2022-12-31-annual-report

NIC101658 Mothers, Christian care for f arnilies T)ioc.p.se ol" onnor Diocesan Annual Report for 2022 CONTENTS INTRODucfioN AIM & OBJEcfs OF MOTHERS, UNION STRU￿uRE OFTHE DIOCESE and MEMBERSHIP LIST OF TRUSTEES FINANCIAL INFORMATION DIOCESAN ACTIVITIES

INTRODUCTION The Diocese of Connor is located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and Stretches from Ballycastle on the North Antrim Coast to Llsburn, south of Belfast. Derry rftagee eho•d Tyrone Du O￿lhI￿ 10 The Diocese is a mix of seaside, rural and city life. The Diocese has 72 parishes and Mothers, Union has 43 branches spread across the Diocese. The Diocese operates through 6 areas, each with an area chairman: North Connor, Mid Connor, East Connor, Mid Belfast, South Belfast, Lisburn and Derriaghy AIM & OBJECTS OF THE MOTHERS, UNION The aim and purpose of the of the MU is to demonstrate the Christian faith in action by the transformation of communities worldwide through promoting stable marriage, nurturing family life. Mothers, Union members do this by working towards five objects: Promoting and supporting marriage. Encouraging parents to bring up their children in the faith and life of the Church. Maintaining a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship, and service. Promoting conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children. Helping those whose family life has met with adversity.

MU MISSION STAfEMENr.. The Mothers, Union is an International Christian membership charity which promotes the well-being of families worldwide. Our vision is to bring about a world where God's love is shown through lovin& respectful and flourishing relationships. We achieve this by: developing prayer and spiritual growth in families studying and reflecting on family life and marriage and their place in society resourcing our members to take practical action to improve conditions for families, both nationally and in the communities in which they live STRUCTURE OF DIOCESE Membershi Connor Diocese has 944 members- 903 ordinary members, 37 Indoor Members and 4 Diocesan members in 43 branches. DIOCESAN PRESIDENT The Diocesan President, in accordance with the direction of All Ireland Council, shall be elected to commence her term of office on the First day of January in the year preceding the triennial elections. A term of office shall be three years with possible election to a further three years. DIOCESAN VICE-PRESIDENTS There shall be four elerted Vice-Presidents who will be invited by the Diocesan President to take a particular interest in a specific unit. If still resident in Connor Diocese, the immediate Past Diocesan President shall be invited to attend meetings of the Trustee Board and Executive Committee for one year following her completed term of office. The spouse of the Bishop of Connor shall be invited to attend Diocesan Council. The Bishop or Chaplain appointed by him/her shall be invtted to attend Trustee Board meetings, Executive Committee meeting5 and Diocesan Council without voting rights. MEMBERSHIP OF DIOCESAN COUNCIL The Diocesan Council shall consist of the following:

The Diocesan President, the Immediate Past Diocesan President, the Bishop or Chaplain appointed by him/her. the spouse of the Bishop of Connor, four Diocesan Vice-Presidents, Diocesan Secretary, Diocesan Treasurer, Unit Coordinators and Contscts, Area Chairman and Secretaries, Area Representatives of all Diocesan Units, Branch Chairmen, Branch Secretaries and a Young Member from each branch. and MU representatives on other organisations. Any member serving the Society beyond the diocese will also be invited to attend. Diocesan Members will be invited to attend. The Diocesan President should be advised of all Unit and sub-committee meetings. MEETINGS OF DIOCESAN COUNCIL The Diocesan Council shall meet at least twice per year. A special meeting of the Council may be called at the discretion of the Diocesan President. If the Honorary Secretary receives a request by fifteen members of Council to discuss specific business, a special meeting will be called for that purpose only. NOTICE OF MEETINGS Not less than fourteen days, notice shall be given of the meeting of the Diocesan Council. VOTlhlG A member of Council who holds more than one office may vote only once. NOTICE OF MOTIONS If a member wishes a specific item to be discussed at Council, notice must be given to the Diocesan President at least three weeks in advance of the meeting. TERMS OFSERVICE All Diocesan Officials including the Secretary and the Treasurer shall serve for a term of three years and shall then be eligible to serve for a further term. They shall be ineligible for re-election to the same office if they have already senied in it for six years, either consecutively or at inteNals. A member may be co-opted to fill a casual vacancy for the remainder of the term for which the person replaced was elected. The co-opted member shall be eligible to be nominated for a further triennial. However, if the remainder of the casual vacanvi is less than one year, the co-opted member shall be eligible to be nominated for two triennials. st All voting must be completed by l October and subsequently at three-year intervals. Each narne included in the voting paper must have received a minimum of three nominations.

The Diocesan Officials, with the exception of the President. shall commence their term of office from the first day of January in the year following their election. The Triennial Elethons will be held asfollows.. DIOCESAN PRESIDEhrr Elected in previous year and will commence her term of office on: I'january 2022 DIOCESAN OFFICIALS Nominations will be invited in early September and voting to be th completed by 30 September. The officials will commence their term of office on: I January 2023 st AREA CHAIRMEN The Diocesan Council shall elect the Area Chairmen to st commence their term of office on the First Day of January of each triennial: l January 2023 AREA SECRETARIEsftREASURERs/REPRESENTATIVES The Area Secretaries, Treasurers and Area Unit Representatives shall be elected by the Area Committee and shall ommence their term of office on the First day of January of each triennial: l January 2023. BRANCH OFFICIALS to be elected triennially and commence theii term of office on: st l January 2023. If a member holds a position at Diocesan level, she may also hold an All-lreland position in the same Unit. All office bearers shall be communicant members of Church of Ireland or of a church in communion herewith. MANAGEMENT The affairs and finance of the Diocese shall be managed by a Trustee Board elected by Council. The Trustee Board shall debate, consider and determine all matters of policy and strategy to be affected on behalf of Connor Diocese. They will monitor, review and evaluate the work of the Society in the diocese. They will review, consider and respond to all resolutions received from Diocesan Council, together with reports and recommendations from Council and the Unit Co-ordinating bodies. Diocesan cheques should be signed by 2 from 3 si8natoiie5 to the account. Where possible one of the signatories should be Diocesan President

DIOCESAN TRUSTEE BOARD The Trustee Board shall meet as required but not less than twice per year. Any additional meetings of the Trustee Board may be called at the discretion of the Diocesan President. Seven members shall constitute a quorum. MEMBERSHIP OF THE TRUSTEE BOARD The Diocesan Trustee Board shall consist of the following: The Diocesan President, the immediate past Diocesan President for one year, Bishop of Connor, or Chaplain, Diocesan Wice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Unit Coordinators. The Trustee Board shall have power to invite members to attend for a Specific purpose and for a specific period, in order to report, advise or represent Mothers. Union policy. Representation on other organisations shall be determined by the Trustee Board.

TRUSTEE BOARD st st Trustee Board Members l January 2020 - 31 December 2022 DIOCESAN PRESIDENT Sally Cotter 33 Deerfin Road BALLYMENA BT42 4HP Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] EX-OFFICIO VICE-PRESIDENT Nadine Davison Bishop's House 27 Grange Road Doagh BALLYCLARE BT39 ORQ Tel: Email: [e-mail] DIOCESAN CHAPLAIN {Ex-Officio) The Venerable R Stephen McBride 10 Vicarage Gardens Station Road Antrim BT414JP Tel: Email: [e-mail] lican.or FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION UNIT VICE-PRESIDENT Jean Sherldan 11 Mamiont Crescent BELFAST BT4 2GQ Tel: [phone] Email: ean.sheridanLntlwor5d:com UNIT CO-ORDINATOR Alberta Miskimrnin l Kingsland Park BELFAST BT5 7FB Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] DIOCESAN SECREfARY Irene Gates 9 Castle Park ANTRIM BT 414LT Tel: [phone] Email:mothersunion.connor mail.com DIOCESAN TREASURER Emma Ferns 33 Vaddegan Road NEWTOWNABBEY BT36 75W Tel: [phone] 3215107803 728609 Email: emmaferris1993 btinternet.com

FAITH & POLICY UNIT V1CE-PRESIDE￿r Evelyn Lewls 145 Mountsandel Road COLERAINE BT52 ITA Tel: [phone] Em3il:evel n.lewisl btinternet.com UNIT COORDINATOR Joyce Bond 3 Rectory Green BROUGHSHANE BT42 4LH Tel: [phone] Email: ce bond btinternet.com AcnoN & OUTREACH UNIT VICE-PRESIDEhrr Alison Skillen 25 Berkeley Hall square LISBURN BT27 5TB Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] UNIT CO-ORDINATOR VACANT FUNDRAISING & COMMUNICATIONS UNIT VICE-PRESIDENT Geraldlne Montgomery 12 Carncoole Park BELFAST BT14 8JU Tel: [phone] Email: mont ome ahoo.co.uk UNIT CO-ORDINATOR VACANT Address for corresponden￿. Diocesan Secretary: Irene Gates, 9 Castle Park, ANTRIM BT414LT WEBsrrE: ww.connormothersunion.org

MEMBERSHIP OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The Executive Committee shall consist of the following: Diocesan President, Vice Presidents, Unit Coordinators, Diocesan Secretary, Diocesan Treasurer, Representatives and Contacts from Units, Area Chairmen and Chaplain (with no voting rights). WORKING PAR TIES The Trustee Board shall have power to form working parties which may include persons other than members of the Mothers. Union, to be used in an advisory capacity. Working parties shall have specific aims and completion dates. CHILD PROTECTION POUCY. HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY A Child Protection policy shall be in place and reviewed annually. All activities and initiative5 shall be in accordance with the guidelines as specified in the Church of Ireland's Safeguarding Trust document. Under Health & Safety regulations, a risk assessment form should be completed for a venue where member5 of the public have been invited to attend a MU function. The form should be retained for one year. Forms should be completed for venues where Trustee Board. Executive Committee, Diocesan Council meetings or Area Social events are held. FINANCIAL INFORMATION AUDITORS The Diocesan Treasurer will produce an annual balance sheet on the affairs of the Society in Connor diocese, which shall be examined and audited annually by Auditors appointed by the Trustee Board. BANK: ULSTER BANK 11- 16 DONEGALL SQUARE EAST BELFAST BTI SUB AUDITOR: Ms Christine Howell 8 Ramore Park BELFAST BT 10 OFB Registerad with the Charity Commission for N. Ireland- NIC 101658

EXPENSES Once in each triennial period. the expenses of the Diocesan President. Diocesan Secretary and Diocesan Treasurer shall be reviewed to confirm that all expenses are being covered. A Unit may organise an event to the maximum amount of £500 wlthout consultation. If funding in excess of this amount be required, a detailed proposal should be made to the Finance & Administration Unit for approval. Mothers, Union shall not be used to donate branch funds for appeals on behalf of other societies without the sanction of the Diocesan President. (Reg.12, Constitution of Mothers, Union, 2002) A Branch may support the needs of its own parish but subject to the Aim, Purpose and Objects of Mothers, Union. Any material produced on behalf of MU requires the perrni55ion of Diocesan President and requires scrutiny from the All-lreland representative. Summary of Di0￿san Activities In 2022 members of Connor Diocese continued to engage in a wide range of outreach work within their communities. All these activities demonstrate support for people at different stages of their lives and reflert the Aims and Objects of Mothers. Union. In January three Diocesan trainin8 sesslons for branch treasurers and in February three sharing sessions were held, using the Zoom facility. On 19 May we had a Diocesan Movie Night in St Patricvs Ballymena. The Mothers, Union Annual Gathering was held in the International Conference Centre, Belfast on 24 September with two services in St Anne's Cathedral on the previous day. Some members from the Diocese attended the Women's Getaway in November and we also marked the Global Day for the 16 Days of Actlvism against Gender Based Violence in November. During the year one branch celebrated its th 100 anniversary and another its 80 anniversary. Prayer and worshlp underpin all activities undertaken by members. The Theme for 2022 wa5 Yransformation Now!*J. Thi5 theme was used in 311 services. In March North Connor Area held its Area Service. Our Annual Festival Service took place on 20 March in St Anne's Cathedral. Belfast. The preacher was Rev Canon Robert Deane, All- Ireland Mothers. Union Chaplain. On 24 May there was a prayer walk for members of the Trustee Board and Executive Committee. An Indoor Members, Party was held on Saturday 35 June and on I September members joined with All-lreland MU in a Quiet Evening via Zoom. io

In October Mid Belfast Area, Lisburn and Derriaghy Area and Mid Donnor Area held their Area se￿ices and North Connor held their Area Service in November. The Prayer Chain has continued to be widely used by the general public. th Indoor members continue to receive birthday cards on their 80 ,90 and 100 birthdays and also the interim years - 91 -100+ from the Diocesan President. Cards from the All- th th Ireland President are sent for 80 90 95 and 100 and IO0+ birthdays and from the th th Worldwide President for 80 90 and 100 birthdays. Members also received cards for th th their 40 ,50 , 60 , 65 and 70 Wedding Anniversaries. th PROJECTS Members continue to provide "Christian care for the Family" and fulfil the Mothers, Union Object "helping those whose lives have met with adversity, through many and varied projects. These include: Supplying emergency wash bags to patients in A&E wards in Ioc31 hospitals Providing comfort packs for relatives of patients in palliative care Knitting cardigans, hats etc. and octopus for babies in Neo-natal wards Sewing Snugglies for cribs Knitting teddies for young children in A&E wards Knitting Fiddle Muffs for dementia sufferers in nursing homes Volunteering in the Central Belfast Child Contact Centre Reading with children in Primary Schools Organising Mums and Toddlers groups Organising Knit and Natter groups Supporting Baby Basics OUTREACH AFIA Away from it All. Three families were helped using this scheme. Worldwide Members continue to generously support the Overseas Fund which 5UPPOrts the Literacy and Financial Development Programme, the Family Life Programme and the Parenting Programme. Members also support the Centenary Fund which annually gives grants of to married ordinands who have families and are studying at The Church of Ireland Theological Instttute in Dublin. li

The Dlocesan Presldent vlslted several branche5 and attend servlces durln8 the course of the year, and was encouraged by the enthuslasm of members for thelr support for Mothers. Union and the various projects. Solfy Cotter Dlocesan President Connor Mothers, Unlon. January 2022 Reglstered wlth the Charlty Commlsslon for N.1. 101658 Slgned on behalf of the Truste•s Sarah E. Cotter Diocesan Presldent Irene Gates Olocesan Secretary Date 0¥3 Slgned Date 12