MU Connected Magazine Spring 2021

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KEEPING US CONNECTED Our Worldwide President Sheran Harper introduces the very first issue of our brand-new membership magazine

DEAR FRIENDS,

It is an absolute pleasure to welcome you to the inaugural edition of our new bi-annual membership magazine, Connected. As members, we just love a great Mothers’ Union magazine, and this one is extra special because it is filled with the kind of inspiration we need at this time. Thank you, members, for your contributions, which certainly helped to make this venture a reality, and our team at Mary Sumner House, who captured the ideas and created this masterpiece.

Drawing us together

As we have observed the COVID-19 safety protocols in our countries, and continue to do so, members have been expressing feelings of loneliness and isolation, hopelessness and uncertainty. They miss the stability of feeling deeply rooted in a community of faith. I can understand this, because just the thought of a Mothers’ Union gathering creates a surge of excitement that is greatly missed. Social distancing and the fear of contracting COVID-19 has really caused us to withdraw into our own shells and spaces. Well, Connected is here to help alleviate some of

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the isolation, and re-energise the commitment to all that we stand for. It will, of course, also nurture the kind of fellowship we are so used to having, even if it is in a different way. Connected will be doing exactly as its name implies: strengthening links across provinces, dioceses and branches; and providing opportunities to draw from the strength of others and make a real difference in the middle of everyday challenges. You can expect each issue of the magazine to be colourful and filled with contributions from our faithful members. These will highlight the impact of Mothers’ Union as a whole, including our work with the UN Women’s Committee, and to carry content that shares information about the projects members are involved with.

Keeping focused

As we journey through the final year of this triennium in faith, and look to our 150th anniversary in 2026 with hope and confidence, it is my fervent prayer that we will keep God at the centre of our priorities and have a clear focus, as CEO Bev Jullien has said: ‘To ensure that MU continues to survive, while sowing www.mothersunion.org


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Articles inside

Best foot forward: Gozo and Malta members tackle the 5K challenge

5min
pages 50-53

Speaking volumes: The latest book reviews by members

8min
pages 46-49

Faith in action: Persevere when you pray and be close to God, says Catherine Kyte

8min
pages 42-45

Simply better: A Ugandan project shows how basic tools can transform

2min
page 38

Better relations: An Ethiopian group builds a bright future

1min
page 39

Create a greeting: Enter our Christmas card competition

2min
page 41

Festive joy: How the Big Give Christmas Campaign will help in the DRC

1min
page 40

Summer of Hope: Our plans to celebrate MU founder Mary Sumner

2min
page 34

Growing Leadership: MU needs leaders, could it be you, asks Marian Pope

6min
pages 35-37

Reflection: Love lights up the dark times along with humour, says Angie Jones

4min
pages 32-33

Online shop: Putting our new products and old favourites on display

2min
pages 30-31

Devotional: Bishop Emma Ineson shares her thoughts on the value of kindness

4min
pages 28-29

Burdens lightened: Bags of love that can help people cope with loss

3min
pages 26-27

COVID-19 and After: How we aim to survive and thrive in spite of the pandemic

4min
pages 24-25

Hot Topics: Two Bishops give their views on the role of foodbanks

9min
pages 20-23

Stronger together: Mothers’ Union partners who help us to speak out and be heard

4min
pages 16-17

Peace and Safety: How we are making a difference in South Sudan, Ethiopia and Hereford

4min
pages 10-11

Self-reliance: Projects making progress in Tanzania, South Sudan and Portsmouth

3min
pages 12-13

MU at the UN: How we are working with the UNCSW to help women globally

3min
pages 18-19

WWP Welcome: Sheran Harper introduces you to our new members’ magazine

4min
pages 4-5

CEO Letter: Bev Julien shares Mothers’ Union’s global vision

4min
pages 6-7
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