Nine members of Chesterfield Deanery Mothers’ Union travelled down to London, on a warm morning, Thursday 6th August, to attend a very
special celebration.
100 years ago, in 1915, Mary Sumner House at 24 Tufton St, London was inaugurated. This is the world-wide headquarters of the M.U. Our visit co-incided with a tube strike so traffic was worse than usual. Even so, our taxi driver told us that August is the quietest month!
Rev. David Tembey, husband of our world-wide President Lynne, welcomed us all at the door of Mary Sumner House. We were given coffee and biscuits and then the programme for the day, by Lynne.
After prayer in the Conference Hall, (the chapel would have overflowed) we had a sandwich lunch and then were free to explore all four floors of the house.
A striking piece was the Banner, from special world-wide Council. This was designed and embroidered by former central President, Edith Barclay and dedicated at the 1926 Jubilee Service in Westminster Abbey. The silks used had all been collected by Mrs Barclay on her travels around the world for Mothers’ Union business. The chapel with its Roll of Honour and embroidered prayer hassocks was cool and peaceful. All four floors of the building were explored by members. The M.U. shop next door sold all manner of cards and gifts including freshly made cup cakes!
The day concluded with an act of Dedication and Closing Prayers by the Rev. Tembey at 4pm.
Many of us walked across the road to attend Evensong at Westminster Abbey. Our party was lucky enough to obtain seats in the choir stalls, where we had an excellent view of proceedings. A visiting choir, The Royal Holloway Founders, a mixed choir, all with beautiful voices, led the service. With the wonderful organ, magnificent Abbey and voices of the choir, we experienced a very moving conclusion to an exhausting but happy day. After an hour’s journey in the taxi back to St. Pancras Station, we had time for a bite to eat before the journey back to Chesterfield.
Our thanks to Jean Anderson, Chesterfield Deanery President for organising a wonderful day.
Ruth Cable