December 2013 Issue Mothers’ Union Norwich Diocese€¦ · the calendar entitled View As and when...
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Cathedral Prayers are led by our members on the first Thursday of each month. Next dates are Jan 2 nd & Feb 6th The website has a calendar facility on the Events menu. To find out when an event or meeting is taking place in future months, scroll down to bottom of calendar and the name of the next month will show in the bottom right hand corner, click on it to get to next month and repeat until you get to the month you want, or you can find the little box above the calendar entitled View As and when you click on it you can choose to view the dairy dates as a list and simply scroll down. If you have a special event you would like entered on the calendar send details to Gerald Epps our Webmaster at mailto:[email protected] If Gerald is away or unavailable contact Eunice at [email protected] December 2013 Issue Mothers’ Union Norwich Diocese E-newsletter Have you seen our new Norwich Mother’ Union website launched in November? http://muenter prises.org/nor wichmu/ Click on links to follow us In the beginning was peace, but peace was despised. In the beginning was love, but love was abused. In the beginning was joy, but joy was set aside Come Lord Jesus. We wish you all a peaceful and restful Christmas. Saying goodbye is never easy. At November Council we said our formal goodbyes to our Community Development worker, Barbara Bryant. She wanted it to be low key, but we couldn’t possibly allow that – she has been such a positive force for change over the past four years. In 2008 the trustees recognised that as a diocese we were stuck, that we needed help to move forward. At that time, Mary Sumner House were offering 50% grants to dioceses which could afford half the cost of employment and Norwich was able to take advantage as there was at that time money which needed to be used ‘for the benefit of the society’. Barbara was not the only applicant for the (then) role of Project Development Worker, but she stood out as the right person from the beginning. My role as Barbara’s Line Manager over the four years she has worked with us has been a real privilege. Barbara was not familiar with the Mothers’ Union, so our priority was to familiarise her with the society and explore how her role would develop within it. From her previous charity experience Barbara soon started to fly solo – she was active on our behalf from day one! Barbara has created for Norwich Mothers’ Union new links with other agencies; helped to develop the opportunities that the office move to Diocesan House opened to us; shown us we can have fun (remember the balloons at Council?); established new Diocesan project work – including Angel Tree and the Children’s Project Net work – developed new knitting projects, expanded our involvement in Loving for Life, as well as encouraging branches to see what they can do at local levels. As she leaves us Barbara is leaving all this project work set to continue in safe hands – an amazing achievement in itself! 2013 saw Barbara’s remit change towards communication. I know that she has been invaluable in her support to Eunice in establishing our new communication networks – Facebook, twitter, the new website and our revitalised publicity material. How can we honour four years of Barbara’s work for us? By maintaining all the work she has initiated, and by developing fresh ideas to show we are renewed and revitalised as we continue to go forward. Thank you Barbara for all you have given of yourself to us. Felicity Randall
Transcript of December 2013 Issue Mothers’ Union Norwich Diocese€¦ · the calendar entitled View As and when...
Cathedral Prayers are led by our
members on the first Thursday of
each month.
Next dates are Jan 2nd & Feb 6th
2014 Jan 16th 10am Trustee Meeting Diocesan House
The website has a calendar facility on the Events menu. To find out when an event or meeting is taking place in future months, scroll down to bottom of calendar and the name of the next month will show in the bottom right hand corner, click on it to get to next month and repeat until you get to the month you want, or you can find the little box above the calendar entitled View As and when you click on it you can choose to view the dairy dates as a list and simply scroll down.
If you have a special event you would like entered on the calendar send details to Gerald Epps our Webmaster at mailto:[email protected]
If Gerald is away or unavailable contact Eunice at [email protected]
December 2013 Issue
Mothers’ Union Norwich Diocese
E-newsletter
Volunteers needed to organise Coffees/Teas at Diocesan Mothers’ Union meetings held four times a year at St Luke’s Aylesham Road Norwich. Disposable beakers used so not hard work! Two cope quite easily. Will YOU help? Contact us [email protected]
Have you seen our new Norwich
Mother’ Union website
launched in November?
http://muenterprises.org/nor
wichmu/
Click on links to follow us
In the beginning was peace, but peace was despised. In the beginning was love, but love was abused. In the beginning was joy, but joy was set aside
Come Lord Jesus.
We wish you all a peaceful and restful Christmas.
Saying goodbye is never easy. At November Council we said our formal goodbyes to our Community Development worker, Barbara Bryant. She wanted it to be low key, but we couldn’t possibly allow that – she has been such a positive force for change over the past four years.
In 2008 the trustees recognised that as a diocese we were stuck, that we needed help to move forward. At that time, Mary Sumner House were offering 50% grants to dioceses which could afford half the cost of employment and Norwich was able to take advantage as there was at that time money which needed to be used ‘for the benefit of the society’.
Barbara was not the only applicant for the (then) role of Project Development Worker, but she stood out as the right person from the beginning. My role as Barbara’s Line Manager over the four years she has worked with us has been a real privilege. Barbara was not familiar with the Mothers’ Union, so our priority was to familiarise her with the society and explore how her role would develop within it. From her previous charity experience Barbara soon started to fly solo – she was active on our behalf from day one!
Barbara has created for Norwich Mothers’ Union new links with other agencies; helped to develop the opportunities that the office move to Diocesan House opened to us; shown us we can have fun (remember the balloons at Council?); established new Diocesan project work – including Angel Tree and the Children’s Project Network – developed new knitting projects, expanded our involvement in Loving for Life, as well as encouraging branches to see what they can do at local levels. As she leaves us Barbara is leaving all this project work set to continue in safe hands – an amazing achievement in itself!
2013 saw Barbara’s remit change towards communication. I know that she has been invaluable in her support to Eunice in establishing our new communication networks – Facebook, twitter, the new website and our revitalised publicity material.
How can we honour four years of Barbara’s work for us?
By maintaining all the work she has initiated, and by developing fresh ideas to show we are renewed and revitalised as we continue to go forward.
Thank you Barbara for all you have given of yourself to us. Felicity Randall
SACRED TIMES WITH CHILDREN held at St Luke’s in November was inspirational and thought provoking. We were challenged by Carolyn Pritchard of ‘Spiritual Child Network’ to think about how we welcome children in church? How do we make them feel comfortable? Do they have a ‘special’ place for prayer times? Lots of questions, different answers.
The variety of Sacred Spaces created by the Revd Lynn Chapman was amazing, eye catching and inspirational. Coloured paper butterflies hung on a wire grid, some had simple one line prayers on them, others were decorated with felt pens then hung on the grid, offering something beautiful to God. The prayer walk to the cross in between two rows of candle lights (electronic votives for safety) was deeply moving, and the beautiful water well (pictured) with smooth prayer stones which were then dropped into the well as an offering of our thoughts and prayers to God. Surely these will inspire children to engage with their spiritual inner being.
We enjoyed a superb two course hot lunch as well as great fellowship and many went home with new ideas to use in church, at Messy Church and in children’s groups.
Hats off to Reepham Prayers/delicious soups/cheese & pate/tea/coffee/homemade rolls and biscuits followed by a talk "Preparing for Christmas" by the Rector the Rev Margaret Dean (a member herself) enticed me (a diocesan member and another lapsed member) into a genuinely happy and social gathering with people we didn’t know, but the welcome we received was tremendous and within minutes we were all chatting like old friends. Just how the Mothers Union should be!
The meeting is completely open with usually up to 20 attending, about 6 members plus a growing number who appreciate the fellowship and the format. Some of whom are being enrolled in February 2014.
Realising that afternoon meetings had become ‘difficult’ and numbers were dwindling, they took the brave decision 2 years ago to offer ‘Open House’ lunches, “after all “said Muriel Jones the Secretary, “everyone has to eat lunch so no excuse not to come along. We have 4 per year, usually in the winter months and we are thrilled with the way the numbers are growing”
By choosing a Thursday when some of the shops still have half day closing once a week (how sensible taking time out of a busy lifestyle) it makes it easier for people to attend because of free parking in the Market Place.
The members at Reepham have been sowing seeds for just over two years, nurturing and welcoming; now their work is coming to fruition. The neighbouring benefice of Foulsham have two keen members and will be joining them and hopefully encouraging others from their villages to go to future meetings with them.
Mothers’ Union Norwich have been taking part in the International 16 Days of Activism Against Gender
Violence campaign by putting up facts about abuse, rape, slavery etc on their Facebook and Twitter pages.
By doing so we helped to raise awareness of the campaign, and of the need for governments around the
world to legislate against this type of violence.
The campaign started on Nov 25th
and ended on Dec 10th
. One positive result was that Afghanistan declared
it would not re-instate the stoning to death of adulterers. Praise God for his intervention.
where the the figures of Mary and Joseph will rest overnight. a Latin American celebration during the nine days preceding Christmas
So long, farewell auf wiedersehen good-bye... Four years ago my youngest child was starting school and now my eldest is learning to drive and looking at universities! My three children have been learning a lot in four years, and so have I. As my four years contract as your Community Development Co-ordinator comes to an end, I’ve taken a little time to reflect on that. I have learnt that you don’t know what you’re capable of until you try and never to underestimate people. Walking alongside individuals has been the highlight of this role. Yes I’ve enabled others, been a catalyst to get things off the ground, but it’s you members who have done the work – we have grown and developed together.
Rather like Mary Poppins, I was blown in by the wind (of the Holy Spirit!) to do a job until I was no longer needed. While it’s lovely to know, as so many of you have said, that I will be missed, it’s even better to know that all the project and communications work has been taken on by members to be continued and developed. Thank you for welcoming me to journey with you, and to those who:
Run or help with Loving for Life workshops
Push themselves to master powerpoints
Step up to lead a project, a branch, a session or a prayer
Pursue justice through campaigning, writing to MPs, using Parentport
Who have joined in through facebook, twitter and our website
Who have braved inviting folk to a Help Us Grow event
Who offer a listening ear, time and friendship to members, visitors, young families and the elderly,
I salute you! You have made this job a joy. Keep doing what you do best: “Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.
After finishing off the holiday bookings for this year some weeks ago, we had an offer through from Haven Holidays at Caister offering us a really good discount for next year’s holidays! After consulting together, and checking we had enough to pay the deposit from this year’s income, we booked 10 holidays for June, resulting in a saving of £300/400 per caravan! To any of you who may not know much about AFIA, we would be pleased to come and visit your branch to tell you more, and finally if you want to know if it’s all worthwhile, please read a word-for-word evaluation from one of the parents who had a holiday in September: “It was our first ever holiday and we were a bit nervous at first because we didn’t know what to expect. It was just me and my 3 boys, one has learning difficulties and one in a buggy so the travel was a bit challenging too. We had a perfect holiday. We had a lot of fun and a very relaxing time. The caravan was spacious and the location was perfect for the beach and swimming pool. The children didn’t want to go home. Thank you so much for giving us a dream holiday we will never forget. God bless you.”
Sandra Bendall and Sandra Sacks Away from it All Holiday Representatives
For Diary Dates 2014 go to: http://muenterprises.org/norwichmu/ and click on Events on menu bar
This Christmas, as we remember that there was no room at the inn,
We pray for all who are homeless, and those who work to shelter them. Wherever the world is in darkness Lord, Let there be light
This Christmas, as we remember the birth of Jesus in a stable, we pray for all who are living in poverty, and those who work to provide for them. Wherever the world is in darkness Lord, Let there be light
This Christmas, as we remember the violence of the search for the Christ child, we pray for all who are in danger, and those who work to protect them. Wherever the world is in darkness Lord, Let there be light
This Christmas, as we remember those who journeyed to the stable, we pray for all who are seeking you, and those who are leading the way. Wherever the world is in darkness Lord, Let there be light Amen
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2014 Jan 16th 10am Trustee Meeting Diocesan House
Feb 7th/14th National Marriage week Feb 27th 10am Members Day St Luke’s Centre (finish 2.30pm) Feb 28th 9.45am International Women’s Day (see box page 2) March 20
th 10am Diocesan Council St Luke’s Centre (finish 2.30pm)
March 25th Lady Day April 4th 10am Trustee Meeting Diocesan House June 13th 10am Trustee Meeting Diocesan House June 21st General Meeting Belfast June 30th 10am Annual Review St Luke’s Centre (finish 2.30pm)
Mothers’ Union Chaplain Reverend Simon Lawrence, receiving the Stalham Posada into his home. Mary and Joseph will rest overnight with Simon and his family before continuing their journey throughout Advent.
The nativity figures will travel from family to family around Stalham until on Christmas Eve; they will enter the church and seek sanctuary whilst we await the arrival of the Christ Child.
The presence of the figures provides an opportunity for families to talk about the true meaning of Christmas, and a time of prayer together as a family and with visiting friends and relatives. A Latin American custom adopted by Stalham Mothers’ Union, and a lovely way of introducing the true meaning of Christmas into the homes of younger families around them.
Mothers’ Union Diocese of Norwich
Registered Charity Number 249682
Diocesan President: Mrs Marguerite Phillips
37 Welsford Rd. Norwich NR4 6QA Tel 01603 452942 e-mail:
Diocesan Chaplain: Rev Simon Lawrence
The Rectory, Campingfield Lane, Stalham. Norwich NR12 9DT
Tel: 01692 580250 email: [email protected]
Diocesan Office: Mothers’ Union, Diocesan House,
109 Dereham Road, Easton, Norwich, NR9 5ES.
Office Hours: Tues, Thurs, & Friday 10.00 - 12.30 & 1.00 - 2.30pm
Tel: 01603 880853 e-mail: [email protected]
News items and photographs are always welcome, photos should be ‘action’ shots and not posed pictures of members standing in a row looking at the camera, these do not reflect ourselves doing anything worthwhile, the Posada photo above is ideal, we can see what is happening without reading the blurb. So do take your camera to events and snap randomly. Send your newsy items to the editor at [email protected]
