Over 30 Mothers Union members attended the Diocesan Quiet Day at Lakes Anglican Church, Kanwal.

Before proceeding into the church there was a time of socialising and a welcoming cup of tea
which was greatly received by those who had travelled long distances.

Rev Nicole Baldwin, Diocesan Chaplain, then led us in Holy Communion before we entered into our Quiet Time.

The Theme was ‘The Sound of our Breathing’ with the scripture verse being Genesis 2.7 –
“Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground
and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”

 We listened to a song – The Sound of Our Breathing – by Jason Gray before entering into our quiet time.

We then joined together for lunch and a time of sharing.

Thank you to the Mothers Union Branch at Lakes Anglican for the use of their premises and providing us with tea, coffee and lovely cakes and slices.

Celebrating 190 years of Mothers Union Membership

The August meeting of Cardiff Mothers Union was buzzing on Mary Sumner Day 2022.

We welcomed Mothers Union Diocesan President, Denise Brown who spoke of the life and work of Mary Sumner linking this with the Mothers Union Diocesan theme 2022:  “The time for Transformation is now”.

Following Denise’s address, six members who have embraced this theme over many years, were presented with their Long Membership Awards: Laurel Blow-60 years, Leanne Kibble-30 years, Kathleen Wilkes-30 years, Father Garry Atherton-25 years, Karen Atherton-25 years and Margaret Jackaman-20 years making a total of 190 years of membership.

A congratulatory cake  was cut and enjoyed by all present after an enjoyable lunch.

Lyn
President
Cardiff Mothers Union

As part of our Diocesan Wave of Prayer
commitment a small but loyal group
of Lambton Mothers Union members
met on June 11 to support our sisters across the world.

We sang, learnt about life in these foreign places,
viewed images of their lives and,
of course, prayed for Mothers Union in
Mahajanga, Mara, West Buganda, Kwoi,
East Kerala and Newcastle.

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.