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Past Events

Beyond the 16th Day. Moving Forward to End Violence Against Women and Girls

The conference was held on 25th November the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence.

It was opened by Mothers’Union Chief Executive Bev. Jullien. Those attending were not just M.U. members but other organisations committed to the cause.

The day comprised 3 sessions with a Keynote speaker.

Session 1 Cyber stalking. This can lead to physical stalking and violence. There are GPS systems which can be fitted to victim’s cars without their knowledge. Practical procedures are in place with the police to protect victims and prosecute perpetrators. We then heard about Revenge Porn and how social media is used for maximum harm. There are unsavoury sites on the internet used for this purpose. Single male victims are also targeted as well as young people being groomed.

I found this session perhaps the most worrying as so many use the Internet and social media.

Session 2 Violence against Women and Girls in the U.K. This was led by the Chief Executive of Women’s Aid. We heard a presentation about relationships and attitudes including violence and control in young people’s relationships.

Personal, Social Health and Economic Education; a planned programme of learning through which children and young people acquire the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to manage their lives as part of the whole school curriculum.

The Domestic violence Intervention project deals with Domestic violence counselling not only for victims but also the perpetrators.

Session 3 Keynote speaker. MU working in S. Africa through children and women to reach men breaking down traditions and cultural barriers; fighting hidden abuse and HIV. The extent of Global violence is frightening.

Restored is an International Christian alliance working to transform relationships. Older Church traditions of interpreting scripture to justify the subjugation of women.

International Planned Parenthood Federation working in over 170 countries supported by an army of volunteers to provide services for the most vulnerable and campaigns globally for the basic human right to sexual and reproductive health.

Age international dedicated to violence against older women and men. In some cultures old woman means witch and can lead to greater forms of abuse and intimidation.

The day ended with a workshop sharing of ideas. It was obvious that all attending were committed to the campaign.

For me I was not aware that so many organisations were involved with Violence against Women and Girls, or the extent world wide. I was grateful to have had the opportunity to attend. This is not a campaign which will be easily won as the attitude towards women culturally is deep rooted and historical.

Hazel Goodman.

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Resources

Grapevine Winter 2015

Click here to read Grapevine Winter 2015 – you will need software capable of reading PDFs

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Past Events

Lynne Tembey Visits the Diocese

IMG_0080We have had an exciting few days as Lynne Tembey, the Worldwide President of the Mothers’ Union has visited the Diocese, arriving on the Wednesday evening of the 9th September and left late afternoon on Saturday 12th September. In that time, Lynne met Indoor and Diocesan members who attended a service in the Lady Chapel here in All Saints’ Church, which was followed by a “Drop-In” afternoon with lots of tea and cake for members to pop in and say hello. The Trustees enjoyed a buffet supper with Lynne on the Thursday evening.

Lynne also visited a Women’s Refuge followed by the Daylight Centre. Lunch was enjoyed at West Haddon where she met members of the newest MU branch – Ridgeway. Then it was across to the Brackley Deanery to meet many members there for Afternoon Tea.

Lynne’s visit ended on Saturday afternoon with a service in Peterborough Cathedral with many members from across the Diocese attending. It was wonderful to see so many MU Branch Banners! We were delighted that Bishop John was able to be with us too.

Helen LynettDSC03220DSC03239DSC03253IMG_1448DSC03221

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News

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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News

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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Past Events

Starburst Event

On Saturday 9th May the Mothers’ Union had a stand at the STARBURST children’s event at All Saints Primary school in Northampton. The day had two keynote speakers who showed how bible stories can be brought to life through drama, costumes and props. Our stand illustrated how Mothers’ Union supports families in the diocese and we handed out ‘goodie’ bags full of leaflets and a Families First magazine to give more information about Mother’s Union to those who were interested.

Jill Goodman and I chatted with participants from across the diocese about the support Mothers’ Union gives to families through toddler groups, Away From It All holidays and parenting groups to mention just one or two ways.

starburst

by Jill Kearns

 

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Past Events Resources

Inspired Folder April 2015

This folder has been compiled as a result of the Inspired Afternoon held on Saturday 13th September 2014. The feedback from the day was positive and everyone went home truly ‘inspired’.

All the project ideas brought to the afternoon have been placed into a variety of categories, which we hope are easily understood.

We hope you will adopt one or more of the ideas from the folder in your branch or deanery. Each page can be downloaded separately from the website.

Take a look at what is needed in your parish or community and see how Mothers’ Union could reach out.

Discuss with your members before you start on a project. Answer some simple questions. Are you able to meet the need? (time, members, funds). How will people know it is a Mothers’ Union project?

If the project is running in another branch, get in touch about the project.

Lastly, let the Action and Outreach Unit committee members know what you are doing, so that we can add it to the folder and share it with others through our website, not just in our own diocese, but with other dioceses and with Mary Sumner House.

Click here to view or download the document.

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Past Events

“It Is Finished” Jill and Peter Complete Their Half Marathon For Charity

Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge

Our aches and pains as we did the Reading half marathon were nothing at all compared with the suffering and passion of Jesus.  Despite being without sin he paid the ultimate sacrifice for our salvation.  For that we give thanks this Holy Week and Easter Day. However, there were times when the mile markers reminded us of the Stations of the Cross.  We reflect how limited is our suffering and great are our blessings.  A half marathon is 13.1 miles.  We completed it on Sunday 22nd March just a week after our Ruby wedding anniversary.  Definitely a case of late mid-life crisis!  The first few miles seemed relatively easy as we jogged along surrounded by thousands taking part.  The spring sun shone and the crowds encouraged us all the way along.  We were also spurred on by your prayers and support.  The last few miles seemed hard work as legs felt leaden.  However our training paid off.  We were delighted to complete the challenge.  Our times will remain personal bests as we will not be embarking on such madness again!!

Peter is supporting Franciscan Aid the national charity of the Third Order.   Jill is raising funds for the Mother’s Union and is seeking support via branches and church contacts.  The money will go via the Uppingham branch to the work of MU overseas.  She has already collected £900. Thank you for the support already received.   For those who would prefer to give on line (especially for gift aiding purposes) her site is:

www.justgiving.com/Jill-Cannings2

Alternatively she is pleased to receive cash or cheques made payable to Uppingham branch Mother’s Union.  She will complete the collection of contributions at the forum on April 18th.

We are not sure why we embarked on this madness but are pleased that it is done.  We thank you all for your tolerance, words of encouragement, prayers and support. Jill will be happy to come and give a talk to branches by way of showing thanks.

Jill and Peter Cannings

Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
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News

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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News

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.