Mothers' Union
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Mothers' Union meets at 2.15pm on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Exact dates can be found in the programme above. All are welcome to attend.
More info. on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/StMarysElyMU/
Diocesan Website: www.elydiocese.org/church-in-action/mothers-union
National Website: www.mothersunion.org
More info. on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/StMarysElyMU/
Diocesan Website: www.elydiocese.org/church-in-action/mothers-union
National Website: www.mothersunion.org
Summer 2020 Update
Due to guidelines concerning the Covid-19 outbreak, Mothers’ Union events have now been cancelled and meetings suspended. This includes the Garden Party on Friday 10 July and Annual Gathering in Belfast in September.
Midday Prayers and the Wave of Prayer
You can still be involved from home through the MU Midday Prayers and the Wave of Prayer.
The Wave of Prayer is a continuous expression of our commitment in prayer to each other. It runs throughout the year so that the work of members of each and every area in which Mothers’ Union is active is prayed for at some point. We include this in our Midday Prayers.
https://www.mothersunion.org/what-we-do/faith-and-prayer/midday-prayers-wave-prayer
Midday Prayers can also be viewed LIVE each day at midday by visiting the MU Facebook page, and it’s available to view afterwards as well. Members join in watching from around the world, and most days is viewed by about one thousand people.
https://www.facebook.com/MothersUnion/
Daily Hope Phone Line
MU members who don’t have access to the internet at home will still be able to hear our MU Midday Prayers thanks to the Church of England’s Daily Hope Line.
Call FREEPHONE 0800 804 8044 from a UK mobile or landline and press option 4, then option 8. It’s introduced by Archbishop Justin Welby with a short message: if you want to hear his full message you press * - but to hear all the numbered options wait until his short intro ends and the number options can be heard. Please pass on to members and friends who have no internet, and would like to connect with the thoughts and prayers.
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-parishes/daily-hope-phone-line
New Resources
New Resources have been added to the MU website to help give support throughout the present challenging times, as members and friends face self-isolation at home. Resources will continue to be added on a regular basis.
https://www.mothersunion.org/resources-support-us-challenging-times
Further resources can be found on the Ely Diocesan website, including: the Newsletters; Family:Faith:Fun Activity Sheets; Prayer Resources; Chaplain’s Letter; and latest news updates.
https://www.elydiocese.org/church-in-action/mothers-union/
Urgent Appeal
Along with many other charities at this time, Mothers’ Union is facing a significant shortfall in its funds, currently forecast to be in excess of £1 million this year alone, without the usual income from hiring rooms at Mary Sumner House and fundraising activities, even with financial safety nets in place.
Thanks to members’ generous donations, the current total is increasing every week and over £500,000 has now been raised of the £1 million target.
Read more here and how to donate: https://support.mothersunion.org/
Thy Kingdom Come Service
The Mothers’ Union Annual Thy Kingdom Come Service, usually held at Coventry Cathedral, was streamed Live on the MU Facebook page and can now be watched on our YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/MothersUnion).
This was truly a jubilant and uplifting global moment of prayer, worship and thanks. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, opened the Service and gave a Blessing, with a sermon from the Rt Revd Dr Emma Ineson, Bishop of Penrith, MU Central Chaplain. There are messages from the Very Revd Bob Key, (Anglican Communion Lead for Thy Kingdom Come), and MU member Thembsie Mchunu, (MU Worldwide Trustee for Central Africa, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Southern Africa) singing a message of thanks with her family. Prayers and the lighting of a candle of hope were led by Sheran Harper, MU Worldwide President.
You can download a copy of Emma Ineson’s Sermon here: https://www.mothersunion.org/get-involved/whats-on/thy-kingdom-come-global-moment-2020
Our Christian faith is at the heart of our charity, and our prayer and worship is central to our work. We believe that prayer can be transformational and can make a huge difference to lives on an individual and community basis.
https://www.mothersunion.org/what-we-do/faith-and-prayer
For some members, who might be limited in what they can contribute to the wider community, praying at home is one thing they can engage in.
The Mothers’ Union Prayer
Loving Lord,
We thank you for your love so freely given to us all. We pray for families around the world.
Bless the work of the Mothers’ Union as we seek to share your love through the encouragement, strengthening and support of marriage and family life.
Empowered by your Spirit, may we be united in prayer and worship, and in love and service reach out as your hands across the world.
In Jesus’ name. Amen
Midday Prayers and the Wave of Prayer
You can still be involved from home through the MU Midday Prayers and the Wave of Prayer.
The Wave of Prayer is a continuous expression of our commitment in prayer to each other. It runs throughout the year so that the work of members of each and every area in which Mothers’ Union is active is prayed for at some point. We include this in our Midday Prayers.
https://www.mothersunion.org/what-we-do/faith-and-prayer/midday-prayers-wave-prayer
Midday Prayers can also be viewed LIVE each day at midday by visiting the MU Facebook page, and it’s available to view afterwards as well. Members join in watching from around the world, and most days is viewed by about one thousand people.
https://www.facebook.com/MothersUnion/
Daily Hope Phone Line
MU members who don’t have access to the internet at home will still be able to hear our MU Midday Prayers thanks to the Church of England’s Daily Hope Line.
Call FREEPHONE 0800 804 8044 from a UK mobile or landline and press option 4, then option 8. It’s introduced by Archbishop Justin Welby with a short message: if you want to hear his full message you press * - but to hear all the numbered options wait until his short intro ends and the number options can be heard. Please pass on to members and friends who have no internet, and would like to connect with the thoughts and prayers.
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-parishes/daily-hope-phone-line
New Resources
New Resources have been added to the MU website to help give support throughout the present challenging times, as members and friends face self-isolation at home. Resources will continue to be added on a regular basis.
https://www.mothersunion.org/resources-support-us-challenging-times
Further resources can be found on the Ely Diocesan website, including: the Newsletters; Family:Faith:Fun Activity Sheets; Prayer Resources; Chaplain’s Letter; and latest news updates.
https://www.elydiocese.org/church-in-action/mothers-union/
Urgent Appeal
Along with many other charities at this time, Mothers’ Union is facing a significant shortfall in its funds, currently forecast to be in excess of £1 million this year alone, without the usual income from hiring rooms at Mary Sumner House and fundraising activities, even with financial safety nets in place.
Thanks to members’ generous donations, the current total is increasing every week and over £500,000 has now been raised of the £1 million target.
Read more here and how to donate: https://support.mothersunion.org/
Thy Kingdom Come Service
The Mothers’ Union Annual Thy Kingdom Come Service, usually held at Coventry Cathedral, was streamed Live on the MU Facebook page and can now be watched on our YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/MothersUnion).
This was truly a jubilant and uplifting global moment of prayer, worship and thanks. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, opened the Service and gave a Blessing, with a sermon from the Rt Revd Dr Emma Ineson, Bishop of Penrith, MU Central Chaplain. There are messages from the Very Revd Bob Key, (Anglican Communion Lead for Thy Kingdom Come), and MU member Thembsie Mchunu, (MU Worldwide Trustee for Central Africa, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Southern Africa) singing a message of thanks with her family. Prayers and the lighting of a candle of hope were led by Sheran Harper, MU Worldwide President.
You can download a copy of Emma Ineson’s Sermon here: https://www.mothersunion.org/get-involved/whats-on/thy-kingdom-come-global-moment-2020
Our Christian faith is at the heart of our charity, and our prayer and worship is central to our work. We believe that prayer can be transformational and can make a huge difference to lives on an individual and community basis.
https://www.mothersunion.org/what-we-do/faith-and-prayer
For some members, who might be limited in what they can contribute to the wider community, praying at home is one thing they can engage in.
The Mothers’ Union Prayer
Loving Lord,
We thank you for your love so freely given to us all. We pray for families around the world.
Bless the work of the Mothers’ Union as we seek to share your love through the encouragement, strengthening and support of marriage and family life.
Empowered by your Spirit, may we be united in prayer and worship, and in love and service reach out as your hands across the world.
In Jesus’ name. Amen
Events
16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence campaign: 25 Nov-10 Dec.
This is an international campaign that takes place each year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) until 10 December (International Human Rights Day). Mothers’ Union Members around the world support the UN Campaign which calls for an end to all gender-based violence – violence carried out most often against women and girls because of their gender. MU in the Ely Diocese held a Silent Vigil & Banner Witness at Ely Cathedral, with a campaign display, prayer tree, and exhibition of “Souls of Our Shoes”.
https://www.mothersunion.org/projects/16-days-activism-against-gender-based-violence
This is an international campaign that takes place each year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) until 10 December (International Human Rights Day). Mothers’ Union Members around the world support the UN Campaign which calls for an end to all gender-based violence – violence carried out most often against women and girls because of their gender. MU in the Ely Diocese held a Silent Vigil & Banner Witness at Ely Cathedral, with a campaign display, prayer tree, and exhibition of “Souls of Our Shoes”.
https://www.mothersunion.org/projects/16-days-activism-against-gender-based-violence
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We held our Annual Overseas Day in March, which raised £160 for MU work overseas. After an enjoyable lunch, there was a short service, followed by a very interesting illustrated talk by our speaker Gill Uttin, the Ely Diocesan Worldwide Links Officer. She talked about our Diocesan links with countries overseas. These included Karimnagar, India and in Africa- Sokoto, Ika, Shyogwe and Lusaka. It was very inspiring to hear how hard MU members overseas work in sometimes extremely difficult circumstances. Many thanks to all who came along and supported the event, and to members for providing refreshments.
At our February meeting, we had an interesting talk from Barry Griffiths about Jimmy's Night Shelter, Cambridge. For over 20 years, Jimmy's has been providing help for the homeless in Cambridge. They work with the local community, volunteers and partner agencies to deliver 24/7 emergency accommodation and supported housing for those who would otherwise be homeless or vulnerably housed. In the last year, they have worked with over 400 different people, supporting them through positive changes and have helped over three quarters of them resettle into more suitable and stable accommodation, leading them towards an independent lifestyle.
We had an enjoyable afternoon at St Mary's MU Tea Party in July, and welcomed guests from Haddenham, Stretham and Wilburton. £130 was raised for the work of the MU. No meeting in August, but in September we begin our new programme and welcome Rev'd Natalie Andrews, our Team Vicar, to lead our worship and communion service on Wednesday 14 September at 2.15pm. New members always welcome.
The Annual Overseas Day was held at St Mary’s Church in April. Branch Leader, Joan Simper, welcomed members and guests to the meeting. After an enjoyable lunch, there was a short service, followed by a very interesting illustrated talk by our speaker, Sue Claydon from March. She spoke about her time working with the VSO in South Sudan, which was both a challenging and rewarding experience.
Members from across the Diocese of Ely gathered at St Peter's Church March, for the Mothers' Union Spring festival Day and AGM in April. The theme was "Transforming Community" and our President, Susan Baker, welcomed keynote speaker, Robert Dawes, from Mary Summer House. After the opening worship led by Revd Valerie Kilner, there were 3 morning sessions focussing on Living our MU Promises; Sharing our Ministries; and Transforming Communities Worldwide. After a bring and share lunch, we had a short AGM, including the afternoon with a session centred on Our Calling to Mission. Further info about becoming a Diocesan MU Member from Debbie Tye, Diocesan Members' Officer. (Email: muelydiocese@hotmail.com)
(The Mothers’ Union is a Registered Charity No.251394)
Website: www.mothersunion.org
Diocesan Website: www.elydiocese.org/church-in-action/mothers-union