Mothers Union Diocese of Newcastle | Religious organisation

Mothers Union Diocese of Newcastle

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25.01.2022 SEASONS OF LIFE Despairing about your failing capacity for work? Remember the years when you couldn’t grow up fast enough? The young are not satisfied with youth, the aged are not satisfied with aging. The common denominator is wanting to be other than you are. Contemplate the gifts that are in you and with you in whatever season of life you are. An elder may pause with impunity and have time and opportunity to pray, to read, to see the stars, to enjoy children without all th...e work. That’s a great GIFT from God who has wonderfully made us. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed. Psalm 139: 13, 16 In the season of her energy and strength, a mother in Myanmar has attended a micro saving group and then managed to build a house for herself. She now runs a catering business at home, thankful to Mothers Union for the program. Let us thank God for the attention Mothers Union pays to people’s needs no matter what season of life they are in.

24.01.2022 NEW CHAPTERS In the Australian Spring our thoughts begin to stir after the slowing and cosiness of winter. The young members of the family are finishing school, going into apprenticeships or university, starting a new chapter in their lives. The older members of the family Remember their own experiences but look forward to what life will hold for them now. Each new chapter of life brings its blessings and its trials. When we learn from them, when our Christian faith witnesses... to our love and kindness, those around us, the children and the children’s children can glimpse a WAY of LIFE with which to face each new chapter of theirs. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore. Psalm 121: 7-8 In Zone C, a participant in MULOA was unsure of her ability to ‘facilitate a workshop’. When she returned to her parish in PNG, she supervised her local group to host a dinner. They wore their Mother Union uniforms, were asked what Mothers Union was all about and suddenly ‘Linda’ moved into a new chapter in her life. She learned that she could speak out in the community. Now she has the confidence to run workshops. Alleluia!

19.01.2022 PEACE AND SAFETY Australians have communal memory of Cyclone Tracy in 1974. We ‘remember’ the bushfires of 1983 which coincided with the Church’s liturgical Ash Wednesday. The darkness of night bring fear and danger to many whether they live in well-lit streets or drive on deserted outback roads. Peace and safety can never be guaranteed. Not only are the vagaries of weather and animals to be considered but also the terror created by human wickedness. ‘O God, the maker of peac...e and lover of concord’, give us peace in our hearts and gratitude when we dwell in safety. I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety. Psalm 4:8 Communities in Madagascar live with the havoc of cyclones, flooding every year and now more frequent droughts. Mothers Union and diocesan leaders are addressing environmental preservation with a special grass which preserves the soil in the rainy season. Trees are then planted which will fertilise the soil, store water and form windbreaks during cyclones. Peace and safety come together with prayer, teaching in resilience.

18.01.2022 RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY Intergenerational living is healthy for everyone. The granddaughter who brings her toddler to visit demonstrates her respect for the elders just by her presence and so engender that respect in her children. The grandfather who shares his love of cars and even allows the young ones drive his treasure teaches generosity and trust and also earns respect and love. Let us who are elderly respect and accept ourselves: may we pray for tolerance with our bodie...s and be grateful for the pauses, give thanks for long life and the hindsight it gives and grow in love and nearness to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Even to your old age I am he, even when you turn grey I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. Isaiah 46:4 Mothers’ Union in the UK and Europe is demonstrating its respect for members young and old. It is encouraging members to see a wider role than just organising a branch meeting with a speaker. This involves personal growth and faith-based growth. We are never too old to grow in faith and hope and love as with joyful trust we move towards our Father's home above. Hymn by James McAuley.

14.01.2022 FRUITFULNESS Human life is varied and unpredictable. The sweet, adorable child becomes a tyrant as an adult. Those whom we taught about Jesus don’t care anymore. What went wrong? Yet it is God alone who works great marvels and our fruitfulness is not ours to count. We pray that God will send down the healthful spirit of his grace and pour down the continual dew of his blessing. We may glimpse the fruit of our labours in Christ and are thankful.... Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. John 15: 4-5 In the Province of Eastern Cape, South. Africa, MU responded to the Department of Education news of an 8 year old girl needing a prosthetic leg. Local members worked with the municipality to provide her family with proper shelter. A parish now donates groceries monthly. State and local government, parish and MU members: all working together to bring to fruition God’s love. (c) Painting by Tony Macelli

13.01.2022 LEARNING AND SHARING At a church barbeque (with yummy food) a child, not accustomed to being there, asked whether they have to pay. ‘It is a gift for you’ was the reply. At an after-school Kid’s Club an eager boy reached out for yet another (ordinary, boring) biscuit. A leader slapped his hand and snapped that he’d had enough (in the days before safe practices). With every look and act we are (good or bad) witnesses to God’s generous love. If we get the opportunity to expound... that theologically, so much the better. But all of us are witnesses and we all teach what God means to us, whether generous or punishing. You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; 2 and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. 2 Timothy 2: 1-2 In Uganda grass-thatched houses present multiple problems - destruction by fire, loss of possessions, limited opportunity for trade. Mothers’ Union members of a village grouped together and in fellowship pooled money and rotated it to benefit one family at a time. Three iron-roofed houses have been built, gardening shared with fellowship has boosted skills and food yield. Thanks be to God.

04.01.2022 ETHICAL MATTERS Our Church has lost the confidence of the wider community. Scandals, infighting, power struggles all provide food for censure. Of course, this is nothing new. Human beings of whatever cast will ethically disintegrate when society does. One of the earliest New Testament texts, Paul’s letter to the Corinthians addresses exactly this issue. He says that they, the Christians in Corinth, need to be seen to be truthful and honest and loving because if they are not,... they, and what they stand for, will have no credibility. For we intend to do what is right not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of others. 2 Corinthians 8: 21 St Paul would be proud of the members in the diocese of Northern Argentina, in Zone B. From mainly indigenous communities, despite poverty and some conflict, they are very faithful and resourceful. There is also growth in urban areas, for which we give thanks to God.