Connor Diocese :: Cross, Church, Causeway

Mothers' Union

Projects

Members of Connor Mothers’ Union are involved in various diocesan projects both within their local and wider communities.

Reading Partners
Some members, under the guidance of the Reading Recovery teacher in their local school, give extra help and encouragement to children with their reading.

Toilet Bags
Local hospital Accident & Emergency Units are benefiting from the supply of toilet bags containing basic necessities for the emergency admission of patients.

Knitting and Sewing.
Members are involved in knitting and sewing little garments and cot quilts suitable for premature babies.

Contact Centre
A Contact Centre enables children to meet their separated parent or grandparents in a safe and neutral environment. Trained MU volunteers provide a warm welcome, offer refreshments and support the Social Worker in charge.

Cook Book
Over the past four years around 30,000 copies of a cook book containing recipes, cooking tips and useful contacts has been given to all first year students in universities within the Diocese. It has been well received.

Parenting Programme
MU groups provide an opportunity for parents to get together in a supportive environment and talk about the joys and challenges of bringing up their children. The programme is expanding and was featured at Connor Diocesan Synod 2008. More information on the programme available here.

The Overseas Fund
This supports projects outside the UK in various ways:

Helping to provide training for members and workers in developing leadership and advocacy skills in their towns and villages.
Funding seminars and conferences on issues affecting women's day-to-day lives.
Grants for vehicles enabling workers to reach remote areas where most members live.
Encouragement for self-help initiatives such as small livestock holdings, soap making and other craft co-operatives.

The Relief Fund
This is used specifically for emergencies and disasters such as war, famine and flood. So far in 2006, £120,000 has been allocated to areas of need including Tabora in Tanzania and Bethlehem and Gaza in the Middle East.

Literacy and Development programme in Malawi, Brundi and Sudan
In 2001 the Literacy and Development programme reached 2,000 non-literate people - 300 in Malawi, 750 in Barundi and 1000 in Sudan. Now, in 2006, this programme reaches 30,000 non-literate people - 6,000 in Malawi, 8,000 in Barundi and 6,000 in Sudan.

The O'Neill Cup
Every three years Connor Diocese MU holds a competition called the O'Neill Cup. There have been many topics over the years, but this time branches were asked to identify a need in their parish or community and develop a project around that need. Nearly half the branches responded, filling a requirement in their locality.

Prayer

May the blessing of the God who danced at the dawning of creation be with us.
May the blessing of the Son who challenges us to dance the pain of the world's suffering be with us.
And may the blessing of the Spirit who writes us to join in the dance of celebration be with us from now unto eternity.

Amen