MOTHERS’ UNION PROGRAMME 2019 – 2020
Sept 3 12 noon Service of Dedication/Enrolment and Open Meeting
Oct 15 12.30 Wigtownshire Women’s Aid
Nov 19 12.30 ”Living Nativity” at Crossmichael – Ahrlene Fuller
Nov 21 12 noon Regional Rally at St John’s Dumfries
Dec 17 12.30 Christmas Party
Jan 21 12.30 USA Holiday – Jenny Armstrong
Feb 18 12.30 Talk about Marie Curie Cancer Care – Judy Lever
Feb 25 14.00 AGM in the Hall
Mar 17 12.30 A Lent Talk – Revd Joy Margerison
Apr 21 12.30 A Talk about The Usual Place Community Café in Dumfries
May 19 12.30 Holiday Memories – Jenny Wright
June 16 12 noon Eucharist and Summer Party
OFFICERS 2018-19
Branch Leader: Mrs Sue Beddows (01556 670286)
Branch Secretary: Mrs Stephanie Dewhurst (01556 502736)
Branch Treasurer: Mrs Jenny Wright (01557 339081)
ABOUT ST NINIAN’S MOTHERS’ UNION
Our local branch of Mothers’ Union was founded in 1999 with only four members; by 2009 that had increased to 46, many of whom are members of other churches in the district.
The first meetings were held in the Rectory but, since the building of the Gordon Memorial Hall in 2001, we have had an ideal venue for our monthly meetings, on the third Tuesday of every month, except July and August.
These monthly meetings generally take the form of a short service in the hall prior to a light lunch of soup and bread provided by a rota of the members. Of course there is coffee or tea to follow and then it is down to the business in hand. After that we relax to listen to our guest speaker for the day.
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 is blessed by the Rector and 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, our 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 12:30pm and finish at 3:30pm so there is no need to turn out on a cold winter’s night!