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Mothers’ Union and the Clewer Initiative
Mothers’ Union are proudly working in collaboration with the Clewer Initiative in order to end modern slavery by 2030
Both Mothers’ Union and the Clewer Initiative believe that the tools to end modern day slavery already exist within our local communities. We envision that the Church, which is present and at the heart of communities, has a primary responsibility in leading this effort.
The Clewer Iniative is a project that enables the Church of England and its wider networks to develop strategies to detect modern day slavery in their communities and help provide victim support and care. This involves working with the Church locally to identify resources already available to be utilised, developing partnerships with others and thus creating a wider network of advocates seeking to end modern slavery. On a more national level the initiative is developing a network of practitioners who are committed to sharing models of best practice and providing evidence-based data to resource the Church’s national engagement with Government, statutory and non-statutory bodies.
The initiative is funded by the Clewer Sisters, an Anglican order of Augustinian nuns founded in 1852 to help marginalised, mainly females, who found themselves homeless and drawn into the sex trade by providing them with shelter and teaching them a trade.
The work of the Clewer Sisters mirrors the work that our members are doing in thousands of communities around the world and this had led to our natural partnership to end modern slavery. We also both value the importance of building the resilience of those most at risk. We shall be working in equal partnership to set up a body of work to address and raise awareness of the subject.
The key focus of our work together will be
- Identifying and setting up training opportunities, materials and manuals for volunteers, staff and members. We also want to create presentations, posters and video clips to help raise awareness
- Producing a credit card sized card to help communities identify and respond safely to potential cases of modern slavery
- Collaboration of key contacts at national and local level to develop and get involved in local initiatives to identify and prevent modern day slavery as appropriate
- Create national and local advocacy campaigns that members and others can get involved in to raise awareness of the subject including involvement in Anti-slavery Day and the safer car app (for the Safe Car Wash app click here)
- Establish a prayer network that regularly focuses on this initiative
To find out more about the Clewer Initiative click here
This video gives an overview of the Clewer Initiative…
Worldwide President gives Address at Church of England Sunday Service on 15th November
The Church of England streams a service every Sunday at 9am.
On 15th November, our Worldwide President, Sheran Harper, has the great honour of giving the address. It will be wonderful to watch, either on the day or afterwards!
New Safeguarding Documentation
New documents have been added to the Safeguarding page.
Zoom Autumn Meeting and AGM
Our Autumn Meeting & AGM via Zoom was a great success and we had about 60 attendees!
Bishop Olivia gave a very encouraging and insightful talk on the ‘Five Marks of Mission’ with breakout rooms for discussion. You can read her talk here – Bishop Olivia – 5 Marks of Mission. You will also be able to watch Bishop Olivia’s talk here, check back soon!
Below are the AGM reports and handouts:
Hospital Project – Items required for July – December 2020
Toiletries
- Mini sized only please!
- Soap, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, shaving kits (razor AND shaving cream, soap or gel please), toothbrushes (can be multipacks), MINI toothpaste.
- Small combs
- Flannels
- Small packs of tissues
- Please do not send anything which has been used or of ‘normal’ size!
Drinks
- Coffee – Instant coffee in jars or tins – any size or brand is welcome
- Chocolate and Horlicks – Jars or tins
Cleaning items
- Dishwasher machine items: Salt, Rinse Aid, Cleaning tablets/capsules – any size and brand
- Cleaning Products – Any size and brand of:
- Toilet cleaner, multi-purpose cleaners, non-scratch cleaners etc.
- Cleaning and washing up cloths – any size and brand.
Please do NOT send tea, sugar or anything for washing machines anymore. A monthly update can be found in the eNewsletter
Mothers’ Union supports Baby Basics MK
Baby Basics MK is a volunteer-led charity, dedicated to supporting families who are in greatest need in Milton Keynes. They rely on donations of second-hand, but good condition, baby essentials. These are lovingly made into gift packages that give families everything they will need to get started with a new baby, and continue to support them where needed. Click on this link to go to their website
Families may be referred to by health professionals, such as health visitor and midwifes, and local churches.
Members can help support Baby Basics by donating …
- Baby and children’s clothes up to age 5
- Baby equipment such Moses baskets (these can be second hand but will need to have a brand new, still packaged, mattress) and baby baths
- Bedding and baby towels
- Nappies
- New bottles
- Toiletries for mum and baby
If you knit, they are in need of…
- Baby clothes
- Small blankets
- Hats, scarves and mittens for ages 3 – 5
If you don’t have a favourite pattern, here are some links to knitting patterns for hat, scarves and mittens…
Hat and Scarf (please don’t knit the fingerless gloves on this pattern)
If you have any items to donate please contact Rachel Buckley by using this email contact form or via the office.
Please remember the volunteers and families in your prayers. Marion Gunning from the Prayer & Spirituality Unit has written this prayer for us…
Heavenly Father, your infant Son was born in a stable then fled into exile with his parents, faced with an uncertain future. Yet He was sent by you as a gift of Love to share with the world; a gift carried forward by Baby Basics today.
We give thanks for everyone involved in Baby Basics, for the work they do, for the care and support they give and the generosity shown by so many who support their endeavours. We pray too for the families who seek their help and ask for your blessing on them as their children grow. We ask this knowing that you care for each and everyone of us.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen
Midday Prayers now available via the Daily HOPE telephone service
Mothers’ Union are delighted that our Midday Prayers and Wave of Prayer are now included as an option on the Church of England Daily HOPE phone line.
After dialing the freephone number 0800 804 8044 select option 4 followed by option 8
Midday prayers are also streamed live via the Mothers’ Union Facebook page
Oxford Diocese Church at Home services available online and via telephone
The Oxford Diocese has live-streamed and ‘as live’ worship is available for everyone across the Diocese of Oxford, these services complement the prayers, meditations and worship offered by local churches. The principal diocesan services take place at 10 am each Sunday.
The livestream feed is available from a link here on the diocesan website…
Or via telephone on this number: 01865 920930 (press 0= short service, 1=full service)