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

(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

The gift of free tea, coffee, squash and cake, grew out of a desire by local Mothers’ Union members to [...]]]> On Wednesday 11^th August at RAF Odiham’s Family Day, Mothers’ Union members from across the Diocese of Winchester distributed free drinks and homemade cake to the family members of serving personnel at the base.

The gift of free tea, coffee, squash and cake, grew out of a desire by local Mothers’ Union members to show their appreciation for everything the RAF gives our country, and the sacrifices made by its personnel and their families as they serve tours of duty overseas.

The event attracted more than 2000 people to share in all sorts of family activities and events, including a flying display featuring the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Home made cakes were the big feature of this feeding of thousands. Thanks to the generosity of many people in local Anglican churches around Odiham, Hartley Wintney and Yateley, and Mothers’ Union supporters from across the Diocese of Winchester, these were given away free, with absolutely no charge or donations to the charity being taken.

Venerable Ray Pentland, RAF Chaplain-in-Chief receiving a free copy of 'Families First' (the magazine resourcing family life published by Mothers' Union) accompanied by Revd Colin Weir, Padre RAF Odiham

18 Mothers’ Union members were able to help serve at this event, but many more had been involved in baking the cakes. Over the previous two days, approximately 100 additional full sized cakes had been collected from as far afield as Southampton, Brockenhurst and Winchester as Mothers’ Union supporters in different parishes had responded with great willingness to this chance to show their appreciation to a sector of the armed services.

1000s of pieces of cake were given away (we ran out of our 1500 paper plates and distributed the rest on platters and paper napkins), 1500 hot drinks were served, and litres of soft drink concentrate were used. Mothers’ Union members were also able to give away 250 free copies of ‘Families First’, the magazine that aims at encouraging stong marriages, good parenting, and an active faith – produced by Mothers’ Union enterprises. Many expressed their surprise at the generosity being shown, and the quality and variety of the cakes (especially the supply of allergy-free cakes), and the up-to-date, helpful material in the magazine.

After all this, just as in the Biblical story of the feeding of the 5000, there was some food left over. The few remaining cakes have been stored carefully and will be used on the Mothers’ Union Family Holiday, and to provide a welcome to mourners at the funeral of a Royal Marine in Yateley. Both of these events take place next week.

‘Families First’ [...]]]> The new issue of ‘Families First’ is in the webmistresses humble opinion, the best yet, with some fascinating articles, including one on bringing up boys. There are some great tips which could be just as good for girls, and could also be seen as a comment on the commercialisation of childhood.

‘Families First’ is a new magazine for families which has it’s own website at www.familiesfirstmagazine.com which is now one of the links on this website for future reference. The Editor of ‘Families First’ also has her own Twitter feed at CathButcher

The 6 issues a year of ‘Families First’ is included in membership of Mothers’ Union. If you are interested do email us using the link at the bottom right of your screen.