A wonderful spring day - blue skies and sunshine - we arrived at the Cathedral in good time. The organ began to play “Rejoice! The Lord is King”, as the Branch Banners paraded down the central aisle of the nave. Guests, including the High Sheriff and a representative from the police HQ at Martlesham preceded the clergy in the procession. Bishop Martin (Patron of the Diocesan MU) preached about being honest with each other and in our response to God, asking questions, and being “modern missionaries”. Trustees and Officers and Members were reaffirmed in their roles, made their promises to God and renewed their commitment to the work and values of the MU.
The Membership Affirmation was conducted by the Rev Canon Ian Wilson, our new MU Chaplain. After Communion, the banners were collected from the Sanctuary, paraded back down the nave aisle to “Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!” and out of the south door into the warm sunshine where photographs were taken on the lawn - a wonderful conclusion to a very lovely and moving service. Our thanks are extended to the Cathedral and staff for their hospitality, to clergy, to Anna and the office staff and all those who worked behind the scenes, and in particular to Rachel (the Verger and her team) and the preparation by the Trustees and Officers. Our Treasurer was admitted as a full member of MU, but best of all was the coming together of MU members and their friends and relatives from across the diocese - it made for a truly happy and memorable occasion.
