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Articles and notices for this page are welcome. Please contact David using the link below. mailto:davidlordatpadgatechristchurchdotorgdotuk
It was a great and unexpected honour when Hazel (Yarwood) asked me to carry the Christ Church Mothers’ Union Banner at the Commissioning Service in Liverpool Cathedral on Saturday 17 July. This was the service at which Margaret Houghton was commissioned for another three years as Diocesan President, along with other Diocesan posts (including Sue Jeffery of Warrington Deanery). We were joined on the coach by members from St Margaret’s Orford and St Elphin’s.
We banner-carriers assembled in the “Well” at the West end of the Cathedral. Hazel helped me assemble our Christ Church Banner – which was made by Phyllis Haskey in the 1960’s to a design by George Pace (the architect of the Church of the Ascension, Woolston) - so Phyllis’s son John Haskey told me later. I joined Ken Jeffery of St Elphin’s and Sue Harding of St Margaret’s. But whereabouts should we place ourselves in the procession? “Excuse me, what order do we process in?” “Sorry, I’m new too!” Then someone was overheard saying we go in Deaneries, and Warrington follows Winwick! Sorted! But with a caveat – “if you are given someone else’s banner back after the service, don’t argue – sort it out afterwards”!
Exactly at 3pm the organist struck up the incoming voluntary (Charpentier’s Te Deum), and we were off. It was a very impressive sight – someone thought there were seventy-one banners in the Procession. We moved up the steps, through the Congregation, across the Central Space, past the Nave Altar (where the Diocesan banner was presented), on through the Choir, and finally up to the High Altar, where there are special holders set into the altar-rail, enough for forty banners. Stewards guided me (and the others in the remaining thirty-one) to a side aisle, and all the banner-carriers to their seats. Bishop James then welcomed us, commenting that the procession was the longest he had ever seen in the Cathedral! I think the Charpentier was played five times over.
The service was inspiring: the chosen hymns were magnificent (Tell out My Soul; Love Divine (to Blaenwern) and that wonderful hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness – all thundering out through the Cathedral.
In his sermon Bishop James acknowledged the huge contribution of the MU within the Diocese over the past 120 years. He then commissioned Margaret and the other MU officers; and he took the opportunity to launch the new Liverpool MU website, <www.liverpoolmothersunion.org.uk> (on which interested readers can still see pictures of the event in the Photo Gallery). He then did some presiding himself - over the Festival Eucharist. When you are a banner-carrier, although the Commissioning Service is of course the purpose for being there, your mind sometimes wanders to the responsibility involved in carrying the banner without mishap. However, I needn’t have worried. During the final hymn Be Thou My Vision, the banners were returned – the first forty from the altar rail (with only a few out of sync), while we (in the other thirty-one) could retrieve ours exactly. We processed back to the West, past the Choir, Bishops and assembled Clergy (including our own Canon Stephen Attwater, and Canon Mike Finlay from St Elphin’s) and most importantly past our MU Members in the Congregation whom we could glimpse face-on for the first time. After the hymn the organist played Gigout’s Grand Choeur Dialogue while we carefully took the banners down and packed them away.
After the service, Bishop James stood near the door greeting MU members as they left, and signing Programmes. He listened intently as one elderly member described to him how her friend was very sorry to be too infirm to attend: the friend was now 100 years old, and had been an MU member for many decades!
We chatted contentedly as the coach returned us safely to Warrington. The next day (Sunday), the banner was back up in its place on the wall of the church, ready for the next occasion. Richard Robinson
I would like to wish you all a happy holiday in August and welcome you back on Thursday 9 September at 7.30 pm for a Eucharist service / social evening. Subscriptions are due at this meeting (£14.50). Hazel Yarwood
We have been asked to bring to your attention that the Mother's Union Deanery has a vacancy for a Secretary, Treasurer and Representative. For further information please have a word with Hazel. Hazel Yarwood and Olive Johnson
The Mothers’ Union is as relevant today as it was to Mary Sumner in 1876. 3.6 million Members in 77 countries around the world are seeking to improve lives through the transforming love of Jesus Christ.
Mary Sumner’s heart was to see a “Mothers’ Union” wherein all classes could unite in faith and prayer” and this has become the foundation of all that the Mothers’ Union has achieved and will continue to achieve for more generations.
WE all have a role that serves to improve family life in the communities where we live, through practical action and prayer. WE ARE a global voice that has the power to influence world leaders and witness changes that can improve family welfare and alleviate poverty. WE AIM to keep our Christian faith central to all that we do. It has the power to change, unite and provide fellowship! WE AIM to help those around us in great need through a variety of outreach projects. OUR PRAYER is that we may serve those around us, as Christ wants us to. DID YOU KNOW that anybody can join Mothers’ Union (male or female, single or married) so long as they have been baptised as a Christian and support our aims and objects.
As we meet in our various communities we remember: The goal of the Mothers’ Union is to be specifically committed to strengthening and preserving family life and marriage, by our Christian Faith and through practical action.
How we fulfil this, is through our OBJECTIVES: · To uphold Christ’s teaching on the nature of marriage and promote its wider understanding.
· To encourage parents to bring up their children in the faith and life of the Church.
· To maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service.
· To promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children
· To help those whose family life has met with adversity.
If you have any questions about Mothers’ Union or would like to know more please give me a ring on 820898 Margaret Houghton Diocesan President, Liverpool Mothers’ Union
What is The Mother's Union
It is a worldwide
Anglican organisation whose purpose it is to be concerned with all aspects
of Christian family life. The Mothers’ Union has around 800,000 members
worldwide, 80% of whom live outside the UK and Ireland. For more than 90
years, in partnership with local members, the Mothers’ Union has
encouraged educational and self help projects to grow and flourish across
the world. This work is supported by the Mothers’ Union Overseas Fund.
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