Canterbury Provincial Gathering
Canterbury Provincial Gathering
King’s Centre, Oxford
Saturday, 22nd June 2024
Canterbury Province is holding a gathering for all members on Saturday, 22nd June 2024 at The King’s Centre in Oxford. This is going to be a wonderful opportunity to meet members from across the province; share information about what we are doing in our local dioceses; enjoy fellowship; and worship together. There will be plenty of time during the day for socialising and to have some fun too. The event is open to all members and you are welcome to bring friends with you; what a great way to learn about Mothers’ Union. Download a printable brochure HERE
Venue The King’s Centre, Thames Hall, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0ES
Tickets £20 per person and are available at www.ticketsource.co.uk/mothers-union
Time
Doors open 10am
Meeting 10.30am – 4.30pm
Coffee/tea - on arrival and at lunchtime
Food
Please bring your own lunch/food. There is no onsite catering
Parking
There is limited car parking onsite and we will give priority to those needing disabled/accessible parking. Please apply by ticking the appropriate box when buying your ticket AND email MUgathering2024@muoxford.org.uk with your name and car registration
Walking route - From Oxford Train Station to The King’s Centre, please see map overleaf
Seacourt Park & Ride - 234 Botley Rd, Oxford, OX2 0HP, Bus to Osney Island bus stop and a 10 minute walk
Accommodation - There is good availability at Premier Inn Botley (register there for free car parking in adjacent car park) and Premier Inn Cowley free on-site car parking)
https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/home.html
Rooms in Oxford University Colleges can be booked via
https://www.universityrooms.com/en-GB/city/oxford/home/
Spring Meeting - Deddington Windmill Centre
You are invited to come to the Spring meeting at Deddington Windmill Centre on Thursday 13th June.
10.15am Tea & Coffee
10.45am Service – lead by Denise
11.00am Scam Play – Elizabeth, Maureen and me – Denise to lead discussion on scams.
11.20am Update from Jean
11.25am Elizabeth and Maureen leading discussions on Aims and Objectives
11.45am Jenny to talk on MU publicity in local branches
12noon Mid-day prayers
12.10pm Coffee and shared lunch – Mue stall
1.00pm Grace and close
Spring Meeting - St Nicolas Church Earley
Venue opens at 12noon, so do bring your own lunch
1pm Welcome followed by worship
1.30 Presentation on safeguarding
- Led discussion with tea and cake
2.30 Drama
Followed by Branch projects - show and tell
4pm Finish
Spring Meeting - Hughenden Church Hall
You are invited to come to the Spring meeting at Church House, St. Michael and all Angels, Hughenden on Monday 29th April. Come for the morning or the afternoon stay all day bringing your lunch.
There will be a presentation by the Trustees, a short service and after lunch there will be a 'show and tell' - some of the items that can be made to be donated. If you knit, sew or otherwise make items WE WANT TO KNOW!
We are open from 10 am with a welcome of tea or coffee. Lunch will be from 12.30 pm to l and then the afternoon session until 2.30 pm
You will be very welcome!
Wave of Prayer
This material for the Wave of Prayer could be used by an individual at home, or by a small group, or the central prayer intentions could be used in Sunday worship. MU members may wish to add a branch prayer or other material as seems appropriate.
Welcome
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters,
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths[c for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff ,they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely[e] goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
Today almost one hundred and fifty years after its founding, we give thanks for Mothers’ Union members in eighty four countries across the world; living in a wide variety of situations – cultural, political, and economic . We remember our diocesan, national and worldwide trustee boards as they work for the welfare of women, men and children and we pray for family life, for stability, equality and an end to violence and discrimination.
The diocese of Oxford is linked in the Wave of Prayer with dioceses in Africa and New Guinea and we name them now:
Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo - giving thanks for Bishop Achille and for Rosalie Etsa the first woman ordained in the diocese and praying for “Awaken” which uses Bible study to improve literacy among women. We pray for those affected by the floods in Kinshasa, and for areas suffering insecurity and displacement of people.
Ahoada and Warri in Nigeria – providing educational opportunities for children and programmes for visiting sick or elderly members of their communities.
Victoria Nyanza in Tanzania – involved in running kindergartens and nursery schools, in various agricultural and craft projects and offering pastoral support to prisoners.
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – training offered by the Mothers’ Union in adult literacy, life skills and homeworking.
Oxford – supporting Ronald Macdonald House at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Baby Basics in Milton Keynes, Children Heard and Seen, Away From It All providing holidays for families, and other local projects. All MU branches their officers and leaders, for Diocesan members, and those who continue faithful in prayer at home.
United in one faith in God our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer we pray that Mothers’ Union members everywhere may spread the knowledge of the love of God through their witness and service within their communities.
We reflect on some words of Jesus:
John 10. 14-16
I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me,
just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.
So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
We pray:
Risen Christ, faithful shepherd of your Father’s sheep:
teach us to hear your voice
and to follow your command,
that all your people may be gathered into one flock,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Any additional prayers.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all evermore.
Amen.
Lady Day
Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth
to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.
“I am the Lord's servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.”
Luke 1: 30-31, 38
Easter Day
For your humble birth in Bethlehem
For revealing the presence of God in your humanity
For your obedience to the divine will of your Father
For the simplicity of your teaching
For your loving compassion
For the forgiveness of our sins
For your suffering on the cross
For the triumph of the resurrection,
And the promise of new life in the Spirit
Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.
(Written by Rev Dr John Davey, Nottingham City Branch Mothers’ Union, UK)
Quiet Day
Quiet Day
TUESDAY 19TH MARCH 2024
THE COMMUNITY OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN
ST MARY’S CONVENT, DENCHWORTH ROAD, WANTAGE OX12 9AU
Come and join our Quiet Day in preparation for Easter
Start with Tea/Coffee and Biscuits at 9.30am
Lunch of Soup and Rolls and Fruit at 12.30pm
End with Tea and Cake at 3pm
Cost £30 to be paid on the day
If you would like to attend, please contact The Revd Mary Harwood on maryharwood695@btinternet.com or 07721 437316 with your Name, Address, contact details and any dietary or other needs.
It is possible, but not certain, that we could offer Zoom to members. If you would like to join by Zoom, please let Mary know and she will confirm nearer the time.
