The Mother's Union
Brecon Cathedral was full to capacity on the 25th June 2010 for the Dioceson Festival, with members from throughout the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon.
The service began with a splendid procession of forty-three M.U. banners, the Hay banner being carried by June Pugh and the Llyswen banner by Ann Mcleod. The Bishop’s procession consisted of twenty-three clergy including our area Dean and M.U. Chaplain. We were welcomed by the Dean of Brecon Cathedral, the Very Revd. Geoffrey Marshall.
The Rev. Kay Warrington, M.U. Diocesan President, Mrs Beryl Evans and Mrs. Catherine Ewens, Arch-Diaconal Vice-Presidents, offered prayers. The Bishop commissioned three Diocesan Trustees and two Deanery Leaders. Mrs. Helen Williams, Secretary, read from the New Testament and Mrs. Susan Jones, Treasurer, read The Gospel.
The Bishop, The Right Rev. J.D.E. Davies, preached the sermon in which he stressed that the M.U. is founded on the teachings of Christ and the message of the Gospels which underlies our daily lives and our gathering at our Festival service celebrated our calling as members of this world-wide union.
We sang with enthusiasm the chosen hymns and after the service the Dean’s wife and helpers nobly provided a marathon amount of tea and biscuits for us all, after our inspiring and heartening service.Centenary Celebrations
Evensong on Tuesday 13th July 2010 at St. Mary’s Church, Hay was the perfect setting for the beginning of our Centenary Celebration. Father Richard Williams led our service. Also attending were the Area Dean, Canon Rowland Edwards, the Diocesan M.U. Chaplain the Rev. Mark Benton, and the Rev. Ian Charlesworth, Vicar of Llyswen and Boughrood. We were pleased to welcome our guests, the Dean of Brecon Cathedral the Very Revd. Geoffrey Marshall, Llyswen M.U. and M.U. members and friends from throughout our Diocese of Swansea and Brecon. Mrs. June Pugh carried our banner,
We were delighted to have St. Mary’s Church Choir, accompanied by our organist Mr. Jeffrey Babb, to lead us in our hymns.
Mrs. Diana Jones, Hay M.U. Branch Leader, and Mrs. Catriona Charlesworth, M.U. Deanery Leader, read the lessons. The Diocesan M.U. Chaplain, the Rev. Mark Beaton, led the Intercessions and the Address was given by The Rev. Kay Warrington, Diocesan M.U. President.
Following the service, our guests and choir were entertained to tea at the Parish Hall provided by Hay M.U. June Pugh had arranged a small display of photographs and information about the M.U. since it began in Hay. She also prepared a delicious “fruit cup” for our toast whilst Diana Jones and the Rev. Kay Warrington cut the splendid celebration cake which Diana had kindly made. Short speeches of welcome and thanks were said by Diana, Kay and June and Eric Pugh took photographs. So another joyous occasion can be added to our history.
We ended our festivities on Thursday evening 15th July when ten of us had a delicious meal at The Old Black Lion. This was preceded by a group photograph in the Parish Hall taken by Eric and Tim Pugh. We had intended that the setting should be in the Castle garden but wind and rain prevented this. The previous group photograph of M.U. members was taken in the Castle garden about 80 years ago, showing a grim-faced group of hatted ladies staring fixedly at the camera- we think our new photo should be somewhat different!
Our next meeting will be for the Wave of Prayer on Monday, 23rd August from 4.00 to 5.00pm at Diana’s, Nant-yr-Hafod, Brook Street, Hay.
Thelma Ballance-Phillips
Some pictures from our celebrations
June Pugh outside St. Mary's with the MU banner |
 Diana Jones leaving the service with some of the guests |
The tea at The Parish Hall |
The Celebration cake made by Diana Jones |
 The members of Hay Mothers' Union celebrate the 100 years |
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Our programme for the remainder of 2010
Mon. 23rd Aug.
4 to 5pm “Wave of Prayer”
At Diana’s, Nant-yr-Hafod, Brook Street.
Mon. 20th Sept.
7pm
Deanery Festival at St. Gwendoline’s Church, Llyswen.
Tue. 12th Oct.
7pm Talk by Mrs. Hazel Marshall
(wife of our Dean)
“Through the Vicarage window”
At June’s, Claremont, Castle Gardens
Tues. 9th Nov.
7pm Programme planning
At Thelma’s, 1, Gwynn’s Houses
St. Mary’s Road.
Thu. 2nd Dec.
7pm Christmas Celebration
At Diana’s, Nant yr Hafod, Brook St. Hay