Women's Group
Vicky Brooke, Women's Group Co-ordinator writes:
Looking back over recent times, there have been some changes to this group. Having started as the ‘Mothers’ Union’ a couple of years ago, we found we had not been able to engage with the wider Mothers’ Union community or take part in any of their mostly daytime events. We also realised that for the congregation at St Michael's, despite protestations that ‘you don't have to be a mother to join’, the title ‘Mothers’ Union’ had put off a number of people from sampling what was on offer. As a result we decided to be honest about what we are – and that is a women's group - so we re-designated ourselves in late 2009.
We meet from 8 to 10pm on the first Wednesday of the month in the Parish Hall. All are welcome at any of our meetings, the dates of which are set out below.
The first part of the meeting is a relaxed informal opportunity to get to know each other a little better, unlike Sunday mornings when we tend to be busy, often preoccupied and sometimes have time for only a quick ‘hello’. Our Wednesday meetings are a chance to have a more relaxed conversation, to solicit support, to give support and encouragement, or just talk. The second part of our meeting focuses on either an invited speaker or one of us will choose a topic dear to our hearts for discussion. We try to let people know in advance what this element of the meeting will be through e-mails and the pew sheets. At some point in the evening there is a time for prayer.
For those who have not been before, we currently have about 12 regular members and – in order to dispel some popular misconceptions – we cover quite a few decades, we are not all married or mothers, nor do we spend all our time talking about babies!
In 2009 we also hosted the Festival Mass Lunch and more recently a Lent Lunch in the Church Hall. We’ve discussed a range of topics including ‘what Christmas means to me’, preparing for death, assisted suicide, forgiveness and tolerance.
If you'd like more information or would like to join us, do come along to a meeting or contact me, Vicky Brooke, via the Parish Office.
Meeting dates for 2010
(meetings take place on Wednesdays in the Parish Hall, beginning at 8pm with drinks and nibbles)
March 3rd - Raphael Room
April 14th - Raphael Room
May 5th - Gabriel Room
June 9th - venue to be confirmed
July 7th - venue to be confirmed
NO MEETING in August
September 8th - Raphael Room
October 6th - Raphael Room
November 3rd - Raphael Room
December 1st - Raphael Room