“May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you”March is in many ways, a month for women as we mark International Women’s Day and Mothering Sunday. Women once were deemed the weaker sex: yet so often they have an abundance of power and strength inherent in their very being. Simply because of love! (MU prayer Diary)In February we had our Soup Lunch and Wave of Prayer. Joined by MU members from Westbury and Mere as well as friends from church we enjoyed a lovely lunch of soups, cheese, bread rolls, cakes, tea and coffee. Suitably replete Revd. David Hart led us in our annual Wave of Prayer; remembering the work of our fellow MU members around the world. In unity and love we link hands with our worldwide family of God. Whilst we pray for others, others are praying for us. We are remembering all that the Salisbury diocese does with Virtual Babies, Angel Tree, the holiday home at Rockley Park, Baby Bundles and the Salisbury Women’s Refuge. We prayed for those campaigning against modern day slavery and gender based violence that awareness will be raised and as a result, protection and healing will be provided. The generous donations will be used to further the work of the Virtual Baby project in Schools. Our meeting in March will hear a speaker from the Salisbury/Sudan medical link. Thursday March 6th (venue t.b.a.)“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand “ (Isaiah 41 v 10)Enid Holbrow
At an event on the 15 February, members of the White Horse Team Ministry churches, along with others from churches in the community and surrounding areas, gathered to explore the topic of disability justice and church inclusion.We explored key themes in disability theology, looked at research data outcomes, shared practical suggestions for increasing accessibility and inclusion, received a fantastic time of sharing from Revd Neil Robinson (Chaplain to the Deaf and hard of hearing community in Salisbury Diocese) and joined in a time of inclusive worship.It was a wonderful day of sharing and learning together.Thank you so much to all of those who came along on a cold day to explore this important topic together. And a big thank you to those who helped with setting up, with the tech on the day, with welcoming, serving refreshments and with the running of the day. The support and hard work of the team involved is very much appreciated.If anyone would like to access the resources pack from the day this can be found at the link below:https://media.acny.uk/media/events/attachment/2025/01/5768d2a8-b63a-44ae-95c5-dfa1dfd84446.pdfIf you would like to view a recording of the whole day, or any part of the day, this can be found at this below link:https://www.youtube.com/live/uSDDiwlX8Do?si=X1LNqNZGVoMuMkAsFor a copy of the slides from the day please get in touch with me by email at:teamcurate@whtministry.org.ukWe are now in the process of getting together a Disability and Church Inclusion Committee group who can meet to discuss key issues, create reports and updates for the PCC, and ensure that key next steps are being actioned. If you would be interested in joining this group I would love to chat to you about this. Please do get in touch with me by phone or email if you would like to discuss getting involved.With many thanks,Rev Holly Newton
"Kind words are like dripping honey, Sweetness on the tongue and health for the body" Proverbs 16 v.24A busy 2024 concluded with members helping with the preparation of Christingles for the service promoting the work of the Children's Society and, reminding us that the love of Jesus shines all over the world. A Christmas lunch with members and friends was enjoyed at the Woolpack Beckington. We were well looked after, as usual, by the friendly staff. Mere Carol Service, concludes the year, which has seen members busily promoting all that Mother's Union does to support and encourage marriage and family life.We step into a new year, wondering what may be in store for us all. but;"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phillippians 4: 6-7)Enid Holbrow
"Choose some wise, understanding and respected men and women from each of your tribes and I will set them over you" Deuteronomy 1:13The annual general meeting of our branch of the Mothers' Union met on a frosty and snow-covered countryside at the home of Jocelyn, to review our previous year's work and to outline our plans and hopes for 2025.2025 is the first of the three years in the new Triennium, when new faces and new enthusiasms will guide us in our continued work for Mothers' Union. Our new World- Wide President is Kathleen Snow. Kathleen has been a member of the Mothers' Union for 36 years and a Zonal Trustee for the Americas, so she has a vast experience of Mothers' Union Worldwide.Although we were few in number, we reviewed our activities and finances from 2024, and agreed to donate from our branch funds towards the cost of new virtual babies. This is something especially of interest to our branch as we can see the programme at work in our local schools and hear of the benefits to young people in the responsibilities of parenthood and family life. (MU supports marriage and family life.) We outlined meetings already fixed for 2025 and our hopes to invite speakers on a variety of topics. Branch tasks were agreed in order to share the different ways in which all members can feel valued. Plans for the Wave of Prayer and Soup Lunch for our February meeting were outlined and Branches of MU from Westbury and Mere have been invited to join us. After the business meeting had concluded, a lighter few minutes were taken up with a quiz in which the answers were English counties. Out of twenty questions Diana was top scorer with 14 correct answers and received a jar of chutney as her prize. We thanked Rose for this quiz and thanked Jocelyn for her hospitality. Our meeting ended with prayers before sharing the grace and carefully treading our way home on the slippery roads which fortunately were beginning to thaw in lovely winter sunshine. Our next meeting is the Soup Lunch and Wave of Prayer which will be on February 6th in Holy Trinity Church at 12 noon."Join Us and Join In" is our encouragement for this year of 2025"Walk humbly, yet boldly in the confidence of the Lord" Philippians 4:13Enid Holbrow.
