Diocese of Winchester

The Mothers’ Union values the children it meets and would like to do some work involving children and their prayers.

This exciting new initiative requires the help of children worldwide who are in contact with the Mothers’ Union.

Staff at Mary Sumner House (the head office of Mothers’ Union) would like to receive prayers from children across the world on a range of themes, including: family life, school, friendships, pets, worries, happiness, sadness, God, church, prayers, hobbies, environment, dreams.

If you would like to contribute the prayers of your children, or of children you care for in some way, please send them, clearly marked with your name and country, to the:
Faith and Policy Unit
Mary Sumner House
24 Tufton Street
London
SW1P 3RB

It’s the time of year for a lot of weddings, but how many people still think about getting married in Church?

A church wedding can have a lot of things that a wedding at another sort of venue might not offer:

• you can invite many more people to share in the celebration of your wedding than you may be able to afford to accommodate at a reception… why not ask your parish church if you can share a small informal time with all your guests (after those photo’s!);
• by getting married in church you add a spiritual element to the ceremony… think about how God may be able to help you in your marriage in both the good and not so good times to come;
• remember, many churches are very photogenic… even more modern ones!

The Church of England now has it’s very own comprehensive website to church weddings and what to expect or ask for. It includes a wedding planner and some ideas of what hymns to chose from. If you want to know more go to http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/

With Father’s Day on 21st June, take a look at a new website especially for Dad’s! http://www.whatdadsadd.co.uk/

It talks Dad’s through the contribution they make to their child’s life, encouraging them to tell stories and pray with their child.

At some churches (including that of this site’s web-editor) small credit card sized prayer cards are given to Dad’s at Baptism’s. These can be downloaded from the new website as a pdf, but are also available from the main Mothers’ Union offices.

This initiative is part of work done by Mothers’ Union with Flame and the Church of England.

The Mothers’ Union works to improve family life in many ways. Part of this work is in the form of working with politicians, nationally and internationally to improve the laws which govern the life of families in the UK and around the world.

Through the newsletter ‘Policy Watch’ staff track social policy issues and keep members informed of activities at Mary Sumner House.  This months newsletter is now available for you to download here: policy_watch_june_2009

If you find ‘Policy Watch’ useful and you are not a Mothers’ Union member, do please contact us, as we obviously have shared concerns, and Mothers’ Union membership may help help you in your life and ministry.

Jade, the Fresh Expressions Community Prison Chaplain supported by the Church Army at HMP Winchester, has sent this month’s letter for praise and prayer. Please share it with those who will join us in supporting this vital ministry.

The biggest news is that the Philo Trust have agreed to provide her with copies of the Just10 films featuring J John talking about the Ten Commandments, recorded recently at Winchester Cathedral. This will mean she can run Just10 in the prison, hopefully starting in September.

Jade also writes:

“We have also had a wonderful group of men complete our 5th SORI Programme (Supporting Offenders through Restoration Inside). We had a great week with the 7 men who volunteered all being very honest about their crimes: a very emotional but a powerful week. I am now getting ready for our 6th SORI Programme.”

Jade has spoken at several places this month, including the Transformed event in Southampton when the Lord used her testimony to speak into the life of one of the ladies who was there. Jade is to be part of the ministry team who heads up these events, with particular responsibility for following up any ladies who make commitments.

She also writes about her continued trips to support two men on the Isle of Wight, one completing his sentence whilst growing in faith as God transforms him, and the other with whom she has been praying after his release as she encourages him on his faith journey.

She finishes her letter with the following words:

“Last week I had the privilege of praying with a young man who had suffered terrible abuse as a child. I know without the faithful prayer warriors who intercede daily for these men, I could not have been able to see Jesus set this man free from so many painful memories. I never want to take any of you for granted and I praise God for each one of you… God bless you all and remember you are also in our prayers.”

Please pray specifically for

• the next SORI Programme due to start on June 15th
• the Transformed meetings in Southampton on the last Saturday in each month
• for Wendy as she undergoes chemotherapy and seeks Gods healing.

The work of Mothers’ Union is surrounded and underpinned by prayer. Members, where-ever they are in the world, and what-ever they are doing, stop at or near mid-day to pray.

Each month to facilitate these prayers, the Faith and Policy Unit at Mothers’ Union head office produce a series of prayers to be used during the month, usually based on a particular theme.

This month they are based on the words of the Lord’s Prayer, and can be downloaded from here: mu_june_middayprayers_09

Please feel free to use these as part of your own daily prayers (individual or corporate), whether or not you are a Mothers’ Union member.

If you have any thoughts, prayers or reflections to add to them, please do so using the comment box below.

Jade, is a Church Army, Fresh Expressions Evangelist who is working in HMP Winchester as their Community Chaplain. She has sent us her prayer letter for the month of May which includes the following example of how God is touching and transforming lives. Jade writes:

“I have been spending time recently with a young man who has been in and out of prison for a number of years. He recently had a big upset in his life where his partner told him she did not want to have anything to do with him. Well as you can imagine this is devastating to someone who is at a low ebb in his life. Gently I shared with him how God helped me when I was in a very dark place, and I was able to pray with him to receive Christ. Now that in itself is wonderful, but it didn’t just end there with a prayer of commitment. He has since been released and today I heard that he is about to go into a Christian rehab centre where he will be discipled and helped to rebuild his life. Please remember to pray for him; his name is Matt and he is trusting God for the very first time.”

Jade also talks about a newly launched monthly meeting in Southampton called “Transformed” that has been set up to support ex-offenders and encourage them in their faith. A Baptist church are providing a venue for a praise and worship service once a month where ex-offenders will also be able to receive prayer and mentoring from mature Christians with a heart for prisoners and ex-offenders.

Jade requests our prayers this month in

• praise to God for the men who went to the recent Alpha course, that they may grow in their faith in Jesus;
• praise to God for all volunteers who regularly go into the prison and minister to the men, and for the prayer support the chaplaincy receive from many faithful Christians;
• faith, for the next SORI Programme (Supporting Offenders through Restoration Inside) due to begin on 11th May, especially that each one of the 12 men who have volunteered will be open to finding out about what victims go through during and after a crime;
• love for Sheena who is on placement with the Chaplaincy Team as part of her training for ordination.

A pile of more than 60 pairs of flip-flops were collected at our Mothers’ Union Festival Service last Wednesday. Some were immediately taken by members for the newly launched Southampton Street Pastors group, and the rest will be distributed in the next few weeks to Portsmouth Street Pastors (from whom we heard at our recent Diocesan meeting) and other groups within the Diocese of Winchester.

Given that this idea was arranged by ‘word of mouth’ and internet at short notice, members are thrilled with the collection.

Follow our tags to find out more about Street Pastors. The posts now include feedback from the first Street Pastors night in Southampton for which we’re really grateful. If you want to donate more flip-flops direct to local groups please follow the links they have provided from the ‘comments’ section on the following post: Is there an urban trinity near you?

The closing procession at the Mothers' Union Festival Service 2009

More than 200 Mothers’ Union members from across the region gathered at Winchester Cathedral on Wednesday 29th April. Together with fellow member Right Revd Michael Scott-Joynt (Bishop of Winchester) they celebrated the theme of ‘Living Love’ in worship, prayer, music and an inspiring drama called ‘The Good Punk Rocker’. The Eucharistic Service also heard an inspiring sermon by Bishop Michael who gave two very interesting insights into the meaning of ‘Living Love’.

More photographs and details of this event will be featured in the next issue of our newsletter ‘Archway’ which is due to be circulated in late July.

National Family Week is being supported by Mothers’ Union and members’ near Ringwood are hosting a

FAMILY PICNIC
at Toad’s Corner, North Poulner Road, Ringwood
12 noon - 2pm on Thursday 28th May
Bring a picnic blanket, some food, drink and friends to share the fresh air and have fun in the play area.

Why not join them to celebrate what is important about families… being together!

More information about about activities locally and nationally during the half-term week can be found by clicking on our link to
National Family Week