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

BEST FOOT

Main event:

FORWARD Tracy Ann Clifford and Lydia Whitmore at the Xhajma racetrack

Malta and Gozo Mothers’ Union branch has raised money by completing the 5K challenge in their indomitable way - in spite of the pandemic

Malta and Gozo Mothers’ Union branch have broken a record, in spite of COVID-19. Susan Warner, the branch leader, and her members, managed to raise more than 1,000 euros by creatively repurposing their annual 5K sponsored walk.

The branch had to stop face-to-face meetings for the first time in 2020 because of the pandemic. Susan, who joined Mothers’

Union when she lived in the UK, has been supporting members by meeting them individually and facilitating Zoom use.

In spite of the circumstances, the members were determined to keep up their annual tradition of the 5K walking challenge.

The money raised is used to support local community projects, including providing basic necessities for people in the migrant camps on the islands.

A variety of approaches

In the past, the 5K walking challenge took place on one day, and larger groups walked together, but in 2020 pandemic restrictions curtailed that. The branch extended the challenge over a few days, and allowed smaller groups.

All the walkers who decided to join in had to wear masks, a requirement outside on the islands. One circular walk on Gozo began at the Church of Ta’ Pinu, a national shrine to Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu, containing mosaics depicting the mystery of the rosary, then took in the tiny village of Ghasri before heading back towards the church.

Other walkers used local routes such as the Xhajma racetrack at Xewkija, where branch treasurer Sue Hilton, member Tracy Ann Clifford and supporter Lydia Whitmore were regularly lapped by the horses using the track to exercise, as they completed their walk.

Some members wanted to do the 5K in stages. One woman walked to the end of her road and back repeatedly over several days and completed the distance, measuring it on her mobile phone.

Supporting locals

In total, seven branch members and four of their friends and family completed the challenge and raised 1,046 euros, double the amount of their first walking event.

Along with helping local projects, the funds will also be used to support 12 families who receive food parcels, put together and distributed by the branch.

GET INVOLVED 2021! We are encouraging members to hold their own 5K Mothers’ Union on the Move events! This can be a singular walk or run on one day, or spread it out over a month. It will be part of our Summer of Hope campaign. More information can be found here: www.mothersunion.org/projects/mu-on-move

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Every member can be part of this exciting leadership conference to shape the future of our unique organisation.

At Mothers’ Union we are committed to building our membership and release potential, so we can all move forward as a campaigning Christian community.

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Look out for more information in the next edition of Connected.

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connected

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Welcome to the first edition of your new membership magazine Connected. We have 48 pages packed with news, views and stories that we hope will entertain, engage and connect us!

Connected has been composed with your feedback very much in mind. Some of the highlights of this issue include our Central Chaplain , Bishop Emma Ineson, reflecting on kindness, with fellow Bishops Roger Morris and Christine Hardman giving their views on foodbanks and whether they are a solution to poverty in the UK.

Read how Mothers’ Union’s business training skills helped Monica in Tanzania become self-reliant, and find out why member Emily Brailsford values being part of our wonderful movement. We share information on how partnership work is letting us achieve even more, and in these changing times, share some hints and tips about staying safe online.

We hope you like Connected, this is your magazine, so please get in touch to share your stories or give us feedback on what you have enjoyed or ways we can do things differently.

Happy reading!

From us all at Mary Sumner House

Share your news, ideas and thoughts by contacting us via communications@mothersunion.org or 0207 222 5533

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

WHAT’S NEW IN 2021

15 May 2021 - Thy Kingdom Come Service 9 August 2021 - Mary Sumner Day 25 September 2021 - Annual gathering (virtual) 27 November 2021 - Global Day – to kick start our 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 15 December 2021 - Carol Concert (virtual)

A reduced audio version of Connected is available to those who require it, please contact us via communications@ mothersunions.org or 0207 222 5533

Editor Sue Royal Sub Editor Claire Musters Art Editor Emma Golten Production Halcyon Editorial office Connected, Mothers’ Union, Mary Sumner House, 24 Tufton Street, London SW1P 3RB T: 020 7222 5533 E: communications@mothersunion.org Mothers’ Union Worldwide President Sheran Harper Chief Executive Bev Jullien T: 020 7222 5533 E: communications@mothersunion.org Published by Mothers’ Union as part of its membership offering

© all contents are copyright 2021. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Mothers’ Union. While every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of dates and comments, Mothers’ Union cannot accept responsibility for any loss, damage or inconvenience caused through any error or omission.

A prayer for rebuilding hope and confidence

We will walk in hope and confidence, trusting each other, loving each other and together we will rebuild the hope and confidence of families and communities everywhere - always reaching forward as God’s hands and feet and reflecting a life filled with purpose and meaning, grace and love, peace and joy. Sheran Harper