NEWS FOR WOMEN Mothers’ Union Holds Anniversary Festival

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28157, 21 December 1956, Page 2

NEWS FOR WOMEN Mothers’ Union Holds Anniversary Festival

On the lawns of Bishopscourt. Park terrace, where the first Mothers’ Union festival in Christchurch was held 60 years ago, more than 1000 women from many parts of Canterbury and the West Coast met yesterday to celebrate the diamond jubilee festival of the organisation. The union’s festival is usually observed in February, but it was held yesterday to coincide with the centenary celebrations of the Diocese of Christchurch. The day began with a special Holy Communion service in the Christchurch Cathedral, attended by about 1100 women. To serve such a large number it was necessary to use three altars, the third of which was put up for the occasion at the head of the north transept. A procession of between 50 and 60 women, each carrying the banner of her union and wearing a blue head veil, followed the diocesan president of the union (Mrs A. K. Warren) up the main aisle of the Cathedral. Mrs Martin Sullivan led a choir of 50 women into the chancel. The Primate of New Zealand (Archbishop Owen) gave a short address. The Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren) was the celebrant, assisted by the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. Martin Sullivan), the Rev. Canon W. A. Orange, and other clergy.

Many mothers left their children at Bishopscourt during the morning while they attended the jubilee service. The children had their own carol service in the grounds of Bishopscourt. It was conducted by the Rev. R. Lowe and the Rev. J. Vincent. Very small children were cared for at the home of Dr. and Mrs C. T. Hand Newton, who live next door. After the service in the Cathedral, mothers returned to Bishopscourt, where they had a picnic luncheon with their children. Several parties took shelter from the sun under a huge sycamore tree, which was there when the first Eishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. H. J. C. Harper) and Mrs Harper were in residence. Each child was given a badge as a memento pf the centenary of the Diocese of Christchurch. Welcoming members of the Mothers’ Union to Bishopscourt, Mrs Warren paid tribute to many country women who had left home by bus at 6.45 a.m. She reviewed the 60 years’ history of the organisation, challenging members to expand the work of the union and to open more branches, particularly in new housing areas.

In 1901, the union had 1152 members, and at present it had 2606 members, plus 1400 members in Young Wives’ Groups, said Mrs Warren. Compared with the population of the diocese in 1901 and that of today, the increase was not big enough.