NEWS
Mrs Iris Wright, Miss Margaret Beasley and Mrs Ruth Cable attended the Derby Diocesan Festival Eucharist, in Derby Cathedral on the evening of Monday 8th April. Our brand new banner was proudly paraded through the church and many favourable comments were passed, especially from some of the other banner ladies! Ours was, of course, the best!
During the hour long service, presided over by Canon Dave Perkins, eleven M.U. officers were commissioned and one new member admitted. Our Deanery President, Mrs Jean Anderson, was amongst those, and she takes the position of Diocesan Treasurer and Finance & Central Services Co-ordinator, for the next three years. It was a very uplifting service and worth going out on a cold night for.
THE MOTHERS’ UNION MEETING was held on Wednesday 10th April in the parish room. Eleven members attended and were welcomed by Anne Hartley, who also chaired the meeting and led the prayers.
The summer outing to the church and tea rooms at Edensor, on Wednesday 12th June was discussed and a list made. There will be places for non-members on the bus.
Anne introduced our speaker, Mrs Mary Revill, who talked about ‘AFIA’ which is short for ‘Away From it All’. This holiday funding operation was launched in 1962 by the Mothers’ Union, during Christian Family Year. It is funded by Mothers’ Union members, Deaneries, friends and guests of the Mothers’ Union. The purpose is to enable those who would not otherwise be able to have a holiday, to do so. There is no discrimination as individuals or families do not have to attend church. A professional must refer the family eg. a GP, teacher, vicar or someone from the Social Services. Mrs Revill co-ordinates everything in conjunction with the referrer. All details are strictly confidential and every application carefully considered. Money is not paid out, but a proportion of the cost of the holiday or day out is settled up.
Several letters of great appreciation were read out to us and obviously the scheme is extremely worthwhile.
Cakes and tea were served afterwards. The raffle was won by Mrs Edna Hayward and Mrs Wendy Braid.
Ruth Cable – Committee