RAW - Mothers' Union

Next meeting: The next meeting will be on Wed 6th June and will be 'A celebration of the Queen's Jubilee' - a Street party. .

May outing (outing to the ‘Black and White' villages on May 2nd)
On an unseasonably cool morning, Mothers’ Union members and friends embarked on a trip to the Black and White villages of Eardisland and Woebley. The sight of the Wye in full flood did not dampen spirits and there was much chatter and laughter on the coach. The coffee stop was in Eardisland in a delightful café with a very tempting gift shop. The church had interesting display boards and a beautiful patchwork quilt which had been made by the ladies of the village to celebrate the millennium. After viewing the old AA box and the river in spate it was back on the coach to Woebley.
Hospitality is always guaranteed when the Mothers’ Union is involved and we were warmly welcomed by the members of the Woebley branch who provided a delicious lunch. Good use had been made of the choir vestry which now houses a modern kitchen enabling the church to be used for different functions. After lunch we were given a tour of the church with many interesting historical details pointed out. As the sun attempted to appear members walked around the village marvelling at the ancient buildings that have survived despite the increase in the size of vehicles squeezing past.
The journey home passed fields of brilliant yellow oil seed rape and orchards with delicate pink and white blossom just bursting forth. We were reminded of the wonderful variety of God’s creation and how blest we are to live in such a delightful part of the world. Our thanks go to Mrs Heather Lovett who once again organised the day with her wonderful efficiency and to our driver who brought us safely home.

On 4th April, following a Holy Communion service in church where the Rev'd Sarah Jones challenged us to think about the account of the Last Supper in St John's gospel; the Mothers' Union hosted the final Lent Lunch. The past six weeks have been very successful with almost £500 being raised for Mothers' Union projects and St Mary's Church. £200 will go towards training a home based carer to support families of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. £40 to help mothers in Sudan, Malawi and Burundi learn vital financial skills; if you know basic literacy and financial skills you will not be cheated at market. £23 will give volunteers the resources they need to support families. £9 towards practical help at times of crisis; during the drought in East Africa relief funding provided maize and beans to families in desperate need.

Thank you to everyone who supported these lunches. The home-made soups were delicious and it was good to see people enjoying a simple meal and each other's company.

The speaker at the March meeting was the Rev'd Caroline Pascoe who introduced us to The Pearls of Life bracelet.

Bishop Martin Lonnebo, a Bishop from Sweden invented the ‘bracelet of pearls'. His diocese was linked with Caroline's previous diocese of Llandaff and so the bracelets have come from Greece, where he first made one, to Sweden, to Llandaff and then to Ross. These special bracelets help people of all ages to pray and to deepen their Christian discipleship. Today, the pearls are in the pockets and bags of thousands and thousands of people.

Nimble fingers were needed to string the beads but Caroline was very patient and with much cooperation the bracelets were completed. Each bead has a special meaning . The Gold pearl stands for God, God the creator, source of all life and love. The shimmering “I” pearl reminds us that we are made in the image of God and loved by God. There is a ‘desert pearl', life can sometimes seem like a desert but we know that we are not alone. The 3 ‘secret' pearls stand for the things that we tell God alone. There are 6 oblong ‘pearls of silence'. These are meant for the quiet “in-between-moments” of quiet we often need in life.

There was much to think about and everyone went home with a bracelet to help them with their prayer life.

At the February meeting, Canon Freda Davies spoke on 'Your Gift – Discover and Celebrate', the theme for the year. With reference to the bible story of the feeding of the 5,000, Freda encouraged us to think about the gifts that we have and how we can use them to further the work of the Mothers' Union and the Church. We all have a gift or skill that we can share, for instance: hospitality, creativity or communication. We find ourselves saying ‘But all we have is….' We start to feel helpless, inadequate; thinking that there is not enough. But Jesus, who said to his disciples ‘YOU give them something to eat' speaks to us too saying ‘YOU have something to give – your faith, your commitment, your energy, your own individual gift, and the little you have is enough.'

This was a challenging message, but Mothers' Union members are always willing to take up challenges.

The branch will be hosting Lent Lunches on Wednesdays in Lent from Feb 29 th in St Mary's Church Hall from 12 noon till 1.30pm. Proceeds will be shared between St Mary's and the Mothers' Union ‘Make a Mother's Day' project. This project hopes to raise over £100,000 for vital projects across the world. A gift, however small, can make a real difference to a mother's life. Details on leaflets in church.

We began the new year with an Epiphany celebration and heard about ancient folk customs and then considered the religious significance of the season. The term Epiphany means ‘to show' or ‘to make known'. The Wise Men or Magi who brought gifts to the child Jesus, were the first to ‘show' or ‘reveal' him to a wider world, an indication that Jesus came for all people, of all nations, of all races. Three candles were lit to represent the gifts and the scent of frankincense wafted lightly around the room.

Epiphany is now observed as a time of focusing on the mission of the Church in reaching out to our communities. This links well with the 5 objects of the Mothers' Union and its Aim which is ‘to be specially concerned with all that strengthens and preserves marriage and Christian family life.'

There was much hilarity as everyone made a 5 pointed star, some were more successful than others, and then a time of quiet contemplation was held with Bible readings and prayers focusing on the work of the Mothers' Union.

The afternoon concluded with a ‘bring and share' tea, where, like the feeding of the 5,000 there is always plenty for all and some left over!

What is Mothers' Union?

A worldwide community supporting family life today

Mothers' Union is a Christian organisation with more than 4 million members in over 80 countries. Members do all they can – through volunteering, giving and prayer – to support families, to promote marriage and family life and to reach out within their communities to people who are isolated, in trouble or in need of help.

Though our lives and our experience of Mothers' Union may differ widely depending on where we are, we are all joined together by our shared belief in the importance of family values.

For further information about the worldwide organisation Mothers' Union, and what we stand for, visit www.themothersunion.org

What does Mothers' Union do?

We are a grassroots movement that looks forward to and actively works towards a world where love and respect are the hallmarks of personal, community, national and international relationships. To this end we campaign to ensure children are protected within society, we promote gender equality and speak out on issues such as women's education, early marriage and domestic violence. We facilitate good parenting, community development and strong marriages and work with the most marginalised communities in the world to bring health, education and training to eradicate poverty.

At times of distress and hardship Mothers' Union members respond bringing relief from hunger and homelessness caused by natural disaster or conflict, or compassion to those who feel far from God.

Like to find out more?

Please get in touch with our local Ross-on-Wye Branch Leader, Margaret, on 01989 566612, or Branch Secretary, Celia, on 01989 768042, for further information.

We meet on the first Wednesday afternoon of the month at 2.30pm in St Mary's Church Hall.

	Benefice of Ross with Walford




	Next meeting: The next meeting will be on Wed 6th June and will be 'A celebration of the Queen's Jubilee' - a Street party. . May outing (outing to the ‘Black and White' villages on May 2nd) On an unseasonably cool morning, Mothers’ Union members and friends embarked on a trip to the Black and White villages of Eardisland and Woebley. The sight of the Wye in full flood did not dampen spirits and there was much chatter and laughter on the coach. The coffee stop was in Eardisland in a delightful café with a very tempting gift shop. The church had interesting display boards and a beautiful patchwork quilt which had been made by the ladies of the village to celebrate the millennium. After viewing the old AA box and the river in spate it was back on the coach to Woebley. Hospitality is always guaranteed when the Mothers’ Union is involved and we were warmly welcomed by the members of the Woebley branch who provided a delicious lunch. Good use had been made of the choir vestry which now houses a modern kitchen enabling the church to be used for different functions. After lunch we were given a tour of the church with many interesting historical details pointed out. As the sun attempted to appear members walked around the village marvelling at the ancient buildings that have survived despite the increase in the size of vehicles squeezing past. The journey home passed fields of brilliant yellow oil seed rape and orchards with delicate pink and white blossom just bursting forth. We were reminded of the wonderful variety of God’s creation and how blest we are to live in such a delightful part of the world. Our thanks go to Mrs Heather Lovett who once again organised the day with her wonderful efficiency and to our driver who brought us safely home. On 4th April, following a Holy Communion service in church where the Rev'd Sarah Jones challenged us to think about the account of the Last Supper in St John's gospel; the Mothers' Union hosted the final Lent Lunch. The past six weeks have been very successful with almost £500 being raised for Mothers' Union projects and St Mary's Church. £200 will go towards training a home based carer to support families of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. £40 to help mothers in Sudan, Malawi and Burundi learn vital financial skills; if you know basic literacy and financial skills you will not be cheated at market. £23 will give volunteers the resources they need to support families. £9 towards practical help at times of crisis; during the drought in East Africa relief funding provided maize and beans to families in desperate need. Thank you to everyone who supported these lunches. The home-made soups were delicious and it was good to see people enjoying a simple meal and each other's company. The speaker at the March meeting was the Rev'd Caroline Pascoe who introduced us to The Pearls of Life bracelet. Bishop Martin Lonnebo, a Bishop from Sweden invented the ‘bracelet of pearls'. His diocese was linked with Caroline's previous diocese of Llandaff and so the bracelets have come from Greece, where he first made one, to Sweden, to Llandaff and then to Ross. These special bracelets help people of all ages to pray and to deepen their Christian discipleship. Today, the pearls are in the pockets and bags of thousands and thousands of people. Nimble fingers were needed to string the beads but Caroline was very patient and with much cooperation the bracelets were completed. Each bead has a special meaning . The Gold pearl stands for God, God the creator, source of all life and love. The shimmering “I” pearl reminds us that we are made in the image of God and loved by God. There is a ‘desert pearl', life can sometimes seem like a desert but we know that we are not alone. The 3 ‘secret' pearls stand for the things that we tell God alone. There are 6 oblong ‘pearls of silence'. These are meant for the quiet “in-between-moments” of quiet we often need in life. There was much to think about and everyone went home with a bracelet to help them with their prayer life. At the February meeting, Canon Freda Davies spoke on 'Your Gift – Discover and Celebrate', the theme for the year. With reference to the bible story of the feeding of the 5,000, Freda encouraged us to think about the gifts that we have and how we can use them to further the work of the Mothers' Union and the Church. We all have a gift or skill that we can share, for instance: hospitality, creativity or communication. We find ourselves saying ‘But all we have is….' We start to feel helpless, inadequate; thinking that there is not enough. But Jesus, who said to his disciples ‘YOU give them something to eat' speaks to us too saying ‘YOU have something to give – your faith, your commitment, your energy, your own individual gift, and the little you have is enough.' This was a challenging message, but Mothers' Union members are always willing to take up challenges. The branch will be hosting Lent Lunches on Wednesdays in Lent from Feb 29 th in St Mary's Church Hall from 12 noon till 1.30pm. Proceeds will be shared between St Mary's and the Mothers' Union ‘Make a Mother's Day' project. This project hopes to raise over £100,000 for vital projects across the world. A gift, however small, can make a real difference to a mother's life. Details on leaflets in church. We began the new year with an Epiphany celebration and heard about ancient folk customs and then considered the religious significance of the season. The term Epiphany means ‘to show' or ‘to make known'. The Wise Men or Magi who brought gifts to the child Jesus, were the first to ‘show' or ‘reveal' him to a wider world, an indication that Jesus came for all people, of all nations, of all races. Three candles were lit to represent the gifts and the scent of frankincense wafted lightly around the room. Epiphany is now observed as a time of focusing on the mission of the Church in reaching out to our communities. This links well with the 5 objects of the Mothers' Union and its Aim which is ‘to be specially concerned with all that strengthens and preserves marriage and Christian family life.' There was much hilarity as everyone made a 5 pointed star, some were more successful than others, and then a time of quiet contemplation was held with Bible readings and prayers focusing on the work of the Mothers' Union. The afternoon concluded with a ‘bring and share' tea, where, like the feeding of the 5,000 there is always plenty for all and some left over! What is Mothers' Union? A worldwide community supporting family life today Mothers' Union is a Christian organisation with more than 4 million members in over 80 countries. Members do all they can – through volunteering, giving and prayer – to support families, to promote marriage and family life and to reach out within their communities to people who are isolated, in trouble or in need of help. Though our lives and our experience of Mothers' Union may differ widely depending on where we are, we are all joined together by our shared belief in the importance of family values. For further information about the worldwide organisation Mothers' Union, and what we stand for, visit www.themothersunion.org What does Mothers' Union do? We are a grassroots movement that looks forward to and actively works towards a world where love and respect are the hallmarks of personal, community, national and international relationships. To this end we campaign to ensure children are protected within society, we promote gender equality and speak out on issues such as women's education, early marriage and domestic violence. We facilitate good parenting, community development and strong marriages and work with the most marginalised communities in the world to bring health, education and training to eradicate poverty. At times of distress and hardship Mothers' Union members respond bringing relief from hunger and homelessness caused by natural disaster or conflict, or compassion to those who feel far from God. Like to find out more? Please get in touch with our local Ross-on-Wye Branch Leader, Margaret, on 01989 566612, or Branch Secretary, Celia, on 01989 768042, for further information. We meet on the first Wednesday afternoon of the month at 2.30pm in St Mary's Church Hall.