Mothers' Union Diocese of Lichfield

Office at
The Parish Church of St Andrew and St Thomas
Doxey
Stafford
ST16 1EQ

Tel: 01785 227221
Email: mu@lichfield.anglican.org
Registered Charity 249942

Diocesan President - Mrs Elizabeth [Liz] Binsley

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Link Dioceses

Hanuato'o; Malaita; Ysabel; Central Melanesia (Melanesia)

Sunyani (West Africa)

Zonkwa (Nigeria)

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Story of the Melanesian Cross

Mrs Joan Kearly from Middlesex contacted Mary Sumner House to ask if any Mothers' Union Dioceses had links with Melanesia.

She had been given a beautiful little wooden cross, inlaid with mother of pearl, by her two friends who had been missionaries in Melanesia. When they retired they were given the cross by the Melanesian people as a reminder of their work there. Over the years her two friends had died, Joan had promised them she would look after the cross and continue praying for Melanesia. Joan herself is now elderly and wanted to pass the cross on to where it could be cherished and still remain a link with that country.

Staff at Mary Sumner House wrote back to Joan Kearly and said if she was willing, the cross could be passed on to the Diocese of Lichfield, who have links with that part of the world. Joan was very happy to do this.

We received it late autumn 2009 via Mary Sumner House and as you will see by the photograph it was Blessed at a Holy Communion service by The Revd. Paul Thomas at Doxey as part of our Trustee meeting in November. We hope to use the cross at all our major events. It will be a strong reminder to us of our links with Melanesia. Debbie Tudor our worldwide links officer has written to the Bishop of Ysabel, informing him of our great pleasure in receiving the cross. Debbie will be the keeper of the cross for the time being.