Mothers Union
Mothers Union Report 2024
Mothers Union had their AGM this week and here is the report given by our Chair Sue Wilcock
MU Report March 2024
Mothers Union over the past year, has tried to get back to pre Covid activity, but has also continued to think carefully when and where we have been able to meet together. We have kept up to date via the MU national website and facebook enabling us to understand the work of MU worldwide. We also have a page on the church website, so please look us up.
Our branch did continue to meet virtually for some coffee mornings this year. We actually had five virtual coffee mornings as geographically we are still separated and this seems a great way to keep in touch. We were also able to plan some face-to-face meetings, which began with our AGM and bring and share lunch in March.
We managed five other meetings in 2023. The first a bring and share lunch, in one of our members beautiful gardens again, a chance to meet together, have fellowship, and raise a little money towards sending a family away on holiday. We continue to support AFIA ( Away from it All) holidays and other MU projects in our branch.
The second event was a boat trip in Saintes, with lunch, and the trip back. It was a lovely day and a good time of fun and fellowship was had by all who attended. In September we had an afternoon tea, which was our main fundraiser this year.
Due to the continued generosity of members, and friends of our MU branch, we were able to send one family away this year. This was achieved through the AFIA scheme, which we support, and we raised all the funds to send the family away. The family this year was a part of one of our members local communes. The family, it transpired was definitely in need of a holiday. Dad had to stay home to work and look after the animals, but mum and two girls enjoyed a week away at La Palmyre. Members of our branch went above and beyond this year, helping this family achieve their holiday. I have permission to report Mum was undergoing treatment for cancer care, and one of our members facilitated her receiving that medical care whilst away, and taking her to a long days outpatient appointment, whilst entertaining the girls. This holiday we found out was the only formal holiday the girls have ever been on, they enjoyed it immensely and are still talking about it. We are very sad to report that mum is now receiving end of life care. We are very grateful for all the donations to our AFIA holiday scheme, and this years experience shows how much it is needed and appreciated.
Our members continue to support both local and international projects. We individually answered the call to provide donations for projects worldwide, and members support food banks and Restos du Cœur, through donations at our services. We also donated to the recent MU Christmas appeal which helped Savings and Skills training for women in Tanzania and we continue to pray for this initiative.
In October we were able to participate in a service for Harvest at Cognac and it included a rededication, and acceptance of a new member, Wanda McKerchar, to our MU branch. It was very well attended, and we all enjoyed fellowship followed by cake! Finally in November 2023 we were able to have a bring and share lunch, with a festive theme.
We join with other members in Europe to say farewell to our European President Tonie Chandler, who has just retired and wish her every blessing in the future. We welcome our new European President Kikki Merritt as she takes up her new appointment with her dedication in Spain, at the beginning of June. We have also been in contact with Deborah Chapman, MU’s European Chaplain, and look forward to a closer connection to our European branches.
As I’ve highlighted before, we are a small group, but we’d love to expand, so if you’d like to join us, and help uphold the MU aim of sharing our Christian faith by helping transform communities, then do not hesitate to get in touch. Don’t forget MU is present in 84 countries, our members are not all mothers, or even women! We are here to share God’s love, by encouragement, support and practical help in family life.
We look forward to continuing to do that in 2024.
Please get in touch or find out more from www.mothersunion.org
Sue Wilcock MU Branch Chair
MU Report March 2024
Mothers Union over the past year, has tried to get back to pre Covid activity, but has also continued to think carefully when and where we have been able to meet together. We have kept up to date via the MU national website and facebook enabling us to understand the work of MU worldwide. We also have a page on the church website, so please look us up.
Our branch did continue to meet virtually for some coffee mornings this year. We actually had five virtual coffee mornings as geographically we are still separated and this seems a great way to keep in touch. We were also able to plan some face-to-face meetings, which began with our AGM and bring and share lunch in March.
We managed five other meetings in 2023. The first a bring and share lunch, in one of our members beautiful gardens again, a chance to meet together, have fellowship, and raise a little money towards sending a family away on holiday. We continue to support AFIA ( Away from it All) holidays and other MU projects in our branch.
The second event was a boat trip in Saintes, with lunch, and the trip back. It was a lovely day and a good time of fun and fellowship was had by all who attended. In September we had an afternoon tea, which was our main fundraiser this year.
Due to the continued generosity of members, and friends of our MU branch, we were able to send one family away this year. This was achieved through the AFIA scheme, which we support, and we raised all the funds to send the family away. The family this year was a part of one of our members local communes. The family, it transpired was definitely in need of a holiday. Dad had to stay home to work and look after the animals, but mum and two girls enjoyed a week away at La Palmyre. Members of our branch went above and beyond this year, helping this family achieve their holiday. I have permission to report Mum was undergoing treatment for cancer care, and one of our members facilitated her receiving that medical care whilst away, and taking her to a long days outpatient appointment, whilst entertaining the girls. This holiday we found out was the only formal holiday the girls have ever been on, they enjoyed it immensely and are still talking about it. We are very sad to report that mum is now receiving end of life care. We are very grateful for all the donations to our AFIA holiday scheme, and this years experience shows how much it is needed and appreciated.
Our members continue to support both local and international projects. We individually answered the call to provide donations for projects worldwide, and members support food banks and Restos du Cœur, through donations at our services. We also donated to the recent MU Christmas appeal which helped Savings and Skills training for women in Tanzania and we continue to pray for this initiative.
In October we were able to participate in a service for Harvest at Cognac and it included a rededication, and acceptance of a new member, Wanda McKerchar, to our MU branch. It was very well attended, and we all enjoyed fellowship followed by cake! Finally in November 2023 we were able to have a bring and share lunch, with a festive theme.
We join with other members in Europe to say farewell to our European President Tonie Chandler, who has just retired and wish her every blessing in the future. We welcome our new European President Kikki Merritt as she takes up her new appointment with her dedication in Spain, at the beginning of June. We have also been in contact with Deborah Chapman, MU’s European Chaplain, and look forward to a closer connection to our European branches.
As I’ve highlighted before, we are a small group, but we’d love to expand, so if you’d like to join us, and help uphold the MU aim of sharing our Christian faith by helping transform communities, then do not hesitate to get in touch. Don’t forget MU is present in 84 countries, our members are not all mothers, or even women! We are here to share God’s love, by encouragement, support and practical help in family life.
We look forward to continuing to do that in 2024.
Please get in touch or find out more from www.mothersunion.org
Sue Wilcock MU Branch Chair
MU Lunch Cognac Thursday 29th February
MU will be meeting for lunch on Thursday 29th February 2024 at 12 noon. Friends and partners welcome.
Venue: WAFU Restaurant 114 Rue Pierre Latecoere, 16100 Cognac
More details from Sue Wilcock email: sue.wilcock@sky.com
or Karen Burke email: familleburke1@gmail.com
PLEASE BOOK PRIOR TO THE DAY
Venue: WAFU Restaurant 114 Rue Pierre Latecoere, 16100 Cognac
More details from Sue Wilcock email: sue.wilcock@sky.com
or Karen Burke email: familleburke1@gmail.com
PLEASE BOOK PRIOR TO THE DAY
MU Christmas Bring and Share
On Tuesday 28th November our MU branch had a lovely bring and share lunch. We had our midday prayers and then spent time and fellowship together. Many thanks to all who came. Our Christmas raffle made €90 towards our fundraising for AFIA holidays and other MU projects. If you would like to know more about our MU branch then please speak to Sue Wilcock our Chair, Karen Burke our Secretary or Brigitte Alexandre our Treasurer.
MU Re-dedication Service and Harvest Cognac
This was our Harvest Festival on Sunday October 8th at Cognac. This included our Rededication Service for Mother's Union members and our Warden Wanda McKerchar became a member. It was followed by a Bring and Share lunch. We all had a great time.
Mothers Union Poitou Charentes
Our branch is the only one in France and we would love to welcome new members. MU is present in 84 countries, our members are not all mothers, or even women! We are here to share God’s love, by encouragement, support and practical help in family life. We support lots of the work that MU do worldwide. Our branch here in France support the AFIA (Away From it All) holiday scheme, sending a family away for a week’s holiday, whom otherwise would not be able to enjoy a holiday. We do a small amount of fundraising for this as well as virtual coffee mornings, bring and share lunches, a quiet day of reflection, and trips out together. We worship together once a year with our MU service where members who are geographically separated meet up to re-dedicate themselves to MU and to their faith through Christ. You can find out more about the work of MU by going to: www.mothersunion.org
