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News
Castleblayney Church of Ireland Hosts Diocese Mothers' Union Service
Mrs Ethel Coulter Branch Leader Revd Anita Kerr and Mr Walter Pringle Diocesan Pastoral Assistant
St Maeldoids Parish Church of Ireland, Castleblayney, was the venue for the southern area of the Diocese of Clogher Mothers' Union Service on Friday, 2nd May 2014. The service was led by Mr Walter Pringle and the speaker was Revd Anita Kerr, Diocesan Curate in the Grouped Parishes of Galloon, Sallaghy & Drummully. The Organist was Miss Charlotte Adair and the choir of First Castleblayney and Frankford Presbyterian Church lead the singing and sang two pieces "In Times Like These I Need a Saviour" and "Amazing Grace".
Presentations to Mrs Ethel Coulter Mrs Harriet Hill Dr Margaret Knox and Mrs Audrey Hill.
It was a very important event in the calendar of the Mothers' Union, an organisation which provides Christian care for families across the world. At the service long service certificates were presented to four members of the Ballybay Branch (Ballybay, Clontibret & Muckno) which hosted the service, Mrs Ethel Coulter, Mrs Harriet Hill and Mrs Audrey Hill (Castleblayney). A fourth long service member, Mrs Shirley Rusk, was unable to attend. The presentation of the long service certificates were made by the Diocesan President, Dr Margaret Knox, who expressed her pleasure at being in the County where her father grew up. The local branches of the Mothers Union, Donagh; Drum with Ematris Group; Galloon and Sallaghy and Monaghan Group of Parishes were among those represented and their respective banners were on display in addition to the Clogher Diocesan banner.
Members of the Mothers Union from across the Diocese
In her address Revd Kerr spoke of the work of the Mothers' Union and the realisation of members' that in addition to material support and care their children needed spiritual welfare and they recognised the value of having an organisation where mothers could meet and support each other in Christian fellowship.
Dr Knox, at the recent Council meeting said "The Mothers Union theme for 2014 is Sowing the Future Together' and we have the privilege of working alongside others and to gain help and support from one another. We need to sow the future together where God's love is shown through loving, respectful and flourishing relationships and through Christian faith so that communities worldwide can be transformed and stable marriage, family life and children can be protected. No matter how small our branch is we should never feel isolated. We are all part of a team with different aptitudes. Jesus was a team person and his disciples shared many different gifts. We all live and work in a community. Let us reach out into these communities and reach out with hands across the world to sow the seeds of the kingdom".
Following the service members had the opportunity to chat together whilst enjoying a light supper which was served in the church.
Banners from Ballybay Group Donagh Clogher Diocesan Drum Ematris Group Galloon Sallaghy Monaghan