At an RAF base, on holiday, in word, through worship and with free cake, Mothers’ Union members across the Diocese are supporting families in fun, practical ways this month, as the [...]]]>

Mothers' Union free homemade cake stall at RAF Odiham Families Day, 10th August 2011 - with Apache Helicopter doing aerobatics above!

At an RAF base, on holiday, in word, through worship and with free cake, Mothers’ Union members across the Diocese are supporting families in fun, practical ways this month, as the organisation celebrates its 135^th anniversary!

More than 100 homemade cakes were collected by Mothers’ Union members at Old Alresford on Wednesday and transported to RAF Odiham where, with 100s more they served 1000s of RAF personnel and their families at the RAF Odiham Families Day on Wednesday 10^th August. For the second consecutive year a team of Mothers’ Union members made a gift of FREE tea, coffee, squash and cake to families who attended.

The idea for the gift grew out of the desire of local Mothers’ Union members to show their appreciation for the sacrifices made by RAF personnel as they serve tours of duty overseas, especially in Afghanistan, as well as their families. This year’s team of 16 Mothers’ Union members served throughout the day as families circulated watching the flying displays and other attractions.

Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Winchester is also offering Relationship Counselling to support to any Armed Forces family connection with the Diocese that is struggling to cope with the pressures service life places on their family. More information about this pilot project is available here. 

Many of the cakes had been made by the 140 members who gathered on Tuesday 9^th August at Old Alresford to celebrate the 135^th Anniversary of the founding of Mothers’ Union by Mary Sumner. Holy Communion was celebrated in St Mary’s Church by Right Revd Peter Hancock, Bishop of Basingstoke. In his address he Bishop Peter reminded members of the words of Teresa of Avila, that they are the ‘hands of Jesus’ as they support of marriage and family life around the world. Later in the day Rosemary Kempsell, Worldwide President of Mothers’ Union gave a presentation showing how Mothers’ Union members around the world are still living out the original vision of Mary Sumner who founded the organisation at Old Alresford.

Another team of Mothers’ Union supporters are also preparing for the region’s biggest annual project which offers a week’s holiday to families who would otherwise fail to get a break from difficult lives. This year’s break starts on Saturday 13^th August at a new venue for the holiday, Pilgrim Hall in East Sussex. Approximately 19 families will be hosted by a team who provide children’s activities, youth events, a day out, baby sitting, a fancy dress disco and the chance to receive unconditional love whatever their circumstances. For more information click the link here: Mothers’ Union ‘Away From It All’ Family Holiday

More photographs of the Mothers’ Union stall at the RAF Families Day and from the anniversary celebrations at Old Alresford, can be found at our Flickr group

One Mothers’ Union member from the Diocese of Winchester has spent several years living and working among the people of Southern Sudan, and she has offered to share her experiences with everyone who is interested in the region and [...]]]> Join Mothers’ Union members in the Diocese of Winchester to hear news from Southern Sudan.

One Mothers’ Union member from the Diocese of Winchester has spent several years living and working among the people of Southern Sudan, and she has offered to share her experiences with everyone who is interested in the region and it’s people.

Tales of South Sudan
Crosfield Hall, Romsey 6.00-9.00pm (refreshments from 5.30pm)
Thursday 15th July 2010
Speaker: Poppy Spens

In the last four years Poppy and her husband have set up 2 health centres, a mobile clinic, and this year a children’s’ ward and eye clinic opens. The picture shown here was taken by Poppy and shows Mothers’ Union members who will feature in her slide show.

Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Winchester is linked in prayer with Mothers’ Union members in the Southern Sudanese Diocese of Kajo-Keji.

The evening will also feature other news about Mothers’ Union work locally and around the globe, including this years Family Holiday which local members and supporters will be running for a week in August on the Isle of Wight.

Directions for Crosfield Hall, Romsey are downloadable here: Crosfield Hall

Mothers' Union members in Muhabura working in their fields in 2006

Among the news they shared was that members in our link Diocese of Muhubura are receiving a large number of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo. If you read the [...]]]> Trustees of Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Winchester met today.

Mothers' Union members in Muhabura working in their fields in 2006

Among the news they shared was that members in our link Diocese of Muhubura are receiving a large number of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo. If you read the Muhabura link in our International pages above, you will know Mothers’ Union members there have very little to share, but they are trying hard to cater for the needs of this influx of refugees.

Staff at Mary Sumner House (Mothers’ Union head office in London) have now sent a second grant from the Mothers’ Union Relief Fund. This will enable members in Muhabura to provide for the needs of the refugees now being cared for in their communities.

Local Mothers’ Union groups are encouraged to raise funds to keep Relief Fund topped up with money that can be released instantly in response to emergency needs like these.

A Mothers' Union leader holds a malnourished baby among the Congolese refugees.

If you wish to make a donation direct to our Diocesan Office, please make cheques payable to ‘Mothers’ Union, Diocese of Winchester’ and send them to the address on our Contact page. If you are a UK taxpayer, please enclose a signed, dated note stating as much, and include your address and postcode. Thank you.

Hopefully in the coming weeks and months, the full breadth of Mothers’ Union work in the Diocese of Winchester will transform this patch of the world wide web into a place that celebrates everything we do to support family life [...]]]> Welcome to what might just be the first ever Mothers’ Union blog based website!

Hopefully in the coming weeks and months, the full breadth of Mothers’ Union work in the Diocese of Winchester will transform this patch of the world wide web into a place that celebrates everything we do to support family life and share our Christian faith.

We look forward to seeing you regularly, so please make use of the RSS feed facilities. That way you won’t miss out on what’s new.