Current Activities:

May

Theme for 2008

'Time for Relationship' will be the theme for 2008 and branches are encouraged to approach this idea in the following four ways: When planning the branch programme this autumn, they are encouraged to set aside three meetings during the year for (a) a discussion, (b) a service, bible study or act of worship and (c) to undertake a new project or outreach activity in the parish. In addition all members are challenged to deepen their own personal faith by attending a quiet day or retreat, or by setting aside extra time for study, prayer and spiritual development.

Also refer to the main MU website at www.themothersunion.org

Diocesan President's visit to Sudan

Bridget Trump, Diocesan President has just returned from her first trip to Sudan where she visited various Mothers' Union groups, spoke to Mothers' Union workers and attended the enthronement of the Most Rev Daniel Deng Bul the 4th Archbishop of Sudan. Bridget travelled to the dioceses of Rokon and Mundri, where she presented a diocesan banner made by two members of the diocese of Salisbury. As a gift to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Mothers' Union in Mundri and to reinforce the link between Mundri and Salisbury, the banner will now have pride of place in Mundri Cathedral. On the same occasion Bridget laid the foundation stone of a new tearoom by the cathedral from which Mothers' Union are planning to general an income to support their work locally.

Bridget also visited the Literacy & Development Circles in and around Juba and spoke with the co-ordinators about their work over the last seven years. War has greatly affected any schooling opportunities for a whole generation, but these Circles offer opportunities for any adult to begin to learn basic literacy and numeracy skills. In 2007 655 local adults achieved their accreditation after a two year programme of thrice weekly lessons, but from this they are able to progress onto small business management or to study income generating projects. A wonderful opportunity for support with which the Mothers' Union can be justly proud.

The Sudanese are hungry for education and Mothers' Union is happy to support them in this as well as in many other ways, focusing on Christian family life.

Isle of Wight holiday

16th-23^rd August 2008

We are currently recruiting volunteers and families for the Family Holiday in August. Contact the office if you know of anyone who would be suitable, but read this report from last year to catch a glimpse of the whole project.

Silver Jubilee Family Holiday August 2007

ALL TOGETHER

THE HELPERS

17 members of the Team looked after 21 families, including 50 children. The distinctive yellow shirts make for easy recognition in a crowded theme park.

Two schools, Leaden Hall and Clayesmore lent us their minibuses. We are extremely grateful to them both.

The youngest group 0 - 3years, who went in double buggies to the local park to play with balls and have a run around. Some days included a trip to the local ice cream stall for a mini-milk. As part of the session we stayed in the house and played with the toys.

A visit to Butterfly World involved feeding the koi carp - they are much gentler that they look, but some children needed persuading to have a go and put their hands into the water!

Blackgang Chine offered lots of opportunities for rides, the toddler swings and other attractions. The all-inclusive entry ticket price meant that once in we could go on anything we fancied as many times as we liked.

On the last evening Crackers the Clown came to entertain us all - she did well at her magic and made model balloons for all the children.

It was a great way to end what had been a very good holiday; full of fun and laughter, but not much sun this year.

Salisbury Cathedral Communion

The Rev Thomas Woodhouse, Calne will celebrate Holy Communion

at 12.15pm on Tuesday, 27 May

Reaching Out!

Tuesday 13^th May –St John’s Upper Studley, Trowbridge

Wednesday 14^th May – Morden Village Hall, Wareham

10.00 am for 10.30 – 2.30 pm

Come and be inspired, enthused & empowered

Take part in workshops to help you to find out

what your branch can do to support and enrich family life

Office Notices:

The office is open at the following times:

Tuesdays and Thursdays 9.30 am - 3.30 pm

and the first Saturday of the month 10.00 am - 12 noon.

[but closed for a week at Christmas and Easter and the month of August]

Don't forget you can e-mail us with your comments, or to ask for information: mothers.union@salisbury.anglican.org

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Looking Forward:

Caravan at Durdle Door and Family Holiday

During 2008 we will be offering holidays to families throughout the summer season at our mobile home on the lovely Dorset coast. Support from members is greatly valued and the office has details of how and what is needed, together with information about how to access the home.

The Family Holiday will be taking place once again and we are now looking for the families to be referred for 2008. A Team of 20 volunteers is also needed to organise all the events and activities for the families.

Overseas Days

During April we will have Barbara Lawes from Mary Sumner House at three meetings in our diocese, sharing information about Mothers' Union projects around the world. Do come to Corfe Mullen, Salisbury or Winsley to hear all she has to say, under the title of 'Grasshoppers, Ants and other Tasty Morsels.'

Retreats

"Be silent, be still and let God reach you and let God love you"

Spring Retreat

This will be held from Tuesday 6th May to Thursday 8th May 2008 in Abbey House, Glastonbury. It will be a silent retreat led by Canon Patrick Woodhouse, Precentor of Wells Cathedral, and an experienced Retreat Leader. All branch leaders will have had an application form.

Autumn Retreat

The Autumn Weekend Retreat at Ivy House Warminster is from 17th-19th October 2008. Details tbc.

Further information from Shirley tel: 01308 422136

Projects with families

Two special days in May are being planned in which members can come to discuss with Reg Bailey, Mothers' Union Chief Executive, fun ways of supporting and involving families. By working with multi-agencies we can use our resources wisely and to better effect, and these days will be an opportunity to explore the possibilities.

Sudan Link in April and July

The Diocesan President, Bridget Trump, is hoping to develop our links with the members of Mothers' Union in Sudan this April on a visit to Juba. A small party from the diocese will be attending the enthronement of the new Archbishop of Sudan and Bridget travels as one of that group. The occasion will provide the opportunity to meet with the Presidents of the dioceses in Sudan and to make some preparations for their visit to UK for the Lambeth Conference.

Salisbury is pleased to be hosting the Diocesan Bishops and their wives for two weeks prior to the Conference and a busy programme of visits, events and functions has been planned. They will be based in the city for much of the visit here, but all deaneries across the diocese will have the opportunity to meet with and entertain one of two bishops in their local area.

It will be the first time that Bridget has been to this part of Africa, but she is excited about this opportunity and feels privileged to be able to share a bond with so many marvelous women.

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Recent Events:

Spring Council March 6^th at The Exchange, Sturminster Newton

Spring Council was held at an excellent new venue in Sturminster Newton in March and the Trustees were pleased to welcome many visitors to the event. Planned to a new format that gave shorter time slots to the presenters, everyone was able to participate in the discussion on Social Policy issues that Ann presented and at the conclusion of the morning's session were able to wander through the marketplace of projects on display and talk to the project leaders.

Two members from Seend were able to show off the beautiful banner that they have made which Bridget is taking to Sudan in April when she goes with the diocesan party to attend the enthronement of the new archbishop. Bridget is planning to meet up with members from Mundri diocese before travelling onto Juba, and present the banner to them, given with love from the members in Salisbury. This is a great opportunity to build relationships with fellow Christians and a witness to our support for the Episcopal Church of Sudan.

Aldhelm Cross

The Bishop of Salisbury, David Stancliffe, presented the Aldhelm Cross to three people at a special All Saints Day service in Salisbury Cathedral on November 1st. The Bishop created the Aldhelm Cross award in 2005. It is presented on All Saints Day to lay people who, in a distinctive, but quiet and unsung way, have contributed to the mission and the work of the Diocese.

Bridget Trump has been Diocesan President of the Mothers' Union for the last four years. In addition to leading the Board of Trustees and membership across the diocese, she has been involved in organising a toddler group, running a parenting group, supporting a women's refuge and being a valued Team member on the Diocesan Family Holiday.

The Deanery Chairmen’s One Day Conference

27 November 2007

A Day Conference was held at Sarum College on to review the activities taken place over the summer and for the Deanery Chairmen to share their experiences working with the members. The Trustees have highlighted Marriage, Parenting and Social Policy as priorities for the time being, so new information and direction was shared by the project leaders.

The Deanery Chairmen’s Residential Conference

25 - 27 April 2007

Every three years we have the opportunity of going away together, to build relationships across the diocese and to develop ideas and ways of working in our parishes. Within the theme of Faith in Action some of the aims of this year’s conference were:

To promote the work of the Mothers' Union by projecting the work of members involved in projects

Sharing ideas that others are using

Working to the Five Objectives of the Mothers' Union

Working with the Branch Leaders and their deanery clergy

Developing ideas for themes within the various Units

For three days 27 representatives from most deaneries spent time listening and networking, and sharing work and worship as we discussed our life experiences within our communities. All had something to contribute, even the most reluctant and hesitant new leaders.

Of our experiences of working with our clergy, a vital part of any parish involvement, the following were contributed:

When I became branch leader I asked my vicar for prayers and support so that we could work in partnership.

Our incumbent is about to become a member. Our NSM became a member last year

The MU is positively reinforced by our priest: he holds enrolments during main services,

he pops in for tea during our meetings and he chairs the AGM

The Deanery Chaplain comes to the Deanery meetings

By mentioning the work of MU ‘in passing’ during sermons

By organising a brilliant quiet day for the Deanery

Its great to have so many male clergy being enrolled and supportive, in action and spirit!

Communication was an important feature of our practical advice for reaching all members and the use of this and the main MU website are invaluable. We updated ourselves on the worldwide work, used examples of best practice from other diocese and took reference from the publications from the Charity Commission. A complex variety of input sources, but we covered a lot in the limited time available and have begun to identify and build strategies for the future.

CONFERENCE DELEGATES AT WORK AND PLAY

Diocesan Festival March 24^th

A really lively day was held in Salisbury Cathedral when ‘Celebrating Families’ was the theme and we focused on our linked dioceses in Sudan, Kenya, Australia and Manchester UK. Workshops were taking place all day long so the beautiful building resounded to the beat of African drums! Aboriginal artwork was quieter and the concentration in the atmosphere around the Sudan chapel as folk made Dinka crosses, was palpable! There was lots of chatting and a general buzz as activities took place everywhere.

Families from across the diocese had been invited to come and join in with our fun, and many did. We also welcomed visitors to the cathedral – who must have been impressed with the hive of activity in this historic, yet living, house of God.

Over 600 members and families came together for the concluding service as symbols of the workshops linking in with the five objectives of the MU were ceremonially brought to the front and the altar. There were many really positive aspects of the day.

DIOCESAN PRESIDENT LEADING PRAYERS EACH HOUR

THE WORLDWIDE FAMILY ALTAR FRONTAL


DRUMMING FOR ALL	DRUMMERS MAKING FRIENDS

A COUPLE WORKING THROUGH SOME MATERIAL FOR THE MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE

THE COUPLES ZONE

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