St Ninian’s Mothers’ Union « St Ninian's, Castle Douglas

mubanner MU PROGRAMME 2010-11

September 14 at 12.30    Service of Dedication/Open Meeting
October 5 at 2.00    Monthly Eucharist
October 19 at 12.30    Rosemary Green: ‘My Life with Otters’
November 2 at 2.00    Monthly Eucharist
November 16 at 12.30   Liz Cutler: ‘Loch Arthur Community’
November 18 at12.00    Regional Rally at Dumfries
December 7 at 2.00    Monthly Eucharist
December 14 at 12.30    Christmas Party
January 18 at 12.30    Dave Wright: ‘Evacuation’
February 1 at 2.00    Monthly Eucharist
February 15 at 12.30    Andrew MacKenzie: ‘Holiday in Kenya’
March 1 at 2.00    Monthly Eucharist
March 15 at 12.30    Jim Logan: ‘Shells of the Solway Coast’
April 5 at 2.00    Monthly Eucharist
April 12 at 12.30    Canon David Bayne: ‘Mary Magdalene’
May 3 at 2.00    Monthly Eucharist
May 17 at 12.30    Musical Afternoon
June – date and details to be arranged

ABOUT ST NINIAN’S MOTHERS’ UNION
Our local branch of Mothers’ Union was founded in 1999 with only four members and now, after ten years, there is a membership of 46, many of whom are members of other churches in the district.

The first meetings were held in the Rectory but, since the building of the Gordon Memorial Hall in 2001, we have had an ideal venue for our monthly meetings, on the third Tuesday of every month, except July and August.

These monthly meetings generally take the form of a short service in the hall prior to a light lunch of soup and bread which are provided by a rota of the members. Of course there is coffee or tea to follow and then it is down to the business in hand. After that we relax to listen to our guest speaker for the day.

Last session, 2008-09, in addition to our regular meetings, it was decided to hold a Eucharist on the first Tuesday of the month for those who wished to attend.

We have subscribed to several Outreach projects. During the visit of some children from Chernobyl a few years ago, we held some fund-raising events and helped to provide the children with medication, clothes and sundries for their needs, as well as little presents to take home to their friends and relatives.

We have held several table-top sales very successfully to raise funds for MU projects at home and abroad. One of our ongoing projects is to provide toilet bags for the Women’s Aid Refuges in Stranraer and Newton Stewart, for women who have sought refuge from domestic abuse. Our members regularly donate what they can in the way of toilet articles for them and their families.

We also supply “Angel Pockets”, tiny knitted ‘sleeping bags’ for miscarried babies. These are gathered and sent to Dumfries and Galloway Infirmary. Some go to Kilmarnock Infirmary as well.

Healing blankets made by Mothers' Union members

Our latest project which has become very popular, is making “Healing Blankets”. These are crocheted, knitted or sewn, intended as a comfort to anyone who is undergoing grief or stress or illness. They are meant to show the recipients that they are being thought about and prayed for. Each one is blessed by the Rector and contains a little prayer or verse. Anyone who knows of someone who would benefit from these just needs to take one and deliver it to that person. The idea for these came from Kentucky via Alison, our Rector’s wife, after a visit to a church there, where this had been most successful. Some of our congregation have also felt inspired to participate by providing wool, or ribbons to tie up the blankets.

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One of our Sunday School teachers runs a toddlers’ group called “Little Fishes” for mothers or carers who enjoy a get-together and a chat, with plenty of games for the children and refreshment and nibbles for all. Many of our members enjoy taking a turn to make the tea and coffee and serve at the hatch.

As you will see, there are many ways in which we can help others. We all have our own talents and can contribute in some way, however small. The organisation gives us this opportunity and with it comes friendship and a feeling of having done something for others. It must be said that we do manage to enjoy ourselves at the same time!

We hope that our website will attract other members who would be made most welcome at any time. Come along and try us out. Our meetings start at 12-30pm and finish at 3-30pm so there is no need to turn out on a cold winter’s night!