Prayer For International Mother's Day 2023

Heavenly Father, You created us all yet we men have not treated women as their equals. Your Son, Jesus Christ was perhaps the first male feminist in his treatment of women, and in the example he set. His example could be followed my man more men around the world. While as a man I believe that women’s status has improved, they are still not treated as equals in most places.

We pray for the Mothers’ Union and all organisations and individuals who through action or prayer are trying to improve the status of women through equality and equity. Gracious God, guide and support all those supporting the initiative to #EmbraceEquity in whatever way they are able.

Educate men who treat women as second class citizens to the value of women, their ideas and thoughts. Prompt leaders and governments to introduce policies leading to impartiality and equality for women. We do not ask for special treatment. We ask for justice, equality and equitable treatment, to be judged on merit not sex.

Gracious God, bless women of every colour, religion, political persuasion, race, able bodied, differently abled, rich or poor, married or single, old and young. Empower every woman to meet men on equal terms in whatever field of endeavour they choose to pursue.

Lord and Father, on this Women’s Day we pray to you in particular for the women of Ukraine, trying to protect themselves and their families from invasion and war.

We set this prayer before you God and Father in the name of Your Son and of women everywhere.

Amen.

Diocesan News February 2023

Exciting times ahead for Mothers’ Union this year as we look to simplify structures and concentrate on growing our membership so that we can continue to put our faith in action and support young families, the homeless, refugees and those on the edges of society. We are taking steps to engage more fully with members of the Clergy in the Diocese and with Bristol Cathedral. Mothers’ Union support all the marks of mission and are integral to the task of ‘Making Jesus Visible’ If you are a Clergy member and are not yet an MU supporter, please find out more.

We are delighted that we are once more able to support parents with children in the Children’s

Hospital as the ‘Friends for Parents’ can be a presence on the wards again, in addition to our gifts of tea and coffee for the parent’s rooms which have been consistent throughout the last few years. We have extended our welcoming of visitors to prisoners at Ashfield Prison to Sunday afternoons as well as Saturdays. Visitors report how grateful they are to see a friendly face at this stressful time for families and friends. We are growing connections with Children’s Centres in several Bristol regions. We have been happy to help to provide items for a new born baby girl, born to one of our local Ukrainian guests. We have a growing online presence here on our website and Facebook page.

I hope this provides a snapshot of some of our ongoing projects. We are looking forward to

launching a new ‘Online group’ for young (or not so young) members soon, with a focus on mutual support, prayer, campaigning and caring for the environment. Watch this space!

Various categories of membership and supporter exist to suit different lifestyles. Going to Branch

meetings is not a requirement! To find out more on this website click here, you can visit our Facebook page, pick up a leaflet or talk to me!

Jacky Fredrickson

MU President Bristol

Anti Conversion Law In Karnataka

KARNATAKA BECOMES ELEVENTH STATE TO PASS AN ANTI-

CONVERSION LAW that criminalises religious conversions solicited through

force, fraud or allurement.

The law, known formally as the Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill,

was passed by the state legislature’s upper house on 15 th September 2022.

The passing of this law makes permanent the provision of a temporary anti-

conversion ordinance announced in May 2022.

The law carries a punishment of five years’ imprisonment and a minimum fine of

25,000 rupees (£275) for those who solicit religious conversions using “force,

undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means” or “by a

promise of marriage”.

An attempt to convert a minor, a woman, or a person belonging to the Scheduled

Castes (those viewed as having the lowest status according to the Hindu caste

system) is punishable with a maximum of ten years in prison and a fine of

50,000 rupees (£550).

Anyone who wishes to change religion must inform the authorities of the

reasons for their conversion 30 days before making the change.

Opposition parties and Christian Leaders argued that the bill violates Article 25

of the Indian constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion.