Monthly e-newsletter – January 2023
posted by: Joan Vine | on: Thursday, 5 January 2023, 12:54
Happy New Year 2023
Thoughts from your President, Maxine Paul: Here we are at the beginning of another New Year – I can no longer use the excuse that I am a new president, but I feel I still have so much to learn about you and from you all and that is exactly how it should be – it would be a very boring world if we all knew everything about each other wouldn’t it?!
Also, God likes to keep us on our toes and, as we continue with our theme of “Transformation – Now!”, there’s always so much we can do as Mothers’ Union to make a difference in the world in His name. The fact that we know He is walking along with us is so reassuring and inspiring.
We have 3 more members days coming up – a chance to meet each other, worship together and hear more about MU. Several branches have already said they will be using “Metamorphosis Bite-size” in Lent - please consider it (books are available from MUe online or get in touch with me if you want to know more). In her tour of the Deaneries, Bishop Guli has asked us to “walk well together”, so please reach out to your clergy to see how you can support them in their ministry. And, don’t forget to share this newsletter with all your members to keep them in touch.
“All this day, O Lord, let me touch as many lives as possible for thee; and every life I touch, do thou by thy spirit quicken, whether through the word I speak, the prayer I breathe, or the life I live. Amen” God bless you all in 2023 Maxine x
16 Days of Activism: Throughout the 16 days of activism. Many members attended one of our global day services on 26th November and on Tuesday 29th November a number of members from the diocese participated in a J9 domestic abuse session run by Epping St John’s. The 16 days is an opportunity to spotlight the issue of gender-based violence. However, it is important that our actions are not restricted to just 16 days of the year. One way we can all improve our response to gender-based violence is to improve our awareness of domestic abuse. If you have not had the opportunity yet to complete domestic abuse training, we would strongly encourage you to do so. An online domestic abuse training session is available through the Church of England portal www.chelmsford.anglican.org/online-training.
If you haven’t yet displayed the End Abuse Together flyer in your church or don’t yet have a copy of the Domestic Abuse Charter for churches up, it’s not too late to do so. The Essex Domestic Abuse Helpline number is 0330 333 7444 and is open 8am to 8pm weekdays and 8am to 1pm weekends.
Roundabout: The deadline for the next edition of Roundabout is 1st April 2023. Any articles should be sent to roundabout@muchelmsford.org.uk.
Members Days: We have a number of members events coming up in February and March:
- Rainham – 1st February 2023 at 10:30am
- Rearranged cocktail evening at Kelvedon Hatch – 13th February 2023, 7:30pm
- Witham – date in March TBC
These events are an opportunity to meet with trustees, worship together and learn about the MU theme Transformation Now! All members are welcome at any of these events and can bring a friend. So please spread the word to your branch members. It would be useful to know how many are coming as we would hate to run out of anything! (secretary@muchelmsford.org.uk or president@muchelmsford.org.uk)
The Big Give Christmas Challenge: Mothers’ Union was able to use all the match funding available through the Big Give, raising over £69,500 for women in South Sudan and have subsequently secured an additional £10k of match funding, enabling even more online donations to be doubled up to 4th January.
Period Poverty: MSH have asked for feedback from dioceses on the issue of period poverty. They would like to know any particular challenges areas are facing, what the current awareness of this is in communities, and what if anything MU groups are doing to tackle this issue. If you would like to feed into this information gathering exercise please contact the diocesan secretary. The deadline for responses is 12th January.
News from Mary Sumner House: The monthly Indoor Members Prayer Circle reflection is attached to this newsletter. If any member hasn’t received their annual Prayer Diary yet, then please contact the diocesan secretary who will follow this up (secretary@muchelmsford.org.uk)
Tickets for the Annual Gathering in York on Friday 22nd September are now on sale. For more information please visit https://www.mothersunion.org/annual-gathering-2023
The central Carol Service, which took place at the chapel at Mary Sumner House is available to view at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lIBdXdjrVQ
Raising funds for CDMU through your favourite brands: Did you know that you can raise funds for Chelmsford Diocesan Mothers’ Union when you shop through the easyfundraising website or app and through Amazon Smile? To sign up go to easyfundraising.org.uk or smile.amazon.co.uk.
No more 1in3
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