The Christian Calendar is now moving into Lent as we mark Ash Wednesday on 16th February 2010. Christian tradition encourages us to examine ourselves honestly, acknowledge our shortcomings, and seek reconciliation with God and with each other where we have compromised our relationships. Mothers’ Union has produced some material for Lent:

Lent-Easter-Meditations2010

As part of this years Mothers’ Union theme “Relationships not Rules” there is also the following prompt to our Lenten thoughts and helps us to turn them to actions: RnotR2010-LentColourChart

Many Mothers’ Union groups like to mark 25th March (known either as “Lady Day” or the “Annunciation of our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary”) with a special service.

At the annunciation, Mary made a free choice to be the bearer of a child who would bring freedom to the entire world. Traditionally, the church has characterised Mary as silent and passive, but in fact, she is a major spokesperson for those who are oppressed. In the Magnificat, Mary tells us that justice is at the heart of the Christian message. She rejoices because of the freedom God offers in lifting the humble high.

This theme was reflected in the Lady Day service written in 2007 which can still be used by groups as the theme reflects the work of Mothers’ Union members as they seek to bring forward justice for families through prayer, projects, and speak out where government policies affect marriage and family life. You can download it here: Lady_Day_Service_2007

Our next regional meeting will be at

St. Boniface Church Centre, Chandlers Ford
Wednesday 22nd July 6.00pm – 9.00pm
(drinks from 5.30pm)

Our Mothers’ Union and personal faith foundations will be explored in three workshop sessions looking at reaching out and sharing our principles and faith. These will be led by our
Faith and Policy Co-ordinator,
Angela Bushell

There will also be brief reports about various aspects of Mothers’ Union work, regionally and worldwide.

Your essential kit for the evening?

• A car full of friends
• A Bible
• Paper and pencil

What you need to know to join us:

St. Boniface Church Centre, Hursley Road, Chandlers Ford,
Hampshire, SO53 2FT
st-boniface-map-chandlers-ford
(St. Boniface is situated about 5 minutes drive from Junction 12 of the M3)

Women in and around the New Forest may be interested in attending a talk entitled

WHAT MAKES AND SHAPES US
by regional TV presenter, and Reader (Lay Minister) … Debbie Thrower,
at St. Saviour’s Church Hall, Brockenhurst
Monday 20th April 8pm

This form’s part of Brockenhurst’s ‘Mainly Women Week’ in which there are lots more activities on offer. More information is available at the website of the Anglican Parish of Brockenhurst

To make these as easily accessible as possible some of the main ones are attached to the links below (and should open in a new window), the rest are available by going to the “members” section of www.themothersunion.org and following the link to ‘Theme for 2009′.

• The rationale for the theme
• Collection of prayers and reflections on the theme
• A Bible Study on the Good Samaritan
• Bible Characters
• Jesus’ Values
• Cost of Relationship Service

You may wish to make use of the following material in your personal or corporate worship during the Easter Season (reproduced with permission):

JESUS MY REDEEMER (GH)

Jesus, my Redeemer, my Saviour,
The One who has chosen me before the world began,

Chosen me despite my weakness, my failings, my stupidities, my pride.
The One who sees all
And yet, still chooses me.

I try to hide, but succeed only in fooling myself -
What is hidden is still visible!

And yet Jesus still chooses me
And will still choose me. Even now.
Even while I hide,
And cover up what I have done and am still doing.

The one who takes my punishment, my death;
He, whose hands I nail to the cross;
He, whose head I crown with thorns;
He, whose face is marred by my beating;
Jesus, still chooses to be my Saviour, Friend, Redeemer.

I will still choose him!

A MEDITATION ON MARY
(adapted by Revd Terry Roberts from an unknown author for ‘Prayers and Meditations for a new Millennium’ produced by Mothers’ Union Diocese of Winchester.)

She expected the grave closed and sealed.
She found it was open, the stone had been rolled.

She expected a body undisturbed on a ledge.
She found discarded clothes instead.

She expected to find Jesus cold and dead.
She found him alive instead.

God surprised Mary, the first Easter morn;
turned the world and her life upside down,
changed fear to joy, tears to laughter,
promising life for all now and hereafter.

She found Jesus alive and arisen,
So she shared the Good News with the living.

What were you expecting this Easter?
An Easter egg that melts in your hand!
What have you found?

That relationship with God can be articulated in prayer, and any group of members who meet in fellowship or to undertake specific work, share daily in the Mothers’ Union prayer:

Loving Lord,
We thank you for your love so freely given to us all.
We pray for families around the world.
Bless the work of the Mothers’ Union
as we seek to share your love through the encouragement,
strengthening and support of marriage and family life.
Empowered by your Spirit,
may we be united in prayer and worship,
and in love and service reach out
as your hands across the world.
In Jesus’ name.

Amen

The theme which Mothers’ Union is concentrating on in 2009 is the ‘Cost of Relationship.’ The phrase raises many questions:

• What is meant by cost exactly?
• Relationship to whom?
• Is the church or Mothers’ Union asking for my money?
• How can relationship be costly?

The Head of our Diocesan Faith and Policy Unit has been looking for some answers, and invites you to start exploring them with her in the next issue of ‘Archway’.

‘Archway’ is the Newsletter of Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Winchester, which is free to members living in the Diocese and compliments information available on this website. The next issue will be available to visitors and distributed to group leaders at our Diocesan Meeting on 31st March (more details of which are available by using the events tag on the left).