Visit to Emsworth MU
(written by Fiona Ross)
We often talk about quality not quantity when thinking about the members of St George’s Mothers’ Union.
For our visit to Emsworth Mothers Union we were very depleted, the heir and the spare to the branch leader, were the only ones who thought they could attend, it was a lovely surprise to see Jackie & Eileen there.
Janet and I had a really lovely afternoon, made very welcome by the Emsworth members we took our places in a beautiful sunny garden. We were both able to speak to friends from other branches and reunite with a lady who enjoyed Waterlooville Music Festival this year.
Tea was delicious, we were served strawberry and hand whipped cream then invited into the conservatory to choose cakes, scones & hot drinks.
The Mother’s union shop was there with diaries and calendars for next year plus a new addition of Mothers’ Union aprons; I have embroidered my name on mine.
There was a raffle, Janet won a rather nice bottle of summer fruits wine.
A big thank you must go to our sisters at Emsworth for a wonderful afternoon which evoked lovely memories of the wonderful garden parties we had at Pam Dinneen’s.
MU National Conference at Portsmouth
Our Worldwide President Sheran Harper read the first reading and the Ven Dr. Trevor Reader, the Portsmouth Diocesan MU Chaplain, led us in the prayers.
Future of St George’s Mothers’ Union
Six of our members were able to be present at our meeting on Thursday 19th September.
The meeting centred on reviewing our Branch’s past and considering our future.
Margaret led our short opening service with a reading from Proverbs, prayers and a hymn.
She followed the theme at this year’s National Conference on Wednesday 18th September, which was Wisdom.
We all agreed that the Tuesday afternoon Eucharist for the National Conference was excellent, and we had met and talked to members from other Dioceses afterwards.
Margaret said the National Conference itself had been very interesting and inspiring. There had been over 1,000 people in the Guildhall.
We looked at photo albums of past Branch events and then discussed whether we felt we could continue with so few members.
We decided that, very sadly, the Branch would close at the end of this year and we will, hopefully, be able to join or merge with Christchurch Portsdown branch from January 2020.
Coffee Morning
Our, probably last ever, Mothers’ Union coffee morning was held in the Church Hall on Wednesday 9th October.
There were coffees/teas and cakes, a Bring and Buy Stall, Raffle, and MU Merchandise.
A total of £66.20 was raised for the “Wheels Appeal”, to help provide transport for MU workers overseas.
Home-Start Hampshire
Our MU Branch was invited by the Union of Catholic Mothers’ to their meeting on Wednesday 2nd October.
I sat with their ladies and other invited guests in their church hall for a talk, with slides, given by Janine on behalf of Home-Start Hampshire.
Home-Start Hampshire covers the “Meon Valley” area including Waterlooville and Havant (but not Portsmouth and Southampton cities). They support families with children up to age eleven.
Their volunteers begin with six weeks training; they are allocated families which they will visit for up to nine months if needed.
They provide non-judgmental friendship and encouragement, working alongside parents to give practical help to families struggling to cope under stressful and difficult conditions.
Home-Start was founded in 1973 by Margaret Harrison CBE. It receives no Government aid, relying on donations and fund raising.
This was a most interesting and instructive talk.
Janet Johnson
