MU NEWSLETTER

I have just returned from the Diocesan Members Wave of Prayer in the Cathedral, meditating on relationships, past, present and future. We prayed for our Projects and for our Links and felt the prayers of over three million MU members centred on us this week.

We, in turn must not forget to pray for other Dioceses during the year.

Speaking of prayer, I have many requests and, so that you can include them in your Branch and Deanery prayers and in your private prayer, I am going to send them regularly to Chris Hart, who runs the website, so look at the website regularly too and send him pictures and news of your events.

Easter blessings, Rosemary.

ROAD SHOW AT CARDIFF, Thursday 19th June, 1.30pm-4.30pm which is replacing the Annual Meeting for this year only.

A message from Mary Sumner House

THE ROADSHOWS will be aimed at members and non-members so it is the perfect event to bring anyone to; Rosemary Kempsell will be telling people about what Mothers’ Union has been doing all around the world, along with the film demonstrating a cross-section of our work. We will have interviews with people working locally in each area to demonstrate the grassrootness of Mothers’ Union, all closing with worship.

I hope this is helpful for painting a picture of the day.

A donation has been received to promote our profile within the Diocese. The Trustees have agreed part could be used to support the Roadshows and the cost is now £3 plus travel. Do invite a non MU friend to join you. Your Deanery Leader has further details and needs your support.

PRAYER REQUEST We hear regularly from West Ankole Diocese and their prayer requests and programme tell us of their problems and their liveliness.

We can join with their prayers for flood victims and for those who suffer domestic violence. 

JULIA’S RECOMMENDED BOOKS

A Christian’s pocket guide to Islam by Patric Soodjdeo

Pilgrims of Christ on the Muslim Road by Paul Gordon Chandler, published by Cowley publications.

A REQUEST FROM MARY SUMNER HOUSE

Could you  send the answers to the following three questions by 31st March. There are no right or wrong answers. Include your name and diocese which will remain confidential.

1. How does your faith encourage you to serve as a Mother’s Union member?

2. Do members of your diocese carry out any programmes or activities relating to faith? If so, please specify.

3. What proverb, line from a song or words most describe your faith as a Mothers’ Union member?

AN EVENING FOR YOUNG MUMS    (and mums young in heart)

Thursday 15th May at Esporta,

Stoke Gifford at 7.30 Tickets £8

This is a fundraising evening for our projects, organised by our young Diocesan members

A Makeup demonstration, Fashion Show, Jewellery plus a buffet supper.  Please promote this event to support and encourage this enthusiastic group who are the future of the Mothers’ Union.

ANNUAL MEETING AT SWINDON

28th April 2008.

The coach will start from the Centre at the coach area outside Bristol & West Building Society, not St Mary on the Quay. It is a Turners’ coach.

A & O extend to you all their grateful thanks for your support over the Christmas period. Many young people had a good Christmas, thanks to your generosity both at Hartcliffe and the Children’s Hospital.

We are looking very carefully at our projects. Things change and we need to change to keep our projects providing the real support needed.

 At the Hartcliffe & Withywood Teenage project, we are now helping to man the Contact Centre on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. It is being officially opened on 3rd March. It gives, mainly to fathers who are in a broken relationship, the opportunity to have access to their child.  In this, the first year of our theme, Time for Relationships, it gives us the opportunity to extend a Christian hand and keep families in touch.  It also allows us to really get to know the youngsters here.  They are also helping by volunteering to man this centre, and it is something tangible to go on their CV’s when they are looking for work. Could this be something you would like to help with?  We man the tuck shop, so it is something that we are all capable of doing!

Another change for this project is how we deal with the parents’ Christmas presents. In the past we have given them toiletries which you donate. Unfortunately, in these days of ever increasing allergies, some parents are unable to use these lovely gifts. Annette has discussed this with the mums and we have agreed to give them a large tin of chocolates or biscuits (these they can share, and they have something to offer when a friend or family calls round). To do this we wondered if you would be happy to donate money? The tins are about £5 each and Branches or individual members could make donations at the Council Meeting or to Pam Mills throughout the year. We are still giving the children toys etc and these can be brought to Council.

Another change is Away From It All holidays. We are asking our seven Deaneries to find a family who are in need of a break; some have already nominated their family. We again can only do this with the donations and fund-raising you all carry out during the year. It is good to know that we have all reached out in our own area. In our MU prayer it says that we reach out as God’s hands. How well our MU members are doing this both here and overseas.

The Asylum Seekers’ project at St Nicholas is beginning to work with Branches, raising funds and taking food down. They also need volunteer workers with many differing skills. Perhaps you might think about this as your outreach.

As Time for Relationships is our theme for this year, let us make a little time for the projects in our Diocese. We can all find time to pray for them and I am sure our Lord will guide us all to keep the projects alive.

Mary Head Action & Outreach Co-ordinator.