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

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.

This month the newly re-formed Yateley Branch from Odiham Deanery led a short service of worship based on part of the days lectionary reading [...]]]> On the first Wednesday of each month, Mothers’ Union supporters in the Winchester Region meet for a short service of worship and prayer in the Epiphany Chapel of Winchester Cathedral.

This month the newly re-formed Yateley Branch from Odiham Deanery led a short service of worship based on part of the days lectionary reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 2:1-5. The reflection and act of confession and commitment were original material and could be used by other groups in an appropriate setting.

To download this as a resource for your group, please click on the link shown here: Isaiah 2 v1-5 – Reflection and Act of Confession and Commitment

On Wednesday 2nd December we will be meeting in the Epiphany Chapel again, when Winchester Deanery to lead another short service at 10am, followed by time chatting in the refectory. You would be most welcome.

There are different reflections for each day Monday – Saturday and are sourced from the Psalms, the writings of saints and contemporary prayers.

These prayers can be used at [...]]]> Mothers’ Union mid-day prayers for this month focus on the call to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind.

There are different reflections for each day Monday – Saturday and are sourced from the Psalms, the writings of saints and contemporary prayers.

These prayers can be used at any Mothers’ Union meeting or service of worship this month, not just those that happen to meet at mid-day. The information includes the list of those Diocese that this month are at the centre of the prayers of Mothers’ Union members around the world.

Please download the prayers from here: july_midday_prayers_2009

More than 200 Mothers’ Union members from across the region gathered at Winchester Cathedral on Wednesday 29th April. Together with fellow member Right Revd Michael Scott-Joynt (Bishop of Winchester) they celebrated the theme of ‘Living Love’ in worship, prayer, music and an inspiring [...]]]>

The closing procession at the Mothers' Union Festival Service 2009

More than 200 Mothers’ Union members from across the region gathered at Winchester Cathedral on Wednesday 29th April. Together with fellow member Right Revd Michael Scott-Joynt (Bishop of Winchester) they celebrated the theme of ‘Living Love’ in worship, prayer, music and an inspiring drama called ‘The Good Punk Rocker’. The Eucharistic Service also heard an inspiring sermon by Bishop Michael who gave two very interesting insights into the meaning of ‘Living Love’.

More photographs and details of this event will be featured in the next issue of our newsletter ‘Archway’ which is due to be circulated in late July.

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 [...]]]> There is a range of study material available for any person or group wishing to explore further this years Mothers’ Union theme: the Cost of Relationship.

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 [...]]]> In this Lent season many Christians are reflecting on the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross, and his resurrection that overcame the power of sin enabling us to have a special relationship with God.

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?

This year our festival service is being held on Wed 29th April 2009 at 11.00am in the beautiful setting of Winchester Cathedral. The preacher and celebrant at this years service is Right Revd Michael Scott-Joynt, Bishop of Winchester (pictured above).

The theme this year is “Living Love” and will [...]]]>

Right Revd Michael Scott-Joynt

This year our festival service is being held on Wed 29th April 2009 at 11.00am in the beautiful setting of Winchester Cathedral. The preacher and celebrant at this years service is Right Revd Michael Scott-Joynt, Bishop of Winchester (pictured above).

The theme this year is “Living Love” and will reflect this years Mothers’ Union theme which is the ‘Cost of Relationship’.

The Eucharistic service will also feature classical music and drama, whilst the congregation will all receive a commemorative bookmark.

The service is open to anyone who wishes to attend – we look forward to seeing you there!