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Message from the President Elect, Jill Cannings

Sharing my passion for Mother’s Union – in step with God

As we prepare for the next triennial I thought I would share a little of my passion for Mothers’ Union.  I look forward to visiting branches and attending events during my time as your President, and sharing stories together.

I often say I was “ordered” to join MU about 38 years ago by the then Branch leader.  She was a forceful and very organized person with a military background.  In fact I remain very indebted to her.  At that stage I had two young children and have memories of going along to meetings where they played.  However, when they went to school I returned to work and was no longer able to attend the day time meetings.  However, I remained a member, paying my subscription every year as I thought that MU was such an important worldwide organization supporting Christian family life.  At one point we had some evening meetings and I got more involved.  However, it was not until I retired in 2010 that I was able to take an active role.  The branch leader “saw me coming” and invited me onto the committee and very soon I took over the Uppingham branch.

When I enroll new members and read out the purpose and aims of the organization I am very pleased to be a part of it.  It seems difficult to understand why every Christian, male or female young or old, would not wish to be a member.  I am inspired by the Mary Sumner and the Mothers’ Union prayers.  But most of all I am inspired by our loving, faithful, forgiving God.  I pray that we will work together as the body of Christ serving our communities prayerfully, and when possible in action.  We all have a part to play in building God’s Kingdom.  I thank people for their support and prayers so far and look forward to the next phase as we journey together.

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New Diocesan President

At our forum meeting we elected our new diocesan president for the triennial beginning on 1st January 2019. The president elect is Mrs. Jill Cannings. Congratulations Jill. Peterborough diocese will be in good hands.

Barbara Haynes . D.P.

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16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence

Begins on 25th November and ends on 10th December 2016

Join us for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, to call for an end to all forms of violence against women and girls – One in three women across the world will be affected by domestic violence at some point in their life.

Some of you may recall that last year Mothers’ Union had a designated area, in Church, to pray for those who have been abused, neglected or overlooked. Useful resources were also available to take away…

This year there will also be an opportunity to write your prayer to God and attach it to a prayer tree. Please spend a few moments remembering those who need our prayers…

On December 2nd from 11 a.m. –noon there will be a diocesan vigil at St. Peter and Paul Kettering, as part of the 16 days. The vigil will be followed by a faith lunch.

Everybody is welcome to attend.

This is a very important ‘campaign’ and our support is essential.

If members are unable to come perhaps they could spend some time quietly in prayer either in groups or individually. After all prayer underpins all that we do .

Thank you.

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Mary Sumner Day Celebration – Brackley Deanery

This year we celebrate the wonderful achievement of Mothers’ Union growing from such a small beginning 140 years ago to the massive worldwide movement it has now become.

At a deanery meeting we were discussing what we could do to celebrate this marvelous anniversary. By chance our deanery treasurer had resigned and Helen Overson the daughter of an Astwell branch member had been invited to the meeting to see if she would be interested in becoming treasurer. While we were discussing ways we could commemorate Mary Sumner day, Helen suddenly said ‘I’ll do a 140 mile sponsored walk for you’.

Needless to say we all welcomed this offer and Helen is also our new deanery treasurer.

We bought Helen and a friend Sallie Connery who is doing some of the walk with her, MU tee shirts so people will know which organisation they are walking for.

The walk is starting on Whit Sunday (May 15th) at Astwell Castle and we shall walk about 2 miles to Helmdon church for the benefice service at 11am. The talk during the service will be about Mary Sumner and Helen’s chosen charities. Her chosen charities are: Special Relief and Literacy and Financial Education programmes.

Sponsor forms will be available. Following the service there will be a ‘Bring and share’ picnic lunch and then Helen and anyone else who wishes to join her will walk about 15 miles round the 6 churches which make up the
Astwell benefice.

Helen also plans to go to other places in the country to continue her sponsored walk.

Members of MU are hoping to join Helen for part of the walk.

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Mad Or What Again! – More Fundraising For MU

Last year I did a half marathon and pledged never to go through that sort of thing again.  However, as the Mother’s Union celebrates 140 years I stupidly hatched the plan to play 140 holes of golf in one week.  That’s a lot of golf and walking and searching for balls.  During the summer I like to play a couple of times a week.  Each round is 18 holes.  In order to reach my target, I will need to play more than one round a day especially as I plan to leave Sunday as a day of rest and worship.

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I will do this W/C June 6th and will mainly be playing at my home course Greetham Valley golf club.  I want to make it fun so would love it if people want to walk round with me or ride in style in buggies that can be hired.  You can then enjoy a drink and or/ meal in the clubhouse while I flog round!!

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If you feel able to support financially I have set up a Justgiving site which is easy to use and sorts out gift aid.  If you prefer I have a sponsorship form (click here to download).  Any cheques should be made payable to “The Mothers’ Union Uppingham branch.” All funds raised will go towards the work of MU overseas.

The Justgiving site is www.justgiving.com/Jill-Cannings3

Please humour me with lots of encouraging smiles and pray for good weather.

Jill Cannings

MU branch leader Uppingham

Documents: 140 holes – playing times and Why oh why am I planning to play 140 holes of golf in a week.

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Mothers’ Union Appoints New Chief Executive

bevjullienMrs Beverley Jullien has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Christian membership charity, Mothers’ Union.

During her successful career in both the corporate and education sectors Beverley Jullien has been at the vanguard of women’s representation at senior board level, including leading the merger of Astra and Zeneca in the UK in 2000 and a period serving as Vice-President [for AstraZenecca.]

Beverley Jullien said “I’m delighted to be joining Mothers’ Union. This offers a wonderful opportunity to apply the skills and experience I’ve gained in my career to a new role in the not for profit sector.  I’m excited to be joining a worldwide organisation of over four million members, men and women working together to support families through fighting poverty and injustice and tackling family issues.”

As well as her global experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Mrs Jullien’s previous roles have included a Pro-Vice Chancellorship at London South Bank University. Alongside her considerable experience at corporate board level, Mrs Jullien will bring to Mothers’ Union her extensive understanding and experience of the not for profit sector: she set up a unique service for the British Olympic Association for the 2012 London Games to help professionalise Sports Governing Bodies; she has served on the Open University International Advisory Board, and volunteers regularly in local community outreach and fundraising.  Mrs Jullien and her family are active members of their local Anglican church and she is proud to be continuing a long tradition of membership of Mothers’ Union.

“We are delighted to be welcoming Beverley to Mothers’ Union” said Worldwide President, Lynne Tembey. “As we look to build on our strong heritage, whilst moving forward towards our strategic goals, Beverley brings to Mothers’ Union her deep faith, her talents and her experience all of which will enable us to do more to transform communities worldwide through our prayers, our practical programme work and our advocacy.”

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Mothers’ Union Support for the Youth Mission in This Diocese

A Week of Prayer for this Generation of Young People and the Next

Churches all over the Diocese are joining together in October 2015 for an inspiring week of prayer for the young people in their Parish, and for youth work in their Deaneries. Whilst we really hope that very many youth groups all over the Diocese will join in, we would also like to encourage those parishes that do not have young people or a youth group to participate too, as we mobilise the whole Diocese to pray.

DETAILS:

What?              A week of prayer for young people in Peterborough Diocese

Where?           In your Parish

When?             Sunday 4th– Sunday 11th October 2015

Why?               Praying for God to resource and release His Church to reach out to young people.

Who?               Everyone. Adults, young people, youth groups, PCCs, groups and individuals

How?               You choose when you pray, where and for how long (examples below)

A Youth Group ‘Pizza Prayer Pack’ and other resources will be available

Contact?         Diocesan Youth Missioners:

Becky Wills (Northampton Archdeaconry) – 01604 887058

becky.wills@peterborough-diocese.org.uk

Chad Chadwick (Oakham Archdeaconry) – 01604887059

chad.chadwick@peterborough-diocese.org.uk

 

Some examples:

A group of men are planning to meet for a Saturday morning prayer breakfast

Some young people are planning to meet up at school at lunchtime to pray for their town.

A Mothers’ Union are dedicating part of their meeting to praying for the young people in their area.

One youth group is planning to gather together for an evening of pizza and prayer using the creative resources available in the ‘Pizza Prayer Pack’.

Several groups of young people are planning and leading prayer services in their Parishes

Plus, there will be an online prayer gathering at the end of the week (possibly a Twitter worship service?) as we bring our prayers together on Sunday 11th October.

Are you willing to join us in prayer?

 

What next?

  1. Discuss the idea with your Incumbent / PCC / Church leadership
  2. Decide when you are going to pray, with whom and where.
  3. Let Becky or Chad know when and where you will be praying. They will give you information and resources that you can use.
  4. Invite people to join you*.
  5. Put up posters (template available) and notices in newsletters etc.
  6. Make any final plans (e.g. Prayer resources, preparing or ordering food)

* If children or young people are participating then follow normal good practice with regards to Safeguarding (if you have any questions contact Chad or Becky or check www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/resources )

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Mothers’ Union Diocesan Awareness Day – May 16th 2015

In every deanery in the diocese of Peterborough the members are already planning events for our awareness day.

Maybe there will be coffee mornings, afternoon teas, craft sales or other events still to be announced.

Whatever the event there will definitely be information about what we do, literature about Mothers’ Union and local and diocesan contact details.

We hope to see our friends there but also those people who would like to know more about us. There will certainly be lots of friendly faces at each venue. We will all be very willing to answer your questions. Do come along.

Guaranteed ……an excellent cup of tea.

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Wave of Prayer Factsheets

Click here to download the Wave of Prayer Factsheets – you will need a PDF reader installed on your machine to do so.

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Kilkenny Cathedral

Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge

Whilst holidaying in Southern Ireland we visited Kilkenny Cathedral. What should greet us on our entry but this beautiful banner.

Inside the Cathedral there was a Mothers’ Union table complete with display boards and an MU visitors book which I was pleased to sign.

How wonderful to see MU so proudly displayed.

 

Hazel Goodman

Saints and Angels MU Kettering