Issue 1/16 United in Prayer Newsletter January - March 2016
New Members Canterbury & Ashford Archdeaconry St Leonard s Church, Deal Christine Knight, Dorothy Sokell, Muriel Tomaszewska, Wendy Jackson-Hill, and Re-admitted: Heather Brodie Hagger Whitstable Team Tony Finch, Pat Holland and Revd Simon Tillotson Congratulations Canterbury & Ashford Archdeaconry St Leonard s Church, Deal Golden Wedding, Anne and Frank Kent 90th Birthday, Pat Young Long Term Membership, Georgina Curling and Betty Ovenden, 50 years Holy Trinity Church, Broadstairs Long Term Membership, Joyce Jenner 60 years Maidstone Archdeaconry St Nicholas Church, Allington 90th Birthday, Margaret Sparks St Paul s Church, Maidstone 70th Wedding Anniversary, Betty and Frank Wicken Worldwide President FROM THE EDITOR Ruby Wedding, Lynne and David Tembey This edition features members taking up new appointments and feature some of the wonderful banners around the Diocese. Please continue to send in any items about banners, be they new ones or celebrating some event. David Horwood Front Cover photo: Reproduced courtesy of the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury, ref. no. 003355, 1999 Inventory, p89. A processional Mothers Union banner from 1930 held in Canterbury Cathedral. It shows figures of the Virgin and Child with St Ethelburga and St Anne under an arch and standing on pink steps, in a combination of hand-worked appliqué and embroidery. On either side strips of red and gold damask decorated with shells. To the left the arms of the See of Canterbury, and to the right that of the Mothers' Union. There is a deep gold tasselled fringe along the bottom. The reverse side is of blue silk brocade with silver/ gold thread lettering. The Inscription reads: At the top of the front: MOTHERS UNION At the bottom of the front: CANTERBURY In the halos of the Saints: Their names On the reverse: BE IT UNTO ME / ACCORDING TO / THY WORD / (a shell) / HIS NAME SHALL / BE CALLED JESUS
My dear friends, Let me welcome everyone taking on roles and responsibilities in the new triennium: we will have an exciting journey together. It will be good to meet with you all at Diocesan Council. To those who are relinquishing their post we send our heartfelt thanks for such faithful service. We wish, especially, our outgoing Diocesan President Di Sabel and husband, Leslie joy in their new home. We are continuing the 140 years legacy of our founder Mary Sumner s work in changing lives and building up communities. What more can we do to show God s Love in our immediate area and highlight the Mothers Union and its projects? This is a celebration year, and so, along with giving emphasis to our Founder s Day of 9th August, I am suggesting members demonstrate some extra tlc. Show the Love; how you do it is up to you and it can involve a humble cup of tea! When you receive this it will be the last few days available to return the Members Consultation on our membership experience and updates will be shared in 2016. The Wave of Prayer is in the middle of March. This helps us to concentrate on developing and understanding our link with Mothers Union members in Nigeria, Tanzania, Sudan and South Sudan as we pray around the need in these communities. Assistance is given through our donations to the MU Overseas Fund which is administered by MU at Mary Sumner House and the Make A Mother s Day campaign, which offers an alternative or commemorative gift for Mothering Sunday. Everything we achieve depends on YOU, our wonderful membership, and you came up trumps with the recent Away From It All holiday project (see article). Finally, everyone can fundraise (free) for us when they shop on-line if they register (free) first at www.easyfundraising.org.uk and register support (for the) Mothers Union Canterbury Diocese Project Fund, and a donation will be made by the on-line retailer. Do pass it on; certainly worth a look as I was amazed at how many retailers and service websites have signed up to it. Grace and Peace to you all Marianna Poliszczuk, Mothers Union President in the Diocese of Canterbury Note: Don t forget to read your Faith and Policy Watch leaflet to keep up to date with what the Mothers Union are doing.
Diocesan Contact List Diocesan President Marianna Poliszczuk 01622 751243 E-mail: marianna2@compuserve.com Diocesan Administrator Susan Bradley 01303 864289 Wingmore, Brady Road, Lyminge CT18 8EU E-mail: susan-bradley@tiscali.co.uk Diocesan Treasurer Sue Thomas 01795 422810 3 Woodstock Road, Sittingbourne ME10 4HH E-mail: susanthomas2609@hotmail.co.uk Diocesan Chaplain & Godmother Revd Lesley Valiant 01843 293964 E-mail: ljvaliant@gmail.com General Trustee & Godmother Margaret Horwood 01227 455080 General Trustee & Godmother Daniele Ligneau-Wilton 01227 454230 E-mail: ligneauwilton@gmail.com General Trustee Jean Sweetman 01622 728233 General Trustee Valerie Brown 01843 293004 E-mail: browneswanstone@btinternet.com General Trustee Rita Pengelly 07843 613744 E-mail: rita_pengelly@hotmail.com General Trustee Christopher Cook 01622 670240 E-mail: chrisgcook@hotmail.co.uk Diocesan Membership Gary Byrne 01795 428023 E-mail: gary-byrne@hotmail.co.uk Indoor Members Marjorie Wyatt 01227 456532 Emergency Prayer Chain Beth Walton 01580 765701 Maidstone Archdeaconry Literature Representative Rosemary McArragher 01622 831007 Families First & Diocesan Newsletter Distribution Marylyn Collins 01227 367651 Diocesan Newsletter Editor David Horwood 01227 455080 E-mail: boycieboycie@icloud.com Action and Outreach - Overseas Daniele Ligneau-Wilton 01227 454230 E-mail: ligneauwilton@gmail.com Social Policy Officer John Sweetman 01622 728233 E-mail: johnesweetman@blueyonder.co.uk Canterbury & Ashford Margaret Horwood 01227 455080 Archdeaconry President E-mail: apcanterburymu@gmail.com Maidstone Archdeaconry President Jean Sweetman 01622 728233 E-mail: jeansweetman@blueyonder.co.uk Diocesan Website: Mothers Union Website: www.muenterprises.org/canterburymu www.mothersunion.org Registered Charity No. 250124
Canterbury & Ashford Archdeaconry St Dunstan s Church, Canterbury We enjoyed a very entertaining and informative talk from our member Sue Palmer in September, with some of her collection of generally old shoes to show us. She wove a fascinating story around each pair, cleverly weaving aspects of the Mothers Union into each tale. Starting with a pair of dainty little shoes Mary Sumner s mother might have worn, ending with a surprise final box to open, (giving away no secrets here!) Each story was followed by a relevant prayer or reflection, giving us plenty of food for thought. A really novel way of telling the work of the MU! Sue would be happy to bring her talk to other Branches but is only available in the evenings. Contact Sue snoopalmer@hotmail.co.uk Liz Parsons St Michael & All Angels Church, Harbledown Ginny Glithero (second from right) celebrated her 21st birthday with a parish tea in Harbledown and raised 415 for the Diocesan Project Fund and a future Away From It All holiday. Di Sabel New Appointments Nikki Sweatman is to be the new Provincial President for Canterbury Province. We look forward to celebrating her installation at our Festival Service on Saturday 23rd April in Canterbury Cathedral, at the same time as commissioning our new Diocesan President and Trustee Board for Canterbury Diocese.
Canterbury & Ashford Archdeaconry St Leonard s Deal Four new members were enrolled at the opening service of St Leonard's branch in Deal on 8th September by Diocesan President Di Sabel: The Whitstable Team Three new members, Pat Holland, Revd Simon Tillotson and Tony Finch were enrolled at All Saints Church, Whitstable on 20th September. In the picture you see from left to right Wendy Smithson Branch Leader, Wendy Jackson-Hill, Dorothy Sokell, Christine Knight, Muriel Tomaszewska, the Reverend David Flewker, and Heather Brodie who was welcomed back into the branch. Also at this service, Georgina Curling and Betty Ovenden received their 50 years long service certificates. Wendy Smithson In the photo are Patricia Paige, Margaret Horwood (Archdeaconry President), Revd Simon Tillotson, Pat Holland, Tony Finch and Di Sabel (Diocesan President). Canterbury & Ashford Archdeaconry - Margaret Horwood Archdeaconry President Firstly, you will see that we have changed our name as from 1st January, when the two Archdeaconries join together, so we welcome all the members of the Ashford Archdeaconry and look forward to working together over the next three years. We have had one branch close and become a fellowship, several turning into team led branches and one large branch considering becoming a fellowship due to lack of people coming forward to take on the posts of secretary and treasurer. I ask that you pray that we will continue to grow in numbers and in fellowship and give your support to the new Trustee Board as they find their feet. If you are not able to do anything physically, your prayers are most valuable as this is the centre of our organisation.
Together in Prayer January February March 2016 Revd Vanessa Ashman Faith Advisor for Ashford Archdeaconry At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. (Ephesians 6:16 GNT) As we welcome in a new year it is a good time to consider how strong our faith is and whether we always are faithful? St Paul says we should always have our faith as a shield to protect us. It will protect us through the difficult times. Doubt. You start asking yourself, Did God really say? Can I really trust God? Isn t that just your interpretation? Discouragement. You re never going to get any better. Your life won t change. Don t even try. Delay. You ask yourself, Why is this taking so long? Difficulty. You ask yourself, Why is this so hard? Depression. You tell yourself, It s not worth it. You don t even feel like making an effort. Put on the Shield of Faith. It s the only protection you have against doubt, discouragement, delay, difficulty, and depression. Trust God and his word. Living Lord help us to trust in you no matter what we see, hear, or feel about the world around Us. And through our faith may we be a conduit to those we meet in our daily walk with you. Amen Together in Prayer
January Fear God is...a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 Picture a boat lashed by huge waves, and frightened disciples who think they are going to drown. They forgot that they had just experienced the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. They were on their own and not expecting Jesus to rescue them. Yet as the night advanced and things looked hopeless,...jesus went to them, walking on the sea (Matthew 14:25). Jesus called Peter to come to Him. Peter cautiously stepped out of the boat and walked toward Him. But there s always a moment after you step out in faith when you hear, What if I m not up to this? Peter heard it, and the waves began to engulf him. Panicked, he called and Jesus immediately rescued him. Peter wasn t drowning; he was learning and growing! When you walk by faith, even your failures will lead to success. So step out with Jesus; He won t let you drown. Look to Jesus in your time of fear; when He takes away the lesser it s always to give you the greater. Loving Lord we give you thanks that you are always there for us. Help us in the times when our faith is weak and give us that strength through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to lift your shield of faith to protect us. Amen Please remember in your prayers: Thursday 14th January Finance and Diocesan Services 3.00 pm - 5.00 pm at Tunstall, Sittingbourne Thursday 19th January Trustee Board Meeting 10.00 am - 1.00 pm Diocesan House Boardroom Saturday 23rd January Canterbury Archdeaconry Quiet Day at Holy Trinity Church, Margate Thursday 28th January Cathedral Prayer Time, 12 Noon St Gabriel s Chapel Together in Prayer
February Delay But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!" (Habakkuk 2:3). Even as we make a decision to follow the dream God places in our hearts, we can expect a delay. God may not fulfil your prayers immediately because this is another step toward building our faith. In this step of faith-building we may ask the question, "When, Lord? When are You going to answer my prayer?" We hate to wait. We don't like to wait at doctor's, or in traffic jams, or at restaurants, or for Christmas presents, or for anything else. But what we hate worst of all is waiting on God. Have you ever been in a hurry when God wasn't? We're ready, but God isn't. God wants to work on us before He answers our prayer. Noah waited 120 years from the time he started building the ark until it began to rain. Abraham was told he would be the father of a great nation and didn t have a child until he was 99. Joseph spent years in prison before God raised him up and he became the ruler God wanted him to be. Waiting teaches us to trust in God. We learn that His timing is perfect. A delay is not a denial, many times we think God is saying, No, but He is saying, Not yet. Loving Lord Thank you for listening to our prayers and in those times of waiting for your answer sustain us and help us to have faith in your timing and to not give up. Amen. Please remember in your prayers: Friday 1st February Copy deadline for Newsletter Thursday 25th February Cathedral Prayer Time, 12 Noon St Gabriel s Chapel Together in Prayer
March Trust God Smiles When We Trust By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn t see, and acted on what he was told.... As a result, Noah became intimate with God. (Hebrews 11:7) Imagine this scene: One day God comes to Noah and says, I m disappointed in human beings. In the entire world, no one but you thinks about me. But Noah, when I look at you, I start smiling. I m pleased with your life, so I m going to flood the world and start over with you and your family. I want you to build a giant ship that will save you and the animals. There were three problems that could have caused Noah to doubt: First, Noah had never seen rain because prior to the flood God irrigated the earth from the ground up (Genesis 2:5-6). Second, Noah lived hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean. Even if he could learn to build a ship, how would he get it to water? Third, there was the problem of rounding up all the animals and then caring for them. But Noah didn t complain or make excuses. He trusted God completely, and that made God smile. Trusting God completely means having faith that God knows what is best for your life. You expect him to keep his promises, help you with problems, and do the impossible when necessary. The Bible says, He takes pleasure in those who honour him, in those who trust in his constant love (Psalm 147:11). It took Noah 120 years to build the ark, Yet Noah kept on trusting God. Loving Lord Thank you for helping us learn to trust and be forever faithful in all that we say and do. Thank you that you forgive us when we fail. Pour down your Holy Spirit upon us to strengthen us as we journey with you. Amen Please remember in your prayers: Tuesday 8th March Diocesan Council, 10.15 am - 1.00 pm at St Paul s Church Canterbury, followed by lunch in St Paul s Centre, 1.00 pm - 2.00 pm Wednesday 16th - Wave of Prayer Services supporting our Friday 18th March links with Nigeria, Tanzania, Sudan and South Sudan Thursday 31st March Cathedral Prayer Time, 12 Noon St Gabriel s Chapel Together in Prayer
Maidstone Archdeaconry - Promoting the Mothers Union in Maidstone Maidstone MELA is an International Festival of music, culture, food and drink, which takes place on the second Sunday in September each year in Mote Park, Maidstone. Mote Park is a huge recreational area on the eastern edge of Maidstone, and our town is very blessed to have been bequeathed such a wonderful area of park land for public use. The MELA gives opportunities for many charities to promote their activities and good work. For most of the 13 years that the MELA has been held, the Maidstone Archdeaconry of the Mothers Union has erected a promotional stall where we are able to show to all who come some of the many worthy activities which the Mothers Union runs, both world-wide and locally. No Pay to Play games are a favourite with families This year our stall contained details about the Welcome Packs we donate to the Trinity Foyer (a centre for some 40 teenagers who have left home or been turfed out ); the Welcome Gifts and items we provide for Willowbrook Place (a home in Maidstone for teenage mothers from the whole of Kent) and also our Away From It All holidays for needy families. Our stall was run by ten members from Maidstone branches and we bring simple games to amuse the children while others in our team chat with their parents to tell them that Mothers Union is much more than a club and to hand out brochures. MELA is attended by more than 10,000 people and it is great to meet up with people of many nationalities and to share how God s love and joy extends throughout the world. The Festival has a wonderful atmosphere and often we meet up with folks we haven t seen for years. We warmly invite MU members from all over Kent to come and sample MELA next year on Sunday 11th September between 12 noon and 6.00 pm and maybe spend some time helping on the MU stall. John Sweetman Quiet Day at Staplehurst A lovely Quiet Day was enjoyed on 16th September, in Staplehurst, organised by Margaret Bradford and lead by Sue Spillett, with wonderful warm hospitality from Sue Hollis. Di Sabel
AFIA Holiday 2015 at Pilgrim Hall, Uckfield Sometimes what you need is someone to show they care. During August the local Mothers Union did just that when we took over a stately home turned conference centre for an all-inclusive, supported holiday. After a process of selection there were 40 children and 20 adults; all families whose lives have hit more than a rough patch. Great friendships build up between the children and adults during the week away and their confidence in sharing with each other cannot be underestimated in its potency for healing. The waiting staff at Pilgrim Hall are all young Christian foreign language students and most certainly we were very different from the usual delegates and more noisy at meal times. We do fun crafts with the families and have afternoon sessions in the heated swimming pool; even in the rain. This year there were many more improving swimmers and encouraged first timers. The grounds of Pilgrim Hall with croquet lawn, tennis court and golf are a great resource with space for parachute games, scavenger hunt and home-made kite flying. Some children have never been to the seaside and so were thrilled to be taken by coach to Eastbourne for the day, to paddle and watch the Punch and Judy man. The Mothers Union members were generous in transferring their Tesco shopping vouchers to cover the entrance costs to Drusillas Park Zoo, making it another successful day out to talk about when back at school. In 2016 the Mothers Union is 140 years old and we continue in the ideals of Mary Sumner to transform lives by being Christian witnesses in our community and worldwide. And, of course, as part of our local projects in this Canterbury Diocese we are fundraising and collecting equipment for the future Away From It All holiday. Thank you for your support, Marianna Poliszczuk Copy for the next Newsletter to be with the Editor, David Horwood, by Friday 1st February 2016. Please let me know what is happening in your area. Send to: 27 Abbey Gardens Canterbury CT2 7EU or email: boycieboycie@icloud.com.
Those Who Have Died Canterbury & Ashford Archdeaconry Archdeaconry Member Joyce McCulloch St Leonard s Church, Deal Alice Clarke & Freda Hopper St Michael & All Angels Church, Betty Small Harbledown Maidstone Archdeaconry St Nicholas Church, Allington All Saints and St Phillip s Church Iris Jackson Marguerite Hart Dates for your Diary Thursday 14th January Finance and Diocesan Services 3.00 pm - 5.00 pm at Tunstall Tuesday 19th January Saturday 23rd January Thursday 28th January Friday 1st February Thursday 25th February Sunday 6th March Tuesday 8th March Wednesday 16th March - Friday 18th March Thursday 31st March Monday 4th April Saturday 23rd April Trustee Board Meeting 10.00 am - 1.00 pm Diocesan House Boardroom Canterbury Archdeaconry Quiet Day at Holy Trinity Church, Margate Cathedral Prayer Time, 12 Noon St Gabriel s Chapel Copy deadline for Newsletter Cathedral Prayer Time, 12 Noon St Gabriel s Chapel Mothering Sunday Diocesan Council, 10.15 am - 1.00 pm at St Paul s Church Canterbury, followed by lunch in St Paul s Centre, 1.00 pm - 2.00 pm Wave of Prayer Services supporting our links with Nigeria, Tanzania, Sudan and South Sudan Cathedral Prayer Time, 12 Noon St Gabriel s Chapel Lady Day Services in the Archdeaconries Festival Service for the Commissioning of Diocesan President, Trustees, Provincial President for Canterbury Province and including parading with banners, in Canterbury Cathedral
Autumn Market It was great to see members enjoying the Market, and an enormous well done and thank you to all who took part by preparing things for sale, manning the stalls and buying items. You will be pleased to know that at our stalls we raised the following: Cakes and biscuits, 55.40; Raffle 88.41; Books 66.40; Gifts and Crafts 141.70; Refreshments 94.30; Bottle Tombola 83.02; Toiletries 115.80; Produce and Preserves 85.72; Donations 35.00 minus cost of Hall 56.25 leaving us with a total of 709.50. Nikki Sweatman OUR GLORIOUS BANNERS The word banner is derived from the French word banniere, and even further back to the word: band, referring in this case to, a group of people having a common interest or purpose. The words and images printed on a banner represent the essence of the group to which it belongs. Of course banners are not a phenomenon of Mothers Union in the twentyfirst century! Having successfully rescued the Israelites from Egypt, and then guided them across the Red Sea into the desert, we read in the book of Exodus 17.15: that Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. And David willed us all on in Psalm 20.5 when he wrote: and in the name of our God set up our banners!. The message given on a banner is twofold: It draws us together, as the supporters of our organisation, defining us within our purpose and goals, and it reaches out to those who are not yet committed to our cause, inviting them to discover more about us, with a possible view to joining our band. What is the message that WE, as Mothers Union members want to give to the wider community through our banners? Could it be: Our Vision: of a world where God's love is shown through loving, respectful and flourishing relationships? Our Mission: to demonstrate the Christian faith in action by the transformation of communities worldwide through the nurturing of the family in its many forms? Many thanks to our banner designers and makers, to everyone who proudly parades them, and for the message clearly presented on each one: That our faith IS reflected in the work of our hands! Extract from an article by Susan Roberts, President of Mothers Union Diocese of St Albans This magazine 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.
Glorious Mothers Union Banners Holy Trinity Church, Margate Minster Abbey, Isle of Sheppey St Andrew s Church, Barming This is Rita Pengelly flying the banner for Canterbury MU and receiving her medal having taken part in the Richmond Park 5k & 10k Run/Walk in October. Joining a team of Mothers' Union staff, members and supporters, Rita walked the 10k course, and contributed to TeamMothersUnion raising over 4500. Rita said afterwards; imagine my surprise and delight as I was crossing the finishing line there, to cheer me on, were the team from Mary Sumner House. They waited and bless them waited (quite a time actually) especially as I was the last one to finish. So please if you can come, come and see, come and be made to feel special, come and help raise money for this amazing life changing organisation that I am so proud to be part of. Wouldn't it be wonderful if in 2016 we could field 140, runners or walkers, in this celebration year? I think we can! See you next year!
Glorious Mothers Union Banners All Souls Church, Cheriton St Stephen s Church, Canterbury St Mary and St Ethelburga Lyminge All Saints Church, Whitstable Our Diocesan Banner