These may seem small ac ons but can make a huge difference to those we serve in our parishes and communi es. It is o en through seeing Mothers Union members at work that others become interested in our worldwide organisa on. In 2017, pledge to make a difference Make clergy and church members aware of Mothering Sunday resources available from Mothers Union (Make a Mother s Day) Give a card to wedding couples at church or to Bap sm families. Visit & pray with an Indoor or elderly member Volunteer for a local Mothers Union project Promote Mothers Union in your churches and communi es : Display & distribute up to date informa on in church Write an ar cle for Parish magazine, newsle er or website about local Mothers Union work Invite others in church or community to a Mothers Union event I look forward to hearing how you are pledging to make a difference! Those I have heard from are already doing so much in the name of Mothers Union. All the ideas I hear about can be shared. If every branch got involved in just one new ini a ve to show their faith in ac on during 2017, think of the cumula ve impact of all those ini a ves on family life today. We look to God in prayer for his blessing on all that we do. With love and prayer Jean (Jean Thurman, Diocesan President.). FAITH IN ACTION, MU theme for 2017 Resources and ideas are available: MU website - Inspired - York Theme Resources/Mothers Union. Reminder for Branch Leaders, please, I would be most grateful if Branch Leaders could pass on the details of any new members to me so that I can send them le ers of welcome. I can be reached on or at shirleypaynes@talktalk.net. Many thanks to those Branch Leaders who have already responded. Shirley Payne (New Members Representa ve). 1

2 Spotlight on Rev d Canon Angela Dick Angela is Incumbent at Sowerby Bridge, Assistant Diocesan Director of Ordinands for the Huddersfield and Wakefield Areas and Chaplain to Huddersfield Area Mothers Union. On her appointment as Chaplain, she said: I was thrilled to be invited to become Area Chaplain for the Huddersfield episcopal area of Mothers Union. Having previously served as chaplain in the historical diocese of Wakefield I know first hand the tremendous work that Mothers Union does in response to the call of Jesus to be salt and light to the world. Members serve as people who strive to be confident in our faith in order to transform lives. It is a privilege and joy to take on this role. Jean Thurman. Inspiring Faith News from the churches and communi es in Sudan The Sudan link group headed by John Poole led three informa-ve mee-ngs across the Diocese on 17th and 18th January. Speakers included members of the group of eight from the Diocese of Leeds who visited Sudan in October 2016 to visit schools and see the lives of Sudanese women. The important role of the Mothers Union in the life of the churches and communi-es in Sudan was evident and impressed the Sudan link team members during their visit. Johanna Fadipe, Interna-onal Programmes Manager for Mothers Union travelled from London to join the mee-ngs and shared her knowledge and experience of working in Sudan but also in Congo, Ethiopia, Rwanda and the Indian Ocean. She explained that she also runs the Mothers Union Relief Programmes and spoke about the work of members in some of our Diocese of Leeds Wave of Prayer links Lesotho, Kibungo and Hanuato o. Pictured are Rev d. Joanne Hustwick, Johanna Fadipe and Mary Brooks at the mee ng at Pudsey Parish Church. Jean Thurman. Leeds Councillor supports Mothers Union. Kim Groves has been a Councillor for the Middleton Park Ward in Leeds for 7 years. She was inspired by her mother to be engaged in her community and joined the Labour Party. When she was approached to be a candidate for the ward, she asked herself, What have I got to offer?. Whilst thinking this through, she thought about the many women in the ward who had no voice, many having to cope with difficult situa-ons as they managed their families. Kim then realised she had life experiences as a daughter, wife and mother, had been through difficult -mes and those experiences would be a good founda-on as Councillor. In the Spring of 2016 Kim was asked by the Middleton Parish Mothers Union if she could help with the 140th MU Anniversary Project they were planning. Having agreed, Kim read about the work of Mothers Union locally, na-onally and globally, then decided to become a member. The story of Mary Sumner par-cularly resonated with her as she no-ced that the problems women faced in Mary s day, were similar to those faced today. Kim has been impressed by the way in which Mothers Union members have quietly, but effec-vely done what they can to improve family life and society generally. She feels Mothers Union is an open, transparent and welcoming organisa-on with a personal touch, unlike some chari-es which refer you to a phone number. She is looking forward to her role as a Councillor and the Middleton Mothers Union mutually suppor-ng each other in the future, as appropriate opportuni-es arise. Pat Ainsworth (Leeds Area Trustee). Branch con nues to grow! Congratula-ons to St. Ma?hew s, Northowram, Halifax branch who were delighted to enrol two new members on 5th January 2017 bringing their number up to 50. Judith Thornton (Branch Secretary). Pictured are Muriel Stafford, Linda Crabtree, Carol Cooper and Rev d Catherine Barnard. 2

3 PRAYER TEAM NEWS Feb/March 2017 Faith in ac on is love and love in ac on is service. We know only too well that what we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something. Mother Theresa. The 2017 theme is FAITH IN ACTION. The Mothers Union website has many resources to develop this theme for members to use in branch mee ngs and services. Perhaps for this year use one of the prayers at each branch mee ng or use the reflec ons for a branch quiet me. Living God we come to you with great gi s to offer because we are ordinary people. What we have we bring with the hope of making others feel sa sfied, and worthy and loved. We offer our me and our talents, we offer our hands and our hearts. And we make our offerings with expecta on, with faith, and the hope that the fruits of good works may grow. Rachel Halsall. PRAYERFUL POINTERS A.S.A.P. Always Say A Prayer Addi onal mes for prayer focus in February and March. FEBRUARY 7 th 14 th Na onal Marriage Week. MARCH 3 RD Women s World Day of Prayer March 25 th Lady Day; March 26 th Mothering Sunday* *Please bring to your clergy s a en on the Mothers Union resources on the website for Mothering Sunday, let us reclaim this special day in the year. TIME FOR REFLECTION Tuesday 25April Thursday 27 April. Just a reminder: have you booked your place for this special me together at Parcevall Hall? See Page 5 of this publication. Hilary Fielding ( Prayer Team Leader). St. Mary s, Gomersall Branch hosted St. Paul s, Birkenshaw Branch for the recent Wave of Prayer. The service was well laid out with informa on about our Overseas Link Dioceses. Despite not having musical accompaniment the twenty two of us managed well and found it very rewarding to be able to fulfil our link in this chain. In front of us, on the floor of the church, we had a large map on which our link Dioceses were iden fied. Every me a reader came forward to light a candle it was passed on to our 12 year old honorary member, Ka e, who placed it on the appropriate place on the map. (It was easier for her to bend down to ground level than most of us!) Jean Wright reading. ( NB. Christmas crib reminding us that this was s ll the Christmas season.) Brenda Taylor Ligh ng Leeds candle. (Ka e in the background.) Trees Fewster. (Branch Leader ). 3

4 HOW S THIS FOR A BRANCH ANNUAL REPORT? Hoylandswaine Branch of Mothers Union - What did we do? We donated 2 large sacks of toys for Belarus 33 Emergency Toiletry bags For children & adults admi ed to hospital in emergency. We donated money to Mothers Union Away from it all holidays We held Coffee Mornings to fund raise for Mothers Union Special Relief Fund & Overseas Disaster Fund. We handed 0ver 1 box of kni ed premature baby garments to Barnsley Hospital Special Care Baby Unit. Food donated to Barnsley Women s Refuge over the Christmas Period. We donated 2 kni ed and 2 crocheted twiddle muffs to Barnsley Hospital Demen a ward. Margaret Robertson (from a format used by Cynthia Hindley Cawthorne Branch and adapted by editor to fit space.) Cynthia takes a copy of her report to her PCC and talks to them about what is going on in Mothers Union. Is this an idea that others might use to give us a higher profile in our parishes and beyond? St. John s Moor Allerton Leeds Celebrate the 140 th Anniversary of Mothers Union On November 12 th we marked this special event with a lunch of various, appetising homemade soups and rolls, followed by delicious desserts and cream cakes. We welcomed guests from Shadwell, Manston and St Chad s branches and other friends and neighbours. In all about 50 ladies attended. Much friendly chatter about MU times past and present ensued, as we enjoyed our food together. Our guest speaker and past president, Carolyn Peuleve, then cut our beautifully decorated 140 th celebration cake, flanked on each side by past leaders Hazel Renwick, Judith Smith, Maureen Fox, Pat Scott and our current leader Beryl Lee. Following a short service with a hymn and prayers, focusing on our outreach to others, we listened as Carolyn gave us an interesting and enlightening talk with slides, highlighting Mothers Union past events and its journey and vision into the future. Certainly as we observed the long dark gowns and bonnets worn by Mary Sumner and the early members, some of us felt underdressed, but it was also uplifting to hear of the thriving work undertaken by the MU in other countries around the world. Our celebration was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Congratulations to the Mothers Union. Jennifer Quinn. March 2017 Forthcoming Dates Worldwide Council in Dublin 12 th -13th March (Diocesan President to attend.) Diocesan Lady Day Service - Sat. 25 th March 3pm at Bradford Cathedral. Mothering Sunday Sunday 26 th March April 2017 Palm Sunday Sunday 9 th April Good Friday Friday 14 th April Easter Sunday Sunday 16 th April Make A Mother s Day Appeal. Easter Monday Monday 17 th April Diocesan Quiet Days at Parcevall Hall 25 th -27 th April May 2017 Diocesan Council Meeting - Saturday 20 th May at St Chad s, Headingley, Leeds 10am 2.30pm Worldwide President, Lynne Tembey, will be present. June 2017 Intercultural Marriage Day Saturday 17 th June at Harrogate Grammar School 4

5 Time for Reflection 2017 This year we are once more having a quiet time at Parcevall Hall. Date Tues. 25 th Thurs. 27 th April 2017 Arrive 4.30pm Tuesday. Depart after lunch Thursday. Cost 136 covering full board. We shall be taking a fresh look at the some of the Psalms.... One form per person, please. Photo copy if needed. Please reserve a place at Parcevall Hall 25 th -27 th April 2017 I enclose 15 deposit and a SAE. Cheques payable to Parcevall Hall Name.. Home address Post Code Phone.. Branch & Area If sharing is needed I should like to be with:. Do you need a lift? Yes/No Are you able to give a lift? Yes/No Do you have any special dietary needs?... Remember: The Kitty Cooper Bursary is available to help with costs if needed. Please ask the treasurer: Paul Leeming 121 Gilstead Lane Gilstead Bingley BD16 3LH Return to: Mrs H Pollard, 98 Penistone Road, Waterloo, Huddersfield, HD5 8QX no later than Saturday 11 th March