The Parish Church of St George the Martyr, Waterlooville

Christchurch Christmas Tea

Three members, Margaret, Inara and I went to Christchurch Portsdown for their annual Christmas tea. This was held in the hall adjacent to the church itself. We were made very welcome, as we always are, and enjoyed the readings and carols, before tucking into a spread of savouries, cakes and some delicious trifle - I gave my diet the afternoon off and had two helpings!

There was the now traditional “12 days of Christmas”, our table were “4 calling birds” and “nine ladies dancing” but as there were only three of us our “calling” and “dancing” were a little limited - but we did our best!

Advent Miscellany

We decided this year to make our own Christingles.

Fifteen oranges were ordered, red ribbon, cocktail sticks, candles, red and white grapes and a large tin of pineapple chunks were collected together on a large table in the church hall.

After our opening prayers and a reading we set to work.

The idea of the Christingle began in Germany in 1747, and in 1968, John Pensom of the Children’s Society introduced it to the Church of England.

Oranges are decorated with a red ribbon, fruits and sweets and a candle to celebrate Christ as the Light of the World.

We finished with tea, warm mince pies and a slice of cake to celebrate Eileen’s birthday.

It was a fun afternoon, if a slightly sticky one!

One hundred and fifty oranges were prepared and distributed in Church at the 5.pm Christingle Service on Christmas Eve.

Call the Midwife

At our January meeting Jennefer gave a talk on her nursing experiences as a midwife and District Nurse.

She began her training, aged 17½ at Glasgow Royal Infirmary and in 1953 moved to Queen Charlotte’s Hospital, Hammersmith, where she trained as a midwife, living and working in the East End, the same area as Jennifer Worth (who wrote “Call the Midwife”).

This was a most interesting talk and we are hoping Jennefer will write an article for inclusion in a future magazine.

Janet Johnson


Lenten Meditation

On February 18th, the Ven. Dr Trevor Reader, (formerly Archdeacon of Portsdown, now retired but Diocesan Chaplain to the MU), is coming to lead a Lenten Meditation at 2.15.pm. He is a wonderful speaker and we welcome everyone to come and meet him.

MU World Wide President’s visit

In March, the World Wide President of the MU, Lynne Tenbey, is visiting this diocese. On Wednesday 18th March, Lynne will be preaching at the Diocesan Festival Service, Portsmouth Cathedral, at noon, which will be followed by a buffet lunch, in the Cathedral, provided by the Members. Please feel free to come and join us.

On Thursday 19th March at 2.pm the World Wide President will be visiting Emsworth Branch of the MU for an informal afternoon, to meet the members and have tea. If you would like to go please get in touch with Margaret Symonds, 02 9225 2338.

Winter and Lent Edition 2015

St George’s Ladies Group


MU World Wide President Lynne Tenbey