Presidents Letter
Dear Friends,
When people look at the MU, what do they see? I think that sometimes they see an organisation that is traditional, middle aged, elderly even, and perhaps also inflexible and inward looking.
On other occasions, however, they see an organisation that is ambitious, inclusive and which looks firmly to the future and not to the past. Of course this is a concern shared by all of us who are passionate about the MU and what we stand for. Those of us who recently went to Worthing to the Road Show enjoyed seeing and hearing about our work across the world in 78 countries amongst 3.6 million members. We give money, experience and prayers to support marriage and family life. We share a vision of a world where God’s love is shown through loving, respectful and flourishing relationships, reaching out to communities.
Closer to home I have been so impressed by the wonderful work and projects some small others large, that I have heard about as I have visited recently. I have enjoyed meeting and chatting to so many of you. Well done everybody.
You will be pleased to know that when Canon Andrew White was in Portsmouth recently, we were able to present him with 90 more MU badges. Andrew spoke very highly about the support he receives from the MU Branch in Baghdad. He had brought 6 children with him from his parish; they were finding life in the UK very different. Andrew spoke about a clinic he hopes to open at his church soon. He recently had a phone call from a doctor and a dentist from Coventry who want to work in his clinic in Baghdad, Andrew said it was an answer to prayer.
I am very much looking forward to receiving my first copy of “Families First” which will be taking the place of Home and Family.
Later in the year we will be receiving “Families Worldwide”, taking the place of the Prayer Diary, Encompass and Policy Watch. I hope it will be very well received by you all as it will be FREE.
On July 11th some of us travelled to Old Alresford House to meet the Bishops wives, who were staying in the Salisbury Diocese, which included the wife of the Bishop of Malakal Diocese. Unfortunately she did not arrive, but we very much enjoyed chatting to the other ladies who came, who were thrilled to see where Mothers’ Union began. They explained about life in Southern Sudan. Now the war is over people are slowly trying to put some sort of life together again; e.g. new roads, new houses, new hospitals. One lady told how she lived with her 10 children in the bush to escape from the rebels. On Saturday July 12th we had been invited to Portsmouth Cathedral to entertain the wives of the Bishops staying in the Portsmouth Diocese prior to going to the Lambeth Conference. After Bishop Kenneth had welcomed them and given them gifts, the men went to talk to our Bishop and the wives came to us. We had 6 tables with members demonstrating their hobbies and project work. It was an amazing sight seeing the ladies doing painting, some said they had never done it before. Some tried knitting, and embroidery, one asked to take her’s home, others tried making Prayer Beads, etc. I was delighted to feel the warmth and enjoyment of everybody who took part. Thank you, to all of you.
I must end now, so may God bless you all and enjoy the lovely flowers still blooming so beautifully in our gardens.
With my love and prayers for each and everyone of you,
Sheila