Literacy and Numeracy
The meeting on 1st October opened with prayers and a short reading from Isaiah 29 v 11-12.
Caroline Scull spoke to us on the MU programme for Literacy and Numeracy. In the year 2000 members were asked what they would like the MU to develop for them. UK chose “Parenting” – which later spread worldwide. The African countries chose “Literacy” which began in 2002. Today post-Covid pandemic overseas workers talk to each other and the UK by mobile phones and Facebook. In many of the countries the family scraped together for boys schooling but girls were ignored – as prospective wives.
The idea of Trainers – who taught village groups, spread like wildfire. One of our Prayer links, Papua New Guinea, has recently benefited from funding for literacy.
Caroline had cards A4 size with pictures of women who had benefited and we in turn read out their testimonies of gaining literacy skills and the beginnings of new means of employment and savings. So enabling women to feed their families better and send the children to school. Many mentioned the thrill of being able to read the Bible for the first time.
Our meeting ended with biscuits and tea and chocolate for Caroline which were well deserved.
Aggies - a Christian Charity
The meeting on 5th November was a talk by Tracey Harvey from HMS Nelson, Portsmouth, about the Aggies.
Aggies is a Christian charity that has been serving the Royal Navy since 1876. It bears the name of its founder, Dame Agnes Weston, who set up the charity to provide support and comfort to the Royal Navy through the provision of Royal Sailor’s Rests in Dockyard areas. Although the Rests have now gone, Pastoral Workers continue to help and support the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary and their families by providing help without judgement or prejudice.
In 1886 a young sailor in sickbay was offered a letter from Aggie Weston. He said “No-one since my mother’s death has written to me.” She was pleased to write to him and several of his companions. She wrote to Redcoats and Naval Blue Jackets. She created a medibank for sailors in ports. She was a temperance lady and she arranged safe accommodation, coffee houses and the Royal Sailor’s Rest in ports for those awaiting ships from the UK. King Charles is a patron.
She started up classes for men to attend with tea provided (better than the pubs). Aggies is found in many British Ports now. She later provided advice and guidance in Personal Support Groups in Portsmouth, Devonport and Faslane Scotland. These help with various Remembrance Sunday activities and also support the families. Parents are helped to record stories for their children to listen to when the parent is at sea (including background sounds). Children receive many gifts of medals and scrapbooks etc. The Naval Childrens’ Charity include those up to 25 years of age. The Defence Community Health Team, ie the People Support Groups, listens and is sometimes life saving. Mothers’ and Toddlers Groups are part of this.
The Royal Navy Marine Band School is joined with Army Musicians in Portsmouth (3 year training). The dockyard provides a Families Day each year, two areas of Portsmouth dockyard for Aggies work are called Havens. The Pastoral Workers provide cakes and mulled wine for Carol Singers and on other occasions.
Tracey told us something about St Anne’s Church in Portsmouth dockyard that was damaged in World War II. It has been restored although smaller than before. The colours of its interior were suggested by John Betjeman.
Tracey was thanked and given a box of chocolates and a saucer was passed round for contributions to Aggies work.
Christmas Party
Our MU Christmas Party with guests was on 3rd December. About 40 people enjoyed a buffet tea and hot drinks. There was a raffle, a Bring and Buy Stall and MU Cards and Merchandise.
Margaret Symonds
