President's Letter
Dear members and friends,
It has been such a pleasure welcoming our World Wide President Mrs Rosemary Kempsell to the Diocese of Portsmouth.
On a beautiful spring Sunday afternoon we set off for Gosport, where Rev Ted and Liz Goodyer had invited us to tea, it was such a surprise, seeing all the Gosport leaders sitting there. We all enjoyed a delicious tea and then walked over to the church and took part in choral evensong where Rosemary gave the address. Afterwards she chatted with members and saw their projects.
On Monday 18th the Chaplain Barry collected us both very early to travel to the Isle Of Wight to share in their annual Quiet Day at Carisbrooke Priory led by the Rev Chris Lane. He has a wonderful gift musically, as he played and sang we felt transported to heaven and joined the heavenly angels, singing and praying. Chris spoke very movingly about his theme “the point of it all”. He went on to suggest how hurt we sometimes feel when unkind things are said and happen to us. We must pray about it and always forgive and forget.
In the evening we enjoyed a supper with the AFIA team and a few friends at my home.
Tuesday morning the bluebells looked so beautiful in the woods as we drove to Botley for Rosemary to see the “Flutterbies” mother and toddler group having fun and enjoyed a beautiful cake in the shape of a butterfly, made by one of the mothers.
Later she met the members of the Bishops Waltham and Fareham Deaneries and saw some of their excellent projects, we had lunch with them and she spoke to them about her work around the world.
Then to Catherington where she met members from the Havant and Petersfield Deaneries and enjoyed a delicious tea. Rosemary spoke about her work and circulated around the room seeing their many projects.
In the evening we joined the Church of the Holy Spirit in Southsea for their Evening Mass where we met up with members of the Portsmouth Deanery. She enjoyed seeing their projects, spoke about her work worldwide, and also a lady from the Portsmouth Refuge spoke about her work (which we support with toiletry needs). Later Rosemary joined the Trustees for dinner.
On the 20th April we held our Annual Diocesan Festival Eucharist service at Portsmouth Cathedral where we were honoured to have Bishop Christopher and Rosemary with us, she gave the address about her work in various parts of the world. Afterwards she was thrilled to receive our gift to her of a porcelain trinket box, hand painted by a local artist, on the lid in colour our MU Diocesan Banner, with Portsmouth Cathedral and Spinnaker Tower on either side. Rosemary was able to chat with lots of people and we enjoyed seeing all the beautiful banners. Later we went to Cathedral House to join their lent lunch. Finally after a cup of tea at with me she drove home. My heartfelt thanks to all of you who helped make this a memorable visit.
I am very much looking forward to this summer when I will be visiting lots of branches to join in their strawberry teas etc, and of course our AFIA Fete at Denmead on the 16th July from 10.30am - 3.30pm, there is a free car park just near the church.
This year 21 of us will be travelling to Edinburgh for the AGM. It is always a very interesting and inspiring time.
I hope you all have a lovely summer and enjoy the sunshine.
May God bless you all,
Sheila