|
Mother's Union Branch Leader:
Theresa Vearncombe
Secretary :
Ruth Barnard
Evening Group:
Jenny Hopegood and Pat Harris |
|
Mothers' Union Away from it all (See below)
|
The year proved to be a year of challenge – fun and encouragement. 2007 was a year of elections for the next Triennial. Mrs Margaret Edwards was commissioned as Diocesan President in Tewkesbury Abbey on Lady Day by Bishop Michael. His sermon gave us much to meditate on and with the Abbey full of MU members, we had a wonderful sing!
During the year, eight people were enrolled as members and one of our well established members welcomed back after spending a number of years up north. Pat Harris preached at the service in Holy Trinity which coincided with a child’s baptism – how Pat used the aim of the MU, caring for the family.
The Quiet Day at Cotswold Farm led by the Rev. Audrey Martin-Doyle was a good spiritual challenge in beautiful surroundings. Mary Sumner’s Day in August saw a group of us having a guided tour of Wootton-under-Edge Church followed by a pub lunch then onto North Nibley to a lovely garden owned by a MU member followed by tea and worship.
The year ended with our welcoming back the Rev Mark Birch, who told us about his work at Helen House in Oxford.
Throughout the year coffee is served every Friday in the Town Hall. Little Angels and their parents/carers are looked after on Thursdays. The Monthly Corporate Communion is well attended on the last Wednesday of the month.
Theresa Vearncombe |
“Time for a Holiday” – Saturday 20th September 2008 was a day when the Gloucestershire Mothers’ Union got together in and out of Gloucester Cathedral to raise the profile of the Mothers’ Union and in particular to draw attention to their Away From It All (AFIA) Holiday fund. |
|
|
The Family Fun day began with MU banners being paraded through the streets of Gloucester to the Cathedral. The Close took on a different look with a caravan, deck chairs, an ice-cream van and a bouncy castle. Inside the Cathedral were workshops, story telling, face painting, braiding, soft play and much more.
|
The cloisters were a hive of activity with a "Rock Shop" (sweets, not music!), "Betty's Bakery" (run by the Cirencester and Northleach deaneries), a "Beach Cafe", "Winter Garden", "Bucket & Spade" and other stalls following the holiday theme plus even more craft activities and circus skills in the Cloister Garden. The whole Cathedral buzzed with many families enjoying the day and, at the same time, raising funds for AFIA. The day finished with a very lively and uplifting service in the Chapter House led by Rev Sandra Millar.
|
|
|
 |
Mothers' Union AFIA holidays are a practical and important way to help support family life. Each year, throughout the UK, the MU offers on average 550 families a holiday through the AFIA holiday scheme. The scheme is funded by the members of Mothers' Union and enables around 850 adults and 1200 children to get away for a break in the UK each year.
|
|
