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Service at Westminster Abbey
A service to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Mothers' Union was held in Westminster Abbey on 7th June. The Patron of the Mothers' Union, Her Majesty the Queen, sent a message of congratulations and also attended the service. The theme of the service was 'Tents' and this was explained in a foreword to the service written by the Worldwide President, Trish Heywood. "For the people of Israel, the tent represented three things. It was, firstly, a home, a place where families would shelter together and feel secure. Secondly, it was a place of meeting, set aside for entering the presence of God. Thirdly, a tent was something which could be packed up and taken with them as they travelled. For how would Israel have ventured across the Red Sea without tents to live in? The Mothers' Union has been on a faith journey for 125 years. We too have our 'tents'. We have homes in which to shelter. We gather together, finding God in fellowship and in service to others. And, like the people of Israel, we have moved out across the world. Journey of faith, though, one never finished. Towards what kind of Promised Land will the members be moving in the next century?" During the service two large tents were erected and dismantled by school children from the Southwark Diocese. During the offering of gifts (see Exodus 35.v21,25,26,29) drummers and singers performed a song in Acholi, a language of Northern Uganda. A dozen or so members of the Portsmouth Diocese were privileged to attend the service. The same liturgy was used as the basis of the Havant Deanery Festival Service (without the tents) which was held in All Saints Church, Denmead. This was followed by a lovely lunch and the cutting of a large 125th Anniversary cake. Time Capsule A time capsule, containing a letter from the Queen and the Aims and Objects of the Mothers' Union, has been travelling through every diocese and every deanery in the UK and Ireland. It left Guildford early on June 12th. Pauline Wale, the Diocesan President, dressed immaculately as Mary Sumner, was chauffered by Anne Lawrie from deanery to deanery. At each stop, all of which were outdoors, the capsule was opened and the contents read aloud to those assembled, with a prayer. The Havant Deanery assembled with branch banners outside St George's Church, Waterlooville. Gifts from overseas members were displayed and many of the local members wore Nigerian dress, to emphasise the worldwide nature of our organisation. Various forms of transport were used including a wheelchair, along Southsea promenade. The capsule was conveyed to the East and West Wight Deaneries and the Gosport Deanery by ferries. The final leg of the journey was made early the following morning, from Bishops Waltham to Old Alresford Place. Pauline Wale, still dressed as Mary Sumner, travelled by pony and trap and was met at the birthplace of the MU by the wife of the Bishop of Winchester (Mrs Scott-Joynt) and other members for the handing on of the capsule. This will eventually be placed in the archives of Mary Sumner House. Margaret Symonds |
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page last updated 31 AUGUST 2001 |
