The main focus of our branch is prayer and hospitality.We have become the main church caterers and enjoyproviding hospitality for the wider community. So when itwas decided to have a party for the Queen’s Jubilee wewere pleased to arrange it. Here we are, with supporters,at the Jubilee Party. 74 people were present - two thirdsof whom were non-churchgoers, a wonderful (free) timewas had by all.Christine Mills, Dordon Branch,Polesworth Group

Mothers’ Union celebrates the Queen’s Jubilee

When members in Balsall Common heard there was to bea big village event for the Queen’s Jubilee they decidedMothers’ Union should be represented. They held a usedtoy stall to raise funds for the Literacy & DevelopmentProject and this produced just over £70. They also had adisplay about the project in the marquee hosted byChurches Together. The photograph shows Claire Lalandwith the display. It is estimated that around 3,000attended the event and we trust some of them learnt a bitmore about Mothers’ Union and the extent of its work.

Jubilee Party at Dordon

Jubilee Celebration at Balsall Common

Knowle High Street was closed during the Jubilee Festivalto enable a variety of entertainments and displays fromvillage organisations to take place. Margaret Pountneyand Emily Niven (in picture) were kept busy on theMothers’ Union stall which had a prime position outsidethe church.

Mothers’ Union stall outside Knowle Church2013 Calendar An A4 calendar featuring pictures of thelink dioceses and activities in BirminghamDiocese has been designed for us and costsjust 50p. It will be available for purchaseat Diocesan Council in July and at otherMothers’ Union events. As well as a usefultool for members, why not buy some togive to your clergy, members of thecongregation or friends and family? It willbe a good way of advertising our work.

In th is edi t ionMothers’ Union in Action - pgs 4/5,Called to the Priesthood - pg 7, Phone Apps - pg 7

A new DVD is being prepared thatfeatures Birmingham Mothers’Union and its link dioceses. Lastingapproximately 25 minutes it can beplayed straight through at ameeting, service or worldwideevent or broken down into countrysections and used, for example, inthe Wave of Prayer for prayer focus.The DVD is called Homing In andis intended to supplement theinformation in the Homing Infolder given to all branches in 2005.

Please show this to as wide anaudience as possible – not just toMothers’ Union members. Moreinformation in the nextBirmingham Link.

Faith & Policy2

President: Margaret Fulforde-mail address

margaret@bfulford.eclipse.co.ukMobile: 0781 007 7291

Tel: 01564 772617

MU Diocesan OfficeSecretary: position vacant

Carrs Lane Church CentreBirmingham B4 7SXTel: 0121 643 0938e-mail address

office@mubham.org.uk

Office Hours:Monday & Wednesday10.30am - 12.30pm

Birmingham Link Editor:Claire Lalande-mail address

Clmap18@gmail.comMobile: 07702 087687

Web Sitewww.canterburyprovincemu.org.uk/

birmingham

Registered Charity No:1065815

Mothers’ Union Contacts

Summer Closing - Office closes atend of office hours on Wednesday,25 July 2012, and reopens onWednesday 5 September 2012.

Mothers’ Union Office

Birmingham Link, Summer 2012

Quiet AfternoonYou are invited to a Quiet Afternoon at St Peter’s Church, Maney onWednesday 10 October. From 12 noon we will have fellowship and lunchand then from 1 pm Sister Margaret will lead our thoughts.

If you have never had the opportunity to enjoy a retreat or if you are notsure whether you could be quiet for a whole day, then come along for theafternoon and give it a try. Being reflective in a group is very different fromsitting at home on your own. It is a special focussed quietness witheveryone present doing the same. We may hear the same words from theleader, but we are free to think our own thoughts or just to rest in God. Formore information contact Lynn Tebbs at Diocesan Office.

Homing In

Have you a few minutes to spare? We always need peoplewilling to volunteer. Might you be the one to help?

If you have just a few minutes then please choose one ofour projects eg the knitting and sewing project and pray forit once a week or once a month. Pray for the people whoprovide the garments and the babies and families whoreceive them.

More time? Would you be willing to help out at a prison crèche? This couldbe a session once a month or once a week. Security clearance is required forall prison help. Some prisoners have no visitors. Are you able to visitsomeone? We attend several wedding fairs each year. If one was near toyou would you have 2 or 3 hours to help man our stall. This would involvetalking to people who are interested in marriage and especially a churchwedding. You would be part of a team.

If you have even more time would you consider training as a facilitator forLoving for Life, the marriage preparation course? Or would you beinterested in taking the Parenting Facilitators course? If yes to any of theseor if you are interested in helping Mothers’ Union in any other way pleasecontact me, Margaret Smith, at Mothers’ Union office 0121 643 0938.

Margaret Smith, A & O Coordinator

Action & Outreach

Congratulations to Mothers’ Union members Sue Ashton,ordained priest on 16 June and Diane Thompson, ordained deacon on1 July.I am sure our love and prayers go with them as they take this exciting step intheir lives. It was a particular delight that Sue was the Celebrant at theSolihull Group Festival on 12 July. Ed see picture page 4

Pilgrimage to Holy LandMothers’ Union, Diocese of Birmingham, is planning a ten day pilgrimage tothe Holy Land 28 May - 6 June 2013. Visits will be made to the places of Jesus’birth, ministry, death and resurrection. The pilgrimage will be led by anexperienced lay person who has taken groups on a number of occasions. It isopen to Mothers’ Union members, families and friends who would like to walkin the footsteps of Jesus and thus strengthen their own faith by seeing theplaces that are often simply read about.

The pilgrimage will be on a full board basis, staying in good quality hotels;one in Jerusalem and one on the shore of Lake Galilee. The cost will be in theregion of £1600 to £1700, inclusive of the coach fare to and from Heathrowairport. If you are interested in joining the pilgrimage contact Peter Walker byemail (pnpwkr@aol.com) or telephone Mothers’ Union Office.

Secretary and Branch Leader, also her involvement inthe parenting and prison projects. Council memberswill now be invited to nominate and vote for three VicePresidents. The Unit Coordinators are appointed by thePresident and Trustees, so if you are interested in anydiocesan role do let them know.The Queen’s Jubilee celebrations have been a greatopportunity for getting to know our neighbours throughcommunity activities. In the same way diocesan eventsenable us to share in the fellowship of Mothers’ Unionmembership in Birmingham. The coach trip to OldAlresford was a good example with members frommany branches sharing an excellent day. It was veryspecial to be in the room where the first Mothers’Union meeting took place and to have communion inthe church where Mary Sumner worshipped. Thepicture opposite shows Jackie and me under the lovelyportrait of Mary Sumner as a young woman.We are in the midst of the Olympics now, although wehad a foretaste at the Diocesan Festival Service in Aprilwhen six young people performed a sketch aboutcompeting in the race of life. As some dropped out fordifferent reasons we were reminded of St Paul’s wordsin the Epistles about racing. The Chaplain, MatthewRhodes, said in his sermon, ‘Athletes are role models,and you are all role models of faith, in your families,your places of work, your communities….We are part ofan amazing body, Mothers’ Union, a formidable team.’There is an excellent new DVD resource about theDiocesan Links which Claire Laland has produced. It willbe shown at November Council when copies will beavailable for you to buy. As well as this Claire hasdesigned a double-sided A4 calendar about Mothers’Union in Birmingham – see page 1 - which will bereally good for promotional purposes as well as beinguseful. They are being sold at 50p to cover costs. Whynot buy a few to give at Christmas? I hope to see many of you at the Summer Fair on MarySumner Day, 9 August. With my love and best wishes,MargaretMargaret Fulford, Diocesan President

Dear Friends

‘Your Gift? Discover and Celebrate’. This was the themeof the service at St Paul’s Church, Llandudno, attended by45 Birmingham members on the eve of the Mothers’Union General Meeting in June. The service had to be inthree different venues as the cathedrals in Wales are sosmall. Our speaker encouraged us by telling how, onretirement he had rediscovered Mothers’ Union and hadstarted a branch. He had challenged them to think aboutthis theme and following a discussion, discovered themembers had many unknown talents which were nowbeing used for Mothers’ Union, especially in a thriving‘Messy Church’.At the General Meeting we were introduced to inspiringmembers who were doing outstanding things anddeveloping new initiatives, both here and overseas. Theywere asked to sum up what Mothers’ Union means tothem and one commented that we make a promisebefore God when we are made a member and this makesus unique. Quite a thought! The theme of our gifts, andthe growth of the seeds we sow, was continued.Rosemary Kempsell, the Worldwide President urged us tounwrap our gifts and not hide them at the back of thecupboard. 1 Peter 4: v 10 ‘Each of you should usewhatever gift you have received to serve others, asfaithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.’By the time you read this you will probably know who isto be the next Diocesan President. I was delighted whenJackie Brocklebank agreed to stand for nomination andshe has now received the required number of votes.Jackie will be excellent with her wide knowledge ofMothers’ Union matters through her time as Diocesan

3Birmingham Link, Summer 2012

From the President

Margaret Fulford and Jackie Brocklebank under the picture ofMary Sumner

Sow a seedto nourishand support

new membersso that

Mothers’ Unioncan grow.

4 Birmingham Link, Summer 2012

I find this works well for branch meetings. I first decide on an areaof the world using my copy of Families Worldwide. We havegeneral prayers first and then the members present take it in turnto read about what Mothers’ Union is doing in a particular countryor continent – we used Africa. They also choose a prayer, thoughtor reflection for the week. This was appreciated as it gave everymember a chance to be involved. It is always useful to have a fewback copies of Families Worldwide as they can be used asmaterial for a good meeting if a speaker or leader cannot attend atthe last minute. We finished our meeting with prayers andappropriate music.Barbara Marshall, St Anne, West Heath Mothers’ Union,West Birmingham Group

Mothers’ Union in action –a look at recent activities

Members and friends of our branch wereinvited to watch the DVD of The IronLady. The film was completely differentfrom what those present expected, but allenjoyed seeing it. During an appropriateinterval an usherette, alias Mothers’ Unionmember Pat Eyre, appeared ‘selling’ sweetcigarettes and drinks. All joined in the fun.Those present were invited to make adonation to the Literacy & DevelopmentFund – all voted the evening a great successand an enjoyable way of going to the‘cinema’ and raising funds! St Peter’s Mothers’ Union,Balsall Common, Solihull Group

Mothers' Union member Diane Thompson afterher ordination on 1 July with Margaret Fulford andClaire Laland

When Brenda Daish, secretary St James, Hill, Mothers’ Union heardabout someone benefitting from an AFIA holiday after recoveringfrom breast cancer she resolved to hold a Bottomless cups andtasty treats morning. This raised £178 for AFIA. Attractionsincluded a tombola and quiz. The photo shows Debbie, Julie,Brenda and her daughter, Alice, who helped to serve. Jackie Brocklebank, St James, Hill Mothers’ Union,Sutton Coldfield Group

5Birmingham Link, Summer 2012

Each year our Mothers’ Union branch hold a pramservice for those who have been baptised and thetheme for our service this year was Celebration. Onceagain year three from the church school joined us. All the children were given crowns to colour and wear.Here you can see some of the children preparing for theservice. We compared the celebration we have eachweek in our Church Eucharist services with those thechildren themselves have experienced, street parties,birthdays, etc. We then compared the cake, sandwichesand drinks we have at these events with the bread andwine we have in church. The children sang, danced,clapped their hands and joined in celebrating Jesus’splace in our hearts. It was a fun afternoon. Mary Jones, St Mary & St Margaret, CastleBromwich, Coleshill and Yardley Group

Children preparing for the service

Flower Club Leader, Carol Kay, centre, with Malcolm Harbour MEPand his wife Penny who is also a Mothers’ Union member

One President and two Past Presidents were at AllSaints, Stechford for the Coleshill and Yardley Groupservice. Members there greatly enjoyed the servicewhich was led by the Vicar, Revd Dr Griphus Gakura whotold us something of his experience of Mothers’ Unionin Uganda. Back row Angela Swindell (Past President) Ron Jones,Revd Dr Griphus Gakuru, Mary Jones, Chris Stanton(Group Coordinator)Front row Claire Laland (Past President) BarbaraGriffiths, Margaret Fulford (President) Barbara Griffiths, All Saints, StechfordMothers’ Union, Coleshill and Yardley group

Children’s Praise is a monthly meeting run by St AlphegeMothers’ Union to encourage adults to come into thechurch building for informal worship through craft, story,song and prayer. At this meeting we were looking atthe Lord’s Prayer and the children are holding uppictures of the different phrases and what they mean.Pat Marshall, St Alphege Mothers’ Union,Solihull Group

Knowle Parish Church Flower Guild, including membersof Mothers’ Union, Knowle Branch spent the past 14months planning the staging of a five day flowerfestival to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.Proceeds amounting to £750 from the event will go tosupport Mothers’ Union projects helping children andyoung people and their families overseas incommonwealth countries such as Papua New Guineaand the Solomon Islands.Congratulations to Mothers' Union members andothers who produced such beautiful and meaningfuldisplays. It was a wonderful contribution to theJubilee celebrations.

FUTURE ◆

DATES

6 Birmingham Link, Summer 2012

◆ 9 August - 11.00 am,Summer Fair, AscensionChurch, Hall Green

◆ 13 August - 12 noon,Prayers in Cathedral

◆ 10 October - 12 noon,Quiet Afternoon, St Peter’sChurch, Maney

◆ 13 October - last datereturning report forTalking Time

◆ 16 October - 7.30 pm,Polesworth Group service,Polesworth Abbey

◆ 24 October - last date forvoting Vice Presidents

◆ 10 November - 10.15 am,Mothers’ Union Council,Carrs Lane

◆ 12 November - 12 noon,Prayers in Cathedral

◆ 8 December - AdventService, St Martin’s in theBullring

CongratulationsCongratulationsEdna Dunbar

St Peter, Hall GreenChris Jacques

St John, KnowleHelen Greatorex

St Anne, West HeathEdith Townsend

St Barnabas, ErdingtonAudrey Bennett

St Barnabas, ErdingtonLily Baker

St Barnabas, Erdington

St Paul, BlackheathMargaret Parkes

St Barnabas, ErdingtonMay Bowley, Susan Stringer

Ascension, Hall GreenGail Edwards

St Paul, HamsteadDiane Smith

Diocesan memberBridget Darby

BirthdaysDaisy Glenn, 99 14.03.12

St Stephen & St Wulstan,Selly Park

Betty Day, 90 09.05.12St Stephen & St Wulstan,

Selly ParkRose Bissell, 90 28.05.12

St Paul, BlackheathBarbara Hicklin, 90 07.06.12

St John, KnowleSylvia Kerr, 90 10.06.12

St Peter, Maney

60th Wedding Anniversary16.04.12 Beryl and Barrie Ager

St James the Great, Shirley

24.04.12 Merle and Tony JonesSt Laurence, Northfield

24.05.12 Frank and Iris MallenderSt Bartholomew, Allens Cross

All welcomeat the

Summer FairOn Thursday 9 August

from 11 amAscension Church, Hall Green

Tickets for barbeque lunch available

II NN MM EE MM OO RR II AA MM

NEW

MEMBERS

Don’t forget to send in yourTalking TimeReport forms.

Last date 13 October.

Recycle You can now

recycle your usedinkjet cartridges

and mobilephones in aid ofMothers’ Unionfunds. Simply ask at the Mothers’

Union office for a freepost envelopeor collect one from Mothers’ UnionCouncil. When you send your firstbatch of cartridges you can request

more envelopes and they will be sentdirect to you. Each envelope will

have a sticker with our unique code(12052409580201) so that we arecredited with monies raised. Whynot place a box in your church hall

and collect cartridges? An easy wayto increase funds. All the money

raised will go to Mothers’ Union inDiocese of Birmingham.

Please note Epson cartridgescannot be recycled.

For additional information go towww.therecyclingfactory.com

I was asked if I would like to sing with the choir in theCathedral on 28 April at the Mothers’ Union DiocesanFestival Service. It’s what I have always wished for. Inever expected it to happen. No one else was able to gofrom my branch of Mothers’ Union at St Anne, West Heath.It was a most wonderful experience. The theme of theservice was Run the Race of Faith, based on theOlympics. There were wonderful hymns. The Lord Mayorwas there, and a choir from the Zimbabwe Group whichmeets in Birmingham, in their colourful costumes, singingin their own language and dancing. There was also ayoung drama group who were acting out the theme of theservice up and down the aisles. We ended the service singing We are marching in theLove of God.Doreen Palmer, St Anne, West Heath,West Birmingham Group

A dream comes true

The Trustees hold five Olympic rings which symbolised the fiveobjectives of Mothers’ Union

7Birmingham Link, Summer 2012

Technology is still striding on and at such apace that we’re all struggling to keep up withthe progress. But not our children! It’s as ifbabies are born today with television handsetsin their hands and mobile phones clamped totheir heads!

Mothers’ Union members have addressed suchaspects of media and technology as TVs inbedrooms, computers, the internet, MP3 players, videosand DVDs. And now - smart phone apps.

From the Sunday Post‘Kids as young as nine can download games that allowthem to shoot, burn, electrocute and punch a humanlikefigure. There is an app which allows a teenage girl togive herself a boob job’.

also mine and Reg Bailey’s wordsRosemary Walker, MU member, who sits on PEGI (PanEuropean Games Information) panel said ‘These gamesare definitely inappropriate. Parents sometimes don’tunderstand the gadgets their kids are using and we needto educate them’.

Reg Bailey said in the Sunday Post; ‘I’m keen to see theonline industry enable parents to block adult contentacross all devices they purchase, including smart phones.’

What do you know about phone apps?Some help is in place, much more is available - hereare a few suggestions:

Have kids’ phones on the same contract as parent ifkids are to have smart phones which can downloadapps. No apps can be downloaded without theparent knowing.

a. Sunrise, sunset app allows you to keep check ontimes to ensure kids come home before dark

b. 4oDCatchup app keeps parents informed about 4oDprogrammes and exclusive previews

c. kidsinmind app gives you a way to determine exactlywhat content is in a movie and whether a movie isappropriate

Rosemary Walker, Mothers’ UnionRepresentative on PEGI

Using some of the information above would makea good discussion at a branch meeting.Do those present download apps?Do they know about the apps on theirchildren’s/grandchildren’s phones?Do they agree with the age rating of these apps?Etc etcClaire Laland, Training Officer

I was born in Zimbabwe - Dioceseof Manicaland (CPCA) in aChristian family. My father was ateacher, and also the first convertof Arthur Shirley Cripps, anEnglish Anglican priest andmissionary, who spent much ofhis time in Rhodesia (nowZimbabwe). My mother was thefirst person to bring the Mothers’Union to the district in which weare now living. I was baptised

and confirmed in the Anglican Church and I trained as aprimary school teacher specialising in Religious Education. Iam married and have two children. My husband is thegrandson of the first African Christian martyr, Bernard Mizeki,who was martyred on 18 June 1896 in Marondera-Mashonaland East Province. He is honoured with pilgrims atthe shrine, with the commemoration in the liturgicalcalendar of the Episcopal Church every year on 18 June andhis story played an important part in my life. I was involvedin the training of the drama group that act out this story. Iwould also travel to Mozambique with pilgrims and was acoordinator of pilgrimages of the diocese.

While I was teaching at St Anne’s Anglican Mission School Iwas awakened for the church. I was elected a member ofthe PCC, became a sub-deacon, and then Mothers’ Unionevangelist for the district and diocese. I subsequentlybecame the coordinator of pilgrims to South Africa,Mozambique and Malawi where the drama of the firstAfrican Christian martyr was also performed. I then felt

C a l l e d t o t h e P r i e s t h o o dmyself being called to the priesthood, something that mylate father very much supported. Bishop Julius Makoni of theDiocese of Manicaland applied for me to come and train atWestcott Theological College, Cambridge in England. Thereason I wanted to become a priest was to represent womenof the Anglican Church in the Province of Central Africa, inthe ordained ministry and also to witness and do God’swork. I wanted to take on the challenge- what men can do,we can also do. Women are very active and are thebackbone of the church for we are all called to be thedisciples of Jesus. (John 17:20-23).I am really enjoying all aspects of life in the WestcottCommunity. The prayers in particular are a model guide.I feel at home as though I am in the ministry already. Thestaff and students have been so supportive in my studiesand in many other ways. I was comfortable in winter withthe provision of warm clothing. I found other women whohave been in Mothers’ Union, such as Diane Thompson, tobe determined. This has encouraged me also to be so braveand follow through my vocation. The training in England is of a high standard. This hashelped to improve my understanding of Church History,Doctrine and Liturgy. I hope and pray I will share with otherclergy at home in Zimbabwe all what I have learnt. I wouldlike to express my gratitude to my Bishop, Dr Julius TawonaMakoni for making it possible for me to come and train as apriest in England, Martin Seeley, Principal of Westcott, thestaff and the Mothers’ Union of Birmingham Diocese forsupporting my ministry.Thank you,

Bertha Gowera, Zimbabwe Mothers’ Union

8 Birmingham Link, Summer 2012

Please send all items for Issue 126 of Birmingham Link to Mothers’ Union Office,Carrs Lane Church Centre, Birmingham B4 7SX by 29 September 2012.

It will be ready for collection at Mothers’ Union Council on 10 November 2012.

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Mothers’ Union.Whilst every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of the dates and comments, the Trustees of Birmingham Mothers’ Union

cannot accept responsibility for any loss, damage or inconvenience caused through any error or omission.

Printed by Senik Print, 4 Newgate Court, Paradise Street, Coventry CV1 2RU Tel: 02476 224344

T H E N E XT E D I T I O N

Sitting in the very room where Mary Sumner began whatwas to become the Mothers’ Union was quite extraordinary.To be in her home, seeing that lovely familiar portraithanging over the mantelpiece and looking through the largesash windows into the gardens was truly memorable.The day we shared was one of worship, pilgrimage, joy andfriendship. The service of Holy Communion was spread overthe day, beginning at the start of our journey on the coachwith prayers of preparation. After our first stop we had theMinistry of the Word and reflected on the Gospel readingfrom St. Luke comparing the kingdom of heaven to amustard seed, and yeast. From small beginnings somethinggreat can come. Midday prayers and intercessions wereshared on the coach before we arrived. The countryside wasdecked for early summer, with fields, hedges and trees fullof blossom. It was so good to sit and enjoy these quietlyand to forget for a moment all the busyness of a normalMonday!When we arrived at this beautiful, impressive Georgian gradeII* listed building we were given an informative talk on thehistory of the house, including the interesting times of oneincumbent Francis North (1795-1850) whose lifestyle wasbackground to Anthony Trollope’s novel "The Warden". Thenext Rector was George Sumner and things were verydifferent under him. George and Mary Sumner used theirhome to the full for meetings, bible studies, parties andconcerts. Both worked hard to serve their parishioners.Mary had a strong awareness of the need to strengthenChristian family life and invited different groups of womento the rectory on different occasions. In 1876 she took theradical step of inviting all the village mothers as well as

Pilgrimage to Old Alresford Place: As mighty as a mouse!those of her own social class to the same meeting. Whatcourage! This was to become the first meeting of theMothers’ Union. On our tour of the house we saw variousartefacts including Mary’s own bible and lovely old photos ofthe founder members of Mothers’ Union. Since 2008 thehouse is the home of Winchester diocesan offices and theirdiocesan retreat and conference centre.Our service continued with The Peace as grace before lunch.We were then free to explore the grounds in glorioussunshine before we entered the little church for the finalpart of our Communion service. Matthew spoke to us ofthree mice he had encountered recently – one persistentmouse searching for its hole, going round and round thecross at sunrise on Easter morning; one in a garden beingterrorised by a cat and yet seemed to accept it as a mouse’srole in the scheme of things. It was still Easter season andour thoughts too were of Jesus who came to live and to diefor us. And the third, a mouse which emptied the waitingroom at the railway station! It had massive impact despite

its size. So too the Mothers’ Union has become a worldwideorganisation from very humble beginnings. What MarySumner did in 1876 was going against the accepted normsand rules of the day. It was as a grandmother that sherecognised the needs of mothers for mutual support. MarySumner may have been surprised by her success, but itwould not have happened without her efforts, commitmentand prayer. One woman’s desire to do something to supportChristian family life has had a massive impact. Like themustard seed, or indeed the little mouse! What little thingare you going to do today?Lynn Tebbs, Faith & Policy Coordinator

The group at Old Alresford

Dorothy, Inez and Margaret relax on a swing