Parish News
On Wednesday, 4th July 2012 there will be a Service of Celebration at St Paul’s
Church at 7pm to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Mothers’ Union at St Paul’s,
Seaton Sluice and the Bedlington Deanery Festival. This Service is open to all
our parishioners and refreshments will be served afterwards.
The following history of the MU in the Parish of Delaval, has been drawn from
the Parish Archives, as well as tales from Betty Tait’s ‘Memory Lane’.
In 1891, when the Parish of Delaval was split from the Parish of Earsdon, the Revd.
George Jackson was appointed vicar of the new Parish. In his letters for the Delaval
Parish Magazine he wrote passionately about marriage and the responsibilities of
parenthood. It was therefore no surprise to read from our parish archives that in April
1893 a new branch of the Mothers’ Union was formed. He commended the Society to
the “earnest consideration of all Mothers in the Parish, because a mother’s example is a
wonderful power either for good or evil”. An extract from the Member’s Daily Prayer
reads: “Pour out Thy Holy Spirit on my dear husband and children, Make our home a
home of peace and love, and may we so live on earth, that we may live with Thee for
ever in Heaven”.
St Michael’s Brownies:
The Brownie pack at St Michael’s has once again come to the aid of the parish, by
donating the money that is needed to repair the fence and gate at St Michael’s. This is
not the first occasion that they have donated funds; in fact it is the latest in a long list of
donations. The whole parish owes these young girls and their pack leaders a big vote of
thanks for all the help they have given in the past and a vote of appreciation for all of
the support I am sure we will continue to receive from them in the future.
Church of Our Lady Volunteers:
As many of you may know the Friends of the Church Of Our Lady put out an appeal via a
large leaflet drop all over the parish, for volunteer guides to help with the opening of the
Church of Our Lady. The guide numbers had depleted over the years and there was a
very real danger of the church not being able to open its doors to the public. The leaflet
drop was a success not only have new guides already helped to bolster the ranks but the
plight of the church of our lady was highlighted to many members of the local
community. This means the church can be opened for another season, but as ever the
need for more volunteers is on-going, for as each year passes many of the original
volunteers find they can no longer continue with guide duties, therefore it is important to
try to keep increasing the numbers of new guides, so if there is anyone out there who
has maybe thought about helping but not got around to it yet, please contact the’
friends’. Secretary: Peter Swaddle 0191 2370931.