Mary Sumner, the founder of the Mothers' Union (see photo), has left behind a grand legacy, sowing the seeds of ideas that have led to a movement which now spans the globe, supporting many thousands of people each year.Her vision was a world in which women could hold their rightful place in society. A vision of women as empowered, not only to be equal to men, but to provide firm support to each other in their roles and responsibilities.Mary Heywood was born in Swinton, a suburb of Manchester, in 1828. Her family moved to Herefordshire and Mary was educated at home by her parents.In 1848 she married a young curate, George Sumner. He was the son of the Bishop of Winchester. In 1851 George became the Rector of Old Alresford in Hampshire. As she brought up her own three children Mary became increasingly aware that mothers received no real support from the Church. In 1876 she began holding 'Mothers' Union' meetings in the parish, aiming to unite mothers of all social classes in bringing up their children in the Christian faith.Baptism and parental example were its two basic principles. At first just a parochial organisation it grew into a worldwide concern, encouraging the ideal of a Christian home. This process began in 1885 with a speech Mary gave at a conference in Portsmouth and gave rise to the MU as a national organisation.It enjoyed a remarkable and rapid growth into a world-wide society which today can boast over 1million members. While there is no MU branch in Dunsfold these days, women and men can join the Mothers' Union group at St Nicolas Church, Cranleigh.Mary Sumner died in Winchester on August 9th 1921.
St Peter's Church, Hascombe will launch their Zoom link for tomorrow's 10 am joint Holy Communion. The celebrant is Reverend Rutton Viccajee.Just click on the link below to join the service. You'll see that Simon Crowther is the host in what will be a first for Hascombe Church.A special salute to Colin Swait, Reverend Rutton and Simon Crowther who have worked tenaciously to make this happen. We wish them every success.Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/81114902970?pwd=U1JtRHAvdTZuT2FXRmw2THpKQ2xaZz09Meeting ID: 811 1490 2970 Passcode: 362917
TWO listed church buildings — Christ Church (see photo), Cheylesmore, in south Coventry, and Calvary Charismatic Baptist Church, Tower Hamlets, in east London — have been upgraded from Grade II to Grade II* to mark the 70th anniversary of the Festival of Britain this summer.Only 5.8 per cent of listed buildings are Grade II*, deemed to be of more than special interest. Two other churches — St John’s, Waterloo, and St Mary and St Joseph, in Tower Hamlets — are among seven sites, including the Royal Festival Hall, whose list entries have been updated by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to recognise officially their connections with the Festival.The Festival of Britain ran from May to September 1951, attracted eight million visitors, and promoted British design, science, technology, architecture, industry, and the arts. Historic England’s chief executive, Duncan Wilson, said: “It raised the spirits of the British people following the austerity of World War II, and showcased Britain’s innovation to the rest of the world.“The Festival had a major influence on design and architecture, and its legacy can still be seen today in our buildings and public artworks. We are delighted to be able to celebrate the Festival as it reaches its 70th anniversary, and we hope that people will continue to appreciate its legacy for years to come.”
A statue of the Queen to be placed in York Minster, the design of which will be chosen by Her Majesty herself, has been given planning approval.It will be installed in an empty niche at the west front of the Minster to mark her Platinum Jubilee in 2022.Although approved, the council wants to see the final design once it has been selected by the Queen. The details of the sculpture are a closely guarded secret and will be revealed at a public event next year.</span>It will be carved by York Minster's own stonemasons and has been described as a "symbol of hope" in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic.The statue will overlook a new public square, proposed for Duncombe Place, to be called Queen Elizabeth Square, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.A York Minster report on plans for the statue and square says they are part of a project that will "signal the recovery and resurgence of the city from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic and as a symbol of hope".A planning notice said the sculpture "will facilitate some repair work to the existing west front of the Minster while also being an addition to the overall history and story of York Minster and its purpose".It added: "The west front already contains figures of saints, powerful figures in the church and secular figures."The proposals to include a sculpture of the sovereign would continue this theme, as they are at the head of the Church of England."The statue also needs approval under the Care of Cathedrals Measure Act, monument consent and approval from the Queen.
