St. George’s Cullercoats MU Branch Leader’s report to St. George’s Annual Parish Meeting for year ended 31 December 2025
I completed a 4th year as Branch Leader, following a new theme for 3 years: Join us! Join In!
Our branch programme for 2025 included 7 afternoon or evening meetings with a speaker and discussion, plus our usual Preparation for Advent to which we invited ladies from several of our neighbouring churches.
We also enjoyed our strawberry tea in the vicarage back garden in July. Three of us were privileged to meet our new Worldwide President Kathleen Snow last summer, when she visited the MU Something Wonderful outreach project in Benwell.
In our Parish, MU support at Baptism services has continued, together with serving light refreshments after the weekly Thursday morning Eucharist. Both these activities provide valuable outreach. As Branch Leader, I was invited to sit on PCC, and subsequently on the Pastoral Committee. Before Fr. Adrian retired in June 2024, he asked me to respond to baptism inquiries and arrange dates for the ceremony. 9 children and 3 adults were baptised during the year. Helen Brunton also continues the more onerous task of managing church wedding bookings.
As Branch Leader I am still on the Pastoral committee, and very much value the support that committee, and in particular Margaret Patterson, gives me.
We started the year with 33 members. 3 Members moved into care homes. Our average attendance at meetings is still under 20, but we are very good between us at keeping in touch with all members with communications, visits, and most importantly our prayers.
Branch members remain involved in the life of the church and the local community, and support diocesan and national MU projects. Many thanks to members of St. George’s congregation who have supported us, in particular with the MU Annual Christmas Appeal for the Newcastle People’s Kitchen.
We look forward to celebrating the 150th anniversary of the founding of Mothers’ Union in 2026 –
WATCH THIS SPACE!
Ann Lilley