We would, as ever, be happy to receive any pictures or stories from around the diocese - these can be emailed to the Mothers' Union Office info@mugloucester.org.uk

PARENTING : SKILLS ACQUIRED, QUALIFICATIONS GAINED, SMILES ALL ROUND!

At Forum newly qualified Parenting Facilitators (from left) Lesley Barrett, Pauline Bryant and Helen Barton were presented with their certificates by the Diocesan President.

 Pat Dew, who also completed the course, was sadly unable to be there.

Congratulations to them all!

MARKET STALL SUCCESS

Pictured here, the MU  table at the Christmas Market at St Philip & St James Church, Hucclecote. All items were made by members (take a close look at the quality!) and almost £200 was raised for Mothers` Union. Well done!

AFIA HONOURED

The work of AFIA in providing welcome holidays for families with troubles was recognized recently by  Carers Gloucestershire who awarded a certificate. Josie Brown and Jean Thomas (below) were delighted to receive as a tribute not just to their own work but to the generosity of MU members.

SUBS FOR 2012

 Subscriptions for 2012  as set by Diocesan Trustees, on advice from Mary Sumner House and F&CS Unit committee :        

                Branch:                        £16.00     

            Indoor Member:         £11.25

            Diocesan Member:     £20.00

 Of course, in these difficult times, increases have been kept to a minimum but it is good to remind ourselves that the subs support a huge range of enterprises that are part of the worldwide mission of The Mothers' Union:

  At home:-

·        Salaries of the Diocesan Secretaries

·        the Diocesan Office, which is key to the smooth running of administrative matters, and all associated bills (rent, utilities etc)

·        the structure of the MU in Gloucestershire

Centrally:-

·         Campaigns, such as Bye Buy Childhood

·         the Central Trustees and Worldwide President

·         Central Administration of Mothers’ Union including the management of the Shop and MUe (all of which provides the income stream from sales and letting of Conference Rooms)

 Overseas:-

·         Mothers’ Union Workers

·         Literacy and Development Programmes

·         Parenting Programmes

·         Family Life Programme

TRIP TO THE GENERAL MEETING 2012

Elizabeth Reay who has organized several very successful excursions to General Meetings in recent years has been busy again!  Her flair for organization and attention to detail have resulted in highly enjoyable mini-holidays with the excitement of the AGM at their centre.

Her letter to members is below. Don't miss the chance!!

Contact the MU Office if you are interested or send a copy of the form below and they will pass it to Elizabeth

The General Meeting for 2012 is being held in North Wales and we are planning to have six days in Llandudno leaving Tuesday, 12^th June and returning on Sunday, 17^th June, 2012, staying at The Somerset Hotel on the sea-front

 This trip is open to everyone – members -  friends -  husbands -  perhaps you have a friend that would like to join us this time, everyone is very friendly so do please consider joining us on this adventure.  If you are on your own you will soon make new friends – we make several pick-up points so there should be one near you and we have been promised a very happy and helpful driver this year !! 

We are planning on visiting the Port Sunlight Museum and Garden Village, Bodnant Gardens, a trip on the Snowdon Mountain Railway, visit the Welsh National Slate Museum, Betws-y-Coed, and Llangollen.

The General Meeting is being held on Saturday, 16^th June just 8/10 minutes walk from our hotel along the sea-front to Venue Cwmru.  We do not yet know where the church service is being held.

Hopefully we will  have forty  people wishing to go so the cost will be around £320.00 per person if sharing a room – (the cost of the meeting ticket is not yet known) – this is for bed, breakfast, and evening meal for five nights.  Please look at their website for further details www.thesomersethotel.co.uk

Please complete the booking form below and return to the office with your deposit of £100.00 per person – cheque payable to Mothers’ Union Gloucester Diocese – as soon as possible.  The full amount needs to be paid during April -  if you wish to pay by easy instalments between now and then please do so.  Please do consider taking out insurance just in case you find you cannot come at the last minute.

................................................................................................................................................................................................

BOOKING FORM FOR TRIP TO NORTH WALES 12^TH JUNE TO 17^TH JUNE  2012

Name               .............................................................                       pick-up point Glos-Ciren-Tewkes.  ? 

Address           .............................................................                       dietary requirements ...................

                        ...............................post code................                      phone number .............................

e-mail              ...............................................................                     double/twin/single room*...................

M.U. Branch   ...................................... or other                                 walk-in shower needed ?.....................

Insurance needed    yes/no  - details will be sent to you.

I/We enclose a cheque for the deposit for this trip to Mothers’ Union Gloucester Diocese for £100.00 p.p. to M. U. Office, 18 College Green, GLOUCESTER. GL1 2LR 

*some singles have a supplement of £10.00 per night but these rooms are larger than standard single -

we are offered seven singles with no supplement but these will be smaller rooms.

YOUR TRUSTEES FOR THE TRIENNIUM

(Margaret Edwards, Diocesan President)

The following have been elected as Trustees :

Vice-President (Glos Archdeaconry) : Pauline Bryant (Lower Cam)                                         Vice-President (Chelt Archdeaconry : Kate Thompson (Shurdington)

Lesley Barrett (St Catherine's, Glos) - FCS

Helen Barton (Severnside) - Marketing coordinator

Caz Cameron (Cirencester)

Pat Cook (Churchdown) - Action & Outreach coordinator

Liz Curtis (Brockworth)

Kay Hensley (Stonehouse) - Faith & Policy coordinator

Elizabeth Reay (Lechlade) Social Policy Rep

Jean Thomas (Hucclecote)

We welcome Rev Juliet Stephenson as Diocesan Chaplain                                                                                           Happily for us, Jean Searle continues as Diocesan Secretary

Our finances continue in the safe hands of Kathy Cottey, Treasurer for the Diocese

PARENTING

Long an essential part of Mothers' Union work, Parenting is enjoying a new lease of life in the Diocese.

There are now 6 trained MU facilitators who are willing to use their skills wherever needed.

If there is a group in your area who would like to be part of a Parenting programme, please contact the Office who will point you in the right direction.

We don’t just make tea…….!

 So what is Mothers’ Union? From its quiet founding by Mary Sumner in England in 1876, Mothers’ Union is now a worldwide organization of 3 and a half million members in 76 countries. With practical help underpinned by Christian faith and prayer,Mothers' Union is in some ways the biggest Christian mission movement. Its backbone is a worldwide network of volunteers.

What are its aims? Mothers' Union works and prays to promote and support family life in this country and overseas.

Who can join? The name “Mothers’ Union” is traditional and a little misleading - membership is today open to men and women, married or single.

 Is it expensive? No – currently the annual membership charge is only £17 – as someone put it, about a Mars bar a week. This includes subscription to the national and diocesan magazines . There are 65 branches in Gloucestershire which normally meet monthly. If there is no branch in your parish, Diocesan Membership costs £20 (to cover postage).

 What does Mothers' Union actually do? In this country, Mothers' Union runs Parenting courses, works in prisons (1,000 members), arranges holidays for disadvantaged families and arranges social activities for the elderly. Mothers' Union helps the church by running children’s services & Mother & Toddler groups; with baptismal and marriage support and, yes, we do make a lot of tea. In Gloucestershire all these things happen and we also run a Money Advice Service (MUMAS) to help families trapped by debt. We also do all we can to support Mothers' Union in its wider work

     Worldwide, Mothers' Union employs 300 paid workers to provide leadership in local communities to set up self-help projects. Sometimes help is a response (HIV/AIDS awareness or relief in times of war, famine or natural disasters), but there are many projects to enable sustainable growth , for example, education, sewing & cultivation classes, irrigation projects or the Literacy Programme in Africa.

            Mothers' Union also tries to tackle the root causes of injustice. It has representation at the United Nations and supports, for instance, the Make Poverty History campaign.

 How much of my time will it take? As much or as little as you are able to commit!

Mothers' Union values the fellowship and fun of its branch meetings. These are usually monthly and members try to attend. It also meets at Deanery, Diocesan and International levels. There are chances to learn, social occasions, special services, Quiet Days and Retreats and there are many opportunities for members to help with activities that interest them. Those with restricted time help with prayerful support and occasional attendance.

 How do I find out more or join?  You can find your local branch in your church magazine or by ringing the Office : 01452 528621