Welcome to the February 2010 Mothers' Union Newsletter

We hope you enjoy reading on our latest news.

Poverty & Homelessness Action Week 2010

Poverty & Homelessness are issues that have sadly always been with us however in these hard economic times it is inevitable that things would worsen.

Poverty & Homelessness Action Week 2010 has been set up to build awareness of these issues and to resource churches to take action and make a difference in their communities.

Mothers' Union members in the UK & Ireland, have been compassionately working through outreach projects to alleviate the many hardships associated with Homelessness and combat these issues all year round. To read more about Mother' Union's outreach work in this area click here.

For more information and resources on Poverty & Homelessness Action Week, please click here.

Marriage Week 2010



Marriage Week UK provides us with a chance to focus fully on our first objective, to support and promote married life. Our feature article on marriage speaks about the importance of marriage to couples, their children and to all of us, without undermining those of us who are not in married relationships. Support for marriage, and what form this will take in future government, has become a hot topic for those standing for election in the forthcoming UK elections. Rachel Aston, our Policy Officer, has made a helpful summary of what the main political parties thoughts are which you can find by following this link. We will add to this as more material becomes available.

Marriage Week is growing fast outside the UK. Alongside Marriage Week UK, Richard Kane, from Futureway, tells us that he now has exciting links with the founding of Marriage Week USA this year, and that in Europe major TV networks and members of parliament are supporting the initiative in quite a few countries. If you are involved, or would like to be involved, in promoting marriage week in your country or area, please do get in touch with us at Mary Sumner House.

Marriage Week resources and information

Please view below the Marriage Week (and other related articles and sites) website, which has various actives and ideas for celebrating marriage, including film nights, group activities and ways to get involved.

Marriage Week

International Marriage Week

Marriage Week USA

Mothers' Union Marriage Week article 2010

UK Political Marriage statement February 2010

Valentine's Day Service

make a mother's day 2010

Make a mother's day Mothering Sunday ethical gifts are available now and the website has just launched: www.makeamothersday.org

It is crucial for our work this year that we use this campaign to raise Mothers' Union profile and funds this Mothering Sunday - resources are very tight and we really need to support our projects as much as we can!

So: please think of ways to publicise it in your local community! ...the library, your hairdresser's, your doctor's or dentists' waiting rooms, schools and nurseries, cafes, gyms or swimming pools, or the reception desk at work. People are usually very happy to have something free, for a good cause, put at their entrance. And as always, we can send you more!

We're very excited to have more ethical gifts this year, so you have more choice to find the perfect Mothering Sunday gift for a mum, granny or someone who has cared for you.

You can get make a mother's day catalogues and posters from Mary Sumner House on 0207 222 5533

And Mothering Sunday service resources and children's activities are also available on the website.

Download a copy of the MAMD poster 2010

Haiti Earthquake
A letter from Mothers' Union Action & Outreach Team



We're sure that, like us, you will have been terribly saddened by the recent earthquake in Haiti and the impact this has had on individuals, families and communities in the country.

For anyone who wants to donate as an individual this may be done through the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) www.dec.org.uk

We would of course like to encourage everyone to remember the victims of Haiti in their prayers and if you click here you will be able to access a prayer produced specifically for Haiti (by CofE).

Fair-trade Fortnight

Fairtrade Fortnight 2010 runs from 22nd February 7th March. The Fairtrade Foundation is asking one million and one people to join in The Big Swap - swapping usual products such as tea, coffee, sugar and wine for Fairtrade products. Each swap will be proof that the UK wants developing world producers to get a better deal. There are lots of other ways you can get involved for all sorts of ideas and resources click here.

Policy Watch February 2010

Read Mothers' Union's latest Policy Watch, which is full of exciting and interesting information, ranging from:

The Government Families & Relationships Green Paper to the Commission on the Status of Women. Also how to practically help make changes in the society in which you live.

To read

Policy Watch Feedback - If you have any comments or points of view regarding Mothers' Union Policy Watch then please email us at faithandpolicy@themothersunion.org

Mothers' Union Midday and Wave of Prayer

February 2010
March 2010
Wave of prayer with Workers names January - April 2010

New reflections

Take a look at 10 new reflections in the faith section of our website.

Reflections

Giving

Mothers' Union - Direct Debit Scheme

Would you like to contribute regularly to the worldwide vision of Mothers' Union and support our work?

If so you can donate via Direct Debit and give on a weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual basis. Sign up online or order a Regular Giving form from Mary Sumner House 020 7222 5533. And remember if you are a tax payer don't forget to gift aid your donation.

Thank you - all donations are widely appreciated and go towards either emergency relief or our project work.

Faith and Policy Flyer

Download the latest flyer from Mothers' Union's Faith & Policy unit and help to advertise their latest resources: We are Created by God and Making a Difference (Social Policy Toolkit).

Downloadable flyer

Don't forget, if you are a Mothers' Union member you can log on here and see a special section designated for members.

If you have any difficulties accessing this section make sure that when you log in, you amend your details to say yes you are a member. You need only do this once as this will be stored on your registration.

If you have any feedback or questions regarding this newsletter or our website, please do get in contact by emailing: webeditor@themothersunion.org for more details.

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Mothers' Union
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