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.
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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.
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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
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completed by 30 September. The officials will commence their term of office on: I
January 2023
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AREA CHAIRMEN The Diocesan Council shall elect the Area Chairmen to
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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: 028 2563 1303
Email: mupresident.connor@gmail.com
EX-OFFICIO VICE-PRESIDENT
Nadine Davison
Bishop's House
27 Grange Road
Doagh BALLYCLARE
BT39 ORQ
Tel:
Email: nadinedavison@googlemail.com
DIOCESAN CHAPLAIN {Ex-Officio)
The Venerable R Stephen McBride
10 Vicarage Gardens
Station Road
Antrim BT414JP
Tel:
Email: archdeacon@connor.an
lican.or
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION UNIT
VICE-PRESIDENT
Jean Sherldan
11 Mamiont Crescent
BELFAST
BT4 2GQ
Tel: 028 9593 6378
Email:
ean.sheridanLntlwor5d:com
UNIT CO-ORDINATOR
Alberta Miskimrnin
l Kingsland Park
BELFAST
BT5 7FB
Tel: 028 9079 8033
Email: albertamiskimmin@hotmail.com
DIOCESAN SECREfARY
Irene Gates
9 Castle Park
ANTRIM
BT 414LT
Tel: 028 9446 6430
Email:mothersunion.connor
mail.com
DIOCESAN TREASURER
Emma Ferns
33 Vaddegan Road
NEWTOWNABBEY
BT36 75W
Tel: 028 9084 3215107803 728609
Email: emmaferris1993
btinternet.com

FAITH & POLICY UNIT
V1CE-PRESIDE￿r
Evelyn Lewls
145 Mountsandel Road
COLERAINE
BT52 ITA
Tel: 028 7034 0929
Em3il:evel n.lewisl
btinternet.com
UNIT COORDINATOR
Joyce Bond
3 Rectory Green
BROUGHSHANE
BT42 4LH
Tel: 028 2586 1415
Email:
ce bond
btinternet.com
AcnoN & OUTREACH UNIT
VICE-PRESIDEhrr
Alison Skillen
25 Berkeley Hall square
LISBURN
BT27 5TB
Tel: 028 9267 0257
Email: a.skillen5560@gmail.com
UNIT CO-ORDINATOR
VACANT
FUNDRAISING & COMMUNICATIONS UNIT
VICE-PRESIDENT
Geraldlne Montgomery
12 Carncoole Park
BELFAST
BT14 8JU
Tel: 028 90715778
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
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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.
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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.
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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-
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Ireland President are sent for 80 90 95 and 100 and IO0+ birthdays and from the
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Worldwide President for 80 90 and 100 birthdays. Members also received cards for
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their 40 ,50 , 60 , 65 and 70 Wedding Anniversaries.
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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.
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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
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