(1) 2.00pm Llandaff Diocese Mothers’ Union Service – Thursday 7th September 2023 – YouTube

Service of Thanksgiving and Banner Festival to celebrate 130 years of Mothers’ Union in Llandaff Diocese

Gwasanaeth o Ddiolchgarwch a Gŵyl Faneri i ddathlu 130 mlynedd o Undeb y Mamau yn Esgobaeth Llandaf

Thursday 7^th September 2023 2pm     Dydd Iau 7 Medi 2023 2pm

Llandaff Cathedral

Gathering Hymn

Procession of Banners

God is working his purpose out
as year succeeds to year.
God is working his purpose out,
and the time is drawing near.
Nearer and nearer draws the time,
the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled
with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

From the east to the utmost west,
wherever foot has trod,
through the mouth of his messengers
echoes forth the voice of God:
‘Listen to me, ye continents,
ye islands, give ear to me,
that the earth shall be filled
with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.’

How can we do the work God,
how prosper and increase
harmony in the human race,
and the reign of perfect peace?
What can we do to urge the time,
the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled
with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea?

March we forth in the strength of God,
his banner is unfurled;
let the light of the gospel shine
in the darkness of the world;
strengthen the weary, heal the sick
and set ev’ry captive free,
that the earth may be filled
with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

All are efforts are nothing worth
unless God bless the deed;
vain our hopes for the harvest tide
till he brings to life the seed.
Yet ever nearer draws the time,
the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled
with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

Tune: Benson  Arthur Campbell Ainger adapted by Michael Forester

 

Welcome        Croeso         Revd Canon Marc Preece

Opening Prayer of Celebration

 As we come together in the 130^th Year of Mothers’ Union in Llandaff Diocese, we celebrate and give thanks for all that has been achieved through our action as Jesus hands and feet and voices in the world.

We celebrate and give you thanks

For the vision of Mary Sumner

We celebrate and give you thanks

For transformed families

We celebrate and give you thanks

For the vast improvement in women’s lives over the past 130 years

We celebrate and give you thanks

For the vast reduction in infant mortality

We celebrate and give you thanks

For the huge increase in the numbers of women surviving childbirth

We celebrate and give you thanks

For our new Bishop, Mary

We celebrate and give you thanks

For our Worldwide President Sheran Harper

We celebrate and give you thanks

For all our new members who will be enrolled this afternoon

We celebrate and give you thanks

For being able to be together this afternoon in our Mother Church

We celebrate and give you thanks

For the fellowship we enjoyed at this year’s Deanery Festivals

We celebrate and give you thanks

For our AFIA caravan

We celebrate and give you thanks

For our officers, trustees and unit members

We celebrate and give you thanks

For our branch leaders and committees

We celebrate and give you thanks

For your unfailing love and support to Mothers’ Union and to us as individuals

We celebrate and give you thanks

For our new and exciting future as we continue to put our Faith into Action

We celebrate and give you thanks for the past and for the future. Amen

After 130 years, we have mixed feelings about the evolving future of Mothers’ Union, so we pray for such Seasons of Change with the words provided by Mary Sumner House for Midday Prayer on Thursdays in September:

God changes times and seasons…

He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

Daniel 2:21

God of changing times and seasons

we give praise that you remain the same

whilst your mercies are ever new.

We pray for all who approach a change in season:

Where the past has been good, may they be thankful,

and filled with vision for the season ahead.

Where the past has been hard, may they know rest,

and be filled with hope for the season ahead.

Give us all grace to embrace seasons of change;

to set aside regrets and welcome fresh paths,

with trust in your unchanging love.

God of changing times and seasons

we give praise that you remain the same

whilst your mercies are ever new. Amen

Collect

Faithful and loving God, who calls us all to strive for the renewal of family life: give us the gift of your Holy Spirit, that through word, prayer and deed your family may be strengthened and your people served; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Y Colect

Dduw ffyddlon a chariadus a elwaist bob un ohonom i weithio dros adnewyddiad bywyd y teulu: rho i ni ddoniau dy Ysbryd Glân, fel trwy air, gweddi a gweithred y cyfnerthir dy deulu a gwasanaethir dy bobl; trwy Iesu Grist dy Fab ein Harglwydd, sy’n fyw ac yn teyrnasu gyda thi yn undod yr Ysbryd Glân, un Duw, nawr a hyd byth.  Amen.

The Old Testament Reading                 1 Kings 19. 9-15

Beryl Rhydderch

At that place he came to a cave and spent the night there.

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’  He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’

He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram.

This is the Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God

Hymn – O God You Search Me               

O God, you search me, and you know me.

All my thoughts lie open to your gaze.

When I walk or lie down, you are before me:

Ever the maker and keeper of my days.

You know my resting and my rising.

You discern my purpose from afar,

and with love everlasting you besiege me:

In ev’ry moment of life or death, you are.

Before a word is on my tongue, Lord,

you have known its meaning through and through.

You are with me beyond my understanding:

God of my present, my past and future, too.

Although your Spirit is upon me,

still I search for shelter from your light.

There is nowhere on Earth I can escape you:

Even the darkness is radiant in your sight.

For you created me and shaped me,

gave me life within my mother’s womb.

For the wonder of who I am, I praise you:

Safe in your hands, all creation is made new.

Words based on Psalm 139                                               Music Bernadette Farrell

Darlleniad o’r Testament Newydd                  Luc 10. 1-9

Margaret Jones

Wedi hynny penododd yr Arglwydd ddeuddeg a thrigain arall, a’u hanfon allan o’i flaen, bob yn ddau, i bob tref a man yr oedd ef ei hun am fynd iddynt. Dywedodd wrthynt, “Y mae’r cynhaeaf yn fawr ond y gweithwyr yn brin; deisyfwch felly ar arglwydd y cynhaeaf i anfon gweithwyr i’w gynhaeaf. Ewch; dyma fi’n eich anfon allan fel ŵyn i blith bleiddiaid. Peidiwch â chario na phwrs na chod na sandalau, a pheidiwch â chyfarch neb ar y ffordd. Pa dŷ bynnag yr ewch i mewn iddo, dywedwch yn gyntaf, ‘Tangnefedd i’r teulu hwn.’ Os bydd yno rywun tangnefeddus, bydd eich tangnefedd yn gorffwys arno ef; onid e, bydd yn dychwelyd atoch chwi. Arhoswch yn y tŷ hwnnw, a bwyta ac yfed yr hyn a gewch ganddynt, oherwydd y mae’r gweithiwr yn haeddu ei gyflog. Peidiwch â symud o dŷ i dŷ. Ac i ba dref bynnag yr ewch, a chael derbyniad, bwytewch yr hyn a osodir o’ch blaen. Iachewch y cleifion yno, a dywedwch wrthynt, ‘Y mae teyrnas Dduw wedi dod yn agos atoch.’

Dyma air yr Arglwydd: Diolch a fo i Dduw

The New Testament Reading                                Luke 10. 1-9

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.”

This is the Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God

The Sermon – The Right Reverend Mary Stallard, Bishop of Llandaff

Emyn / Hymn                                         

Tydi a wnaeth y wyrth, O! Grist, Fab Duw,

Tydi a roddaist imi flas ar fyw;

Fe gydiaist ynof drwy dy Ysbryd Glân,

Ni allaf tra bwyf byw ond canu’r gân;

‘Rwyf heddiw’n gweld yr harddwch sy’n parhau;

‘Rwy’n teimlo’r ddwyfol ias sy’n bywiocáu;

Mae’r haleliwia yn fy enaid i,

A rhoddaf, Iesu, fy mawrhad i Ti.

Tydi yw haul fy nydd, O Grist y groes,

yr wyt yn harddu holl orwelion f’oes;

lle’r oedd cysgodion nos mae llif y wawr,

lle’r oeddwn gynt yn ddall ‘rwy’n gweld yn awr;

Mae golau imi yn dy berson hael,

Penllanw fy ngorfoledd yw dy gael;

Mae’r haleliwia yn fy enaid i,

A rhoddaf, Iesu, fy mawrhad i Ti.

Tydi sy’n haeddu’r clod, ddihalog Un,

Mae ystyr bywyd ynot Ti dy hun;

Yr wyt yn llanw’r gwacter trwy dy air,

Daw’r pell yn agos ynot, O Fab Mair;

Mae melodïau’r cread er dy fwyn,

Mi welaf dy ogoniant ar bob twyn;

Mae’r Haleliwia yn fy enaid i,

A rhoddaf, Iesu, fy mawrhad i Ti.

Words W. Rhys Nicholas                                              Tune /Tôn  Pantyfedwen

Address by Sheran Harper, Worldwide President Mothers’ Union

Membership Service

Admission of new members

Leader: Will the members of Mothers’ Union please stand.

The mission of Mothers’ Union is to show our Christian faith by the transformation of communities worldwide, through the promotion of stable marriage, family life and the protection of children.

We aim to achieve this through carrying out our objectives:

• To encourage parents in their role to develop the faith of their

children

• To maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in

prayer, worship and service

• To promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life

and the protection of children

• To help those whose family life has met with adversity
• To promote and support married life

Leader: Membership of the worldwide Mothers‘ Union is open to all who have been baptised in the name of the Holy Trinity and who support the mission and objectives of Mothers’ Union. I ask both new and present members to join in affirming their commitment to  Mothers’ Union. Do you reaffirm your baptism promises?

All: I do, with God’s help.

Pawb: Yr wyf, gyda chymorth Duw.

Leader: Will you uphold and support the mission and objectives of  Mothers’ Union?

All: I do, with God’s help.

Pawb: Yr wyf, gyda chymorth Duw.

Leader: Will you continue to nurture your personal relationship with God and be committed to his family, the Church?

All: I will, by the grace of God.

Pawb: Gwnaf, trwy ras Duw.

Leader: (name/s)………………
I admit you to membership of  Mothers’ Union, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

The leader greets each new member, and they are given their membership card and badge.

Transferring from another Diocese:

Arweinydd: Yr ydym yn croesawu yr Esgob Mary o Esgobaeth Bangor i Esgobaeth Llandaf.

Arweinydd: Aelodau Undeb y Mamau a wnewch chi groesawu, cynnal a gweddïo dros eich gilydd? Members of Mothers’ Union, will you welcome, support and pray for each other?

Pawb: Gwnawn, yng ngrym yr Ysbryd.

           We will, in the power of the Spirit.

Leader: We commit ourselves to the work of Jesus Christ through our membership, saying together the Mothers’ Union Prayer:

Loving Lord

We thank you for your love so freely given to us all.

We pray for families around the world.

Bless the work of the Mothers’ Union as we seek to share your love through

the encouragement, strengthening and support of marriage and family life.

Empowered by your Spirit, may we be united in prayer and worship,

and in love and service reach out as your hands across the world.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen

Gweddi Undeb y Mamau

Arglwydd cariadus,

diolchwn i ti am dy gariad a roddir mor rhad i bob un ohonom.

Gweddïwn dros deuluoedd ledled y byd.

Bendithia waith Undeb y Mamau wrth i ni geisio rhannu dy gariad 

trwy hyrwyddo, cryfhau a chynnal bywyd priodasol a bywyd teuluol.

Wedi’n cyfnerthu gan dy Ysbryd, bydded i ni gael ein huno mewn

gweddi ac addoliad, ac mewn cariad a gwasanaeth estyn allan

a bod yn ddwylo i ti ar draws y byd. 

Yn enw Iesu. 

Amen. 

 

Prayer for our diocese.

Heavenly Father,

as members of this diocese we commit its life to you;

we seek your blessing in all we do:

your presence in our fellowship

your inspiration in our activities;

your strength in our service to the Church

and to the community;

help us to be faithful in prayer and worship

and outgoing in our witness to the gospel,

that we may advance your kingdom,

and glorify your name,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Gweddi dros ein hesgobaeth

Dad nefol,

fel aelodau yr esgobaeth hon fe gyflwynwn ei bywyd i ti;

ceisiwn dy fendith ar bopeth a wnawn:

dy bresenoldeb yn ein cymdeithasu

dy ysbrydoliaeth yn ein gweithgareddau;

dy nerth yn ein gwasanaeth i’r Eglwys

ac i’r gymuned;

cynorthwya ni i fod yn ffyddlon mewn gweddi ac addoliad

ac yn eofn yn ein tystiolaeth i’r efengyl

fel y gallwn hyrwyddo dy deyrnas,

a gogoneddu dy enw,

trwy Iesu Grist ein Harglwydd.  Amen.

 

 

The Peace

The Peace of the Lord be with you always

And also with you.

 

May we know peace;

peace in this world,

in our country, our communities,

peace in our families.

May we know peace in ourselves

And be givers of peace.

As peacemakers in our families,

in our communities, our countries,

peacemakers in this world. Amen

 

Let us share with one another a sign of peace.

Prayers of Intercession                

Response:

Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

Ending with the Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name,

thy kingdom come, thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

Ein Tad,

yr hwn wyt yn y nefoedd,

sancteiddier dy enw,

deled dy deyrnas,

gwneler dy ewyllys;

megis yn y nef, felly ar y ddaear hefyd.

Dyro i ni heddiw ein bara beunyddiol

a maddau i ni ein dyledion,

fel y maddeuwn ninnau i’n dyledwyr.

Ac nac arwain ni i brofedigaeth;

eithr gwared ni rhag drwg.

Canys eiddot ti yw’r deyrnas,

a’r gallu, a’r gogoniant,

yn oes oesoedd.  Amen.

Offertory Hymn                                             

All creatures of our God and King,

lift up your voice and with us sing

alleluia, alleluia!

Thou burning sun with golden beam,

thou silver moon with softer gleam:

O praise him, O praise him,

alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Thou rushing wind that art so strong,

ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,

O praise him, alleluia!

Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,

ye lights of evening, find a voice:

O praise him, O praise him,

alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
make music for thy Lord to hear,
alleluia, alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
that givest us both warmth and light:

O praise him, O praise him,

alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Dear mother earth, who day by day
unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise him, alleluia!
The flow’rs and fruits that in thee grow,
let them his glory also show.

O praise him, O praise him,

alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

And you with mercy in your heart,

forgiving others, take your part,

O sing ye, alleluia!

Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,

praise God and on him cast your care!

O praise him, O praise him,

alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

And thou, most kind and gentle death,
waiting to hush our final breath,
O praise him, alleluia!
Thou leadest home the child of God,
as Christ our Lord the way hath trod:

O praise him, O praise him,

alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Let all things their Creator bless

and worship him in humbleness,

O praise him, alleluia!

Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,

and praise the Spirit, Three in One.

O praise him, O praise him,

alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

 Words William Henry Draper                                         Tune: Easter Song

Words of Thanks by Sue Rivers Llandaff Diocesan President

Final prayers:

Loving Lord, at the end of this thanksgiving service

we will carry with us

Our past members

Our current members

Our future members

As we go out into our communities

With Joy

With Love

With Faith

With Action. Amen

 

May we sense that we are held by God

during our working week and waking hours.

 

May we seek God’s presence among us

as we continue to put our Faith into Action.

 

May we continually strive to fulfil our mission

to reach out as your hands across the world.

Blessing

Final Hymn                                              

Go forth and tell! O Church of God, awake!
God’s saving news to all the nations take;
proclaim Christ Jesus, Saviour, Lord, and King,
that all the world his worthy praise may sing.

Go forth and tell! God’s love embraces all;
he will in grace respond to all who call:
how shall they call if they have never heard
the gracious invitation of his word?

Go forth and tell where still the darkness lies;
in wealth or want, the sinner surely dies:
give us, O Lord, concern of heart and mind,
a love like yours which cares for humankind.

Go forth and tell! The doors are open wide:
share God’s good gifts let no one be denied;
live out your life as Christ your Lord shall choose,
your ransomed powers for his sole glory use.

Go forth and tell! O Church of God, arise!
Go in the strength which Christ your Lord supplies;
go tell all nations his great name adore
and serve him, Lord and King for evermore

Words: James E. Seddon                                   Music: Woodlands

Llandaff Diocesan Banner

 The Diocesan banner was designed by Mrs Evershed and was featured in an article on her School of Needlework in the Girls Own Paper.

 ‘The Diocesan Banner of Llandaff…is a particularly beautiful piece of work, with its exquisite views of the Cathedral, half hidden by the trees in the foreground.’

At the base of the banner, on either side of the Madonna lily are the coats of arms of the Mothers’ Union and the Diocese of Llandaff. The total cost of the banner was £53.8.10d paid for by a levy of 1d per member. In 1926, membership reached 6,000 with five new branches and 507 new members.

The banner was dedicated on 5^th June 1928 by the Dean of Llandaff, Revd Frederick William Worsley 

St Bride’s Major banner

The Mothers’ Union branch of St. Bride’s Major and Wick is the oldest in the Diocese of Llandaff and was started by Mrs C. E. Booker in 1891.

It is believed that she was a prolific correspondent with Mary Sumner and had many connections throughout the country.

At this time Mothers’ Union meetings were planned for the poor and run by the ladies from the big houses. There might be Bible reading, and a thrift club but the emphasis was on providing food and clothing for those whom life was a struggle.

This fact was appropriately commemorated by the naming of the treble bell ‘Bridget’ in the new ring of bells in Llandaff Cathedral in 1992. This was the gift of Llandaff Diocesan Mothers’ Union in its centenary year. (£2,500 raised)

The banner pictured here, was presented to the branch in memory of the founder and her daughter, Etta Booker, Enrolling Member, in 1919.

Diocesan Presidents

Mrs Richard Lewis           1893 – 1895

Mrs Vaughan                   1896 – 1901

Mrs William David            1901 – 1903

Mrs Mitchell                     1903 – 1906

Lady Mackworth              1907 – 1915

Lady Mather Jackson      1915 – 1921

Mrs Llewellyn                   1922 – 1935

Hon. Mrs John Bruce       1936 – 1943

Mrs Cennydd Traherne   1944 – 1952

Mrs John Cory                 1953 – 1961

Mrs Norman Ingledew     1962 – 1966

Mrs Duncan Alexander    1966 – 1970

Mrs Eric Roberts              1971

Mrs David Reece             1971 – 1976

Mrs Kate Autton               1977 – 1982

Mrs Barbara Riddett        1982 – 1988

Dr Chrystal Davies          1989 – 1994

Mrs Beryl Rhydderch       1995 – 2000

Mrs Margaret Jones        2001 – 2003

Mrs Tyann Leonard         2004 – 2009

Mrs Raye Saunders         2010 – 2015

Mrs Lynne Davies            2016 – 2018

Mrs Sue Rivers                2019 –

The Collection will be taken for projects within Llandaff Diocesan Mothers’ Union.

We would like to express our thanks to the Dean and the cathedral staff for all they have done to support and make us welcome today.

Hymns reproduced under CCL: 829936