< Women's Network 21st Birthday Party at Buckley Cross Methodist Church





It’s just about twelve months now since the North and South Wales districts became one and re-named themselves the Wales Synod, the two Women’s Network organizations were given the option of deciding whether to become one or remain more or less as they were. We each chose to remain autonomous since the distance in miles precluded us from having really successful whole Synod events. However we are not totally oblivious of each other and have communicated with each other very loosely meeting mostly at the annual Women’s Network Conference at Swanick.

However we now welcome Mary Williams, (formerly South Wales District Network President) - into our District, she and her Minister husband Alf, have moved to Bangor from South Wales which will give us a new member with roots in both the South and North.

< Mary is pictured 2nd from the right in the second row




Network North has had a busy year beginning with our Annual English Welsh day, on October 10th which this year was hosted by the English sector and took place at Berea Newedd Church in Bangor




< Carol. Ann. Dorothy & Sheila, arriving at Berea Newedd >




The day was ably organized by Jean Owen. The Presenter for the day was Pat Preston and after our opening devotions the morning was given over to Nia Higginbotham our Training and Development officer who spoke about working together in a bi-lingual area, she concluded her discourse by setting us all a quiz, to test our knowledge of our North Walian heritage. After a trying time for our brains we adjourned for a well earned lunch before meeting again in the afternoon to hear Sandra Lewer retiring Connexional President speak of her journeys during her presidential year, she concluded the day with worship and everyone enjoyed a sumptuous afternoon tea, prepared by the ladies of Bangor Methodist Church.

An evening to remember was our “Music for Change evening, which focused upon the Eight United nations Millennium Development Goals and was co-ordinated by Audrey Sherrington.


< Audrey Introduces

We met at Abergele, on 15th November, when everyone was warmly welcomed by Norma Boocock and Pat Preston and each church was invited to participate by bringing along a musical item which suitably matched each goal. We had fun and there was sadness too, and although we accepted the seriousness of the Colwyn Bay song and dance, it proved to be a hugely enjoyable evening.

St John’s Colwyn Bay > Contribution




On the 14th of February, Valentine’s Day, it was suggested that all the churches in our part of the Synod hold a “Love Thy Neighbour” Coffee Morning. These coffee mornings were extremely well supported and one church decorated it’s tables with heart shaped balloons, served warm scones, also heart shaped and pretty little buns covered in pink icing. Two heart shaped iced cakes were auctioned by the Rev. Ruth Tyson, the largest one going for £10. A Valentines quiz was prepared to keep everyone busy, and there were also Bible texts on display expressing the diversity with which we can express love for one another. The district funds were swelled by around £500, in one day! And gave a much needed boost towards training and conference funds

The Easter Offering weekend on 26th & 27th April was well attended, this was not strictly a Synod event but all were invited and those not holding their own Easter offering came along to St David’s Crag Y Don. Sunday afternoon activities included craft, singing and circle dancing. These became part of the worship. The Saturday was given over to Missions; there were stalls and displays of handicrafts and a treasure hunt, enjoyed by all. The Service of Easter Offering on Sunday evening was a very moving and meaningful occasion and a generous amount forwarded to Connexional Network office for distribution.

In June we met in Buckley, to celebrate 21 years of Women’s Network, we were welcomed very warmly by Rev Trevor Pratt and the Service was co-ordinated by Francis Williams, the preacher was Jean Owen. Jean had just lost Tegwyn her dear husband, it was a very moving experience to see her standing, able still, to speak for the Lord Jesus and to see the love of God radiating from her, despite her recent bereavement. Shirley White took up the reigns after a lovely lunch, which the ladies of Buckley had so willingly provided. She taught us some new songs, and we made a loud noise with our percussion instruments. Norma Boocock outlined the proposed independence of Women’s Network and how it would function and asked for everyone’s prayers for the future of the organization. Our day became complete with the distribution of a celebratory 21st Birthday Cake beautifully prepared and iced by Margaret Chisholm our treasurer.

The Bangladesh Street Children’s Project and the Sierra Leone Women’s Education Project have been our ongoing fundraising concerns and a total of £5,600, has been raised by the various Women’s Network groups throughout out the Northern Section.

Our Methodist Church year begins again in a few short weeks, and our secretary Carol Lambert is busy reminding us all of our next committee meeting, where Mary Williams will be showing her DVD of the South Wales Portuguese project about which we hope our members will be enthusiastic, and may decide to work with Network South to further the cause. We will be discussing our participation in the next English Welsh event to be held in Caernarfon and hosted by the Welsh speaking sector. We also look forward to our planned Retreat Day which Jean is planning for Monday 1st December at Regent St Church Wrexham.

If anyone has been interested in any of our “doings” over the last year, may we very warmly invite you to join us either in Caernarfon or at Wrexham in December, there will be lots of other interesting events in which you can participate. Please either e,mail our secretary Carol Lambert at, cartref@f37morton.fslife.co.uk or Tel: 01745 585417. Or Norma Boocock at, normaboocock@hotmail.com or Tel: 01745 826243.