Our new year began memorably with a service of thanksgiving and commissioning of our new Diocesan Officers at Brecon Cathedral on Saturday 23rd January 2010. The service was attended by Mothers’ Union members from throughout the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon.
We were welcomed by the Rev. Kay Warrington, the new Diocesan President and the Dean. During the service, the Lord Bishop of Swansea & Brecon, the Right Revd. John Davies, gave thanks for the retiring President Ruby Hayden, Secretary Susan Musford and Chaplain Jim Williams. The Bishop then commissioned the new President, the new Chaplain, the Rev. Mark Beaton, and seven other officers.
The Bishop’s sermon was based on the old and new testament readings from the service, in which journeys and pilgrimages were made and how Mary Sumner was inspired by her faith to form the Mothers’ Union in the hope that in our journey through life the underlying truths of trust, responsibility to others, loyalty and love, which form the basis of family life, would be strengthen and passed on.
Following the service twelve of our members lunched in Brecon.
We met on 9th February at Gwyneth’s house and welcomed our newest member, Lucy Powell. After our prayers we welcomed our speaker, Jeffery Babb who was introduced by Diana Jones.
As organist at our church we invited him to speak to us on music and he told us about his interest in music and composition from childhood, also as a choirboy and later at Oxford University. He quoted from several relevant books on the philosophy of music which affirmed his own thoughts and he stressed that all forms of art are an inspired means of communication by the artist who has something beautiful to say and the skill to convey this to the listener or observer. His enthusiasm for his subject was obvious and he was thanked by June Pugh for an informative and entertaining talk.
We concluded with refreshments kindly provided by Gwyneth and Diana.
Our next meeting will be at the Women’s World Day of Prayer at Clyro Church on Friday 5th March at 2.30 pm and on Thursday 25th March at 7pm there will be Lady Day Mass at St. Mary’s Church Hay.
Thelma Ballance-Phillips
Our programme for 2010
Sat. 23rd Jan
12 noon Commissioning of new officers and Service of Thanksgiving at Brecon Cathedral
Followed by lunch in Brecon.
Tue. 9th. Feb.
7pm Talk by Mr. Jeffery Babb : Music
At Gwyneth’s, Wenlock, Castle Gardens
Fri. 5th. March Women’s World Day of Prayer
(details later).
Thu. 25th March
7 pm Lady Day (Mass)
At St. Mary’s Church, Hay
Mon 12th April Deanery meeting at St. John’s, Hay
Speaker: Dr. J. Grigg “Babies in Africa”
Bring and Buy stall and Raffle
Sat. 22nd May
10am—4pm M.U. Council, Brecon
Tue. 8th June
7pm Coffee Evening and Bring & Buy
At Gwyneth’s, Wenlock, Castle Gardens.
(Joint Meeting with Llyswen)
Fri. 25th June
3pm Diocesan Festival, Brecon Cathedral
Preacher: Rt. Rev. John Davies
Bishop of Swansea and Brecon
July Centenary Celebration of Hay M.U.
Details later.
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
