So that Mothers’ Union groups around the world can focus their prayer, Bible Study and work together next year, a series of study and prayer materials have been put together for groups to use.

An introduction to the Christian perspective of the [...]]]> The Mothers’ Union theme for 2012 is “Your gift? Discover and celebrate!”

So that Mothers’ Union groups around the world can focus their prayer, Bible Study and work together next year, a series of study and prayer materials have been put together for groups to use.

An introduction to the Christian perspective of the purpose and nature of our gifts – this could be worked through as Bible reflection for any individual, or with small groups Introduction_purpose_nature_of_gifts

All she had – a reflective Bible study on the widows mite Luke 21:1-4 All_she_had_Bible_Study

Bible characters and their gifts – some questions that could be used for a homegroup, meeting, or personal study looking at Bible characters, their gifts, and the contexts in which they were used BibleCharacters_gifts_chart_questions

The collective gifts of Mothers’ Union – an organisational exercise for Mothers’ Union groups the results of which could be usefully fed back to your Diocesan Trustee Board Discovering_your_charity’s_gift_questions

Bible reflection on five stones and five loaves – a short Biblical reflection bringing together the story of David’s victory over Goliath in 1 Samuel 17 and the feeding of ‘many’ in John 6:5-13 Five_stones_and_five_loaves

A collection of 10 prayers including some with questions and responses that could surround any work on discovering and celebrating our gifts Prayers_on_Discovering_&_Celebrating_Gifts

Scripture texts concerning how we should use our gifts – Romans 12:3-9, Ephesians 4:2-12, and 1 Peter 4:10-11 Scriptural_texts_concerning_gifts

A Bible Study including ideas for craft activities, comparing what we learn of the gifts required for the building of the tabernacle in the Old Testament with those suggested by the presence of God’s living temple, Jesus Christ with us today Tabernacle_LivingTemple_Bible_Study

A Biblical Treasure Hunt Treasure_Hunt_Bible_Study

The 'Family Life' Rose from Harkness Roses

There are two roses that are associated with Mothers’ Union, and which members and supporters sometimes seek as gifts. Recently we’ve been in the position to give them to retiring Trustees in the Diocese of Winchester, but in doing wish to make their source available [...]]]>  

The 'Family Life' Rose from Harkness Roses

There are two roses that are associated with Mothers’ Union, and which members and supporters sometimes seek as gifts. Recently we’ve been in the position to give them to retiring Trustees in the Diocese of Winchester, but in doing wish to make their source available to others.

Ransons Nurseries supply the Mary Sumner Rose. They do not have a website but can be found at 60 Cote Road, Aston, Nr Brampton OX18 2DU 01993 850521. It is best to telephone to check on their stocks. The process can be slow but have faith and your order will arrive. The roses are £5 each + £5 p and p.

The Family Life Rose is a yellow floribunda and is available from R. Harkness & Co Ltd, The Rose Garden, Cambridge Road, Hitchin, Herts SG4 0JT 0845 331 3143 www.roses.co.uk The Mother’s Union will receive a donation of 10% of net receipts of Family Life roses from the website. 

The [...]]]> Mothers’ Union has produced a fantastic new resource called “Hand in Hand”, which is has been created to help families enjoy their faith together. This resource is meant both for parents who are already strong in their faith and desire to nurture this in their children, and for those who fell less certain.

The booklet comprises a number of sections, including practical ways in which to share family spirituality and celebrate the wonder of life in good times and bad, which can be used to enable us to develop our personal and family faith and more.

Each copy cost £2.00, however discounts are available for bulk orders and can be obtained from central services via email at centralservices@themothersunion.org or telephone on 020 7222 5533.

There is more information about the booklet on this flyer which you can give to parents of all your local groups and congregations: Hand_in_Hand_flyer_2011

In the coming month we’re linked with two very family and children orientated events:

National Family Week runs from the 30th May – 5th June (across Spring Bank Holiday and half-term!) [...]]]> Families First is the name of Mothers’ Union national magazine, and it describes exactly what Mothers’ Union does – we put families first!

In the coming month we’re linked with two very family and children orientated events:

National Family Week runs from the 30th May – 5th June (across Spring Bank Holiday and half-term!) Many Mothers’ Union groups and churches will be putting events on focus on the priority everyone should give to their family life. If you want to advertise your event with a specifically Mothers’ Union flavour, then you can use our poster: MU Branch Poster May 2011

Also that week, on Sunday 5th June is a National Day of Prayer for church-based Toddler Groups! This is an initiative of the 1277 Group, of which Mothers’ Union is a partner and provides an opportunity for you to pray for your local toddler group, its leaders and all the families it comes into contact with.  ”1277 – Make them Count!” is work by the National Strategy for Christian Toddler Groups, a gathering of specialists from all the major denominations and non-denominational organizations committed to supporting the work of church-based parent and toddler groups. 1,277 is the average number of days a child has before they start nursery education.

You may like to include this prayer for the day in your church’s intercessions on that Sunday or at some child-friendly event you have organised:

Father as we seek to nurture,
develop  and encourage our children,
would you challenge us with Your love,
deepen us with your grace
and teach us with Your wisdom,
so that through us
Your kingdom comes
and Your will is done,
Amen.

To advertise your toddler-group related prayer event, download and add your details to this poster: National _Ch-Toddler-Grp_Prayer_Day_Poster

Many families want their young children to be baptised in church, but don’t always understand that on behalf of their children, this starts them on a journey [...]]]> As we enter 2011 there are two resources from Mothers’ Union that will help families and supporters of Mothers’ Union focus on important aspects of family life.

Many families want their young children to be baptised in church, but don’t always understand that on behalf of their children, this starts them on a journey of faith in which they can encourage and lead their children. A new information sheet from Mothers’ Union helps explain what baptism is about, and why it is important. To make use of it in your own family, or ministry, please download it from here: Mothers_Union_Baptism_Resource_2010

Prayer is an important part of our faith journey, and of the way that Mothers’ Union works. Each month new prayer resources is offered by Mothers’ Union for use at mid-day: this is a time where in each of the 80+ countries where Mothers’ Union members live, members meeting together gather for prayer. For January these prayers celebrate 2011 as the ‘Year of the Bible’ and offers a link to a website (BibleFresh.com) that celebrates the life-changing impact the Bible can make on our lives. Feel free to download and use our January prayer resource: Midday_Prayers_January_2011

Happy New Year.

Mothers’ Union is a large family with members in 81 countries around the world. As with any big family, keeping in touch is important, and we do this by having small groups of regions called diocese (because we’re based on the Anglican pattern of ‘government’) linked [...]]]>

Mothers' Union members working together in Muhabura

Mothers’ Union is a large family with members in 81 countries around the world. As with any big family, keeping in touch is important, and we do this by having small groups of regions called diocese (because we’re based on the Anglican pattern of ‘government’) linked together. Each of these small groups is then the focus of the whole organisation’s prayers for a few days each year, in what we call the Mothers’ Union ‘Wave of Prayer’.

Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Winchester, together with it’s close associates, Kitgum (Northern Uganda), Muhabura (Southern Uganda), Masasi (Southern Tanzania), Kajo-Keji (Southern Sudan) and members who live in Algoma, and Saskatchewan in Canada, are at the centre of all Mothers’ Union prayers between 21st – 25th January each year.

Prayer and worship is an important means of supporting each other, and therefore every three years we produce a service outline in which we can focus on the needs of each of these regions of the world.

We have now produced a new ‘Wave of Prayer’ service for use by Mothers’ Union groups in the Diocese of Winchester who wish to meet together during the week of 21st – 25th January, and so that they can start their planning it can be downloaded here: Wave of Prayer 2011-13 It is now also available as an editable Word file here: Wave of Prayer 2011 in Word

If you live and worship in any of our link Diocese, or have any other connection with them or us, or simply want to focus on this way of being community during this particular week in January, you are most welcome to use it too.

We will be there on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th December throughout it’s opening times (10am till 8pm both days) in the ‘charity hut’ which is situated near The Deanery.

Why not come and [...]]]> Mothers’ Union is thrilled to have been invited to take part in the prestigious Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market this year.

We will be there on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th December throughout it’s opening times (10am till 8pm both days) in the ‘charity hut’ which is situated near The Deanery.

Why not come and visit us to chat about what Mothers’ Union means to you, or discover what it means to 4 million people in over 80 countries around the world. There will be free copies of our publications for you to take away, and possibly a treat or two as well.

While you’re visiting us you will also be able to visit all the other many stalls, and hopefully complete any last minute Christmas shopping that you still need to do.

See you there!

He was also very clear that faithful relationships are equally important in the development and nurture of our individual and collective faith journey.

Throughout the Bible God loves that [...]]]> Jesus was very clear that faithful relationships are the model and structure for living together in harmony as: families, friends, neighbours, communities, nations and internationally.

He was also very clear that faithful relationships are equally important in the development and nurture of our individual and collective faith journey.

Throughout the Bible God loves that which he has made and one of the main ways God expresses this love is through constant fidelity to his creation. We see this in God’s acts:

• in his fidelity to Israel at all times
• in his making of a covenant
• in his fidelity to individuals and families throughout their lives
• in his sending leaders and prophets to preach the Kingdom of God and its values
• in the sending of his only Son to die, rise and save us.

Through and in all these different faithful relationships, we have both an identity and a purpose. As Christians these are entirely defined by our values as given to us by God, through the Bible, in the history and traditions of our churches and in the societies in which we live daily. Through and in all these different relationships we learn how to recognise and experience God’s faithful presence - right now, every moment, wherever we are. We believe that God is always present and faithful in our lives, whether or not we can see him. We also believe that God’s presence is a positive good even if we do not always understand how or why, especially when life presents us with many difficulties and tragedies.

Faithful Relationship is the Mothers’ Union theme for 2011, and there is a wealth of material for small groups to use. Download, and look through the material below to see what might be useful for your personal reflections, church, small group or Mothers’ Union event.

A. Faithful Relationship 2011 – Theme Rationale

B. Qualities of Faithfulness – a chart and prayer guide to help you assess the quality of your relationship with God and others

C. Faithful_Relationship_Prayers

D. Reflections on “The Rock” – Bible Study ideas and prayers

E. Faithful Relationship – Scripture Texts

F. Peter Bible Study – from faithless to faithful

G. Mary Magdalene Bible Study – faithful follower of Christ

H. Mary Magdalene in Art – a study focusing on pictures by Titian and Sandys

I. The rainbow – a symbol of faithful relationship includes ideas for craft, prayer and spiritual reflection and an Indian Legend

J. Symbol of the Rock – reflection with symbolic act

K. Symbol of Bread and Wine – eucharistic reflections and inspiration for creative worship

M. Faithful Men and Women of the Bible with Bible references

N.Eucharistic_Service_in_word_text (editable .doc file)

(St Leonards is between Ringwood and [...]]]> If you want to explore what Mothers’ Union is doing in contemporary family life here in the UK, then attending our forthcoming information day would be a great place for you to go:

LET’S TALK!

Monday 25th October 10am – 2.30pm
St Leonards & St Ives Village Hall

(St Leonards is between Ringwood and Bournemouth – for map click on link above)

Our Keynote Speaker is from the publications department of Mothers’ Union:

Catherine Butcher
Editor of ‘Families First’ Magazine

Other information available will include:

DVD presentation about the Mothers’ Union Bye Buy Childhood Campaign
Updates on Mothers’ Union projects across the Diocese including a new project supporting the families of those serving in our Armed Forces
Distribution of the latest edition of our regional newsletter ‘Archway’

All are welcome
Coffee is available from 9.30am, but you are asked to bring a packed lunch

If you are interested in discovering why or how you can talk about your passion for Mothers’ Union campaigns on social policy and international family issues using your social networking contacts, read a report from the recent Mothers’ Union conference here