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The Mothers' Union in Cradley.
SECRETARY'S REPORT FOR AGM SEPTEMBER 13th 2005.
This year has been somewhat quiet with regard to speakers, we have in total had three. Attendance at meetings has averaged nine members out of a possible thirteen. We have had a visitor namely Jane's mum and we also admitted two new members including our Rural Dean the Rev. Mike Vockins.
Our October meeting after the general business had been dealt with was an Evening of poems, readings and quotes. We were also invited to host the coffee for the Annual Flu Jabs in the British Legion Hall by the Surgery.
November saw us discussing "Mary in the New Testament i.e. Mary Mother of Jesus, Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus and finally Mary Magdalene. The fact that in the C of E we almost ignore Mary and perhaps if we showed more devotion to her this might add femininity of the traditional masculinity of God. We also were asked to decide whether we were a Mary or a Martha and finally whether Mary Magdalene not only loved Jesus but was in love with him. December saw us enjoying mince pies and wine at the home of Christine.
January again saw us meeting at the home of Christine, in anticipation of inclement weather. Our speaker for the evening was the Rev. Hamish Maclagon who had spent many years as Padre to the armed services. A most enlightening talk was enjoyed.
In February instead of a regular meeting Sheila hosted the Sermon Supper for Sam Ashton, five members plus one visitor enjoyed fish pie and pancakes with Sam and Jerry. Members were reminded that there would be no meeting in March due to the Lent discussions, but in April the discussion would be Peace and Reconciliation and is it possible to know true peace even in anxiety, pain and suffering. Should there be a limit to our forgiveness and should we be peacemakers?
May saw us discussing the Role of Women within the church today, emphasis being on the controversial subject of Women Bishops, which is due to be discussed by General Synod later in the year. There was no meeting as such in June as we were invited to meet with Colwall MU to listen to Kathy Priddis our Bishop's wife and her Personal Journey through Painting and Spirituality.
July was in-house speakers when Christine and Sheila gave a very animated talk accompanied by pictures of their visit to Turkey and the Seven Churches of Asia, tracing the footsteps of St. Paul. August being our "month-off" we all went out to supper at The Royal Oak, Bromyard where we enjoyed a very pleasant meal with convivial company.
We have continued to have our regular coffee mornings in church and have also continued our support via our Sunshine Bucket and proceeds from the coffee mornings for AFIA. Overseas, CWYSI and of course Count Your Blessings. We have also continued the giving of Baptismal Cards and posies of flowers at the Baptism service, these always contain an invitation to join us at our meetings.
Finally contact with our Australian link namely Betty continues to be a source of interest and information, they seem to do so much more than we do, considering their ages and the distances that they have to travel to their meetings.
Sheila Mullaney - Secretary.
