If you are not involved directly with organising events, please pray for

In March members from Eastleigh Deanery will lead our worship as we celebrate together our work supporting marriage and family life and support in prayer other members [...]]]> On the first Wednesday of every month, Mothers’ Union members in the Diocese of Winchester meet for prayer and worship in the Epiphany Chapel of Winchester Cathedral.

In March members from Eastleigh Deanery will lead our worship as we celebrate together our work supporting marriage and family life and support in prayer other members in more than 80 countries in which Mothers’ Union is active.

At this particular service we hope to be able to welcome to a Mothers’ Union leader from Baghdad in Iraq. We hope that we might welcome you too?

The services starts at 10.30am on Wednesday 7th March 2012 and will last about half an hour. After the service we adjourn to the Refectory for refreshments.

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 schools are closed for summer, and families are hopefully looking forward to a good break from their normal routines. For some families, this is only possible with support from others.

For many years we have provided a week ‘Away From It All’ for a group [...]]]>

‘AFIA’ Family Holiday Week

13th-20th August 2011

The schools are closed for summer, and families are hopefully looking forward to a good break from their normal routines. For some families, this is only possible with support from others.

For many years we have provided a week ‘Away From It All’ for a group of families, at a houseparty, hosted by a team of Mothers’ Union members and supporters who provide a range of activities and services.

With August nearly here, this years team are enthused and ready for their week with guest families that have been referred by Mothers’ Union members, Home-Start, local medical centres and clergy.

This year there is the added excitement of a new venue. Pilgrim Hall in East Sussex is a Christian Conference/Holiday Centre set in 12 acres with many on-site activities which will hopefully prove a real benefit to team and guests. We have approximately 19 guest families who will be able to have a wonderful time together in this relaxing environment.

The prayers of Mothers’ Union members and the team, underpins all aspects of our AFIA Family Holiday from the administration, to those raising money, through those providing small prizes and toiletries and those who come forward as team members and so, knowing just how prayerful Mothers’ Union members and supporters are, we would ask that you include the following in your prayers over the next few weeks:

Prayers pre-Holiday

Between now and when the holiday starts, please pray for all those involved in leading the holiday, particularly co-Leaders and for the Chaplain and other team members who are joining the project for the first time this year. Please also pray for the planning of children’s groups, quizzes, games night and other evening activities. Most importantly please pray for the guest families, that they will overcome any fear and apprehension they feel before coming, and be able to enjoy the welcome, friendship and ‘tlc’ they will find when they’ve got there.

Prayers during the holiday week

13th Saturday - for the new venue Pilgrims Hall in East Sussex and for the safe arrival of all the team and guests.

14th Sunday - for the Welcome Service, for the whole event that families will spend time meeting old friends and making new ones in the lovely house and grounds.

15th Monday - for the team and children working together in groups throughout the week.

16th Tuesday - for the fun afternoon and for visitors’day

17th Wednesday - for the teenagers and their leaders that they will enjoy new experiences and shared activities, whether on or off-site.

18th Thursday - for good weather and safe travel for the outing.

19th Friday - for the ‘Show and Tell’ Thanksgiving Service and the final evening gathering.

20th Saturday - that the guests leave feeling rested and more positive about the future, for farewells and safe journeys home.

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

We remember in prayer [...]]]> As always, and despite the way the financial climate is impacting on both the income and expenditure of charities like Mothers’ Union, there is much to thank God for, and get involved in, among the work of Mothers’ Union members around the world. Here’s just a few things to use:

We remember in prayer those in Christchurch, New Zealand: MU_Prayer_earthquake_Christchurch

Prayer is always at the heart of every Mothers’ Union gathering and all the project work that we do around the world. Resources for the mid-day prayers of supporters for the next couple of months are here:
Midday_Prayers_March_2011

Woman carrying thatch in Kajo-Keji

Midday_Prayers_April_2011

In the latest Mothers’ Union Faith and Policy Watch (published jointly with the Church of England) there are details of government announcements relating to weddings and marriage, as well as the Law Commission’s consultation on marital agreements (pre-nuptual, post-nuptual and at seperation) and asks how these ideas can be related to the vows in the Anglican rite of marriage. The paper also asks if the last government’s target of eliminating child poverty by 2020 has been forgotten? The 4 page newsletter can be downloaded here: Faith_Policy_Watch_Mar_11

Red Nose Day takes place on Friday 18th March. Money raised from the day helps Comic Relief support projects that transform lives throughout the UK and Africa. One such project is Mothers’ Union’s Literacy and Financial Education Programme in Sudan. Last year it was successful in getting a grant of nearly £1million from Comic Relief, because it is proven to be successful at helping to alleviate poverty and inequality. We’re hoping that this work may soon be active in areas of Southern Sudan, including our link in Kajo-Keji.

Although this seems like a lot of money, the current financial climate continues to present us with enormous challenges to ensure that we can continue our work. Although we make every effort to be cost-effective with our plans, we still need to find money for our work in the UK and overseas. If you would like to help us why not take a look at our national website for the different ways you can support us: Mothers’ Union – Giving

Have you thought about how you will remember your Mother this year?

Mothers’ Union knows that sometimes mums need a hug, more than they need another coffee mug!

And sometimes, mums need the right to vote, as much as they need a cute baby goat!

If you [...]]]> Mothers’ Day is on April 3rd.

Have you thought about how you will remember your Mother this year?

Mothers’ Union knows that sometimes mums need a hug, more than they need another coffee mug!

And sometimes, mums need the right to vote, as much as they need a cute baby goat!

If you want to give a gift this Mothers’ Day that will last far into the future, try our Make a Mothers’ Day ethical gift catalogue (click on the link).

If you’re planning worship for Mothering Sunday 2011 there are two resources you can download here that will give you ideas for readings, talks, and a form of service.

Feel free to select from or adapt them to suit your local situation.

Mothering Sunday Service Sheet – MAMD 2011 service_sheet
includes talk/meditation notes and children’s resource

Mothering Sunday Church Resources – MAMD 2011 church_resource

UPDATE:

A Key Stage 2 teaching resource split over two lessons which explores family life in rural Uganda. Children learn about how poverty and lack of resources affect families and how their family life differs from, and has the same concerns as, family life in the UK. The children learn about the things which make the lives of mothers, in particular, hard. Extension activities give the children the opportunity to have creative ideas on how they would tackle these problems and involve writing activities to connect their community with those in Uganda. Visual resource and worksheets supplied.

This resource would be a useful focus for Mother’s Day, but will be effective all year round. You can download the materials by clicking on this LINK.

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.

At 10.30am on Monday 9th August , a small group of members gathered at the grave of [...]]]> As the Anglican calendar remembered Mary Sumner, the founder of the Mothers’ Union, members and supporters across the Diocese of Winchester were actively living out her desire to support family life, in a whole variety of ways.

At 10.30am on Monday 9th August , a small group of members gathered at the grave of Mary Sumner, to laid flowers in her memory. Mary Sumner, is buried with her husband Bishop George Sumner, in The Close where they spent the latter part of their lives, at Winchester Cathedral.

A larger group then gathered the same day for prayer, worship and study at Old Alresford, where Mary Sumner founded Mothers’ Union in 1876. In the very room where the first meeting was held, the current Diocesan President of Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Winchester, led approximately 30 supporters through some material that focused on the Mothers’ Union theme for this year ‘Relationship Not Rules’.

Mean while, many more Mothers’ Union members and supporters were hard at work around the Diocese prepararing for two special events taking place over the next fortnight.

The members who had gathered in Old Alresford Place had brought with them nearly 50 cakes to help members from Odiham Deanery provide free tea, coffee and cake to the families of RAF personnel at RAF Odiham’s Family Day on Wednesday 11th August. These were collected up and will be added to by many others in the area, in time to help say ‘thank you’ to RAF families who spend months at a stretch with their loved ones away from home, serving primarily in Afganistan.

A press release for this event is available here: RAF Families Day Press Release

Other Mothers’ Union supporters were putting the finishing touches to arrangements for the Mothers’ Union AFIA Family Holiday, held again this year on the Isle of Wight. This starts on Saturday 14th August and will provide nearly a hundred people with a seaside holiday with their family that they would not otherwise be able to have. A prayer calender for those wishing to support this major project during the week it happens will be available on this website as the holiday starts.