Pakefield Church’s Mothers’ Union meets from 2.00 – 3.30pm in the Church Hall on the third Thursday of each month. They are a friendly group of ladies (although men may also join).  They also host and lead the Living for Life course that we run as part of our marriage preparation course.  

PAKEFIELD MOTHERS’ UNION – PAKEFIELD BRANCH

Bea was leading the service at our meeting on the 17th October but, before that, took the opportunity to say goodbye on behalf of us all to member Jean Wray as she and Albert travel back to their home town of Warrington to be near their family and also to give her a card signed by members and a gift to remind her of her many friends. The short service over, it was time for our speaker, Lorraine who is already known to most members through church events etc.

Lorraine is our church’s ordinant student, studying on-line but based at Durham University where she has just spent a study weekend with students from all over Europe. The course is two years with ordination in 2026 and maybe a curacy in Pakefield church! She reflected on people asking her “why are you doing this in your retirement age?” and the answer is simple; it is because throughout her life she has felt God calling her to do so. Complicated? Yes, because she trained to become a nurse, had a family and became a foster carer. How did it all begin? Lorraine spent her summer holidays with her grandmother and went with her to church where she had been a bellringer and various other jobs in the church. Lorraine also attended Sunday school whilst at primary school but dropped out in her teens as, by then, church was ‘not cool!’ A death in her family led her to become a nurse and to work with families who are grieving or under stress. She also shared her knowledge and expertise with students in training and guided single women with a baby who have never had a role model.

Not so long ago, it was hard for women to enter ministry but new legislation within the Church of England opened the floodgates to women over 50 years and self-supporting. Her journey with God meant she finished the course to become a Lay Minister and here she is at present in Pakefield Church. Bea thanked Lorraine for her very interesting talk on her journey and presented her with flowers.

Sheila informed members that the subscription for 2025 is £38.00 and would be grateful and also helpful for banking purposes if members could bring it at the November meeting, cheques made payable to ‘Pakefield Mothers’ Union’. She also reminded members that, as always at this time of the year, she would be asking members to give towards a Christmas gift for a child whose father is in prison and the cash needed for this and postage was collected. Sheila remarked that, for various reasons, we can’t raise funding now through coffee mornings etc. and members gave some thought to possible means of doing so. Several members wondered if we could have a raffle each meeting, something over £2.00 for prizes, but there will be the annual raffle at our meeting in December. It was also suggested we have a table at the church’s table top sale and Bea has asked Trudie for a date sometime in the New Year. It was suggested we start the monthly meeting raffle in January. Please could members save all their goodies during the next month or two for the table top sale, date to be announced. Member Lorna has volunteered to store any article that can be sold and members can contact her on 01502 511191.

Our next meeting is on the 21st November.