Churches of St Peter & St Paul, Stokesley and St Martin, Seamer
Mothers Union
Dates for November 2008
6th November - Training Day for Deanery Presidents - York
10th November - Diocesan Trustees Meeting - York 10th November - Evening Group meets at 83 Riverslea - 8 pm with Jenni Finel
14th November - Film showing of ‘Black Gold’ - Great Ayton Methodist Church 7.30 pm Admission free. Refreshments.
18th November - Afternoon Group meeting. 2 pm in the Town Hall
22nd November - Diocesan Council Meeting – Norton (Malton).
26th November Deanery Meeting. 10.30 am Elizabeth Revett’s - Thornton.
29th November - Betty’s Coffee Morning & Fund-raising event. See Posters.
Dates for December 2008
1st December - World Aids Day
3rd December - Branch Committee Meeting. 2 pm - 17 Riverslea
5th December - Deanery Advent Service at Stokesley Parish church - 2 pm.
5th December - Showing of Film ‘Black Gold’ about the coffee trade. Stokesley Town Hall at 7.30 pm. Free admission. Refreshments.
8th December - Evening Group Christmas meeting at 40, Riverslea - 8 pm with Sue Faulkner
9th December - Afternoon Group Christmas Social. 2 pm in the Town Hall. Ourselves!
For further information please contact our Branch Leader - Jan Carter on 711010
Wydale Retreat 2008
On April 28th four of us from the Stokesley Branch of the Mothers’ Union set off for Wydale Hall, about eight miles west of Scarborough, for our Springtime Quiet Retreat. Not to be confused with our time there in October, which is a more lively affair with a larger attendance.
So on a Spring day we left the main Pickering to Scarborough road and wound our way up into the countryside. There on our left were the gates of Wydale! I immediately spotted the wild flowers under the trees as we approached the house.
Then came the joy of seeing familiar faces in the hall, and greetings were fervent. What a thrill to be in this lovely place again, especially when we went out onto the terrace and looked down into the perfect little valley.
So set the scene for our three day visit. We were twenty eight women from the York Diocese and had travel l ed from places as far apart as Middlesbro’ and Bridlington. Some had come through torrential rain that day.
Wydale is now run as an hotel and so we were comfortably housed and well fed. We didn’t even have to make up our own beds, as of yore!
Rev Dr Sue Collier, from Dringhouses, led us through a five session study entitled “Time for Relationships”, which included “Friendships with Strangers”. There was so much to reflect on and discuss.
Between sessions we did as we liked. In any case nothing was compulsory and most folk made a beeline for the terrace and pool (sorry, not a swimming pool!). The huge and lovely, lofty trees framed the terrace at each side. Those who could, and were so inclined, took advantage of the beautiful country walks.
Good grub was much appreciated!
On the last morning we spent extra time in the Chapel, which holds an air of peace all of its own. There we took part in the Eucharist, led by Reverend Sue. This was a special time, as always, and even more meaningful after our reflections on Relationships. We knew that all too soon w e’d be parting from our Wydale friends.
So we parted and left, feeling replenished and enriched.
Marion E Helm
Ten members from Stokesley Branch travelled to the York Diocesan Centre at ‘Wyedale’, near Scarborough, for the annual Mothers’ Union three day Social Retreat. This is their report on the 2006 event:-
The retreat is always an eagerly awaited visit to meet up with old friends and make new friends too. Wyedale is an adapted small country house in a beautiful spot and the house itself is so welcoming and peaceful with its own chapel. The MU theme for this year is ‘Answering God’s Call’ and all the speakers gave us a lot to think about. This was the last retreat to be organised by our Prayer and Spirituality Unit Leader, Liz Clark. She has done a wonderful job each time and will be missed, though we hope she will be able to just attend next year and relax and enjoy it all.
On Tuesday, the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, was visiting Pickering Deanery and lunching at Wyedale, so he came in to speak to us for a few minutes. What a lovely man he is, we were all delighted to meet him!
Traditionally, Tuesday evening is Entertainment Night and as always was excellent again this year with several MU branches taking part causing much merriment.
Stokesley’s effort was a Christmas Sketch organised by Jan and with Hilary as the narrator. All ten of us took part – Santa, his mother, his little helper, a reindeer, Christmas boy and girl, three toys and a sleigh. Great fun and very well received.
Throughout the retreat we had a variety of inspirational services in the wonderful, modern chapel ending with Holy Communion on the last morning before lunch, goodbye’s and the journey home. We look forward to next year.
Finally, on behalf of all the members of Stokesley Branch may I wish you a very peaceful and happy Christmas and God’s blessing on all you do in the new year.
Janet Bartley
Branch Leader
Our Mothers' Union celebrated its centenary in 2005 with a service held on 12th June. Mothers' Union members and guests, including the Diocesan President, Margaret Brookes, took part in the 9.30 Eucharist service in various ways - parading the Banner, reading the Lessons, leading the Intercessions - and heard their Diocesan Chaplain, Ven Chris Hawthorn, talk about the history, the purpose, the strengths and the future of the Mothers' Union. There were specially chosen hymns, a wonderful anthem and some excellent singing from the congregation. In all, a special and lovely service which really helped us to celebrate this special "birthday" year.
Diocesan President, Margaret Brookes, cutting the cake with members of the Stokesley branch.