The Parish of Belmont North Redhead and the neighbouring Parishes of Windale, Belmont and Swansea have now been merged into the greater Parish of East Lake Macquarie.

Unlike the other three former Parishes, the former Parish of Belmont North Redhead no longer has a church as both churches have now been deconsecrated. Redhead Church building has been sold off and Belmont North Church building is now used for another purpose, being an extension of the Redhead Op Shop.

It has been decided by the Belmont North Redhead Mothers’ Group that it would continue as a Group and meet at a private home.

Whilst Redhead Church was part of the Parish of Belmont and had been going since 1929, it was not until March 1976 that Belmont Mothers’ Union proposed that a Branch be set up at Redhead.

Mrs Wheatley (President), Mrs D. Thomson (Secretary) and Mrs E. Davies (Treasurer) were appointed for the Group’s first year in 1976.

On Sunday 10 October 1976 the Redhead Mothers’ Union Group held its first admission at Redhead Church, where at 12 new Mothers’ Union members were admitted.

The Diocesan President, Mrs Freeman was present and as the Group’s banner was not yet ready, Mrs E Davies and Mrs S. Flowers who were already members held up the Aims, Objects and Purpose of Mothers’ Union instead.

The Mothers’ Union banner having now been dedicated on 20 March 1977, was ready to be carried at the Lady Day Service on 25 March 1977.

Mrs S. Flowers one of the Group’s founding members sadly passed away in early 1978.

On Belmont North Redhead becoming an Experimental Pastoral Area (EPA) on 1 January 1986, the Redhead Mothers’ Union Group adopted the new name of Belmont North Redhead Mothers’ Union Group.

The Parish of Belmont North Redhead was constituted in 1993.

The following picture was taken at Holy Name Church Redhead in December 2019, when Evelyn Davies, our longest serving member, had achieved 60 years membership of Mothers’ Union.

From left to right are Reverend Greg Colby BNR, Evelyn Davies, Reverend Nicole Baldwin Mothers Union Chaplain and Denise Brown Mothers Union Diocesan President.

Two Mothers Union Lone Members from the Parish of Gloucester, Pat Green and Julia Hamberger, have been busy crafting and collecting items for Mothers Union Baby Bundles.

Twelve shopping bags filled the boot of the car enroute to Newcastle for assembly and delivery to needy mums at John Hunter Hospital.

Both these ladies are handy with their fingers, crafting baby rugs and shawls and many knitted items, but this gift also included singlets, gro-suits, soap, nappies, bibs and some necessities for the new mums.

Julia is pictured displaying a tiny jumper for a premmie bub, featuring  numerous press-studs for ease of dressing.

Following a request these two ladies have also knitted baby wraps in indigenous colours.

Leonie Benson

We welcomed Fr Garry Dodd  from Mission to Seafarers in Australia as our guest speaker.

Fr Garry’s passion for the seafarers is very evident in the way he spoke of them and the difficulties they face at sea and in particular the effect Covid has had on them being unable to leave the ship for months and being unable to return home at the end of their contract which meant they were forced to stay on their ships unpaid and quite often unable to contact family due no internet of phone connections.

Fr Garry is always wonderful to listen to and we dare not inhibit the use of his hands!!

Fr Garry was thanked by Lorraine Phillips.

Members enjoyed catching up, shopping for their cards etc.

Dear DPs and Executive,

Attached is a flier giving more information about out Overseas Target Fund for the next two years.  The project is happening in partnership, through Anglican Overseas Aid, with the Diocese of Polynesia.  As you will read, the pilot project has been already successfully rolled out during the eruption and tsunami late last year.

Please use the flyer (link below) for your Church and Mothers Union Noticeboard – bring it to people’s attention, engage them in conversation, and encourage contributions from within and outside Mothers Union.

I am excited by this project, and hope that you are too!  There will be more information regarding Bible Studies and program ideas in the near future.

Love and peace,

Anne Kennedy,
Australian President

Overseas Target Project flyer (2)

The Anglican Parish of Kotara South: Church of the Good Shepherd

Today we welcomed Reverend Nicole Baldwin from the Anglican Parish of Branxton Greta Lochinvar and Chaplain to Mothers Union Diocese of Newcastle and President Denise to welcome Fr Zeb into Mothers Union.

The 2nd Council Meeting was held 25th June, All Saints ANew.

Executive read reports updating us on what is happening (hopefully) in the coming months.

Laurel lead us in song ‘Spirit of God, Unseen as the Wind’ and ‘Will you Come and Follow Me’.

Kim awarded the prizes for the collage competition, a very difficult decision. (below)

We broke into groups and had a ‘Deanery Chat’ on what our branches were up to.

It has been many years that we in the Newcastle Diocesan AMUA have supported the NICU [Neo Intensive Care Unit}, at John Hunter Hospital, in Lambton, Newcastle.

At present we are knitting jackets, that open with press studs so that they can easily gain access to the baby.

Material has been called for so that small items can be made up by their regular sewing volunteers as required.

We have made teddies, small rugs that cover the cribs, that distinguishes day and night for the baby, baby bundles for those mums who are in real need are given. A bag of items that are needed for the first few days at home for the new bub.

Members of Newcastle Diocese are very generous, with their provision of these items which can include anything from nappies to bibs, to wonder suits, beautifully knitted or crocheted cardigans and bootees, singlets, you name it, its there. These are given to Women’s refuges as well.

Money raised from the sale of our cards is given as a cash donation is given annually at the Overseas luncheon to a member from NICU they also gives an update on their requirements at the time.

It is a wonderful ministry and one that all can be involved in.

Click on photo to read the thank you.

In February during the healing service at All Saints The Entrance the branch was officially closed.

Leonie Toovey represented the Diocese and we were most grateful for her time and her encouraging presence.

The branch commenced in 1954. With a short recess where members attended Bateau Bay Mothers Union. The branch recommenced with the encouragement of Reverend Wilma and Meg Seargent in 1993.

With some degree of sadness we will be merging once again with Bateau Bay. We have received a beautiful invitation from Margorie Nelson, President.

As we look forward to our new associated group may I offer this prayer from our prayer diary:

“Loving Lord, our faith is in you; we trust in your plans for a future where we will bear eternal fruit as we follow your commands. May we always be a source of blessing to the world you have called us to serve.”

Blessings
Pamela Tant