Dorothy Toyn writes:
I am very proud to the leader of All Saints’
Mothers Union – a role I had before when the MU restarted at All Saints when
Bill & Jean Kemm first arrived in the Parish in the early 90’s. Several of
us had helped with the Toddler Group and we decided we needed a group we could
continue to go to ‘After Toddlers’, and that group became the reborn MU at All
Saints!
We had a good programme of events planned for this
year and our talk about Swifts in February filled the Memorial Chapel to
bursting – literally, with standing room only! Probably more people at that one
meeting than we have at all our meetings put together! We might be a very small
cog but we are part of a mighty organisation of 4 million people across the
world (and not just ‘mothers’!) working across the world supporting families. I
have just looked at the vast number of resources on their website to assist at
the present time including ‘Thinking of You’ cards with an uplifting prayer and space for a little message. A
simple way to reach out to neighbours, friends and family to show them you are
thinking and praying for them.
Being away from family and friends at this time is
tough for us all – worrying about family members you cannot meet and hug. I am so
very impressed at the number of people mastering new technology at this time,
and it does mean that you can keep in touch. Being a mother is a never ending
task, however old they are you still worry about them, and I think more so now
when we hope they are staying healthy and safe. We have had our fair share of
family dramas, and my faith has always helped me get through them – even when
the days were so very dark, and many at All Saints prayed and shared those days
with us in 2001. I always believed that we would get through things and I have
a magnet on my fridge that reminds me daily “Faith is not knowing that God can,
but believing that he will”. Many people now have a reversed role of caring for
their elderly parents and this too is as worrying as caring for little ones –
even more so at present. We need to keep praying and “believing that he will”,
even when the odds seem stacked against us.
I am writing this knowing that our baby
Granddaughter is due to be born in 6 days, so exciting but heartrending also as
I know we will not be able to cuddle her for many months. However, it is
something that needs to happen, and we must pray for the many, many people in
similar situations for much worse reasons than ours…
Loving Lord,
we pray for
your love and compassion to abound as we walk though this challenging season.
Think of some practical ways that you can show God’s love
and compassion at this time
We ask for
wisdom for those who bear the load of making decisions with widespread
consequences.
Take a moment to pray for those in positions of
influence at local, national and international levels
We pray for
those who are suffering with sickness and for all who are caring for them
Pray particularly for any known to you personally,
including those who work in the health profession
We ask for
protection for the elderly and vulnerable to not succumb to the risks of virus.
Consider if there is anything helpful you can do
for those in this category – shopping or other errands?
We pray for
misinformation to be curbed that fear may take no hold in hearts and minds.
Take any opportunity to reassure those who are
feeling anxious by what they have seen or read.
As we
exercise the good sense that you in your mercy provide may we also approach
each day in faith and peace, trusting in the truth of your goodness towards us.
Amen
Give thanks to God for his constant presence with
us through every circumstance of life
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