Newsletter April - June 2018

Transcription

1 Issue 2/18 Newsletter April - June 2018

2 New Members Canterbury & Ashford Archdeaconries Whitstable Fellowship Group St Leonard s Church, Deal Holy Trinity Church, Margate Maidstone Archdeaconry Minster Abbey, Isle of Sheppey Tanya Welford Sue Howard-Cofield and Karen Fairclough Susan Hembra June Lucas Congratulations Canterbury & Ashford Archdeaconries St Leonard s, Deal Whitstable Fellowship Group All Souls Church, Cheriton Maidstone Archdeaconry Minster Abbey, Isle of Sheppey St Michael and All Angels, Maidstone FROM THE EDITOR 90th Birthday, Jean Milne 90th Birthdays, Pam Anderson, Wendy Bailey & Brenda Mills 90th Birthday, Betty Gibson 98th Birthday, Edna Illingworth 97th Birthdays, Gladys Bak & Joan Aaron 60th Wedding Anniversary Ann & Norman Rust I hope you are all well and ready for some prayerful fundraising. Our theme for this year is In Mary Sumner s footsteps, and our logo for this is shown below and should be used on any event you may run on this theme. Can also be in black and white. David Horwood Front Cover Photo: This shows the cover of the brand new Mothers Union prayer book, available now from MUeshop.org, price 3.00 plus p&p.

3 My dear friends, Time to get serious!! Trustees nominations forms are coming your way. These will indicate those serving who are willing to stand for the next Triennium with a request for new General Trustees - self referrals ''in Mary Sumner s footsteps''. We are all volunteers and do what we can, as we can, when we can: ALL WITH GOD S HELP. There is a treasure trove of experience amongst you and I ask you to consider offering your service and to contact Susan Bradley, Administrator (treated in confidence). Mothers Union representatives attended a Parliamentary consultation on Supporting Relationship Education hosted at Parliament by Fiona Bruce MP Our Diocese was among the 250 respondees to the consultation by MU in advance of UNCSW62 for our 5 member delegation in New York, Spring 2018, on the Empowerment of Rural Women and Girls. Following on from last year we anticipate being supportive and prayerfully involved, with Worldwide President of MU, Lynne Tembey, for our patron the Archbishop s Global wave of prayer, a global moment, and an on-line transmission for a service for Thy Kingdom Come. (to take part details see back page). In the Diocese we welcomed the new Mothering Sunday Eucharist liturgy by students and staff from St Mellitus led by Jane Williams, Assistant Dean and Tutor in Theology, also the annual Make A Mothers Day appeal but not forgetting what dad s add and to honour their parenting role commitment in June. This issue contains fundraising ideas unique marmalade to AFIA slime - for fellowship and fun in the community and, maintaining active branches. At the end of the year the sums raised for grants to overseas links, projects within the UK and the worldwide relief fund are disbursed centrally to empower and raise up families. A good number of members are looking forward to the General Meeting (Celebration of Triennium) in Wales on Tuesday 18th September at Brangwyn Hall, Swansea and the Cathedral service the evening before (Monday 17th September). I will shortly make the bookings for tickets please let me know if I am to add your name. Ps. I am among 6 people from MU at the next Queen s Garden Party end May. I am representing YOU; I promise to behave but I will certainly wear our tee shirt you would expect nothing less!! Grace and Peace, Marianna Poliszczuk Diocesan President, marianna2@compuserve.com 1

4 Minster Abbey, Isle of Sheppey Some of the members have been knitting squares for a blanket which we gave to Daniele Ligneau-Wilton at a recent meeting, when she came to talk to us about her visits to Rwanda and we thought the blanket would come in very useful for when she next visits. Around The Diocese Eastchurch Church held a Christmas Tree Festival and Mothers Union submitted a tree made of felt. Each member drew around their hand which was cut out in felt and joined together depicting the line in the Mothers Union Prayer in love and service reach out as your hands across the world. Different MU countries names were then glued on to the hands and the MU symbol placed on the top. The tree was assembled by Mrs Alison Parr. Hazel Harris, Branch Leader Holy Trinity Margate The Revd Clifford Stocking recently enrolled Susan Hembra to the branch. Welcome Susan it is good to have you with us. Valerie Browne Branch Leader & Trustee 2

5 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence St Stephen s Church, Canterbury Margaret Horwood arranged a service to end the 16 Days Of Activism against Gender-based violence in her church on the 10th December. The service was led by the Revd Stacey Rand. It was a reflective, thoughtprovoking service and followed by tea and scrumptious cakes provided by Margaret. In the Canterbury and Ashford Archdeaconry I would like to suggest that this year we think of ways we can transform lives of victims of GBV from pain into joy and to be foolish enough to believe that we can make a difference in our world, as in the prayer below. So please, let's get our thinking caps on and plan some events for We could hold vigils (one could be held outside Canterbury Cathedral), we might also hold one in a town centre. I have faith that some of you will come up with inspiring ideas. Please let me or Margaret Horwood know. We ended the service with this prayer: May God bless us with Holy anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that we may tirelessly work for justice, freedom and peace among all people. May God bless us with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer from pain, rejection or loss of all that they cherish, so that we might reach out your hand to comfort them and transform their pain into joy. May God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we really can make a difference in this world, so that we are able, with God's grace, to do what others claim cannot be done. In Jesus most precious name we pray. Amen. Rita Pengelly, Trustee This newsletter is produced by Mothers Union in the Diocese of Canterbury. All items must come with a note of the contributor s name and contact details. The editor reserves the right to edit or not publish anything received. Items are not intended to represent the official position of the Church of England, nor the official position of the Mothers Union 3

6 A fund-raising suggestion St Clement s Marmalade Fundraising this Year Ingredients: Tin of Orange Marmalade concentrate Tin of Lemon Marmalade concentrate 1800 grams of Preserving Sugar per tin (however my suggested total amount of 2,600 grams as this makes it less sweet and gives a little bite!) 425 mls of water per tin (total amount 850 mls) Knob of butter to help it stay clear and last but not least a large portion of LOVE. Method: Follow the instructions on the tin and test on a very cold plate after 10 minutes of simmering. Put into sterile jars, add lids and label, as in illustration. You could say a prayer while you are making this: Loving Lord, bless all who share this marmalade that has been made with love. As they spread it on their bread or toast, may they give thanks that they are able to have such luxury and that the money raised from the sale of their jar, will help those less fortunate in our troubled world. In Jesus name, Amen Margaret Horwood, Canterbury & Ashford Archdeaconry President Fairtrade Mothers' Union You are reminded to use Fairtrade tea and coffee after services and in all meetings for which you have responsibility, Additionally Mothers' Union ground coffee, introduced for the 140th anniversary, is available from MUe, 5 plus p&p. Copy for the next Newsletter to be with the Editor, David Horwood, by Friday 27th April Please let me know what is happening in your area. Send to: 27 Abbey Gardens Canterbury CT2 7EU or boycieboycie@icloud.com. 4

7 Together in Prayer April - May - June 2018 Annie Greenwood - Counsellor & Suzanne Lundie - Lay Chaplain Branch Members of Mothers Union Holy Trinity Church, Margate. The Mothers Union was established in Its purpose was to encourage parents in caring for their children, not just physically and mentally but also spiritually. From the outset it recognised that strong relationships and the role of family, however defined, are crucial in building healthy communities. This lost portrait of Mary Sumner, our Founder, was discovered and returned to Mary Sumner House.

8 April - He is Risen ALLELUIA! Christ is Risen! Christ the saviour of the world. Alleluia now triumphant. Resurrection flag unfurled. Prayer for Renewal May the footsteps of our Lord once thought dead but now alive, can lead and guide us, help, and sustain us as by His Spirit we walk upon this glorious journey of spreading love and joy to all we meet. Amen. Please remember in your prayers: Sunday 1st April Thursday 26th April Friday 27th April Easter Sunday Cathedral Prayer Time, 12 noon St Gabriel s Chapel Copy deadline for Newsletter Together in Prayer

9 May - He has Ascended Acts 1: After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 Men of Galilee, they said, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven. Thought for Ascension: With gratitude for your sacrifice, with gratitude we bow down, to have your presence in my daily life, breathing living water into my very existence and having the knowledge that when clouds block my view and darken my day. I have the confidence to say behind every cloud is the sun and the Son of God. Amen. Please remember in your prayers: Wednesday 2nd May Saturday 5th May Trustee Board Meeting pm (Accounts) Diocesan House Chapel Pilgrimage - Peace Prayer Walk with our Chaplain Thursday 10th - Sunday 20th May Thy Kingdom Come Thursday 31st May Cathedral Prayer Time, 12 noon St Gabriel s Chapel Together in Prayer

10 June - Peace and Joy in the Holy Trinity Thought: Reading Matt. 5: Each of us are individual beacons of light, united in faith through the work of the Mothers Union around the world. Shining our light into places of darkness, so there can be illumination in life and Spirit. Prayer: Lord God, refresh us with your living water, emblazon our path with your Light. Speak to us with the still small voice, that calms the storms of our lives with your Peace. Amen Please remember in your prayers: Tuesday 19th June Thursday 28th June Annual Meeting am pm St Paul s Church, Canterbury Cathedral Prayer Time, 12 noon St Gabriel s Chapel Together in Prayer

11 In Mary Sumner s Footsteps Churches from around the Diocese did various activities to raise money and help some members go to Uganda to visit the refugee camps full of refugees from South Sudan. Kajo-Keji Diocese being one of our MU link Dioceses in our Prayer Chain. Some of the money went to supplies to make dignity kits for the women and underwear for the orphanage. Other items bought to take to the camps, were 700 mosquito nets, boxes of exercise books, pens and pencils, bags of food, soap and many essential ingredients. A greeting was relayed from the Worldwide President to the MU conference being held in the camp. Members who went, were Marianna Poliszczuk, Jean Sweetman, Daniele Ligneau-Wilton, Marylyn Collins, Rita Pengelly and her husband Simon. Leading them was Jane Poggo, wife of the previous Bishop of Kajo-Keji. It was an incredible experience for all of them and if you wish to read a full account by Daniele, then contact Susan Bradley, our administrator. The photos show the amazing welcome of several thousand at the conference and some of the items delivered to the orphanage. David Horwood Around the Diocese 5

12 Around the Diocese My Journey to Tasmania, Australia Last September I visited my Son and his family in Tasmania. It all began when Susan forwarded an from Libbie Crosman, the Worldwide trustee from Australia, inviting members to their 125 th Anniversary Conference being held in Launceston in Tasmania. I had already decided to visit my family but with this invite in mind I arranged it to coincide with the conference and before I knew it I had booked my first long haul flight. Tasmania is a beautiful and is Australia s most compact State It was chosen for the conference because in 1892 a small group of ladies met on the veranda of the Rectory in a place called Cullenswood, and the MU in Australia was founded. In comparison from the rest of Australia Tasmania is a compact Diocese (with currently a population of only about 500,000). This compactness enabled members, all those years ago to meet together without travelling long distances, which other Diocese in Australia suffered. Times have changed and distance did not deter the Australian members from all over travelling to the 125 th anniversary conference. On the day that I attended, with my Australian daughter-law, we were warmly welcomed and given a small bag of gifts. The programme was a full one and was opened with a Eucharist led by the Assistant Bishop of Tasmania. The first session followed, when our Worldwide President Lynne Tembey gave us an inspirational talk (see photo). Lynne s message was reminding us that Mary Sumner had to change because God placed in her heart a vision for her community and we as members must share and talk about that good news. In 83 countries around the world and with 4 million members we must be the hands of Christ where he has put us. Prayer is at the heart of every member. All we ve been, how we are and how we will be, For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord The theme of the conference was Living Faith, Living Hope and Sharing Love. Hope in the Congo was cited as an example where Lynne had recently visited and where such awful abuse in mixed prisons was commonplace. 200 inmates separated by a curtain where men need, men want, and men take. Prayer for all prisoners in the Congo is desperately needed. 6

13 Around The Diocese Looking at the future Lynne emphasised that although the movement is not what it was the ethics remain the same and that we must keep faithful to our aims and objectives and core values. The vision for the future must be a truly an international approach grounded in the community and that we must admit to global conversations. The aims and objectives must respond at grass roots level to local needs globally beyond The remainder of the conference was much enjoyed by listening to speakers giving a snap shot of the Mothers Union in Australia over the years and the launching of a new Australian Logo. Hearing news form the other Australian Provinces, meeting members, exchanging contact details and badges, was very much a part of the day for me. Taken from the Launching of the New Australian Logo of the Anglican Mothers Union the message is... Reach Out with Love, Our Thoughts, Our Dreams, Our Legacy. Friendship Forever. I feel extremely privileged to have attended a conference the other side of the world and to meet new members and I give thanks for that opportunity. Julia Thomsett, Lenham and Boughton Mothers Union. Editors note: The Anglican Church in Australia have just elected Kay Goldsworthy as the world s first female archbishop. Hawkinge & Acrise Fellowship Group On Wednesday morning, 20th December, Margaret Horwood and Rita Pengelly visited Hawkinge and Acrise fellowship group for their informal Christmas fundraising festivities, organised by some members but attended by many others and as always we were very warmly welcomed and enjoyed the scrumptious lunch. It was a very busy morning with Revd. Canon John Wright, giving us a reflection on Advent, followed by raffles, auctions, and bring and buy sales, the total raised was 224. Also twelve bags of food, toiletries and dog food, and gloves, hats and scarves for Folkestone Homeless Rainbow centre, also a further twelve bags of books, clothing, jewellery and bric a brac were passed on to the Age UK shop. Congratulations to Janet and her group for a fantastic effort. Rita Pengelly 7

14 Those Who Have Died Canterbury & Ashford Archdeaconries Holy Trinity Church, Margate St Leonard s Church, Deal Maidstone Archdeaconry St Paul's Maidstone Fellowship Group St John The Baptist Church, Tunstall Holy Trinity Church, Milton Regis St Nicholas Church, Allington St Mary, Lenham w Boughton Malherbe Abbie Page; Her funeral was well attended by members and 42 was donated and sent to the Diocese June Trollope Jenny Mallet Irene Law Rosemary Hale Don Harding Eileen Weekes Dates for your Diary Please remember in your prayers: Monday 9th April Thursday 26th April Friday 27th April Wednesday 2nd May Saturday 5th May Thursday 31st May Tuesday 19th June Thursday 28th June Lady Day Cathedral Prayer Time, 12 noon St Gabriel s Chapel Copy deadline for Newsletter Trustee Board Meeting am pm (Accounts) Diocesan House Chapel Pilgrimage - Peace Prayer Walk with our Chaplain Cathedral Prayer Time, 12 noon St Gabriel s Chapel Annual Meeting am pm St Paul s Church, Canterbury Cathedral Prayer Time, 12 noon St Gabriel s Chapel 8

15 Ideas to raise money: Fundraising this Year 1. Beetle Drive (card and board games) offer traditional family fun. 2. Bible auction (items only found in the bible) and focus on work overseas. 3. Count Your Blessings (also penny in the pot!) This MU teddy received his bravery award for an abseil last year at All Saint s Church, Maidstone. Contacts Diocesan Administrator Susan Bradley Wingmore, Brady Road, Lyminge, CT18 8EU sbradleymu@gmail.com Canterbury & Ashford Margaret Horwood Archdeaconry President apcanterburymu@gmail.com Maidstone Archdeaconry Jean Sweetman President jeansweetman@blueyonder.co.uk Diocesan Website: Mothers Union Website: Registered Charity No

16 Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray for more people to come to know Jesus. What started in 2016 as an invitation from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to the Church of England has grown into an international and ecumenical call to prayer.