MOTHERS’ UNION PROGRAMME
Mothers’ Union is currently in its summer recess. The Programme for 2025-2026 will be published in late August.
OFFICERS 2024-25
Branch Leader: Mrs Sue Beddows (01556 670286)
Branch Secretary: Mrs Christine Collier (07712 540728)
Branch Treasurer: Mrs Sue Roberts (07792 710510)
ABOUT ST NINIAN’S MOTHERS’ UNION
Our local branch of Mothers’ Union was founded in 1999 with only four members, and the first meetings were held in the Rectory. Since the building of the Gordon Memorial Hall in 2001, we have had an ideal venue for our monthly meetings which are held on the third Tuesday of every month, except July and August.
These monthly meetings generally take the form of a short service and business matters, followed by a guest speaker. We welcome talks on a wide variety of topics. Of course there is also coffee or tea and scones and sweets to enjoy as well.
We have subscribed to several Outreach projects. During the visit of some children from Chernobyl a few years ago, we held some fund-raising events and helped to provide the children with medication, clothes and sundries for their needs, as well as little presents to take home to their friends and relatives.
We have held several table-top sales very successfully to raise funds for MU projects at home and abroad. One of our ongoing projects is to provide toilet bags for the Women’s Aid Refuges in Stranraer and Newton Stewart, for women who have sought refuge from domestic abuse. Our members regularly donate what they can in the way of toilet articles for them and their families.
We also supply “Angel Pockets”, tiny knitted ‘sleeping bags’ for miscarried babies. These are gathered and sent to Dumfries and Galloway Infirmary. Some go to Kilmarnock Infirmary as well.
Our latest project which has become very popular, is making “Healing Blankets”. These are crocheted, knitted or sewn, intended as a comfort to anyone who is undergoing grief or stress or illness. They are meant to show the recipients that they are being thought about and prayed for. Each one contains a little prayer or verse. Anyone who knows of someone who would benefit from these just needs to take one and deliver it to that person. The idea for these came from Kentucky via Alison, a previous Rector’s wife, after a visit to a church there, where this had been most successful. Some of our congregation have also felt inspired to participate by providing wool, or ribbons to tie up the blankets.
As you will see, there are many ways in which we can help others. We all have our own talents and can contribute in some way, however small. The organisation gives us this opportunity and with it comes friendship and a feeling of having done something for others. It must be said that we do manage to enjoy ourselves at the same time!
We hope that our website will attract other members who would be made most welcome at any time. Come along and try us out. Our meetings start at 2:00pm on the third Tuesday of every month.