Members of Christ Church, Portsdown, and other neighbouring branches were invited to a Strawberry Tea held in All Saints Catherington’s hall on Tuesday 9th June. We were made very welcome and enjoyed scones, jam and cream, bowls of fresh strawberries and home made cakes, plus mugs of tea.
There was a Cryptic Plant themed table quiz – where some of our more horticulturally savvy ladies managed to get all of the questions right!
Norma and Diana had a table of MU Cards and merchandise including badges celebrating our 150th anniversary.
A total of £131.70 was raised for AFIA, £80 of which can be gift aided.
Abseiling the Spinnaker Tower
Our intrepid Branch Treasurer, Ros (Molloy), Diocesan Treasurer Val (Griffiths) and three other Deanery members made a hair-raising sponsored abseil down the Spinnaker Tower on Saturday 8th August, in aid of the Mothers’ Union, supporting projects in the UK and Worldwide. At the time of writing Ros had made an amazing £1,240 with Gift Aid still to be added.
Denmead afternoon Tea Party
We had a really nice time on 23rd July at Denmead Mothers’ Union for their afternoon Tea Party. There was a raffle, very interesting quiz (we had the lady who produced this on our table, but we were all very good and didn’t cheat!). Lots of lovely eats and good company.
We had picked up the Invitation leaflet while we were at Catherington MU and a group of us decided we would go.
The raffle raised £96.40 which surprised us as the tickets were 50p each!
We were reminded that Ros (our Branch Treasurer) and Val (Griffiths) would be doing a Sponsored Abseil down the Spinnaker Tower on Saturday 8th August to advertise the Mothers’ Union as well as to raise money for it. Brave ladies! The rest of us decided we would support this but with our feet firmly attached to the ground!
About 40 people, branch members and guests, were at our Summer Tea Party on Tuesday July 7th.
The two people who were in charge of the catering were both away, plus a husband who runs the dishwasher, but we coped very well using the old fashioned method of washing up by hand. The Urn decided not to heat up; not solved although we ladies pressed the applicable knob (located most inconveniently in the middle of the bottom of it) several times. We thought we would need to rely on the two kettles available – but then, fortuitously (but somewhat irritatingly) a man – my husband as it happened, appeared, pressed said knob with determination and yes, the urn then decided it would work after all!
It was a busy, but really enjoyable afternoon. There was a raffle and a Bring and Buy table which raised £138 and £26.20 respectively, and a special anniversary cake.
1st September meeting
We started our ‘New Year’ with a communion service led by Rev Coleen Jackson. Afterwards tea and biscuits were served from the small church “kitchenette” (if that word is still used!). One of our members, Brenda (pictured on the right) has recently celebrated her 90th birthday.
Norma had Christmas cards available to buy – only 4 months away!
Mothers’ Union 150th Anniversary Service (Portsmouth)
The Mothers’ Union 150th Anniversary Eucharist Service at Portsmouth Cathedral was held on Tuesday 2nd June and included the re-commissioning by Bishop Jonathan of the Diocesan President Felicity Keeping and Commissioning of the Diocesan Board of Trustees.
Mothers’ Union 150th Anniversary Service (London)
On 10th June the morning train from Havant took seven MU ladies and one husband (who was an invaluable help with luggage etc) to Waterloo Station.
They were all booked into the Union Jack Club, very conveniently only five minutes from the station.
After lunch at the club the group made its way to St Paul’s Cathedral for the service at 5pm. This was celebrated by our Mothers’ Union Patron, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally.
The Cathedral was full, with our World Wide President Kathleen Snow, Bishops, Clergy and MU members attending this important occasion.
With a Procession of Banners and clergy, hymns, prayers, readings and a sermon given by the Archbishop, the Eucharist service lasted about 1½ hours.
Afterwards our ladies made their way back to the Union Jack Club for supper.
The next morning the Annual Gathering was held at the Emmanuel Centre in Marsham Street.
This began with Registration and tea/coffee at 10am, followed by a welcome by Kathleen Snow (World Wide President) and Bev Julien (CEO).
The morning featured speakers celebrating Mothers’ Union initiatives and achievements.
After a packed lunch at 1pm with tea and coffee provided the meeting restarted at 2.25pm and showcased present and future MU projects.
The afternoon ended at approx 4.30pm with closing prayers.
Then it was back to the Union Jack Club to pick up luggage and on to the 7.30pm train back to Havant and home.
Janet Johnson
