And Lady Day Reflection.
My Dear Friends,
As I write this, it is still cold and we have lately had snow, but I am nevertheless filled with hope and confidence that spring is happening, the temperature will rise, the birds will nest and already there is an abundance of spring flowers in my garden. God is good.
There are also signs of growth in our Mothers’ Union groups in Bristol. We sadly mourn the loss of several long serving and faithful members, but I am thrilled by the number of new member forms that I am frequently being sent to process. If you are one of these members reading this now, welcome! It is wonderful to have you amongst us, congratulations on having joined this amazing global organisation! Congratulations also to the wonderful ladies who have been commissioned as Branch Leaders in the last few months, we are grateful and delighted that you have felt God call you to take on leadership roles and I wish you well. At the recent, well attended AGM and Member’s Day, I was excited to launch the President’s Challenge ’23. 10 bags, each
containing £23 have gone out to Groups. The challenge is to make something of this money, to use imagination and skill to grow and use wisely. The stories and returns will be collected at
the Autumn Gathering in October. A prize will be presented to the Group that is the most innovative and successful. Good luck!
If you were unable to attend the AGM day, you might like to view some of the photographs taken during the morning. In the afternoon we had a guest speaker, Sean Suleman, from the Blonde Angels Street Team. He spoke movingly about their work and told stories of hope as they work with the Homeless and help to move them forwards in their lives, showing care and compassion. We have already been supporting them with gifts of food and warm clothing etc. but now we have agreed to officially take this on as a project. #makingadifference being totally in line with our aims and objectives.
New straplines from Central MU state that we aim to: Stop Poverty, Stop Violence and Stop Injustice. We support this entirely, and by sharing God’s love with those around us, and
those in need, we are helping to make Jesus visible through the selfless work of the Mothers’ Union. 'And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.’ Romans 5:5
With my love and prayers and Easter blessings.
Jacky x
MU President Bristol
A Personal Reflection for Lady Day 25 March 2023
‘Inspire us in our faith that all things are possible with God’.
Lady Day - the Feast of the Annunciation - has been a significant day of prayer, intercession and thanksgiving for Mothers’ Union since 1897.
Bible reading: Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over
the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end. ;The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God. I am the Lord's servant, Mary answered. May it be to me as you have said.
Luke 1: 30-33; 35-38
When you come to us
with gentle whisper
or mighty wind,
and ask what seems impossible
to human minds,
as you did to Mary,
may our response
not be to hesitate,
make excuses
or run away,
but to echo instead
those trusting
and beautiful words,
“I am the Lord’s servant:
may your word be fulfilled in me”
For Mary’s faithfulness
and her life of service
we thank you, Lord.
© John Birch
A Prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ
give us, we pray,
the graces of Mary;
faith, patience,
ready obedience,
thankfulness
and courage. Amen
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