Cromhall and Falfield Branch of the Mothers' Union

'Christian care for families worldwide'

A varied programme has been put together by members for 2010 and meetings will be advertised here and in 5Alive.

The majority of meetings will be at 2pm on the third Monday of the month. In the summer months we hope to have an occasional evening meeting to enable people who are working to attend.

We are always pleased to see visitors and new members at our meetings.

For more information, please contact Branch leader Ann Greenhalgh by email: or on 01454 294200.

What's it all about?

The Mothers' Union exists to share Christ's love for the world by encouraging, strengthening and supporting marriage and family life.

In 1952, the Rector's wife in Cromhall, Mrs Bryant encouraged the women of the village to form a branch of the Mothers' Union. Their first meeting was at the (Old) Rectory on February 7th, the day after King George 6th died, and 12 women were present.

Meetings in the 1950s began with a hymn and a prayer - milk cost 6p and biscuits 10p.

Parties began in 1954, with games such as tearing an elephant from a sheet of newspaper. Entries at the first party were of such a high standard that three prizes were awarded.

A fund was started in 1957 to pay for a banner, which was completed in 1959. The banner is cream and blue, and features Madonna lilies.

The Work of the Mothers’ Union Worldwide

Mothers' Union is a Christian organisation with more than 3.6 million members in over 78 countries worldwide. Volunteers in these countries come from a variety of backgrounds. However they are united in their commitment to supporting marriage and family life. They give their time to generously help others, whether by running local projects, supporting international campaigns, or fundraising.

Mothers' Union also employs over 300 paid workers around the world. These are women drawnfrom local dioceses, so they speak the language, understand the culture and customs and have first-hand experience of the problems their neighbours face. Mothers' Union workers provide vital leadership for efforts in the community. They enable people to gain essential skills, develop and encourage sustainable self-help projects, and run training seminars for local Mothers' Union members and the wider community.

Workers also run the Literacy and Development programme in Malawi, Sudan and Burundi. This programme enables learners to become literate and numerate as well as gaining skills in health, hygiene, HIV/AIDS and poverty alleviation.

Mothers' Union is also involved in campaigning and lobbying on a number of worldwide issues such as parental rights, international debt relief and child poverty. We are happy to be working in partnership with various organisations, including the United Nations and other ecumenical groups.

Cromhall and Falfield branch may have only 15 members but it actively supports the aims of the Mothers’ Union at home and abroad. We now meet in Falfield Village Hall and you can see this year’s programme in the calendar.

For more information about Mother's Union, visit the main website: www.themothersunion.org, and our local website: www.gloucestermu .canterburyprovincemu.org.uk

The Global Village Fair

Global Village Fair is Mothers' Union's ethical gifts project.

Using this website you can choose from a range of ethical gifts for any occasion.

Whether in memory of somebody, as a birthday present or for a wedding gift, your purchase will be helping families around the world in tough circumstances by supporting the work of Mothers' Union.

For details go to: www.themothersunion.org

Mother's Union Prayer

Loving Lord, we thank you for your love so freely given to us all.

We pray for families around the world.

Bless the work of the Mothers' Union as we seek to share your love through the encouragement, strengthening and support of marriage and family life.

Empowered by your Spirit, may we be united in prayer and worship, and in love and service reach out as your hands across the world.

In Jesus' name.

Amen.