St. Paul’s Mothers’ Union, 2007

Mother’s Union

Have you ever been put off joining by the wrong image you may have of this organisation.  I must admit I had never been a member until I came to St. Paul ’s and then it took some years before I finally joined.  How glad I am that I did join!!

I cannot go to the afternoon meetings as I am still working, but I go when I can.  It is a great privilege to be a member of a world wide organisation.  You do not have to be a mother to join and we have 2 “Muscl Men” here!!!!

If you are a member, do you get “Home and Family” the quarterly magazine?  It is a great read.  You do have to pay for it, but it is excellent value.

I read my copy from beginning to end and Michael and I have started to use the cottages for hire as well as the B&Bs advertised.  They are all very good value up to now.  We have recently returned from a 17^th Century cottage in Dorset which was delightful and we have previously been to Canterbury in a converted barn and Cornwall in a seaside cottage.  We have had B&B in an amazing old rectory where there is a vineyard and the owners make their own wine in Devon .

Then, have you ever been to HQ at Mary Sumner House in Westminster in London   to look at the shop and chapel? You can even stay there too for an unbelievable £31 as a member for B&B.  Michael stayed there when he had to attend a meeting last year at Westminster , and we both stayed when we went to see Phantom of the Opera for my birthday in December.

As well as all these “perks,” we are all members of a Christian organisation seeking to uphold Christian values and to serve the church and community in which we live.  Have you heard of the “Toy Box” Scheme at Preston Prison ?  Well, we help to look after prisoners’ children on Saturdays when they come to visit.  The time is 2 hours and the children used to have nothing to do and became restless.  We take it in turns to do this in a team of 3.  It is so rewarding.  I really look forward to my visits there.

Members take active parts in the life of this church and do things in the Deanery and Diocese as well.

Our programme is varied. We have speakers’ meetings, parties, and we have special occasion meetings like one for the Queen’s 80^th birthday and an amazing Teddy Bear’s picnic where everyone had a super afternoon.

So, come on ladies, you will enjoy it and you will be able to share in the things I have outlined above.  You are missing out on lots of good things.  The MU is a lively Christian organisation well worth joining. 

Thank you to our committee and Joan for organising us so well.