St. Peter's Mothers' Union

After a number of meetings and discussions about the future of the Branch at St Peter’s, it was decided by its members that it will close at the end of the year.

The reasons are that the membership are all reaching the age when transport and the willingness to run the Branch in an appropriate way is getting more and more difficult. A number of initiatives have been taken in recent years to increase membership particularly among younger people, but they have not borne fruit.

It is very sad that this decision has been made, but I fully understand the conclusion that has been reached. It marks the end of an era and the Branch closure will be felt deeply by members.

The Mother’s Union has high ideals, supporting family life and those who are married, even in difficult times, by prayer, worship and outreach. It is very successful and growing in many parts of the world, but struggling in this country.

I am hoping that Branch members will become Diocesan Members and keep their links with the MU. In the near future I will be talking to the Worship Committee about the possibility of moving the Thursday morning Communion to mid-morning on Wednesdays and having coffee in the Cottages afterwards. I would focus one service a month on the Mother’s Union, partly to support members and partly with the possibility that the Branch might be revived.

I would like to thank all those who have been MU Officers over the years and those at present, Edna, Peggy and Denise. Thanks are also due to the Committee and all other members for their hard work for St Peter’s.

The afternoon meeting in May was ably chaired by Revd Paul Wilkinson; its object to decide on the future of the Mothers' Union. Whatever the outcome, he would support the decision.

Three possibilities were put forward:

1. to stay as we are.

2. to remain open, but with radical changes.

3. to close, with the option of becoming diocesan members.

For 1 and 2 to work, officers and committee members were vital. Virtually all committee members have served for 12+ years; and despite requests for new blood, no help has been available.

Mary Paterson is willing, under option 2, to try to keep a prayer/friendship group going, together with Corporate Communion. We all agreed that the latter is an essential part of the church.

Discussion flowed back & forth for well over an hour. Then a vote was taken. Option 2 polled 5 votes, option 3 polled 11 votes, and there were 3 abstentions.

So we close at the end of the year. Many will become diocesan members; perhaps there will be a new birth – or the resurrection of another group to serve the church, as the Mothers' Union has done in the past.

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The illustrated talk given by Tim Howatt, Church Warden at Fairford Church, was a precursor to our outing there in July. Unusually, the windows were planned into the building, not added afterwards; there have been some problems through the years. They are dated from 1501 to 1518, during the reigns of Henry Vll and Henry Vlll.

The east end windows tell the story of Christ, as we judge him, leading to the crucifixion and ascension. The west end windows picture ‘doom’, as he judges us. Scattered throughout the pictures are royal figures in the dress of the Tudor era.

Some of the glass is stained: - scarlet - blue - gold – green; some is coloured glass; other areas are white glass painted and fired to give a colour (e.g. painting with silver nitrate gives gold when fired).

The west window was blown in during 1703, and the pieces were put back together higgledy-piggledy; this was rectified during the last century.

Windows on the left side of the nave (sinister) depict evil; those on the right (dexter) goodness.

The fourteenth century tower was paid for by Henry Vll and is of the same period as King's College Chapel, Cambridge.

We look forward to a most interesting visit.

Joan Phillips

Mothers' Union Meeting - May 2005

The evening meeting was concerned with the charity 'Winston's Wish', an organisation set up to help children who have lost a parent or sibling, to guide them through their grief. Julie Stokes who worked in Gloucester, realized that there was no group specifically for children, and this one started 15 years ago. Children grieve differently: their mood swings are more extreme, tears one minute, followed quickly by: 'Can I go out to play?' Misunderstandings in language occur: 'heart attack' was visualised by one girl as a man coming in at night and stabbing her Daddy; afterwards she could not sleep. Things were explained. Communication is often shut down: so writing a story can help.

The children go to a weekend camp about six months after a death: here they can talk with helpers (all trained professionals) and have fun playing games, singing songs and exercising skills. Each creates a 'memory box' which will enable the child in future years to 'visit' the lost one. Objects of significance, eg Mummy’s favourite hankie or perfume are collected. They are encouraged to express their emotions, including anger.

There is a Christmas session, a birthday party in March and a summer fun session; all children are given a teddy bear.

Funding is by voluntary contribution and it costs £1,000 to send a child to camp.

The speaker was Sue, who herself had lost her husband several years ago; her two children had been greatly helped.

Mothers' Union Meeting - April 2005

It was wonderful to welcome Revd & Mrs Hubbard to talk about Islam from a personal point of view. Some 25 years ago I taught comparative religion in a very formal way, and in very different society; this brought this knowledge to life.

At the beginning of the talk we were given beautifully produced fact sheets about the Islamic way of life; thus we were able to follow the daily routine in a devout Muslim home, where the authority of the Qur'an was paramount, and traditions of the prophet Mohammed were adhered to. Scriptures used include the Torah (Genesis to Deuteronomy), but they are not a way of life as in Judaism, but sacred reading matter.

Some of the belief is similar to our own, they have God (Allah) but not a triune God. Apostles of the faith include Adam, Noah, Jesus and Mohammed.

Martyrs, including suicide bombers, go direct to heaven; and are waited upon by virgins; otherwise heaven/hell are allotted according as to life here. God's predestination includes both good and evil.

There is no initiation into the faith but simple obedience to its tenets, so conversion is a simple obedience to the will of Allah, and the tenets of the faith.

Mrs. Hubbard contrasted women in our society with those in Muslim countries. We have much freedom of choice; a Muslim woman is much more bound into the family unit; tradition, faith and wealth are paramount. In some areas the woman may be totally clothed over her ‘ordinary’ clothes, to go outside - elsewhere a head-dress will suffice. This is to protect them from men; they do not attempt to attract men as here. As here, better education leads to better careers; slaves are part of the household, so a career and home life combination is easier. 'Falling in love' is not encouraged; arranged marriages occur.

The greeting 'Peace be with you' is used often, even when on buses as passengers came and went. Although there are basic ideals throughout, countries vary - the poorer areas seem more strict; the creation of wealth brings a more relaxed attitude to the faith.

Joan Phillips

Mothers' Union Meeting - March 2005

It was a pleasant change to join various local churches at the ecumenical services throughout Lent; and on our evening meeting day to attend Bethesda Church, the service very different from our own offerings. The night was bitterly cold, snow in the air, so it was good that so many from St. Peter's were able to attend.

Some members also joined in one of the services for Women's World Day of Prayer, prepared by the women of Poland – again unfamiliar in some ways, but very familiar in others. The final hymn, 'The Day Thou Gavest...', and the all-embracing line, 'brethren ’neath the western sky', brings to our notice each year the way Christians everywhere are one body, united in prayer. We attended Sacred Hearts' and were made welcome by the priest, Fr Alan Finlay, who spoke of the growing together of Christian churches. Altogether different pathways for MU members.

Edna has had a few letters to date; 8 out of 37 members have replied with thoughts for the future. So reply NOW if you wish your views to be heard - the deadline is APRIL 1st.

With greeting to you all at this Eastertide.

Joan Phillips

A number of members attended the first Advent Service of Music and Meditation. This very quiet service gave us all silent times to pray, think and reflect in the middle of busy lives: a true reminder of Advent and its purpose. Since then I've attended the second service; very different, but equally thought-provoking.

At Jean Wilkinson's invitation we were treated to coffee, mince pies and other treats at the Rectory following the service, so we were all able to chat and socialise as part of our usual evening meeting time. Thank you, Jean, for the invitation, and for all the hard work you and your family did to make quite an influx of members so welcome.

Joan Phillips

Mothers' Union Meeting - November  2004

A nostalgic evening for most of us this month. Mrs Rouse is a retired needlework teacher; and was well-versed in the history of the craft. In the early days, light was a problem, and many professionals suffered from eye strain. Yet, incredibly intricate work was turned out, even darning and hem stitching was of a very high standard.

Mrs Rouse came equipped with many examples of fine work from many years ago, some dating to the years when she lived on a farm. Hand stitching was the order of the day, and every girl learned basics at an early age. In these days of mass production, machine embroidery and throwaway goods, the lasting quality of such designs, fabrics, silks, gave us much to admire.

With all Best Wishes for a Holy and Peaceful Christmas; and for 2005.

Joan Phillips

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