MOTHERS' UNION
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
RACHEL WILLIAMSON
Group Leader
LINDA RAWLINGS
Branch Committee Member
LOUISE LYDDON
Branch Committee Member
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know that Mothers’ Union has been an integral part of the Church of England since it began back in the mid 1800s? Its work is to support that of the Clergy in their community and parish outreach both near and far. Mothers’ Union is now in the process of reimagining itself; bringing the charity into the 21st Century. If you feel this is something you would like to be involved with, then please talk to us. Our meeting on 8th September begins with an opening Eucharist at 2pm led by Revd Lizzie, which combines a global Wave of Prayer and is followed by a fellowship time where we would like to hear your thoughts on “Moving Forward”. The flowers in church this week reflect the Mothers Union colours, as a way of acknowledging our ongoing work.
ABOUT MOTHERS' UNION
What is membership of the Mothers' Union about? It's not about mothers or fathers; it's not about parental or marital status. These don't matter in the 21st Century. It's all about Christians, working together through prayer, faith and action to help families and children in need, at home and across the world. Visit the main Mothers' Union site to find out more.
We are the Filton Branch of the Mothers' Union in the Deanery of Bristol West. We offer a welcoming atmosphere and warm fellowship. Currently our membership consists of 21 full-time members.
We meet on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 2pm in the Coffee Shop. We also encourage members to be United In Prayer on the 4th Thursday of every month in your own home.
You would be welcome to join us. Have a look through the programme below to see what we will be doing over the coming year.
For more information about the Mothers' Union group, contact Rachel Williamson
or visit the Bristol Diocese MU website.
MOTHERS' UNION PROGRAMME 2023
To keep up to date with changes to this program, news, and other information, visit us on Facebook.
Thursday 9th February 2pm
AGM in the Coffee Shop
Saturday 4th March 10:30pm Coalpit Heath
Diocese Agm / Members Day
Thursday 9th March 2pm
President's Talk at Holy Trinity Horfield
Thursday 13th April 2pm
Fun and games in the Coffee Shop
Thursday 11th May 2pm
Taize in the Lady Chapel
Thursday 15th June 2pm
Deanery Festival with Revd Lizzie in the Church / Coffee Shop
Thurdsay 13th July
Cream Tea / Outing
Wednesday 9th August
Mary Sumner service / picnic in the Church and Coffee Shop
Thursday 10th August 12:30pm
Deanery Lunch in Horfield
Friday 8th September
Wave of prayer
Thursday 14th September 2pm
Opening Service in the church
Friday 22nd September
Mothers' Union annual gathering in York
Thursday 12th October 2pm
Quiz in the Coffee Shop
Saturday 14th October
Autumn gathering - venue tbc
Thursday 9th November 2pm
Remembrance in the Coffee Shop
Thursday 14th December 2pm
Christmas Carols in the Lady Chapel / Coffee Shop
OTHER IMPORTANT DATES
UNITED IN PRAYER
On the 4th Thursday of every month we invite you to be united in prayer in your own home. If you wish you can join us by lighting a candle at home. Mothers' Union also acknowledge midday prayers daily and these can be found on the MU website. You can also be part of an emailed prayer chain. Send your email address to Rachel if you are interested.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The dates of the next Committee Meetings will be announced soon.
Should you have an agenda item for the Committee to discuss, please raise it prior to the meting, preferably in writing.
To find out more about the work of the Mothers' Union, click here.
STAY IN TOUCH
There are many ways you can find out more about Mothers' Union, nationally, regionally and locally.
MOTHERS UNION AND THE CLEWER INITIATIVE PARTNERSHIP
Mothers' Union are proudly working in collaboration with the Clewer Initiative in order to end modern day slavery by 2030.
Modern Slavery is hidden in plain sight on our high streets. People are being forced to work long hours, for little or no pay, and under threat of violence in hand car washes.
The Clewer Initiative is a project that enables the Church of England and its wider networks to develop strategies to detect modern day slavery in their communities and help provide victim support and care. Both Mothers' Union and the Clewer Initiative believe that the tools to end modern day slavery already exist within our local communities. We envision that the Church, which is present and at the heart of our communities, has a primary responsibility in leading this effort.
You can help by downloading the Safe Car Wash app. The Safe Car Wash app is designed to be used by someone going to get their car washed. At the hand car wash they can open the app, logging the location of the hand car wash. They will be taken through a series of indicators of modern slavery; for example, are the workers wearing protective clothing, and are there signs that they are living on site? When they finish the questions, the answers are sent to a database which can then be accessed by law enforcement investigating modern slavery.
For more information go to: www.mothersunion.org/projects/mothers-union-clewer-partnership