Author: Mothers' Union Peterborough

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Past Events

Trustee Quiet Day, January 2016

To begin the new triennial the trustees met together for a quiet day in West Haddon. The conductor was Rev Mandy Cuthbertson, our diocesan chaplain.

Mandy chose the theme ‘For all that has been… thank you. For all that shall be. Yes please,’ a quote from Doug Hammerskjold.

We spent the morning quietly thinking what had gone before. The highlights of the last three years and how we could use this information to look forward to the future.

We came back together for lunch and then spent time, again quietly, thinking what we wanted from the next three years.

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The next challenge was to produce a banner/collage of all our thoughts. At this stage the interaction was great as we all discussed how we could best represent all of our ideas. The results can be seen in the included pictures.

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The day was brought to a close with a Eucharist with readings and prayers on the theme.

An interesting, inspiring and mostly restful day. We thank Mandy for all her thoughts and preparations.

Barbara Haynes, Diocesan President

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Resources

Grapevine Spring 2016

Click here to read Grapevine Spring 2016 – you will need software capable of reading PDFs

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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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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.

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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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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.

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by Jill Kearns