Thursday, October 26, 2006

Florence and Esme had enjoyed seeing the "Billy Goats Gruff" at the Theatre the day before with their Mum, Diana. Even the youngest cousins are no longer little. It was lovely to see them all. Harry playing with Knex he's growing up fast now & getting chatty. We went away this week for Half Term to visit our family Beth from Bristol is growing up and is in the top end of the juniors is looking forward to when she chooses which secondary school next year. She enjoys making things. Harry her brother, thinks it's great to be out in the garden with his Dad; messing about in his car scrunching over the apples that have fallen from their beautiful trees.

Friday, October 20, 2006

Hi I'm back

Last Christmas time our local MU groups got together to make up some Pampering Basket gift sets for the Mums who have had to take their famillies to live at the local Womens Refuges because of violent partners. Their children get gifts from the Lions/ Rotary etc but the Mums are often forgotten. This a picture taken for the local paper 8 last year after a Carol Service before all the gift baskets were taken to the refuges in time for Christmas. We are doing it all again this year! As the Mums were so moved to have been thought about at all, they thought people didn't care about them. Over the last month I have been so busy! The big thing has been starting a toddler group in the back of the church!!! After a morning of prayer with our local cluster of Mothers' Union groups based on the theme of "Answering God's Call." A couple of weeks later, our own group was challenged to set up a toddler group. Parents of children who were being baptised asked about if there could be some sort of support group to teach them how to talk about God & faith with their children. This is what MU is about is it not? But our members are not spring chickens, some are in their 80's but were encouraged by the story of Anna in the temple (Luke ch 2 v 36-38) So with advice, support from the church and lots of prayer Charlie's Angels has begun this september!! Our older members are playing an active role and we have a few other members of our church included as well. It is great fun. We meet every Thursday 1.30-3.pm lots of play & toys with a small singing/prayer/ story spot in the middle up in the Chancel; the tots all have each a little cushion to sit on with Charlie Bear beside them. Afterwards they go back down to a table for fruit & biscuit with a drink of apple juice. The adults have a lovely cup of tea when the children are playing again. All the ages get on so well together it is so wonderful. What else can I say but Thank you Lord, Jesus, for all your Love for us all.