Mothers' Union

Mothers' Union

Mothers' Union Training Evening

Armagh Diocesan Mothers’ Union held a very successful training evening in Church House on 8 November 2007.

Over 100 members attended and listened as Mrs Ruth Mercer, Diocesan President, told about the new branding of Mothers’ Union and showed pictures of the new logo. Ruth said that since Mary Sumner founded the Mothers’ Union 130 years ago it has grown to 3.6 million members in over 174 countries throughout the world. She also said we all have a responsibility to portray a positive image of a diverse and exciting organisation, bringing Christ’s love to all.

The theme for 2008 is “Time for Relationships”. We must set time aside to communicate with our families and reach out to those in need – our relationship with God is of the utmost importance and opening our hearts to his love and forgiveness is the most important thing we could ever do.

Everyone agreed that the evening had been most successful.

Roadshow 2008

Mothers' Union is coming to a venue near you. Through 3.6 million Christians in 78 countries, Mothers' Union works to promote and support family life. Find out not just what is happening around the world, but also on your doorstep.

Armagh
27 June 2008
13:30 - 16:30

Information available from:
The Mothers' Union Office
St Michan's Church
Church Street
Dublin
7

T: 00353 1873 5075
E:

Happy 60th Birthday Ballymore Mothers' Union 1948-2008

On Thursday 21st February 2008 St Mark’s Parish Church, Ballymore, Tandragee held a Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate 60 years of the Mothers’ Union in Ballymore Parish. The Service was conducted by the Rector, the Revd Shane Forster. A large number of guests and Mothers’ Union members including the diocesan President Mrs Ruth Mercer and members of the Trustee Body were present. The Revd Grace Clunie, Celtic Spirituality Director, Armagh Cathedral, gave an inspiring address. She challenged members to reach out in faith and friendship to the stranger on the street. She also spoke about hospitality and the M.U. theme “Faith in Action”.

Mrs Beth Wortley read the Old Testament lesson (1 Samuel 1:20-28) and Mrs Mary Hinchcliff read the New Testament lesson (Luke 2:41-52). Members of Ballymore Branch led the prayers. Mrs Amy Frizell presided at the organ and the music and singing was wonderful and uplifting. During the Service members of the M.U. led by Mrs May Gorringe (Enrolling Member) reaffirmed their M.U. membership. They also presented the Rector with two beautiful tapestry pew kneelers for use in the church.

After the Service guests were entertained to a beautiful supper in the Parish Hall where a display of photographs and M.U. memorabilia was the subject of much interest and reminiscing. Mrs Ruth Mercer, Mrs Sophia Dillon and Mrs May Gorringe cut the beautiful celebration cake. Mrs Mercer assisted by Mrs May Gorringe presented long service certificates to several members. Ruth said the branch was a very healthy one and wished them every success for the next 60 years.

Two former enrolling members, Mrs Alison Rooke and Mrs Angela Black, whose husbands were both former Rectors of Ballymore, spoke fondly of their time spent in the Parish and wished the branch continuing success in the future. The evening was brought to a close with prayers by the Revd Forster. Everyone agreed it had been a great success.

 

Armagh Diocesan Mother's Union New President

Pictured (l to r) is Ruth Mercer the new Armagh Diocesan President of the Mothers' Union being congratulated by her predecessor Mary Caldwell.
Ruth when asked to comment on her appointment Ruth said, ' In my role as Diocesan President I pray that I may strive to carry out Mary Sumner's vision of encouraging, caring and bringing the love of Jesus to many in society today.'

 

 

 

 

 

Mothers' Union pay tribute to the retiring Archbishop of Armagh

The Right Revd Robin Eames and Lady Eames and wishes them God's richest blessing in this new phase in their lives.
Pictured are Canon Terry Scott Mothers ' Union Diocesan Chaplain, Mary Caldwell Diocesan President, Archbishop of Armagh The Right Revd Robin Eames and Lady Eames pictured in the Synod Hall, Church House, Armagh.

Armagh Diocesan Mother's Union Festival Service

Pictured with Archbishop Dr. Robin Eames following the Armagh Diocesan Mothers’ Union Festival Service held recently in St., Patrick’s Cathedral, and Armagh. Are back row (L to R) Revd Terry Scott MU Diocesan Chaplain and Rector of St Swithin’s, Magherafelt, Andrea McCullough, Jean Mathers, Maisie Reid, Margaret Booth, Dean of Armagh the Very Revd Patrick Rooke, May Boyd, Iris Suitor, Sophia Dillon, Florrie Revels. Front row (L to R) Edith Stevenson, Mary Benson, Margaret Neill, Lady Eames OBE MU Worldwide President 1995 – 2000 Mary Caldwell Armagh Diocesan President, Roberta Macartney, and Myrtle Stevenson.

The Old Testament reading was read by Lady Eames and the New Testament reading was read by Mary Caldwell. Archbishop Eames used Psalm 46 one of this favourite as the theme for his sermon. The Officiant was the Revd Terry Scott and the occasional prayers were said by the Dean. During the singing of the hymn ‘Glorious thing of thee are spoken’ the collection was taken up in aid of the Cathedral Restoration Fund and the MU Relief Fund.

For your information

All the ladies pictured are members of Armagh Diocesan MU Trustee Body.

Picture credit: Ulster Gazette, Armagh.

This Centenary Banner celebrates 100 years of Mothers’ Union in the Armagh Diocese

The idea of having a Centenary Banner came from Mary Caldwell Diocesan President who then discussed the project with the members of Diocesan Executive. They agreed to have a banner designed and made.
Isobel Holmes, Unit Co-ordinator of Action and Outreach Unit, obtained a quantity of a blue coloured linen material and each branch was given a 10-inch square and asked to keep their design within a 6-inch central square. When planning their design, members were asked to try and think of the wider aspects of the Mothers’ Union rather than just churches and to include the branch name in the design. The work in the design could be done in any medium and in any colour.
The Armagh Diocesan square, was designed, and created by Doris Killow, a member of Tartaraghan and Diamond Mothers’ Union. The design depicts a family and wedding rings representing marriage and Christian family life. A Bible represents the word of God and the Mothers’ Union logo shows that we belong to a worldwide Christian organisation. A tree, because of ‘family tree’ - reminds us that we are not just one diocese of the Church of Ireland but part of a wider Anglican community. The apples represent County Armagh also known as the Orchard County. In the centre, the Cross reminds us that Christ died upon the Cross and rose again to save us from our sins.
The design was approved by Irene Swann, Diocesan Secretary, Mary Benson, unit member of Action and Outreach Unit, Isobel Holmes unit co-ordinator Action and Outreach Unit and Mary Caldwell Diocesan President.
Our beautiful Centenary banner has been sewn together skilfully by Maureen Boyd, a member of Drumglass Mothers’ Union, and is on display in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh

 

Mother’s Union celebrates Centenary Year in Bloom

To mark the Centenary celebrations of Armagh Diocesan Mothers’ Union, a floral badge was designed by Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council’s award winning Technical Services Horticulture team and is displayed on the town’s Moy Road on the approach to Stangmore Roundabout.

 

Armagh Diocesan Mothers’ Union Celebrates 100 years 1905 – 2005

This year marks the centenary of Armagh Diocesan Mothers’ Union; a number of branches are also celebrating this significant achievement.  As we give thanks to God for being members of a World Wide Christian Organisation with  3.6 million members in 76 countries around the world, we remember those who have contributed to the past and we ask His blessing  for those members and leaders who will  contribute to the future.                                                                                 

Members of Diocesan Executive  have been busy organising a number of special events to mark this Centenary Year  as a time of  giving thanks  to God  and as a time of having fellowship and fun together. During our Diocesan Festival Service we come together with members from our link diocese of Meath and Kildare. Branch squares have been sewn together forming a beautiful Centenary Banner. Indoor Members Communion Service being held in Ballymore Parish Church, Tandragee. During September Rural Deanery Services are to be held in the oldest branches in each Rural Deanery. A Service is to held in St., Marks’s Church Portadown on Thursday 3rd November a hundred years to the date since Armagh Diocesan Mothers’ Union was declared a Diocesan Organisation. Lady Eames has agreed to be our special guest speaker.

MU members in a cross community group, coupled with a multi agency approach have been brought together by the Diocesan President to establish a Child Contact Centre in Armagh City. Other practical initiatives, includes the supporting during Centenary Year of 100 M.U. Workers in African Countries. Supplying of Sponge bags to the Mid Ulster Hospital for use by patients admitted in emergency situations. These are our sustainable projects which are to be further developed during 2005 .We have 3 trained facilitators equipped with the skills to set up and run Courses for parents.

 Last year known as the International Year of the Family members supported Women’s Aid. All branches support the work of M.U. overseas, last year we sent £26,500 to the General Fund and £700 to the Relief Fund.

In 1887, a Miss Gray of Glenanne (Loughgilly Parish) established the earliest recorded branch of the Mothers’ Union in the Armagh Diocese. Whether records were mislaid or the branch closed, it is not clear, but the branch is not documented again until 1904.