The Parish Church of St George the Martyr, Waterlooville
AGM
The AGM on 8 February followed a MU coffee morning with raffle, bring and buy and cakes, which raised £83.79 for AFIA.
At our meeting on 16th February, Jennefer Higginbottom took over from Margaret Symonds as Branch Leader. Pam Dinneen led our Act of Worship, choosing “Families” as the theme, which was most appropriate for our speaker was Margaret Leslie giving a talk, with slides, on Mothers’ Union Projects and AFIA Holidays.
Margaret Leslie listed some of the MU “Practical Projects”, these include making gowns for premature babies, knitting blankets, putting together toilet bags for the QA Hospital, making tea and looking after tiny tots, helping run “Messy Church, a kind of After School club, and a Lunch Club for Mums and toddlers. The Mothers’ Union helps at the Visitor Centres at prisons, and at the Roberts Centre.
AFIA (Away from it All) Holidays Scheme provides a much needed break for families, with a week of activities including a barbecue, a seaside trip, games and a talent show.
A collection taken at the meeting raised £40.50 for the “Make a Mothers’ Day” appeal.
Margaret Symonds was presented with a card and flowers as a much deserved “thank you” for her eight years as our branch leader.
Women’s World Day of Prayer, 2 March
A large ecumenical congregation gathered at the beautiful new Roman Catholic Church for this year’s Women’s World Day of Prayer, prepared by the Christian Women of Malaysia. A most uplifting service included hymns, prayers, readings and an excellent address by Margaret Symonds, together with the “voices” of Malaysian Women and some from our own social history.
We were made very welcome and after the service everyone moved to the church hall for refreshments.
March Meeting
We were very pleased to have the Rev Sandra Edwards to lead our Lenten Meditation on Thursday 15th March. She used as her theme a Spiritual Lenten Journey. A lovely, quiet, reflective afternoon which was thoroughly enjoyed by all the ladies present.
Baptist Church Anniversary Service
20th March, on a sunny afternoon we made our way to Waterlooville Baptist Church where we and members of several other local churches were warmly greeted by the ladies of Waterlooville Baptist Church Women’s Fellowship. The Anniversary Service of hymns, prayers and an Olympics inspired “Race for Life” address by Sue Smith was followed by a splendid tea in the Owen’s Hall.
Janet Johnson
Easter Edition 2012