Mothers’ Union Worcester Diocese

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Worcestershire and the County Borough of Dudley

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Mothers’ Union

The love and prayers of Worldwide President, Sheran Harper, Worldwide Board Members and staff go out to all who are combatting, or preparing to combat, the COVID-19 virus across the globe.

13 Mar 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Mothers' Union

Mothers’ Union takes the safety and wellbeing of our members, volunteers and staff extremely seriously, and all are encouraged to follow the guidance of their government and local Church in deciding how to respond. The WHO is also a valuable source of information: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Information for Mothers’ Union in Britain and Ireland

We continue to monitor the situation around COVID-19 closely and are following Government advice (UK).

Guidance in the Republic of Ireland is available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/c36c85-covid-19-coronavirus

Government Advice in the UK as at 13/3/20

• All people with flu-like symtoms - a fever obove 37.8C or a persistent cough - should stay at home, away from other people, for seven days

• Schools should not take trips abroad

• Older people and those with pre-existing health conditions should avoid cruises.

In addition, ALL individuals should follow good hygiene practices including:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.

• Put used tissues in the bin straight away.

• Wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.

• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

• Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

Some groups are more at risk than others from COVID-19, these include those:

• 60 years of age and over.

• That have a long-term medical condition – for example, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, cancer or high blood pressure.

• That are having cancer treatment.

• Those that are having treatment for autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS) and inflammatory bowel diseases.

• Those with HIV.

• Those that have had an organ transplant or a bone-marrow transplant.

Mothers’ Union Meetings

Meetings are a key part of fellowship for members. At this time we suggest you consider the risks associated with meeting up on a case by case basis and take into consideration the age and health profile of attendees, informed by the Government’s guidance. If meetings do take place you should follow good hygiene practices. You should ensure that anyone feeling at all unwell does not attend any gathering. ALL MEETINGS CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

The Church of England has also released advice, with a specific guidance around administration of the chalice and the sharing of peace which may also be of interest to members and can be found here. ALL CHURCHES CLOSED

We will review and update the guidance on this page as needed. However, all guidance will continue to reflect appropriate Public Health and Government advice.

For centrally planned events, the following guidance has been placed on the website area for each event:

Thy Kingdom Come, 22nd May 2020, Coventry CANCELLED 

Growing in Hope and Confidence – Together, 15th – 19th June 2020, High Leigh Conference Centre CANCELLED

Annual Gathering, 25th – 26th September, 2020, Belfast

Currently this event is still planned to go ahead.

We strongly advise that you wait to book travel at this time. If you are keen to book travel at this time, then you should book the cheapest flexible or refundable option possible. If you have already booked your travel, you should not do anything at this time.

We will continue to monitor the current situation and will update this advice again on or before the start of April 2020.

Further information on our response here  

Our very own MUe representative Margaret Penn has a selection of goods ready and waiting for you to purchase - her contact details:

61 Stream Road, Kingwinford DY6 9PD.

01384 270806 

mlpenn@gmail.com 

Supporting families around the world

We are an international Christian membership movement supporting families and communities in need of support in the UK and worldwide since 1876. Our members are active in 84 countries and work tirelessly to serve their communities whilst offering Christian care for families, regardless of faith or background.

Through our work and prayer with families, children and people of all ages Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Worcester is making an impact.

Our members work practically with projects across the diocese both through their local church but also locally according to need.

We seek to work practically to educate and empower women and families by:

• assist NHS nurses in supporting teenage mothers

• Help schools with ‘Open the Book’

• Organise parent support groups

• Organising ‘Away from it all holidays’

• Assist in the canteen of our prisons meeting, greeting and supporting visitors especially mothers and children; making and serving refreshments and conversing with the visitors; providing gifts throughout the year and especially at Christmastime.

• We make over 4,000 christmas cards for the prisoners and their families annually

• Support refugees to settle into school and community

• Support and assist our priests with baptism and preparing couples for marriage

• Attend wedding fairs

• Assist in foodbanks; centres for the homeless and isolated and support the elderly to remain in their own homes.

• We continue to support our local Refuges who offer shelter to victims of domestic violence by providing household essentials, toiletries and Christmas gift boxes.

• We have a lively knitting and prayer shawl ministry

There are also lots of ways YOU too can get involved in Mothers’ Union in Worcester Diocese.

                              YOU can put your skills to work on local, national and international projects; help raise funds to enable projects to                     flourish, or get together with other members in your area. Take a look at our website for a branch near you. www.worcestermu.org.uk

Members campaigning during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence

AFIA Our "Away From It All" Scheme

Mothers’ Union members here in the Worcester diocese regularly provide various types of breaks for many people throughout the year in the UK, through our "Away From It All" (AFIA) scheme, supporting families who are experiencing stressful times and would otherwise not have the opportunity of a holiday.

contact jhickman62@gmail.com for further details