Blessed relationships

"Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst." These words from Matthew remind us that Jesus is at the heart of all our relationships. In our relationships not only Christ is present, but through them we make Christ present to the world and to each other. They are blessed indeed.

Christian family life is a true expression of the church. It is a place where love can be found and shared; the Gospel transmitted and radiated; unity deepened and furthered and foundations laid for the next generation. And God is as present in all the seemingly ordinary moments of family life meal times, work, holidays, household chores, the bringing up of children and expressions of love and intimacy as he is in the ornate structures of even the most elaborate places of worship. Ordinary family life is a source and well of grace, an encounter between humans and God and a daily opportunity to reflect God's love to the world.

Mothers' Union works with families to make God's love known in the world. We believe that families are a central part of the ecosystem supporting the survival of humankind, a sanctuary for life and love. Combining practical help with policy work, Mothers' Union works to strengthen relationships within families and raise the status of stable family life within communities. In doing so, Mothers' Union is bringing about positive change for individuals, their families and the communities in which they live. For example, in Uganda, through the Family Life Programme, Mothers' Union encourages communities to work together to tackle common issues such as poverty, soil erosion and sanitation. As part of Mothers' Unions' Worldwide Parenting Programme, 1000 training facilitators run parenting groups providing invaluable practical and emotional support to thousands of parents in Rwanda, Kenya, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad.

Mothers' Union believes that families and all blessed relationships rather than material values should be at the centre of our world, and is working around the globe to place the family firmly at the centre of the social and political arena. We seek to link our concerns for each other to the wider concerns of the world and all that threatens marriage and family life such as violence, poverty, lack of education and relationship breakdown. In this way, we are constantly reaching out and encouraging more families and communities to gather together in God's name and experience the transforming power of truly blessed relationships.